Ecclesiastic
Synonyms: Bishop, Deacon, Priest, Cleric, Abbot, Canon
Special: Archetype
Ecclesiastic is an Archetype, it is a special kind of Feat. A character can only have one Archetype in total. Apart from that, Archetypes are like normal Feats and may be taken at character creation or on any level up. On your sheet, mark Ecclesiastic as one of your Feats and add all Feats gained separately.
Description
High ranking church officials are powerful political figures in the middle age.
They will influence local politics and will manoeuvre to ascend the upper spheres of the church.
A medieval bishop enjoyed considerable power and prestige and even the king would consult him about important matters. Other than the responsibilities of consultation with the king about the affairs of the state, a medieval bishop was responsible for a diocese which was composed of deaneries headed by various deans or priests. He listened to the requests of the priests and the clergymen, levied taxes on the peasants, and looked after the spiritual matters of his diocese.
https://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-people/medieval-clergy/medieval-bishop/
XXXMonasteries in the middle age, are a very rare opportunity for those seeking to change their social status.
XXXTo some minor exceptions, people live and die in the same craft as their parents. Monasteries where a rare occasion for people to chose their destiny.
XXXMost monastic orders are derived from the Order of Saint Benedict and follow a core set of rules.
XXXAll monks have to make the vows of obedience, poverty and chastity, pray at regular intervals within the day and spend most of their life in dedication to god and their order.
XXXEach orders are known for different reasons.
A medieval Bishop was someone who enjoyed considerable authority in the hierarchy of the Church.
During early Christianity, bishops sometimes acted as the leader of the local congregation but during medieval times, he assumed a position of authority and did not serve individual congregations.
Bishops are famous and respected public figures in the middle age, with a reputation and power equalling that of noble houses. They will influence local politics and will manoeuvre to ascend the upper spheres of the church.
In the eye of commoners, Priests are the voice of god. Every week they cheer or frighten their flock during mass, and attendance is mandatory.
Canons are wealthy officials of the church, sometimes they are unordained civilians hired by the church.
Abbots are leaders of a monastery.
A Ecclesiastic (bishop) gains both the Feat Reputation and Rich.
A Ecclesiastic (priest) gains the Feat Charismatic.
A Ecclesiastic (canon) gains the Feat Rich.
A Ecclesiastic (abbot) gains Rich or a Feat of his choice in the list of Feats granted by the Monk archetype.
A Ecclesiastic (other) gains the Feat Rich.
If his background justifies it, he also gains the ⭐ Faith Feat (regardless of his rank).
Additionally (except if he is an Ecclesiastic (bishop)) he gains one Feat of his choice in this list :
- Noble
- Knowledge
- Fanatic
- Sleepless
- Knowledge (apothecary)
- Knowledge (medicine)
- Knowledge (cryptography)
- Noble
- Photographic Memory
- Reputation
- Well Connected
- Miracle (even if the character isn't third level)
- Revelation (even if the character isn't third level)
- Talented
- Foreigner
- Venerable Age
If the character chooses the Feat Venerable Age, he only gains one additional Feat of his choice outside this list or two Feats of his choice inside this list. This is an exception to the rule, normally a character is not able to have two archetypes.
Note that not all monks have this feat and the character may de facto be a monk from any of those orders without having it.
