Heads of the Various Churches


Lost Omens Campaign Setting General Discussion


Does anyone know a convenient wiki - or can quote by heart - the various lists of titles or basic hierarchy of the various gods? For those chaotic religions without a main head, what priestly titles do they use to delineate that they are, indeed, clerics? Regrettably the main Gods & Magic books don't seem to have the titles, only Adventure Paths and various Country Settings.

Thus far, I've found titles such as

Lady of Intemperance (Cayden Cailean)

Bey of Sarenrae

Head Hetaera of Calistria

First Sword of Iomedae

Banker or Archbanker of Abadar.

Can you add to this list? Or do you know where the list can be found? What's the head of Asmodeus or Torag called? How about Shelyn? If there is no title, what would you use for them?


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I don't think there is a comprehensive list, though some titles may indeed be scattered in Inner Sea Gods and the deity articles in various APs. Let's see what I can dig up...

I believe Vaultkeeper is a title in the Abadarian hierarchy, below Banker and Archbanker. This is mentioned in CotCT. The head of the church in Magnimar holds the title of Proctor, but I'm not sure where that would fall in the official hierarchy. Perhaps this is due to his more militaristic approach. Inquisitors are called "taxmasters", though that is not necessarily an official title.

The head of the church of Asmodeus in Korvosa is an Archbishop. The head of the whole Asmodean church in Cheliax is called Grand High Priest/Priestess.

Calistrians tend to make up their own titles and honorifics, but elder priests are adressed as "Revered One".

Caydenites are similarly informal with their titles, though the high priest in Riddleport has the title High Publican.

High-ranking Gorumites are either called lord or lady, or prefer local military ranks (commander, captain) or tribal titles (chief, warlord). I would imagine most worshipers of Lamasthu and Rovagug would fall into the latter, as well.

Member's of Erastil's clergy seem to prefer familial titles, like "father," "sister," and so on. No surprise there.

Iomedae's church is divided into circles, all of which are lead by a Sword Knight. So the head of the church is First Sword of Iomeadae, the Sword Knights serving under her are called Second Sword Knights, and so on. Aside from that, the titles correspond to standard (Chelaxian or Taldan?) military ranks (general, colonel, captain).

Iroran ascetics are known as sathu, (presumably Vudrani) meaning "done well".

Nethysian priests residing in temples are generally known simply as "disciple," "priest," "brother," or "sister," depending on familiarity between the members of the clergy (and presumably by their magical talent). The head priest of a temple is usually titled "high priest". Members of the faith who are unaffiliated with a temple are known as "acolyte," "disciple," or "master," depending on their magical power and knowledge.

Norgorber's cults are organized like guilds, so full members (those who have proven their worth by completing an important mission) can bereferred to as journeymen. Each temple is run by a guildmaster.

Various heads of Pharasman churches (at least in Varisia and Ustalav) have been named Bishop, so I suppose that is the norm. Particularly skilled midwifes (those capable of performing a c-section, essentially) are called casarmetzes.

The High Defender is the head of the whole Toragdan faith. The churches are arranged like an army, so I would assume they use whatever ranks dwarfs use. That's a whole another question...

Urgathoan priests who can create undead are called Necro-Lords. In addition the cult members are divided to the ghula (priviliged higher caste) and the famished (initiate members trying to prove themselves to the upper caste).

Kuthite priests simply call their superiors "master" or "mistress," although in places like Nidal where the church more organized, titles like Over-Diocesan are in use.

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