Dimikar_church

The Church of Dimikar

An introduction:

The Church of Dimikar is found in cities and settlements founded on law and order. The church and its followers are fully banned from Drakeston and rarely visit the chaotic city-state of Ravenslost. The faithful of this church are not prone to secret worship and are more likely to take militant action against oppression than to maintain an underground movement.

Most of the resources of the church have been directed to defending the Black Tower from the Drakeston Horde and it only maintains a significant presence within the Black Tower, Dwarven city not yet named and Val'Orlau.

The faithful of Dimikar are expected to adhere to the ideals of Chivalry and a Knightly Code:
-Give love and service to Fan'taween in all things through Dimikar's teachings.
-Defend Church and Country and all it holds dear.
-Live with respect and honor as you give the same.
-If cowardice is in ones heart, retreat is a sin.
-Avoid politics or other discourse of lies.
-Never strike without warning or use a weapon on a foe not equal to the attack.
-Protect the innocent and respect women.
-Respect leaders of people who honor the code.
-Never lack courage in word or noble deed or service to friend.
-Die with your honor and in valor.

The Black and Gold armor of Dimikar's Knights is often the only sign that would tell the difference between them and the paladins of the Knight of Morning. It is not uncommon for brothers or strong friendships to be strained only by the difference in the moral definition of an act.

Where knights of the Knight of Morning would track a foe to a village in the enemies land, lay siege and force negotiations with the commoners to allow a search; the knights of Dimikar are not concerned with conversation.

Knights of Dimikar would track their foe to a village and surround it with an ultimatum to the village to surrender the combatants or be considered combatants. The offer would be made once and only once before the knights were either allowed to search unrestrained or they treat every commoner who resists as an enemy and burns the village to the ground.

It is important to note the mention in the Knightly Code regarding innocents and women. The difference between the innocent who deserve protection and those who warrant destruction is often a narrow matter. If a "people" are declared an enemy, then all of those "people" men, women and children are treated as enemies.

While an enemy may not be armed, if they earned the label of enemy, disarming without unconditional surrender does not grant safety, even IF the knight’s orders permit the taking of prisoners. Knights of Dimikar will consider an enemy who refuses to wield a weapon as a fool and the world has enough of those. The death of a few more will not be missed.

Clerical Ranks:

Neonate

1st Initiate
2nd Servant
3rd Aspirant
4th Sergeant
5th Lieutenant
6th Captain
7th Major
8th Colonel
9th General
10th Marshal

Holy Prophet

A cleric who has not been initiated, but does faithfully serve, will remain a Neonate. Once ordained, the cleric is afforded the clerical rank of Initiate.

A cleric can become a Neonate in the service of Fan'taween and her Aspects simply by serving well and by not impeding the ordained clergy. While these un-ordained clergy may be called priests out of respect for their divine blessing, that does not mean they are honored as if they possess the rank of Priest.

Players who wish to RP as an ordained cleric may take the liberty of selecting the appropriate rank from the appropriate Aspect up to the 3rd rank. For a character to rise to 4th through the 7th rank they must undergo ceremonies as detailed below. No character will be elevated over the 7th rank unless they started the character as a Neonate and have excelled in RP and OOC leadership to justify such a prestigious role.

Please note, clergy ranks ARE NOT governed strictly by character level or character experience. Clergy ranks are very much IC and will include specific duties, primarily by fostering RP and acting as leaders and/or advisors to others.

For ease of RP for rituals and to show dedication to their faith, however, some level requirements due apply for assignment of church rank.
Neonate: Able to cast level 1 divine spells.
Initiate: Able to cast level 2 divine spells.
Servant: Able to cast level 3 divine spells.
Aspirant: Able to cast level 5 divine spells.
Sergeant: Able to cast level 7 divine spells, a senior PC ranked Captain ( or DM controlled NPC) and forum posts.
Lieutenant: RP required, with forum posts and two senior PC's ranked as Major or higher.
Captain: RP required involving a DM, forum posts and three senior PC's ranked as Colonel or higher.
Major: Well established RP with DM involvement.

How to greet the clergy:

Clerics, in general, are treated with respect simply for their position as Holy Men or Women. Even when one wishes to be disrespectful, it is considered rude and common to do so without style. In fact, some of the 'best disrespectful' persons follow or exaggerate the niceties of greetings and add subtle comments designed to keep the cleric off balance or uncomfortable.

Clerics of Dimikar respect the station of other Aspects clerics and greet them appropriately, but do not have much patience for fawning over each other within their own ranks. They are more militant and display their respect by keeping distance until asked to approach, holding salute until returned, and by not interrupting their seniors.

It is considered bad form and ill luck to court the disfavor of a holy person and the greetings offered are meant to show proper respect.

Embracing one of Dimikar's Clerics without invitation is frowned on and in some instances, especially during times of hostility; it could be viewed as an attack or an attempt to demean them.

Most laypeople are encouraged to greet Dimikar's ordained by simply taking pause and offering a respectful nod of their head and/or responding with respectful "sir/ma'am" based comments. The Clerics of Arokasha tend to get away with touching Dimikars Priests for the simple reason that is expected of her clerics and are depended on for their ability to handle negotiations and other delicate matters.

Those who are not commoners or wish to be extended the respect due their station: Sheathing of weapons, removal of helms and polite measured tone is important.

Among other clergy the greetings are more formal.

Do not look one who is 3 or more ranks senior directly in the eye unless they are 3 or more steps away or one is directed to do so. Look at them, but not directly in their eyes. One should not approach closer that 4 or 5 steps away without invitation unless the contact is obviously casual, dictated by the environment (i.e. hallways) and/or initiated by the senior.

Anytime one is addressing a senior Cleric, one should take the position of attention, salute with the right hand and hold the salute until it is returned. A polite partial bow should precede the initiation of conversation by the lesser and close the end of the conversation.

If the situation is formal or involves a ritual, one should greet a cleric 6 or more ranks senior by taking to both knees and waiting to kiss the offered hand. A single kiss is sufficient. Once the senior cleric's hand returns to their side, stand up and salute, unless instructed to remain in place or if the ritual requires kneeling. The Senior will either wave the lesser close for this or will step to them long enough for the kiss.

One is expected to prostrate themselves before the Holy Prophets regardless of clerical rank.

It is common for clerics of Dimikar to greet fellow knights, regardless of faith or loyalty, with a chest salute, whereby they raise their right arm (traditionally the sword arm), make a fist and thump the left side of their chest. This is a show of respect and honor for a fellow warrior of the code.

It is considered an honor to greet and command lessers within the church as it is by such shows of respect that order is kept and tradition passed on that will help keep the church strong.

When one gives their name to a stranger, it is a sign of acceptance and respect for the helm to be removed.

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