Every new member enters as a Rank 9 Supplicant. Following the general guideline of roleplaying your way through advancement, you may wish to ultimately end on a certain rank that appeals to you. Each rank may be attained by roleplaying your service to the gods and creativity in storylines. It is highly encouraged that each character become familiar with their gods/goddesses of choice and create realities for them through your roleplaying.
Rank advancement is granted by a member from the Rank above yours. The Avatars are included in a Council, but it is mainly on the recommendation of the Advocate. In the case of Supplicants, Godservants do not act as Advocates (see Godservant). The only things worthy for advancement within the guild are:
1) Helping the people of Hibernia (quests) and your fellow adventurer.
2) Consistent roleplaying and maintaining a unified front for the betterment of all Nimue.
3) Encouraging others to roleplay with you in your groups or in your travels, either by leading by example, or forcing the conversation in that direction (i.e. ignoring OOC comments, feigning ignorance at their strange method of speak, etc.)
4) Creatively advancing the storyline of your (or any for that matter) gods. This can be done via in-game storys or improv, or submitting ANY ideas / stories / poems / pictures, etc. to us at the guild to further enrich the gods' resource base.
If the character wishes to advance to the ranks of Avatar (1-3), then they must participate in their Ceremony of Declaration when they are deemed worthy while serving as an Asa Taran, and declare which of the three Avatars they would like to be. They effectively become officers of the guild and are vested with all rights thereto. A Declaration Ceremony is done with the Avatars, and the hopeful is inducted into their ranks, sworn in by the gods themselves.
All of the ceremonies or proceedings which the guild uses to conduct rank advancement and daily activities can be found in the...
Guild Ceremonies
The Conclave of Eight serve directly the Old Gods of Hibernia and oversee the flock of the faithful within Pantheon. Should any of the Exemplis withdraw from their position a new one is chosen from any one of the three Avatar ranks directly below. The Exemplis maintain and direct the will and the way of Pantheon.
** Each of the next three ranks are indentical in rank position, but cover a different aspect of being a true servant of the gods **
Mystic Avatar (Rank 1)
The role of the Mystic Avatar is to carry forth and discover the magick of the Old Ways and the secrets of the gods.
Targe Avatar (Rank 2)
The Targe Avatar are the weapons of the gods; the generals and officers of the Paganslayer armies.
Virtue Avatar (Rank 3)
Those who preserve the spirit of the gods in Hibernia and preach the words of Truth are the Avatars of Virtue. They are the most public of the avatars, spreading the word and converting those to the true path.
Asa Taran (Divine Thunder, Rank 4)
The enigmatic Asa Taran are the elite personal guard of the Exemplis, and attend the Avatars directly. Sometimes serving as intermediate officers, the Asa Taran have shown their devotion to the gods by advancing in rank to the level just before their Declaration (see left-hand column).
Paganslayer (Rank 5)
The faithful soldiers of the Pantheon are known as the Paganslayers, those dedicated to the destruction of the other pagan realms of Albion and Midgard. They are always on the front lines in the Realmwar, lead by valiant Avatars, and earning great honor and glory for all Hibernia.
Faith's Defender (Rank 6)
When a Primogen has proven worthy serving within the guild, they may then serve without, and take upon their shoulders the task of carrying forth the message and gift of the gods. As a Faith's Defender it is your duty to help the people of Hibernia, your fellow adventurers, and spread the message of the gods to all who will listen. While the Primogen is in charge of tending to those who are already members, it is a Defender's duty to find new souls ready for the truth.
Primogen (Rank 7)
The shephards of the Godservants are the somber Primogens, those dedicated to learning all they can about how better to serve the gods, all of Hibernia and her people, and their fellow servant. They are always consulted when a Godservant or Supplicant is to be considered for advancement.
Godservant (Rank 8)
Having learned the truth of the gods, a Godservant declares their path of service (which gods or goddesses they wish to represent) and follow the path of fealty to them and the guild. Godservants are dutiful and loyal, the backbone on which our entire faith rests.
Supplicant (Rank 9)
Supplicants are the newly converted, those who have seen the truth of Hibernia's Old Ways and come to swear loyalty and servitude. During the first stages of their service they learn the ways of all gods and goddesses to better share the truth with others.