Government of Thrane

As a theocracy, the Thranish government is now synonymous with the Society of Ministers. Villages are governed by priests, towns are governed by bishops, and cities are governed by archbishops. Ruling over the entire nation is the Council of Cardinals, a large body (currently 77 members, although the number varies) that collectively administers both Thrane and the wider church. Ultimate authority is vested in the Diet of Cardinals, a select group of thirteen High Cardinals that was formed alongside the theocracy to concentrate the ultimate decision-making power of the Thranish state. In theory the Diet answers to the Keeper—currently Jaela Daran—but as an 11-year-old girl she leaves almost everything to High Cardinal Krozen and other administrators.

The military and law enforcement of the country consists of the Order of Knights Templar. Historically, the Knights Templar wandered Khorvaire, protecting the people of Galifar from supernatural horrors, but the Silver Crusade seriously militarized the order, creating large units of soldiers under the command of Thranish generals. When the Last War broke out, many Knights Templar joined the cause of Thrane, giving clear support for the theocratic takeover.

Source: Cultures of Thrane

The most powerful and influential organization in Thrane is its theocracy, the very government that now controls both church and state. United under a common faith, the theocracy is cohesive enough to defend and inspire a troubled nation, but it’s a young government filled with lesser groups and aspiring individuals who struggle for power within it.

The structure of Thrane’s theocracy is similar to the Church of the Silver Flame itself, with a series of ranks: Priests tend to temples, bishops watch over the larger towns and cities, and archbishops travel throughout a region. Councils of cardinals govern larger regions and, like legislators, are empowered to draft new laws when needed. Thirteen High Cardinals oversee these various councils, gathering in Flamekeep to heed the words and wisdom of their spiritual leader, Jaela Daran. The High Cardinals accept visitors from various noble houses and organizations and determine what is best for the theocracy and its constituents. Not every priest and cleric in the Church of the Silver Flame is a “theocrat.” Only those chosen by the High Cardinals are invested with the power to enforce (or make) law.

Theocratic laws and doctrine are not universally applied to the nation. Instead, a bishop or archbishop has the authority to determine what he thinks is best for the citizens in his domain. One would hope this authority is tempered by faith and respect for the Church’s teachings, but it is entirely possible that a bishop may act out of personal interest when he decides what it is right and wrong. In theory, cardinals watch over bishops and archbishops for signs of corruption, but Khorvaire’s marvelous means of transportation don’t extend everywhere. It is possible that a corrupt priest or bishop in a small village or town might escape notice for a time.

Travel to any city in Thrane, and you’ll soon learn the name of the local theocrat, his immediate superiors, and high-ranking potentates who watch over the land for miles around. Thrane’s government isn’t an abstraction, after all—in any place smaller than Flamekeep or Thaliost, the Church’s authority is represented by a single individual or small cabal whose word is law. Most theocrats are lawful good, but even they can make life difficult for adventurers despite the best intentions. Lawful theocrats put the needs of entire cities or regions first, while chaotic ones may act out of simple arrogance or ambition. Evil theocrats exist, but they must take special measures to conceal their alignment and agenda from Thrane’s crusaders and investigators.

Source: Five Nations

Getting PCs involved

Priests, bishops, and archbishops often use noble adventurers to combat evils threatening their villages, towns, and districts. They are, after all, responsible to ensuring the safety of their fellow citizens. Heroes who prove their worth might become embroiled in Church politics as their deeds become known and other Silver Flame temples call upon them for aid. In time, they are bound to inadvertently offend one bishop by serving another, and managing these relationships will require some delicacy on their part.

Characters who aid the Church might also be called upon to root out evil cultists lurking in Flamekeep, slay evil monsters haunting an ancient Dhakaani ruin, rescue an abducted archbishop, investigate a foreign diplomat suspected of plotting against the Church, locate some missing missionaries in the Eldeen Reaches, recover Silver Flame relics from a ruined temple in the Mournland, or catch thieves who have stolen something precious from the tomb of one of Thrane’s great leaders.

April 20th, 2019

Religion

Common Knowledge: The Church of the Silver Flame affects every aspect of life in Thrane. It is the ultimate authority, and its rule is absolute. Thrane tolerates other religions, but people adhering to them find life less comfortable than those who worship the Flame. The Sovereign Host has followers here, but few other religions, especially those with dark overtones, survive for long.

Thrane’s biggest export is religion. Each season, missionaries set out to gain converts in other lands, pushing to the hinterlands of the continent and beyond. Most faithful are well intentioned, seeking to improve lives rather than destroy them. Among these, however, a few corrupt or violent missionaries use their faith as a weapon to get what they want. The church’s influence extends into all corners of the country, affecting all people, even visitors to Thrane. From the Voice of the Flame come codes of conduct, rituals, ceremonies, beliefs, and practices— all have the strength of law in these lands. Holy days bring the nation to a standstill; priests perform rites and ceremonies, and the people attend. All citizens are expected to reflect on the importance of these sacred events.

Upon coming to power, the church replaced secular officials with religious ones. The Keeper of the Flame rules the nation, acting as spiritual leader and moral compass for the people. The current Keeper of the Flame is an eleven-year old girl named Jaela Daran. She came to power at six years old. Although she is the youngest to ascend since the church assumed power, youthful Keepers of the Flame are not unusual.

An archbishop governs each city and town in Thrane. These individuals dispense church justice, maintain the peace, and raise revenues and armies for Flamehold. Working for them in the temples are the bishops and archpriests who attend the congregations. Finally, holy warriors, priests, and exorcists serve in the trenches against the darkness.

The Council of Cardinals supports the Keeper of the Flame and attends to running the country. In theory, the council is subject to the Keeper of the Flame. Given the youth and inexperience of the current Keeper of the Flame, the council has a relatively free hand, leaving spiritual matters to the Keeper of the Flame and reserving political matters for itself.

As one would expect, the power of the High Cardinal, the Council of Cardinals, and lesser church officials breeds corruption, but it’s not widespread. The beneficent ideals of the church govern the behavior of the majority of church officials, who have only the best interests of Thrane’s people in mind. Still, other religious figures, High Cardinal Krozen in particular, seek ever more dictatorial power and view Thrane as their personal domain.

Source: Eberron Campaign Guide

April 20th, 2019 November 23rd, 2023

Monarchy

While the vast majority of Thranes consider themselves Purified, a small percentage are part of the "Host of the Faithful", the collective group of Thranish vassals. While Vassals in Thrane are certainly not persecuted, they find themselves cultural outsiders uncomfortable with the often strict flamic edicts. As such, most Vassals find themselves turning to Queen Diani for leadership, telling stories of the days before. Elves, dwarves, and other longer-lived races may simply remember the days before, when good king Thalin led the country before his death handed power to the Church.

Support for the monarchy is not just limited to vassals - within Thrane, and especially outside of it, followers of the Silver Flame see the theocracy as a distraction from the true purpose of the church. The Diet's preoccupation with the administration of state - treaties, borders, taxes - move the church's purpose from fighting supernatural evil to managing its citizens. Prior to the war, faithful Purified were confident that their tithes supported the protection of communities against the horrors that lurk in the dark. Now, a Brelish worshipper who gives to the church knows that some percentage of those funds are going to supporting the army occupying Thaliost. Purified who believe this look to Jaela as the pure heart of the church, divested from ordinary politics.

Despite all of this, the theocracy is still overwhelmingly popular within Thrane, and sufficiently tolerated outside of it. Procedural complaints about the nature of theocracy don't go very far when many people see the social charity enacted by the church, no matter how many semi-deposed nobles complain and grumble. It would take a massive scandal striking at the heart of the church to change people's minds... Such as revelations about High Cardinal Krozen's dealings with devils.

Source: Politics of Thrane

November 23rd, 2023

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Getting PCs involved

Religion

Monarchy

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