Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170609200320

Religion in the Empire is dominated by the Ecclestum which is split into many different Collegium (pretty much departments) the main Collegium are the Collegium Pontificum, Collegium Augustales, and the Collegium Augures. They are each consdiered 'Collegium Ultima' and are placed above all other Collegium. Now to describe each in detail!

- The Collegium Pontificum is the Collegium above all others (Even the other Collegium Ultima) they are the Administrative head of the Ecclestum. The Pontificums job is to manage all the far flung temples, shrines, and priests and keep the private armies of the church armed and the alms collected. The leadership of the Pontificum is lead by a 'Council of High Cardinals' who, from within their own ranks, elected the Pontif (The head of the Ecclestum).

- The Collegium Augustales is the newest Collegium Ultima rising to power after the ascension of the Immortal Emperor. The Collegium is dedicated to the worship of the Emperor and maintains his cathedrals and spreads his message to the stars. It is lead by another 'Council of High Cardinals' who are ranked slightly below those of the Pontificum.

- Finally The Collegium Augures is the oldest and most powerful (Religiously not politically) they alone have access to the Gods and they alone may interpret the Gods visions and messages. They also hold the keys to the Emperors throne (As he is now considered a god) their ranks are made up of the many visionaries, seers, and diviners throughout the Empire. The Augures are lead by a 'Council of Grand Seers' from which one is elected to lead the council.

Underneath the Collegium Ultima are many lesser Collegium Obscurus. The major Collegium Obscurus are as follows: The Collegium Milita, Collegium Sacrorum, Collegium Arvalus, Collegium Epulones, Collegium Missionarius, and the Collegium Fetialia.

- The Collegium Milita are the armies of the Church from the Guards of the Cardinals, the Chamber Militant (Professional soldiers), and the masses of fanatics and crusaders. The leadership of the Collegium are made up of two types of people: The Lord Commanders of the Militant and the Marshal Cardinals.

- The Collegium Sacrorum carry out many religious duties in the Empire (Mainly the borind tedius ones) they manage state sacrifices, arrange and organize festivals, and also serve as keepers of holy prayer books, records of saints, many relics, and many, many other sacred things. The Collegium Sacrorum is lead by two individuals known as the 'Rex Sacrorum' or 'Lords of Sacred Things' they receive seats upon the 'Council of High Cardinals' (Pontificum)

- The Collegium Arvalus is a rather old and redundant branch of the Ecclestum kept around because of tradition. They're only duty left is too offer sacrifices and prayers for good harvest on Agri-worlds, but that is for their original purposes. Now workers of the Collegium collect the alms and tithes owed to the church through force and a little muscle from the chamber militant. They are lead by 'The High Cardinal of the Harvest' a rather low ranking Cardinal.

- The Collegium Epulones are the purley Administrative branch of the Ecclestum they keep everything running within the Ecclestum. Within their ranks are many thousands of clerks working to kept the church running. They work closley with the Adepta Administratum and are considered a sister branch of that Adepta. The Collegium is lead by the 'High Cardinal of Administration' who has a seat upon the 'High Council of Cardinals'

- The Collegium Missionarius is a very unique branch of the Ecclestum being solely dedicated to praching the faith. The Collegium is soly dedicated to this purpose and has it's own private fleet and guards for it's missionaries. The Collegium is lead by the 'Grand Missionary' who is considered a High Cardinal and has a seat upon the High Council.

-  Finally the Collegium Fetilia which is dedicated to foreign relations and war. They manage both foreign relations with other gods and nations when it comes to religious matters and when ever war is declared preform the proper rituals. They also (More importantly) manage the crusades of the Empire declaring and cancelling crusades from time to time. 