Prior

Overview

The layfolk of Bordevar are no strangers to the Spheres, hard work, and the people of power that reign throughout their culture. Yet no matter how strong one believes they are, there are moments that can test faith. There are moments when the body falters. There remain people who abuse what power they hold over another. In times of strife like these, it is the Prior who steps forward into the eye of the common to provide guidance and relief.

Priors are steadfast priests and preachers who uphold the faith of the Divine Spheres and the intent of the Oaken Accord with equal measure. They are commoners who renounce all right to achieve their Valours or Virtues, and do so knowing that they will make a difference to those around them. Priors are a pillar of faith and goodwill within their communities, frequently taking up a great many tasks in the name of helping those around them. Often this is with the sanctity of the soul in mind, but other times it simply seems the right thing to do.

Need:

Divine Lore (Any)

A Prior finds their purpose in their preaching. They must do more than simply believe in their Spheres, but they must spread their word throughout their community and be able to utilise the Divine powers that follow.

Shouldn’t:

Be a Knight or Noble

Representing the layfolk is part of the duty of a Prior, in ways separated from the tradition of Knighthood or Nobility. A Prior must be of the commonfolk, otherwise they will lose sight of their purpose.

Costume Marker:

Spheric Toils

While taking many forms depending on the circumstance of each individual, Priors are clearly marked by their Spheric Toils. Each Toil is displayed in a personalised way, such as having additional cloths of various colours tied to it and hung off a belt, but there is no set way to carry one. Priors who dedicate themselves to two Spheres tend to wear a Toil for each, but it is unheard of for a priest to wear Toils for a Sphere that they are not dedicated to. To a Prior, a Toil is a connection to their Sphere, one that they take great pride in wearing.

Toils do not replace the common symbology of each Sphere, but are a simple and personal addition to them that holds a strong place in the heart of the faithful.

Toil of Cervitas

The Toil of Cervitas takes the form of a ‘Bell’, a rather simple symbol that represents the calling of community that each Prior is likely to feel. Many Priors of Cervitas take this calling and give it a greater physical form, carrying their Toil as one rather large bell that allows all in their community to know that they are present even while simply moving about. To be a part of something greater together with others, to uphold the bonds of the Oaken Accord more than any other, is to be of Cervitas in the eyes of a Prior.

Toil of Lumos

The light of hope that shines from Lumos takes a more literal form in its Toil as a ‘Lantern’. Named perhaps with some acknowledgment to one of its Heralds, or merely as a more easily understood representation of certain aspects of the Sphere. Many of these Toils are painted or otherwise embellished in some way appropriate to the individual journey of the priest that carries it. Some Priors who carry the Toil of Lumos find themselves as guards, scouts or other beacons of light in the dark of night.

Toil of Arcadian

To show courage and stand for what you believe in is to be of Arcadian, but to ensure others have courage in themselves and are willing to test their own mettle is to be its Prior. This Toil does not lay purely in the realm of steel, but takes the form of a ‘Shield’ as its own. Priors of Arcadian do not need to be warriors, though many may be, instead taking it upon themselves to be a shield to guide those who walk the path of courage. Tending towards the professions of teachers, artists and leaders; Priors wear this Toil in whatever form is most appropriate to them, either as a large shield that can withstand blows or a belt shield worn at the waist.

Toil of Stallia

The stars carry with them stories and knowledge that Priors of Stallia wish to share more than anything. Stories kept are stories wasted, yet even still they must be recorded. The Toil of Stallia takes the form of a ‘Scroll’, allowing Priors to easily write down the most important information that they believe should be shared with the people of Bordevar. These Toils are often artistically designed with elements of the night sky clearly displayed where words are not. Some Priors choose to wear multiple Toils of Stallia when they wish to carry and share more information than just one can hold.

Toil of Anarch

The Toil of Anarch remains an ever present reminder of a Prior’s desire to see things change and grow. The symbol of this Toil is a ‘Hammer’, often plain metal but carefully cared for with wooden handles and colourful wrappings. To break between a hammer and anvil is to need to be made again but stronger, to be made to seek new change and grow again. Priors of Anarch are not the challenge provided, but the tool in which new change is encouraged and new growth is allowed.

Toil of Panoply

The Sphere of Glory represents itself in many varied ways, but for the Priors of Bordevar it is in allowing their community to reach greatness that its Toil comes from. Represented as a ‘Sheaf of Grain’, often bundled and varying in the type of grain or crop depending on the Prior in question. To see a crops grow and a community provided for is to allow for them to seek ambition and greatness in the eyes of a Prio. Due to this, many find themselves in the profession of farming and tending to plots of land.

Becoming a Prior:

To be a Prior is not to simply be a priest. It is a role that they must willingly step forth to fill, and one that their community must willingly accept. One cannot simply announce themselves a Prior, but must instead complete a Prior’s Parish, a ceremonial request, set of trials and acceptance all in one. The Prior’s Parish was believed to once be coined and led by Lady Jaladene, but there are no accessible records of early Priors confirming this to be true.

A priest who wishes to become a Prior must announce to their township or Duchy that they wish to attempt the Prior’s Parish. The first trial is in having a township or community that will accept this attempt. Generally success here is granted by the cheers and shouts of encouragement by the commonfolk, but failure can also occur if the priest is instead met with jeers and discouragement, as is the way of a vocal people. In the streets of Passage, it is generally acceptable to have an entire Duchy or even Band be a part of this process, as whole townships are unlikely to travel to Passage in large groups.

The second trial of the Prior’s Parish is to present an appropriate Toil of that priest’s Sphere, announcing to the crowd what guidance they are able to provide to their people. This is often done as a short and impactful speech followed by reasonable and genuine questions from the crowd. Some communities have no questions and others take questions too far. This is part of the challenge presented to the potential Prior, and must be overcome in whichever way the priest deems most appropriate to the circumstance.

The final trial and acceptance of the Prior’s Parish can vary depending on the community, but is often a simple call and response. A priest who believes themselves successful simply asks the crowd, “Do you accept me as your Prior in the light of the Spheres?”. The crowd's response, usually loud cheering in the case of success, allows the priest to formally take the mantle of Prior. From here it is left to the Prior to seek out their own path within their community, following it and guiding those that they find under the Spheres and the Oaken Accord.

History:

The common people of Bordevar were guided towards the path of the Spheres and the young Prince Artourious by Lady Jaladene of the Arcadian Frost. It was her work that ensured the layfolk of Bordevar would be included in the future of the young Prince and his Kingdom, and her words that led to the creation of the Oaken Accords. While the Accord itself is rumoured to be within Castle Artourious and as such currently inaccessible, there is no question that no matter its words it has been foundational in the way all folk in Bordevar are treated today.

Priors are rumoured to have found their beginnings alongside Lady Jaladene, at least in a primitive sense. During the expansion of the Kingdom of Bordevar after their first arrival and the establishment of Duchies, there became a need for the common people to have a ‘voice’. The role of Sheriff performed admirably enough, but it was in the smaller townships and communities that numbers became important. It was here that Lady Jaladene suggested a communal and lighter touch, one not imposed by a council of Dukites and Sheriffs but by the people themselves, heard and perhaps guided by those that care.

In this the first Priors were made. Faithful layfolk who believed heart and soul in both the Spheres and the Oaken Accord, able to disseminate the ethos of both to the people in their communities in a way that was not forced. They were known to be good and genuine people, the epitome of what a Prior strives towards today, rather than some underhanded method to convince the masses of a way to live. This saw the people represented and helped in a way that they had never seen back in the lands of Drummond, and it spoke greatly to what lives they had to look forward to.

After many years, the death of the King of Bordevar and the invasion of the Onyx Aristocracy, the Prior now stands as an archetype of the faithful commoners. A representative of their people and communities, a guide for their souls and hand lent in aid. The Priors stand now as a legacy to Lady Jaladene and what she wished for the Kingdom of Bordevar, and they continue to achieve for all what was once granted to none.

Three Things Priors Are:

Pillars of Goodwill

Priors hold an important role in commonfolk communities, as they are often in high spirits as they preach the words of the Divine Spheres. Priors are a fount of positive energy, often offering to assist those around them and providing a consistent source of goodwill. However, they are not immune to the fluid emotions of people and can experience hardship just as any other.

Loudly Just

In the efforts of ensuring the Oaken Accord is followed, Priors work to ease the suffering of others by supporting them in any way they can. Often, this is done loudly and directly especially in the case of injustice, seeking the root of the problem and dragging it to light in front of others who should hear of it. This tends to get Priors into trouble, but it is work they take on with a smile.

Faithful Confidants

By their nature as priests, Priors often make themselves available for quiet moments of contemplation or discussion in addition to their more common preaching. These moments of quiet faith are usually kept private, allowing Priors to become a point of confidence for the layfolk.

Two Things Priors Aren't:

Needless Inquisitors

A Prior works to uphold the Oaken Accord in their own way, but this does not give them need nor reason to consistently inquisition those they believe are breaking it. Priors should consider the bureaucratic powers of the Church as useful tools in faith, to be used with tact and certainty.

Paladins

Priors do not need to take the mantle of righteous warriors. A Prior does not ever need to lift a weapon, only doing so should they choose to. Many will carry their faith into battle, but this should be done to better the souls of others rather than improve their own.