Essentially, there are three major branches to the Church of Telgard: the Elven, Human, and Dwarven branches.

ELVES

The elven branch is the oldest but also the most fragmented. There are three known sects within the elven branch, each sect purporting to preach the "one, true way of Dargotten." They all have priests known as Síril'asthà. Similar to the Brantars of the human branch, these priests one step above those who come to worship.

The elven church was divided from the beginning. One sect thought they should guide the other races to greatness, to follow in the footsteps of the first born. They thought to help these other races like the children they are, by force if necessary.

The other sect had a "let them find their own way" attitude. Their philosophy submits that all wild things created by Dargotten have their own peculiar beauty and way. They should be allowed to live in peace and strive for the greatness of the firstborns.

After an eon or two in an age that has just come to pass, yet another faction arose. This group emphasized co-operation and learning with the other races as peers, not as superiors. This movement lasted a short time before being squashed, and all details were lost as to its demise. However, there has been a recent resurgence of followers in this tradition. Members from the two other sects have left their traditions and begun joining in this new religious fervor.

For more information on the sects of the Elven Church, refer to the Church Sects topic in Lirynn Kingdom Information.

HUMANS

The Human branch is now the most powerful branch of the Church of Telgard and has been since before the construction of the Great Cathedral in Inner Maston. The church is headed by the Matr ("may-tra"), the world mother's incarnation here on Telgard. She heads the Council of LifeLaw. This is the nine-member lawmaking body of the church. They consist of five females and four males of mixed races (traditionally only human, elf and dwarf). One of the five females is always next to be Matr, chosen by the other females. Males have no say in the choosing of the Matr. The council members are known as High Traphars.

Below the Council are the city representatives, known as Traphars. These are the only church members who may approach the Council. They also preside over holiday festivities in their respective cities.

Under the Traphars are the parish clergy, known as Brantars. These are the priests and priestesses whom the public depend on for regular interpretation of scripture, social aid, and religious guidance.

Worship services are constant; there is no set time to participate. Citizens are encouraged to attend whenever and as often as they wish to. The doors are always open. All races are accepted and racial conflicts are not tolerated on holy ground. It is for this reason the church is often called on as a mediator in racial disputes. Tithes are accepted with a blessing. The Church recognizes all the deities in the pantheon, and worship is directed towards all of them, as appropriate. There are holidays for each deity, joyous in some cases, meditative for others.

The human branch of the Church of Telgard is the richest organization in Telgard and holds great political power. Its clergy take no vows of poverty, so they tend to be well off, and many of the Traphars hold noble titles. It owns land, invests in private enterprises, and has for centuries been supported by the trading power of the human nation.

The Church has a military force, for use in times of crisis. They have a select group of Church Knights, who are knights that have received their titles from the church rather than a king. Some Brantars are trained as men-at-arms. They become guards (known as sentinels) or questors. The church has also been known to hire mercenaries and will defend its interests, if need be.

It is very organized, and a respected, fixed part of the culture of Telgard. For more information on the organization's current status, please see the Church Organization post in Korresh Kingdom Politics.

For more information on the Human Branch and the current Matr, refer to Korresh Kingdom Information.

DWARVES

The dwarven branch of the Church of Telgard has changed the most since its inception. Many scholars attribute this to the influence of the delfae, a race which embraces magic and is often viwed among the faithful as a font of evil. Nevertheless, the dwarven branch is accepted as a member of the True Faith.

The High King is also the head of the Church in Garr; there is no separation of Church and State in the Kingdom. Under him are the Council of Thanes, the council made up of all the Clan leaders and who also serve in a religious capacity in their own turn. Each Clan in turn is made up of a fluid membership of Houses, the bloodlines through which dwarves trace their ancestry. The Heads of Household--or Otak--are religious leaders in their turn much as the Thanes are. Priests are chosen by the Heads of Household for a role equivalent of the human Brantars. The dwarves are a practical folk and recognize some are better at politics while others are better at religion; consequently, the people with the most experience in either tend to be regarded as the 'experts' and their advice is most frequently followed while that area of expertise is being discussed, despite being nominally all equals.

The chief differences in the practices of the dwarven branch are largely influenced by the heathen religion that many dwarves follow, considered by outsiders to be the fault of contact with the delfae, though the dwarves recognize that the delfaen religion has very little to do with the dwarven heathen one. Primarily, Dargotten is known as the Smith, and the Houses and Clans worship their ancestors as spirits that can cross over from the grave to aid them in times of need. The dwarven branch has the most thorough definition of expectations for the afterlife, and have entire libraries dedicated to keeping track of each ancestor and what abilities that ancestor may bring to bear to aid House and Clan. In addition, Faeterna is barely recognized; her role is practically forgotten, and while true Church followers recognize her as the creator of life, most dwarves have forgotten her and follow the heathen beliefs for the creation of life, even otherwise devout Church members.

For more information on the Dwarven Religion, refer to Garr Kingdom Information.

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