Faith of the Brothers

Priesthood

Among the Gyda

Amoungst the Gyda there is no seperation of church and state. The Kol and the Vegg from both the priesthood and the government. Priests of Owain are know as the Kol, priests of Oitir the Vegg.

The Church has only 3 levels. At the top is the Helmsman, he is head of both state and religion. The next level is the Council. It consits of four including the Helmsman, two Kol and two Vegg. Each year the council may elect one of their number Helmsman. Most years they don't have an election and just leave the current Helmsman as is. The bottom level are the general priests amoungst the people. Being a priest of the Gyda is a part-time affair. To become a priest you simply ask the council to approve you. Each year the priests elect the council from their own numbers.

Given the small population and general personality of the Gyda, elections and the general affairs of the priest hood are quite relaxed. That is not to say that they are any less freverant then other races, its just the the freedom loving Gyda are not inclined to set routines or cerermonies.

Among the Nouma

In the year 690 Vinda of the Gyda arrived in Tama City. Shortly afterwards many Nouma in that City had converted to the Faith of the brothers. By the year 701 there were almost as many faithful in Tama City as there were Gyda in existence. The structures of the Faith had to change. Why should Nouma Kol and Vegg have influence over the selection of the Gyda Head of State? How could the Nouma feel empowered in a Faith which is controlled thousands of miles away? Something had to change.

It was decided to split the structures of the Faith. The Gyda and Uukgii would continue as before, the Nouma would have a seperate church based in Tama City. Einar of the Gyda was put in charge of organising the Eastern Church until a Nouma was ready to take over.

The Eastern Church follows a similar basic structure to the Gydan Church. At the head is the Navigator. He is voted in every two years by a council of Eight. The council consists of four Kol and four Vegg. Unlike the Gyda there are eight on the council and the Navigator, with the Gyda their are four on the council including the Helmsman. The Council is elected every two years by the rank and file Kol and Vegg. In the more stable and stationary Eastern Faith, elections are to occur strictly every two years.

The Church is charged with spreading the Faith of the Brothers amongst the Nouma and any other races encountered. As the Faith is quite new in the East there is greater room for missionary work. Hence the Eastern Church is to frequently to appoint Anchormen These are brave and faithful Nouma who are to travel throughout the East, spreading the Faith of the Brothers.

Festivals