Dhovianism - The Order of the Red
The Order of the Red - or colloquially known as Red Priests - are the sect of the Dhovian ministry sworn to protect the faithful.
They are a deeply religious lot - sometimes verging on zealotry - and take the Oaths they make incredibly seriously. Extraordinarily skilled warriors, many of them spend their lives in pursuit of physical and mental mastery of themselves. Even a plainly adorned Red Priest is an elite warrior compared to a member of the lay military, as Red Priests train specifically to seek out heretics and abominations born of Bloodcraft.
The arrival of a Red Priest spells doom to the enemies of the Church and its holy country.
Initiates are the most populous body in the red priesthood, comprised of young soldiers hoping to become ordained to full priests. It is not uncommon for Initiates to be inducted as children - some even as young as five. Training is rigorous and begins early, and there are a number of martial skills they are expected to master. Failure to achieve this mastery may result in a dismissal from the priesthood.
Initiates study and train under an elder priest who becomes their mentor for the majority of their time at the priory. Their mentor is responsible for certain specifics of their training, such as teaching them how to perform holy rites, and is also responsible for their safety. An elder Initiate, one closer to ordination, may occasionally be sent on missions on their own without the company of their mentor.
Initiates are not permitted to go on combat missions until they pass their martial exams or reach the age of majority, although if an Initiate is considered particularly skilled, they may be granted a special dispensation. It is also not uncommon for Initiates to suffer injuries or death while on these missions.
While Initiates are not required to swear any oaths or vows, the further an Initiate progresses, the more seriously they are expected to take their future vows.
Ordination requires an Initiate to pass a series of rigorous physical challenges, combat scenarios, and display of mental acuity, as well as working knowledge of church doctrine. They must know how to perform certain holy rites, such as deconsecration and lighting cleansing flames. At this point, an Initiate should have faced and killed abominations and bloodwitches.
Some initiates may choose to take this exam but not advance further into the priesthood, choosing instead to go directly into the lay military. If an Initiate chooses ordination, they undergo a ceremony and take vows, including those of celibacy. They are then sent to a priory for further training and study.
Priests are equal to the rank of curate in the branch of the white priesthood, but red priests serve a very different function. They do not perform blessings or rites and cannot offer spiritual guidance. Their ranks are much closer to that of a military, and there is a strict chain of command. There are some privileges unique to the red priests - they can deconsecrate ground, declare acts of heresy, and perform minor inquisitions. They are also not bound by vows of nonviolence.
Ordained priests are also now given the power to declare a minor heresy. Declaring a heresy gives them unilateral control over an area's lay forces for a limited period of time. If this period of time elapses, or the threat remains uncontrolled, a member of the rectorate must arrive to legitimize the heresy.
In more extreme matters, such as civil or holy wars, or major outbreaks of Bloodcraft and abominations, a heresy must be legitimized by the Commander, the Divine, and the King or Queen of Estos.
Second and Third Primates are the next ranks in succession. Both require exams, but the ranks are generally given after a number of years of service - usually four or five.
The rank of Primate Elite is given to the best and most skilled priests. Considered the Brotherhood's "special forces", primate elites must take rigorous combat exams to prove their skill, and must have a certain percentage of mission success. Generally, they also should have a more or less spotless record and display a great deal of piety.
Priors and Rectors technically hold the same rank, but while a Rector may continue to advance up the ranks, the Prior is a terminal position. However, it is no less important of a rank, as Priors oversee the training of new priests and handle their assignments.
The prior is the direct equivalent to the Abbot in the branch of the white priesthood, and they have similar duties. The prior maintains the Priory and the functions of the territory he controls, but cannot perform certain blessings or rites such as marriage. As such, while the Priory is technically also a Sanctarium, there is an Amity of white priests located at the Priory for spiritual advisement.
A rector is of equal rank, although slightly differing authority and duties. A rector oversees the territory itself, managing the priesthood within the territory and directing them on missions. He works with fellow rectors and rector-lieutenants to oversee military operations, and works directly with the abbots. Priors, Rectors, and Rector-Lieutenants form the Rectorate, which is the council that oversees the whole of the Red Priesthood.
There is no equivalent rank in the body of the white priesthood to Rector-Lieutenant. They oversee the Rectors, but are not stationed at a priory, and instead roam the territory and report directly back to their Marques.
The presence of a rector-lieutenant is an incredibly serious thing. They usually arrive to investigate and legitimize matters of heresy. They are considered to be some of the most elite warriors in the Order, and are often severe and uncompromising.
Marques are the equivalent to the Prelate body, but are not stationed solely in the capital. There is one Marque for every province, and Marques generally control the territory that contains the Priory they graduated from. A Marque is not a typically mobile rank, staying mostly stationed at their Priory and choosing instead to organize their military. They rely heavily on the Rectorate to keep the rank and file in line. Marques serve alongside generals in the lay military.
The commander of the Red is the highest ranking member of the Red priesthood. He answers directly to the king, but is slightly below the rank of the Divine. He commands the whole of the Order, and may even assume command of lay military forces for a period of time. Generals answer to him, and he is considered to be equal to the Prelate body in terms of power and influence.
