Greyhawk Religious Organisations

Aerdian Imperial Diaconate

The Oeridian migrants brought with them a specific pantheon of deities which were central to the culture of
their society. As the kingdom became an imperial power, so the religious organisation became a key part of the
power structure of the empire.
Traditionally the clan chieftains gave great respect to the high priests of some of the pantheon, affording them
the positions of chief advisors. With the transition of the Aerdy from migrant warrior clan to kingdom and
ultimately imperial power, the priesthoods maintained their central role in Aerdian society, their temples
forming part of the imperial organisation which became The Imperial Diaconate.
Each of the priesthoods formed sects within the Diaconate, organised along imperial lines in an hierarchical
structure. The most powerful priesthoods were generally referred to as The High Diaconate, and remained the
chief advisors to the imperial throne. This primarily consisted of the sects of Pholtus, Zilchus, Heironeous,
Hextor, Celestian, Farlanghn and Delleb, although occasionally other sects achieved some level on increased
influence commensurate with the primary sects for a brief period. The sects were afforded special privileges and
land, and became extremely powerful.
From the Prelates of these sects was chosen The Holy Censor (ostensibly by divine choice), the Chief Cleric of
the Great Kingdom, who oversaw all religious matters, supposedly without favour to any particular sect. As the
Great Kingdom fell into decay, it became common for the Hextorian Patriarch to be chosen for the Holly See
and the powers of the other sects diminished.
The remaining official sects included the worship of Atroa, Sotillion, Telchur, Wenta, Bleredd, Cyndor, Kurell,
Merikka, Procan, Rudd, Stern Alia, Stratis and Velnius. The priesthoods venerating Boccob and Mhyriss were
subsequently accepted as a part of The Diaconate, although not without controversy. Erythnul is not openly
worshipped and seen more as a god to be placated rather than honoured.
The worship of other gods is accepted, if not welcomed. Non-orthodox sects of faiths which form The
Diaconates are also occasionally tolerated, although for all such sects there is little status or privilege afforded
(depending on the outlook of the local nobility) and walk a fine line in developing influence and their own
religious doctrines whilst not offending the imperial powers or attracting envious eyes.

Diaconate sect structures

Each sect is maintained following the Imperial regional hierarchy which divides the sect into regional
governances. Small temples are overseen by the priesthood, with High Priests running the largest centres of
worship. Regional Canons direct the organisation and themselves report to a Prelate. The Patriarchs are the
highest authority in each sect, although numbers vary between one and up to a dozen for each sect.

The Holy Censor is selected at a congregation of the Patriarchs. The ancient Oeridian Oracle Stone, an artefact
and relic of the pre-migration period, determines the successful candidate. The stone is carved in the likeness of
a giant head with its mouth open wide. The Patriarch candidates for the office place tokens with their name
inscribed; after a period all but one of the tokens is consumed, leaving the remaining candidate ‘chosen by the
oracle’.

Schism
Patriarch of Pholtus, from a region known as The Pale (where the sect of Pholtus was particularly strong with
extensive holdings) becomes The Holy Censor, but dies in mysterious circumstances within the year. The
existing Patriarch in the area accuses the sect of Hextor as having a hand in his death and declares himself the
new High Theocrat of all Aerdy, denouncing corruption with the Diaconate. The Diaconate denounces the
Theocrat as a heretic and demands his execution at the hands of the Emperor.
The Heironean Prelate of Almor refuses to approve the demand and noble houses of Nyrond seize the
opportunity to break from the Empire, citing the Diaconate corruption as symptomatic of the decline of the
Empire. Priesthoods of the Diaconate which side with the Great Kingdom are expelled and within the
breakaway states the Oeridian Orthodoxy replaces the Diaconate, with the same sects as the Diaconate which
were led by Prelates, Patriarchs and High Priests who did not recognise the Holy Censor (or for the most part
the Theocrat) as the supreme authority, but which formed a loose confederation which supported the Nyrondese
King as the protector of the Aerdian legacy. The sect of Hextor loses considerable influence in Nyrond, although
non-Oeridian Orthodox faiths which are not seen as evil are allowed to practice but initially have little power or
influence.