Cultural Setting (Ecclesia)

         Heresy: The Book of Mammon takes place on a world much similar to earth in appearance, weather conditions, and culture.
In our world during the 15th - 17th centuries, Catholicism had grown into a juggernaut of religious totalitarianism.

         In Heresy, we see that with the Sovereignty of Ecclesia. Much like traditional catholicism, the Divinity is a set of religious beliefs that state that Azul is the one god, and Saint Peregrine is her prophet. The Divinity is not to be mistaken for the Ecclesiarchy, which is the ruling body of the church and it's citizens.

         The Ecclesiarchy itself mandates the application of religion as well as civilian conduct. The Arbiter, being the head of the Ecclesiarchy, makes the laws, and the Ecclesiarchy enforces them. They do this through several wings of the ruling body. The military, Aegis, often enforces the standard laws of conduct within the outlying districts of the Cardinal City, however, the Apostolics handle any law enforcement within the Cardinal City itself.

         The Ecclesiarchy is an intricate web of Priests, Bishops, Deacons and Military. As such it has four seperate hands of power, each with their own responsibilities and functions.



         The Episcopate consists of the Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals within the Ecclesiarchy, and they represent the highest ranking order of the Divinity. The Episcopate functions as the word of the Arbiter, and they distribute his will to the populace.

                   Cardinals- Are of the highest ranking individuals within the Episcopate. They are the ruling heads of a collective of Diocese and oversee the application of religious and moral mandates within a given district. They are also the ruling heads of a particular ruling wing of the Ecclesiarchy, much like the collective of diocese, there are also Cardinals overseeing Aegis (The Military Wing,) the Priory, (the Religious Ruling Council,) and the Hereticus Administratum (the Heresy Examiners.)

                   Archbishops- are the ruling hand of a particular Diocese within the Divinity. They are the heads of any particular Basilica, and mandate how the Bishops run their particular church.

                   Bishops- are among the lowest rank of the Episcopate. They are the leaders of worship, and mandate to the Presbyterate, their functions and orders.

                             The Prime Eparch- is a title granted to a member of the Episcopate. The Prime Eparch's function is heading of the religious research and study. He rules over all the great libraries of the Ecclesiarchy, and denotes and catalogues every text contained within them. This title is one of the most powerful within the Ecclesiarchy, as the Prime Eparch has knowledge of almost every secret of the Divinity.



         The Presbyterate is the order of Priests, Vicars, and Prelates within the Ecclesiarchy. The Presbyterate is the largest of the four orders of the Ecclesiarchy, and their functions are the overseeing of religious worship, and application of religious mandate.

                   Prelates- are of the highest ranking priests within the Ecclesiarchy, they are the personal assistants of Cardinals and Archbishops, and distribute their orders to the rest of the Presbyterate.

                             Eparch- is a title attained by a Bishop, or high ranking priest. Eparch is not a rank, but rather, a specific function within the Ecclesiarchy. An Eparch's primary function is religious research, and study.

                             Vicar Forane- is an honorary title granted to a Prelate. The Vicar Forane is of the members of the Eparchs and is the personal researcher and studier of the Arbiter. Their function is the research and study of religious history, as well as the translation of text.

                   Vicars- are the leaders of worship and religious functions of a particular diocese.

                   Priests- make up the religious body of the Divinity. Their functions are broad and cover far more than application of religion. Priests often times head the worship of a church, but also oversee many other functions within the Ecclesiarchy.

                             Monsignor- is a title granted to a member of the Apostolics, he is the leader of that sect of priests, and oversees and distributes orders of their operations and functions. He is also the personal guardian of the Arbiter.

                             Protonetary Apostolics- are of the highest ranks of the Apostolics, they lead large detachments of Aegis, and distribute orders to the Laity.

                             Apostolics- are among the Presbyterate order of the Ecclesiarchy. They are the highest rank among the military wing of the divinity, and are the ranking officers among Aegis, the Ecclesiarchy's military. They are also the guards of each Diocese as well as the guards of the Arbiter himself.

                             Seneschal- is a title granted to priests of the Presbyterate. Their functions are one of the most renowned of the Divinity, as they assist in the council and spiritual healing of the masses. They have been known to create miracles.



         The Diaconate is the order of Deacons and Archdeacons within the Ecclesiarchy. They are the lowest ranks of the clergy, and their functions are the basic tasks and overseeing the day to day operations of a particular Diocese. They are the assistants of the Presbyterate, and aid in worship ceremonies, research, and the passing of orders to the Laity.

                   Archdeacon- is the highest rank of the Diaconate, they distribute the orders and functions to the lower ranking members, and oversee the day to day operations of a particular collective of Diocese.

                   Deacons- are of the lowest rank of clergy within the Ecclesiarchy. They are servants of the priests, and oversee day to day operations of a particular Diocese.


         The Laity is the order of the non clergy members of the Ecclesiarchy. They are not priests, bishops, or deacons, but rather the civilian masses that function as the military. Expurgators, Aegis, and Clerics all fall under this order.

                   Expurgators- are the Examiner wing of the Laity. They are a religious fanatic sect, that hunt, examine, and execute heretics and enemies of the Divinity.

                             Exarch- is a title for the Executors, the highest rank attained within the Expurgators, and is their leader.

                             Executor- is the highest rank attained within the Expurgators. There are eight Executors, each who lead a smaller sect of examiners themselves. They are among the most skilled, and knowledgable Heresy Examiners of the Divinity.

                   Aegis- Is the Ecclesiarchy's military wing. They are also known as the hammer of the Divinity. Mainly their functions are the protection of the Ecclesian borders, civilian control, and law enforcement.