[Nerfix]

Bonus round. Nation description and Priests!

Pythium

A long time the Theurgs of Pythia were warned by the stars of impending doom that would face them unless they would break off from Ermor. The Theurgs led Pythia away and established an imperial theocracy under their rule. But as years passed Pythia lost much of it's might to rebelions. Many emperors would fight to regains the lands of the old empire but none of them succeeded. Eventually Pythia fell into inner rivalry and scheming of the emperors, theurgs and generals. Blinded by it's hubris the weakened Pythia was struck with disaster as it fell into the hand of it's enemies, and not even the last desperate coup by the Theurgs could save them.

As Pythia fell into a dark age a new sect emerged. Led by a Prophet of Awakening God promising joyous, divine, celestial unity if they would follow his god. The prophet gained many followers and he was eventually tortured and killed by the rulers of Pythia. But the martyrdom only made the faith more popular and eventually one of the men claiming emperorhood converted to the faith. Aided by the Episkopoi, high priests of the new faith and their followers he conquered the opposition.

Now Pythia has recovered from the dark ages and seeks to spread the joyos word of celestial unity. The old legions have been disbanded in favour of Skutatoi infantry supported by Cataprachts and Toxotai archers wielding composite bows. Hydras are no longer used in warfare and gladiator games are banned. Instead foreigners who came to Pythia as looters or converts have been pressed into service of the army. The Episkopoi command a vast, organized clergy and they are priest-mages of the spheres.

The clergy of the Curch of Awakening God

Anagnostis (1 H)

The Anagnostis are Pythian clergymen responsible for reading sacred texts during the many rituals of the Church of Awakening God. Since the ability to read is a rare one the Anagnostis are respected by laypeople but the role they hold in the Church of Awakening God is a minor one. The Anagnostis have limited priestly powers.

Diakonos (2H 1S)

The Diakonos are Pythian clergymen who help the Presbyter in their rituals but they are commanded by the Episkopos of their church. In some ways they carry the legacy of Theurgic Communion as they occasionaly lend themselves in rituals that could pass as the communion of the old times. But no-one would dare to link to plotting and traitorous Theurgs to the holy Church of Awakening God. The Diakonos have priestly authority and know some Astral magic.

Presbyter (3H 2S)

The Presbyter are Pythian clergymen responsible for carrying out most of the rituals. The Pythian faith of the Awakening God believes that the Awakening God will lead it's followers into life of wonderful divine, celestial unity if they devoutly follow the Awakening God and the rituals aimed to keep the followers pure of so-called ungodly influences. The many rituals organized by Presbyter include things like immersing people new to the faith in holy water and anointing soldiers worried of their bodily or mental health with Holy Oil. Presbyters wield strong priestly powers and are versed in celestial wisdom and mysteries.

Episkopos (4H 3S 50%SWFA)

The Episkopoi are the leaders, high priests and adminstrators of the Church of Awakening God. They wield great priestly authority and have vast knowledgge on the mysteries and wisdom of the spheres but they leave most of rituals to their Presbyter subordinates. Instead they perform the most important rituals, command their underlings and communicate with the God of Pythium. After the tragic death of the first prophet in the hands of the old order the Episkopos have striven to spead the Awakening God's message of blissful celestial unity that waits those who support the Awakening God. They forward the Awakening God's will to their clergy and the people as they have done since the Church was a group of believers hiding in Pythian cataboms. They also devise the rituals intended to keep the people pure according to the God's will. The Episkopoi work as a council and the treachery and plotting of the old times when Theurgs were spokesmen of the Pythian faith are largely gone and this has no doubt pleased the emperor and the Pythian God.

Comments are apreciated.