02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

108.1.141.197
table 6–2: pRoteCtoRate pReCedenCe
Title By Definition Number
Hierarch
Visgoths
Absolute leader of the Protectorate, a visgoth with the unanimous
support of the Synod.
High priests of the Temple, requires endorsement by the Hierarch or
other visgoths.
Sovereigns Priestly subordinates to the visgoths, requires promotion by a visgoth. Varies
Scrutators Any priests who are full members of the scrutator caste. ~400
Reclaimers
Those who have followed the divine calling to become a reclaimer and
been welcomed into this exclusive brotherhood.
1
9
Varies
Priests Ordained priests subordinate to the sovereigns. Varies
The Protectorate’s Military
Even though Cygnaran law governing the
Protectorate forbids the assembly of a standing army,
the treaty contains a clause allowing a capable defense
force—the Menites have done so a hundredfold. In
the decades following its inception, various leaders
have slowly amassed a secret army under the guise of
this defense force more or less under the watchful eye
of their neighbors. Every Sul-Menite is expected to be
ready for the call to arms, and it is their holy duty to
prepare. The laws of Menoth far outweigh those of any
mortal king.
In the beginning, the Hierarchs and the Synod
were training their people in hidden facilities. Under
cover of night, in unmapped caverns, and behind
hidden walls, Sul-Menites learned how to fight.
Weapons and ammunition were stockpiled and tucked
away in caches known only to high-ranking clergy. By
the time Hierarch Voyle called for a holy war in 605
AR, the tone and feel of the Protectorate’s “military”
had taken on a new face: that of the warrior in motion.
It became a surge of the devout, a holy tide of soldiers
streaming in from all directions. The crusade has given
the Protectorate a renewed vigor of faith. They have
even recalled those of the Old Faith in Khador seeing
that an united war effort is stronger than a fractious,
segmented one. Hidden warjack depots send new and
improved chassis into the world, deploying troops
that were not supposed to exist in the thousands to
soon-to-be battlefields. The skies have darkened with
the soot and smoke from the massing forces, and the
flames of their holy war burn bright enough to be seen
for miles.
All Protectorate forces answer to the Hierarch
including all of the ranks of the top-level singular
positions: the Grand Scrutator, the Grand Exemplar,
the High Reclaimer, and the Priestess of the Flame. All
scrutator ranks outrank equivalent ranking members
of the other orders. A bottom rank scrutator still
outranks a reclaimer, warder, abbot, and preceptor,
for example.
Each leader of the military orders has total
authority over the membership of his particular order.
This includes the Grand High Allegiant of the Order
of the Fist, the Priest (or Priestess) of the Flame,
the Grand Exemplar, the High Reclaimer, and the
Lord Commander of the Order of the Wall. Rarely
do these leaders interfere in the day-to-day affairs of
the Protectorate except when it pertains to wartime
necessity or defense.
The general populace must obey any ordained
priest in addition to any other servant of the
World Guide 271