View source for Church of Koar

The '''Church of Koar''' is the largest organized and most powerful church in the [[Turamzzyrian Empire]].

==History==

The Church of Koar, dedicated to the [[Arkati]] [[Koar]], the God of Law and Rulership, holds a considerable amount of influence over the Turamzzyrian Empire. The church is led by the Patriarch of the Church of Koar, with prelates in charge of areas encompassing at least the size of cities.

As the church grew along with the empire, it garnered more and more influence over the political realm of the empire.  By 4721, Empress [[Lyssandra Anodheles]] gained the throne in part from the support of Patriarch [[Paltrach]].  This set a precedent for future rulers and claimants to seek the approval of the church.  During the reign of [[Rallick Anodheles|Rallick I]], Koar was made the official patron of the empire, and the emperor started the [[Second Elven War]] at the behest of an influential prelate.

However, the Church of Koar grew too powerful and rivaled the throne in power by 4799.  This led to a schism with some clergy declaring the church more powerful than the imperial throne.  Emperor [[Ommindar Anodheles|Ommindar]], backed by another faction of the church, reined in the Church of Koar by declaring that the Patriarch could only be appointed and dismissed by the Emperor.

The Church of Koar continued as a force of war when it supported the invasion and attack of the [[House of Faendryl|Faendryl]] elves under the reign of Ommindar's successor [[Selantha Anodheles II|Selantha II]].  The power of the church was most evident when it successfully backed a claimant to the throne, [[Trydall Anodheles]], against [[Prentius Anodheles]] in 4921.

==Recent Events==

[[Chaston Griffin]], Prelate of [[Talador]], spearheaded many of the events of the [[Eyes of the Dawn]], declaring a holy war against nonbelievers and nonhumans that resulted in numerous atrocities across the northern Empire and finally the complete destruction of the Talador township in a magical catastrophe. It was discovered later that his powers of persuasion were aided by the witch [[Raznel]]. The prelate's actions were formally disavowed by the Patriarch.

==Hierarchy==

*Patriarch
*Presbyter - inner order of priests, prospective patriarchs
*Prelate - regional authority
*First Watcher - serves Prelate
*Second Watcher - serves Prelate
*Deacon - local church leaders, referred to as "Father" or "Mother"

''For more information, see [[Prestige_and_Prejudice_in_the_Empire_-_On_Imperial_Rank_and_Titles#The_Church]]''

[[Category:Turamzzyrian Empire]]