The Paths
Historically, the most devout of the temple faithful have convened under the leadership and wisdom of the Prophet of Pandeus in an organization called The Order Of The One. The Order itself started with but has gone without a military arm, but generally strives to maintain both branches to to satisfy its symbological nature.
These arms are known as The Path of Prelacy and the Path of Ordination respectively. Overseeing both orders is just one duty of the Prophet of Pandeus, who alone hears the wisdom and wishes of The One, conveying them to the faithful.
The Path of Prelacy
The Prelates are a council of exceptionally devout and capable individuals charged by The Prophet of Pandeus with spreading word of The One in a given region, as well as appointing Exarchs and maintaining contact with nearby independent orders of the faith. Prelates are only appointed as needed, and at any given time the Order may have none at all.
Exarchs confirm and oversee the Order’s Acolytes, and are appointed by as well as report directly to their respective Apostle or the Prophet of Pandeus. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to organizing ceremonies and managing other logistical concerns.
Acolytes have proven their faith by completing pilgrimages, act as assistants to the Exarchs, and are often seen as the most common face of the Temple due to their efforts in spreading the word of and faith in The One.
Pilgrims have completed at least one pilgrimage and have dedicated themselves to following The Path of Prelacy.
Initiates are new members of the Order who have yet to decide on a path.
The Path of Ordination
As with the Prelates in The Path of Prelacy, the Grand Ordinator is chosen by the Prophet of Pandeus. Unlike them however, at any time there is only one Grand Ordinator chosen to oversee as well as manage the entirety of The Path of Ordination, and one must be appointed before the Path itself can be established.
Only those with the most fervent of belief in The One and the most battle-hardened of the Order become High Ordinators. They answer to the Grand Inquisitor, a Prelate, or the Prophet of Pandeus, and themselves command the contingents of Ordinators. The most serious and sacred of tasks befitting their role are left to these individuals, and they have a well-deserved reputation of ferocity.
Ordinators are the common soldiers of the Order’s faithful, and are often charged with guarding temple cities/towns, escorting Temple faithful, enforcing Temple law, and purging heretics wherever their travels might bring them.
Oathmen have completed at least one pilgrimage and have dedicated themselves to following The Path of Ordination.
Initiates are new members of the Order who have yet to decide on a path.
The Other Paths
Two types of independent religious orders are acknowledged by the Temple and ordained by The Prophet or a Prelate after their establishment: Abbeys and Crusader Orders. Abbots which oversee an Abbey and Lord Crusaders which oversee an order both enjoy equal respect—and sometimes influence—as Exarchs in The Order of The One.
