Rekiret Qishemi

Much like a pyramid, the social structure of the Rekiret is wide at its base and follows the social ladder upwards until it reaches a peak. The Phaorabeh is that peak. These wise and far-seeing priests and priestesses clad themselves in ornate silks, their precious Dama metal and various jewels. All blessings from the great Am. When they walk the city streets, passersby stop and bow, overcome by the sheer awe of a sacred procession.

Qualifications

Who can be chosen as a Phaorabeh is based on a series of concerns known only to the abeh of the Rekiret. When a new leader must be chosen, the remaining priests gather together to deliberate and seek guidance from Am's passage across the sky. Only when they are certain that Am and the Sun People are certainly satisfied with a candidate are they elected.

Appointment

The ceremony for a new Phaorabeh is celebrated by the community. They gather at the central pyramid and watch as the abeh site the omens of their gods and cheer mighty when the coronation is completed knowing well that their gods' chosen one looks over them.

Duties

Phaorabeh coordinate the priesthood of Am in their Qishemi and have certain abilities to push through new developments, laws and scientific endeavors, but only if they can prove to their fellow abeh that Am or his Sun People demand this course of action. Outside of that, they lead prayer and ceremony. Each Qishemi usually has a Phaorabeh, but there is no central leader in their religion besides those in their own Qishemi, as such they have no power outside their own holdings. If they are unable, or for some reason decide against, electing a new Phaorabeh the Qishemi is ruled over by a council of abeh.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Typically Phaorabeh are neither removed or dismissed as they have a literal "mandate of heaven". However, they can be removed with sacrilege and heresy being the most often cited reasons.

While they are not as gilded as their Phaorabeh, the priest and priestesses of Am are still opulent. These religious leaders hold an importance in their society that perhaps only the Digir can understand. Each one is a mentor, guide and parent to the citizens of their Qishemi. They guide the hearts and minds of their siblings into a brighter future and divine the auspices of their solar gods.

Qualifications

Qualifications are ascertained by their fellow priesthood members. This is a long process, filled with days divining the passage of the sun, testing the religious knowledge of an aspirant and finally, determining if they have the skills for divination. Should all be found in order, they move forward with the appointment.

Appointment

The ceremony is private and takes place in the temple pyramid of the priesthood.

Duties

The Phaorabeh has much to coordinate between his Abeh and the Viziers. It often becomes a matter of delegating tasks. The Abeh gather in council with their Phaorabeh at the grand pyramid of their Qishemi. From there, they are handed a list of ceremonies, scrying topics and other duties to pass down to the many viziers that run their settlements.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Typically Abeh are neither removed or dismissed as they are appointed by their gods. However, they can be removed with sacrilege and heresy being the most often cited reasons.

Among the Rekiret, there are a number of priests and paladins who give their entire lives to the defense and safety of not just the Rekiret and their Qishemi, but their faith as well. These individuals are known collectively as Anabeh, or Soldier-Priests, and while they hold a position somewhere between Vizier and Abeh, their authority has a much more specific sphere of influence. They have authority in faith, law and logistics only as much as it pertains to defense and war.

Qualifications

Anabeh must be inducted into the Cult of the Am Ra Aned and hold a rank of some kind in the Qishemi's armed forces. After they have undergone rigorous military training and religious affirmation they are granted the position of Anabeh.

Appointment

The appointment of Anabeh is a public one and often held on the first day of the season as to allow them to have an impact on current situations.

Duties

Anabeh function as commanders and generals of the Qishemi's defenses. They are responsible for maintaining both soldiers and equipment in matters common to military actions and faith. Anabeh are often the ones to give last rites and benedictions to the soldiers.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

A council can convene to overrule any decision the Anabeh make if the general assemblage doesn't deem it well enough into their jurisdiction. A similar council can be formed if an Anabeh is found guilty of heresy, treason or dereliction of duty.

Much like an alderman in the Grim Counties, the Vizier of the Rekiret are tasked with many, many things. Running lesser settlements, as would a mayor or governor. Some are tasked with logistics such as taxes, grain counts, mustering soldiers or even simply monitoring water traffic on a certain river. In any case, Rekiret typically defer to the Viziers of the Qishemi as they are appointed by the abeh and are above the reproach of the uninitiated.

Qualifications

The abeh take great pains to make sure they only promote those Rekiret who show great intelligence, strong morals and work ethics or are otherwise proficient and adept at whatever tasks they will be overseeing.

Appointment

When there is a vacancy or a need for a vizier, the abeh will deliberate over a pool of candidates. When one is selected, they are given a very abridge version of the abeh initiation ceremony where they are blessed under Am and the Sun People. They must then swear an oath to not only uphold the will of Am, but the Rekiret as a whole.

Duties

Highly dependent on their given task and what they oversee, but they can be expected to function as minor government officials, courtiers or even simple foremen. If a vizier of a lower position does well, they might be promoted to a higher position during the Sref Hrat every decade.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

Viziers that are found to be inept, lazy or otherwise unreliable are removed and replaced. Those that commit crimes are often removed and punished during emergency councils created for the task.

Since the Qishemi as a whole are not unified as a regular nation might be, they have no singular public agenda. Each one has various objectives and desires to be met. That being said, they are insular, but not nearly as much as the Digir. They will treat with outsiders, rather than turn them away, but they often bar them from entering official spaces and buildings. It is unheard of for outsiders to be permitted to see religious ceremonies.

This air of secrecy creates an outside world that looks at the strange reptiles with suspicion and many conspiracy theories have developed from this. However, most Rekiret settlements are welcoming, if a bit restricting.