The Consortium

The Consortium of High Priests is the chief ecclesiastical body of the Church of Paragon Emmortal. It consists of a single representative from each Emmortal-worshiping kingdom.

Function
The Emmortalist kingdoms' representatives, who hold the title of High Priest, periodically convene in the great meeting hall on Paragon's Peak, which rests atop a mountain between the borders Miria and Carmondy. Here they deliberate on spiritual matters.

The high priests of Carmondy, Miria, Valcay, Gorwad, Drame, Tanarch, and Ravock are all entitled a seat within the Consortium. Kings from all lands, as well as clergy from the Lower Kingdoms and Sorfrede are allowed to attend as well.

History
Presently, the Consortium exists as an inter-kingdom religious council. Formerly, however, it was the extreme zealot wing of the Church, back in the days of Aedor. The Consortium controlled private armies and castles, and held sway over vast numbers of worshipers. They often held seats as imperial high counselors, and were known for influencing and assassinating emperors. The Consortium, in conjunction with the imperial military, also ordered the 'magicide' that resulted in the extinction of sorcery in Aedor.

The 'old' Consortium was dissolved after it tried to threaten the temporal power of the Boldic kings, all while several scandals revealed a great deal of corruption within the Consortium's organization. These kings allied with several dissenting bishops and emerged victorious, establishing a 'new' Consortium which was effectively a small deliberative council for the faith, and nothing more. Each Emmortalist kingdom appoints a 'High Consort' to represent their faith in the kingdom.