Requirements for Procan's PriestsAB - standard; AL - Chaotic Neutral; WP - Barbed spear,dagger; AR - Plate ma<strong>de</strong> from seashells; TU - As cleric <strong>of</strong> three levels lowerRA - Priests and priestesses <strong>of</strong> Procran typically wear iri<strong>de</strong>scent green, blue and black gauze robes in layersduring ceremonies and blue tunics belted with short skirts on other occasions. The tunics will have Procran'ssymbol embroi<strong>de</strong>red in gold on the chest. During col<strong>de</strong>r weather, a long sleeved, full length ab <strong>of</strong> drab green isworn.SP - All; Animal (sea); Chaos; Creation; Elemental Water; Healing; Plant (sea); Weather(Sea)PW -3rd - Water Breathing6th - Polymorph Self (sea creature)9th - Airy Water12th - Lower WaterQSamanthaZilchusZilchus is the Oeridian <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> Power, Prestige, Influence, Money and Business. He is the titular head <strong>of</strong> alarge and diverse pantheon that has changed substantially over time. Zilchus did not always lead the Oeridian godsbut rose to his present position <strong>of</strong> prominence because <strong>of</strong> his ability to most effectively <strong>de</strong>al with the challengesfacing the Oeridian peoples during the period beginning prior to the Great Migrations. Originally merely a <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong>commerce, over time Zilchus came to be a <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> influence and ultimately prestige. His affinity for power came muchlater.Zilchus' Avatar (Rogue 20th, Fighter 20th)Zilchus' avatar appears as a tall man <strong>of</strong> middling years with a salt and pepper beard and hair that falls inwaves to his shoul<strong>de</strong>rs. He is always dressed in heavy, voluminous robes that completely conceal his figure. Theserobes are <strong>of</strong> the richest material but always <strong>of</strong> <strong>de</strong>ep dark colors, usually burgundy, black or purple. Zilchus has acommanding presence and his eyes flash steel. Nothing about his presence suggests weakness or even mercy. Hecannot be bargained with, only reasoned with.Zilchus almost never manifests his avatar. He consi<strong>de</strong>rs it beneath his station. Certainly, he would nevermanifest his avatar to aid his worshippers. Rather, he would appear only upon the most momentous <strong>of</strong> occasionsthat were suitably dignified and solemn. The recor<strong>de</strong>d history <strong>of</strong> his church lists no occasions upon which Zilchus'avatar has appeared. The closest Zilchus has come to manifesting his avatar is a gol<strong>de</strong>n stream <strong>of</strong> sunlight in whichmany gol<strong>de</strong>n motes like coins seem to fall with a faint tinkling.Str 21 Dex 21 Con 21 Int 22 Wis 23 Cha 21MV 20 SZ 6'8" MR 40% AC -4 HD 20 HP 168#AT 4 HD 156 DMG Any weapon + 9Special Att/Def: Zilchus has the ability to Command any character with Oeridian blood, with no save, evenclerics <strong>of</strong> other Oeridian <strong>de</strong>ities. Non-Oeridian characters will automatically be Slowed, as per the spell, in thepresence <strong>of</strong> Zilchus' avatar, and subject to Suggestion, as per the spell.Statistics: AL ln; WAL Lawful Neutrals and any engaged in business or <strong>of</strong> high social standing; AoCPower, Prestige, Influence, Money and Business; SY A gol<strong>de</strong>n bezant with inscribed circle and five petaled flower.Duties <strong>of</strong> Zilchus' PriesthoodZilchus' priesthood consists <strong>of</strong> three or<strong>de</strong>rs. Each Or<strong>de</strong>r is autonomous but every temple will have members<strong>of</strong> each Or<strong>de</strong>r in service. The highest ranking temple priest <strong>of</strong> each Or<strong>de</strong>r belongs to the Temple's Guiding Council orZilnod, with the highest ranking priest in the temple chairing the Zilnod. Decisions are ma<strong>de</strong> by a majority vote <strong>of</strong> theZilnod.
The Grand Zilnod is the Guiding Counsel <strong>of</strong> the entire faith and is ma<strong>de</strong> up <strong>of</strong> the three highest rankingmembers <strong>of</strong> each or<strong>de</strong>r, with the individually highest ranking member acting as the chair, or Nostrum. Only theNostrum can speak for the Grand Zilnod and the faith. The Grand Zilnod meets once every year to set church policy.The location <strong>of</strong> this meeting is a closely guar<strong>de</strong>d secret but it is believed to be in the heart <strong>of</strong> a great mountain <strong>of</strong>gold or even on another plane!The Or<strong>de</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Commandrol is composed <strong>of</strong> those priests who serve Zilchus as the <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> Power andhead <strong>of</strong> the Oeridian pantheon. They are fewest in number. They rarely have any contact with worshippers and arelittle concerned with anything but venerating Zilchus. They tend to be very distant but are not arrogant. In additionto the special powers granted to all priests <strong>of</strong> Zilchus, Commandrole gain the ability to cast Sanctuary once per day.The Or<strong>de</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Commandrol is open only to men. Members <strong>of</strong> the Or<strong>de</strong>r dress in purple robes with wi<strong>de</strong> blackbor<strong>de</strong>rs <strong>de</strong>corated with Zilchus' symbol.The Or<strong>de</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Perfant is composed <strong>of</strong> those priests who serve Zilchus as the <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> Prestige andInfluence. The Perfantine make up 2/5ths <strong>of</strong> the priesthood. Nobility, the ambitious, blackmailers and powerbrokersall see the Perfantine for clerical assistance. Members <strong>of</strong> this Or<strong>de</strong>r tend to be haughty, imperious <strong>de</strong>vious and not alittle grasping. In addition to their other powers, Perfantine gain the ability to cast Command once per day. ThisOr<strong>de</strong>r is open to men and women but there is a terrible rivalry between priests and priestesses <strong>of</strong> the Perfant, almostto the point <strong>of</strong> schism. Members <strong>of</strong> this Or<strong>de</strong>r dress in blue robes with wi<strong>de</strong> navy bor<strong>de</strong>rs <strong>de</strong>corated with Zilchus'symbol. Male priests wear darker sha<strong>de</strong>s <strong>of</strong> blue and women lighter.The Or<strong>de</strong>r <strong>of</strong> the Mezzann is composed <strong>of</strong> those priests who serve Zilchus as the <strong>de</strong>ity <strong>of</strong> Money andBusiness. The Mezzann makes up 2/5ths <strong>of</strong> the priesthood. Merchants are the primary responsibility <strong>of</strong> theMezzanni. Members <strong>of</strong> this Or<strong>de</strong>r tend to be very practical, reasonable and approachable. Merchants make up themajority <strong>of</strong> Zilchus' laity and the Mezzanni take their responsibility to care for this flock very seriously. Theirparishioners and attitu<strong>de</strong> set them apart from the Perfant and their is a rivalry between the two Or<strong>de</strong>rs. This Or<strong>de</strong>r isopen to men and women, who comprise about equal numbers <strong>of</strong> the Or<strong>de</strong>r. Dress is brown and black robes with wi<strong>de</strong>bor<strong>de</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> the opposite color <strong>de</strong>corated with Zilchus' symbol.Members <strong>of</strong> the Commandrol do not adventure as a rule. Occasionally, they are sent on special missions toaid the church or its followers but rarely. Priests <strong>of</strong> the Perfant and Mezzann commonly adventure. They seek toadvance the interests <strong>of</strong> their flock and take this duty very seriously. However, whereas Mezzani are likely to beselfless, Perfantine are not adverse to feathering their own nest along the way.Temples to Zilchus are large twisting structures with many connected outbuildings and towers. There is notone set <strong>de</strong>sign. While each temple is thus unique, the <strong>de</strong>tail <strong>of</strong> the <strong>de</strong>corations mark them as temples <strong>of</strong> Zilchus.Devotions <strong>of</strong> Zilchus' PriesthoodThe Commandrole celebrate Zilchus three times a day. The morning (Apros), evening (Aventine) andmidnight (Calopos) services are all are open to the public but are usually not well atten<strong>de</strong>d. Only those in dire straitsattend, for the services are long, dull affairs with much intoning <strong>of</strong> ritual speeches in Zilt, the Church cant, and thelighting <strong>of</strong> tall candles. Any Oeridian attending each day's prayers and praying for Zilchus' aid has a cumulative 1%chance per day <strong>of</strong> having the aid granted to a 15% chance. The chance is checked each day but if the 15% chancefails, the likelihood <strong>of</strong> aid returns to zero.The Rite <strong>of</strong> Ascension is the province <strong>of</strong> the Perfantine and is the celebration <strong>of</strong> increased social standing.The Oeridians have a highly <strong>de</strong>tailed and complex social hierarchy and having the Rite <strong>of</strong> Ascension performed is away <strong>of</strong> publicly marking and announcing such advancement. Though strict adherence to Oeridian social custom isnow rare because <strong>of</strong> the admixture <strong>of</strong> peoples in the Flaneass, many Oeridians and non-Oeridians chose to have theRite <strong>of</strong> Ascension performed to solemnify and announce momentous events publicly. Births, weddings,ennoblements, accession to wealth, inheritances, even <strong>de</strong>aths are celebrated. The Perfantine charges for each servicebut there is a tangible benefit. In the area in which the Rite <strong>of</strong> Ascension is performed, the recipient gains a +2 to allreaction roles when <strong>de</strong>aling with natives <strong>of</strong> that area. The Rite involves the passage through a ceremonial arch andthe ritual bathing and donning <strong>of</strong> new clothing.The Rite <strong>of</strong> Weight and Measure is probably the most common religious observance <strong>of</strong> any faith. Performedby the Mezzanni, this Rite is used to seal tra<strong>de</strong> agreements. The priest performing the ritual is effectively vouchingfor the soundness and fairness <strong>of</strong> the <strong>de</strong>al. A variety <strong>of</strong> divination, the Rite <strong>of</strong> Weight and Measure will reveal to thepriest any falsehoods, cheating or trickery involved in the <strong>de</strong>al and give him the ability to exact absolute complianceto the spirit and letter <strong>of</strong> the <strong>de</strong>al from both parties. This Rite is commonly performed hundreds <strong>of</strong> time a day. Eachparty provi<strong>de</strong>s the priest a gold, silver or copper piece, <strong>de</strong>pending on the value <strong>of</strong> the <strong>de</strong>al, and promises ten more ifthe <strong>de</strong>al is successful. The priest takes one piece in each hand and claps his hands together. That's all there is to it.The parties are honor bound to pay their promised return or lose the services <strong>of</strong> the church until the <strong>de</strong>bt is ma<strong>de</strong>good.
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