Chapter Five: On Men of the Cloth and Other Scoundrels,

or,
The Clergy in Death Before Dishonor

Contents | Introduction | Weekly Actions | Monthly Actions | Military | The Agent | Appointments

5.1 Clergymen in Death Before Dishonor

The Catholic Church was a very powerful institution in 17th Century France, and so it is in Death Before Dishonor.  While clergymen may not be in the military once they are ordained, there are ways for them to acquire wealth, power, mentions, and even titles.  While there are certain restrictions placed upon them, there are many advantages that bring clergyman on par with members of the military.

5.1.1 Becoming a Priest: The School of Theology

Before becoming a priest, one must first be a Student of Theology (SoT). Anyone can become an SoT at any time; there is no roll required.  Characters may be in the Military and an SoT at the same time. An SoT must study for 24 Weeks before Ordination. He must study at least 1 week/month (except while at the front).  If a month passes without at least one week spent in study (except while at the front) he must begin his studies from scratch.  A Student of Theology gains one SP per week for their studies (this changes after joining an Order, see Orders below).

An SoT may retire to a Monastery to study. Each full month in the monastery counts as 5 weeks of study, and the character is exempt from the SP requirements to maintain his SL (exactly as if he were at war).  Charters may not be arrested by the CPS while at a monastery.

Please note that characters may study at the school of theology after they are ordained as well.  They continue to gain SP as appropriate for their order.

5.1.1.1 Completion of Studies

An SoT's studies are considered complete when he has accumulated 24 weeks of study.  Following the completion of studies, the character may be ordained as a Priest.  However, it may be desirable to postpone ordination for some reason.  Characters who have completed their SoT requirements may postpone ordination indefinitely, but they must continue to study one week per month (except while at the front) or lose all standing and begin their studies from scratch.  This requirement begins the month following completion of the required 24 weeks.  A week of study need not occur in the month in which the player is eventually ordained.  It is not necessary for a character to relinquish their military standing until ordination occurs.

5.1.2 The Orders

The following three orders of Catholicism are available to clergymen in DBD.

Please note that no effort has been made to preserve historical accuracy where the specifics of the orders are concerned.  These rules have been devised for gameplay purposes only.  It's just a game folks.

5.1.2.1 Joining an Order

Below is a list of the three orders and the minimum die rolls (on d6) needed to be accepted into each based on social level. An order may be joined at any time prior to becoming a priest, but it is not necessary to do so to be an SoT.  Attempting to join a particular order takes a week's action.  This week does NOT count as a week spent studying scripture.  If the attempt to join an order fails, the character may not attempt to join that order again that month.  Once an order has been joined, it may not be changed.  This die roll may not be influenced.

SoT Orders Table

Order SL 0-5 SL 6-9 SL 10-14 SL 15+ SP for study
Jesuits

Automatic
3
Benedictines 5 4 3 2
2
Dominicans NA 6* 5* 4*
none
Unspecified SoT
Automatic
1
*Must be a Noble

5.1.3 Ordination

Ordination may occur at any time following the completion of studies, provided that the SoT has relinquished all military standing (may do so in the same month as ordination),  has joined one of the three orders, and has maintained his studies since completion of the SoT regimen if applicable. Ordination takes one week of game time.  The new clergyman may host a party at his club or residence during the same week.  If a party is held, follow the special event rules in the main rule document.  There is no need to pay an officiant's fee.

Once a player has been ordained, they need not continue their studies to maintain their standing.  At this point, they may join a diocese at any time.  There is no penalty for not joining a diocese promptly, although collecting SPs may be difficult without any military or clerical position.  Also note that lack of income may be a problem.

5.1.4 Dioceses and Archdioceses

There are 2 archdioceses and 4 dioceses near enough to Paris to be interesting. They each have openings for a certain number of clergymen and are, in order of prestige:

  1. Archdiocese of Paris (ADP)
  2. Archdiocese of Mont-Royale (AMR)
  3. Diocese of Premy (DP)
  4. Diocese of Bonelle (DB)
  5. Diocese of Montrouge (DM)
  6. Diocese of Bas-Ville (DBV)

Clergy receive SP/Pay according to rank and diocese as follows:

Diocese SP/Pay Influence
ADP AMR DP DB DM DBV
Priest (unlimited number) 4/7 4/7 3/6 3/6 2/5 2/4 1
Curate (6 per diocese) 5/14 5/12 4/10 4/10 3/8 3/7 2
Pastor (3 per diocese) 6/22 6/20 5/16 5/16 4/14 4/12 3
Curia (10 per diocese) 7/33 7/30 6/25 6/25 5/20 5/20 5
Bishop  8/50 8/45 7/40 7/40 6/35 6/35 6
Prince Bishop 
(1 Bishop or PB per diocese)		 10/60 10/55 9/50 9/50 8/45 8/45 6
Cardinal (1) 12/100 NA NA NA NA NA 8

5.1.4.1 Joining a Diocese

Once ordained the character becomes a Priest in one of the 6 dioceses. Priest positions are always open in all dioceses.  Applying for a position takes one week.  This week does not count as a week spent studying, but the character may attend services as he wishes.  If the application fails, the character can not reapply to that diocese that month. The difficulty of becoming a priest in any particular diocese depends upon the reputation of the diocese, and the order the SoT belongs to.  The target die roll (on d6) for each diocese is listed below. The target difficulty (NOT the die roll!) is modified by +2 for Jesuits and +1 for Benedictines.  Thus a Jesuit attempting to join the Archdiocese of Paris would need a 9 on d6.  The die roll may be modified by influencing the Bishop of that diocese (see main rules).  PC Bishops may accept or reject any applicant they wish.

Diocese ADP AMR DP DB DM DBV
Difficulty
7
6
5
4
3
Auto

5.1.4.2 Becoming a Priest in a Different Diocese

Once an SoT has become a Priest, he may choose to transfer to a different diocese.  This takes a week's action and the difficulty is identical to that of an SoT of the same order applying for the same diocese (i.e. the target difficulty is unaffected by the priest's current diocese).  An application of this type may only be made to a particular diocese once per month.  Note that these rules differ from applying for other clerical appointments and switching between dioceses later on.  This action does not count as a week performing duties in church (see below).

5.1.5 Duties of the Priesthood

Priests must spend 2 weeks per month performing their duties, this may be combined with any religious activity such as presiding over a wedding or funeral. Curates and Curia Members must spend 1 week per month similarly. Curates are aides to Pastors, whilst Pastors run parishes. The Curia are a Bishop's advisors. Pastors, Bishops and above need not spend any time at all in the pursuit of religious activity.

5.1.6 Leaving the Priesthood

A member of the clergy may renounce the cloth at any time, but loses 1 SL and all clerical privileges, standing, housing, and estates granted him by the church.

 

5.2 Benefits of the Cloth

Priests do not require Female Companionship, but may court and liaise mistresses as usual. Note that debauchery is a punishable offense for clergymen .  If indiscretions draw attention to the church, there can be serious consequences (see Earthly Restrictions).

Priests may turn down all challenges to duels without loss of status since they preach a non-violent sermon. Their Bishop may discipline clergy who do duel.

Clergymen may not be tried by a normal court.  Instead they appear before a Diocesan Tribunal which metes out punishment for wayward clergymen. The CPS can bring charges to the attention of a clergyman's superior, however.

Any clergyman may sway public opinion. This allows each clergyman to Elevate or Rail Against one person per month at Mass. They must spend the weekend in church, but if they do, they cause that person to gain or lose SP that month. Priests and Curates cause a loss or gain of 1 SP, Pastors and Curia 3 SP, Bishops 5 SP, Prince Bishops 7 SP, and Cardinals 10 SP.

Each month a clergyman may acquire money by virtue of the generosity of the public (i.e. by tipping the collection plate into his vestments). The ADP and AMR provide (25 × 1d6) crowns, DP and DB provide (15 × 1d6) crowns, and DM and DBV provide (5 × 1d6) crowns. The above amounts are for Priests and Curates: a Pastor can double this amount. Curia and above may not tip the collection plate.

5.2.1 Residences

Clergymen do not need to pay for a residence.  The church owns much property and provides for its members as follows:

These properties are owned by the church. They may not be sold or transferred. When a clergymen takes a higher post, they leave one dwelling and are given another. Clergy receive  SP for these lodgings, and are free to hold parties at their homes anytime they wish.  Guests receive SP as usual.

5.2.1.1 Purchasing a Home

Clergy may purchase additional homes with their own funds.  The SP received for owning a home presume you spend time there, thus SP awards for homes are not cumulative.  If a clergyman buys a home that is larger than is on his estate, there is a 1 in 6 chance for each level a purchased home is above the clergyman's station that the purchase will be frowned upon.  For example, a Curate who purchases a mansion will be noticed on 3 in 6 and perhaps disciplined (see Clerical Estates and Earthly Restrictions, below).

Homes that are purchased before becoming a clergyman are exempt from the above rule, although you may still only draw SP from one residence.

5.2.2 Clerical Estates

Curates and above are given the responsibility of clerical establishments. These have lands attached to them and generate revenue as do the estates of nobles. All estates have an attached dwelling as do those received by nobles and they may be used for entertaining as usual.  Each position (Curate and above) has an estate associated with it.  When you assume a new post, you relinquish one estate and occupy the one associated with the new position.

Rank Estate Size
Curate 2
Pastor 3
Curia 4
Bishop/PB 5
Cardinal 6

5.2.2.1 Income and SPs from estates

Clergy may draw money from their estates each month equal to ([estate size]d6 × 10).

SP are gained according to the house type (estate size).

Clerical Estates may not be sold or transferred.  They may be taken away if the character leaves the clergy, is sternly punished, or is defrocked.

Any estates granted by the King when receiving titles are treated independently.  These lands are not the concern of the Church.

5.2.2.2 Cloistered Orders

Curates and higher ranks typically have cloistered orders within their clerical lands. With the consent of a Curate or higher-ranking clergyman, mistresses may be offered sanctuary in nunneries on their lands to protect them from unwanted attentions. Characters who put their mistress into a nunnery (the permission of the clergyman is required) force the mistress to make a loyalty check at -3 (she may become Vindictive). It is not unknown for unscrupulous gentlemen to kidnap mistresses and hide them in such places. Confinement to a nunnery can be lifted only on the orders of the original clergyman, another of the same rank in the same order or a higher-ranking churchman of any order.

5.2.3 Presiding over Ceremonies

Clergyman can preside over weddings, baptisms and funerals.  The basic rules to cover such events are located in the main rules under Special Events.  These events have additional rules as follows:

As these occasions become more grand in scale, they require more ornate facilities and more highly placed officiants.

Type of
Event		 Facility Required Cost Min Officiant
Rank		 Fee SP
Host		 SP
Guest
Pedestrian Small Chapel 50 Priest 5 2 1
Well-to-do Large Chapel 100 Curate 10 4 2
Upper Crust Small Church 200 Pastor 20 6 3
Grand Large Church 500 Curia 50 8 4
Opulent Cathedral 1000 Bishop 100 10 5

An officiant may freely preside over a ceremony where only a lower ranking individual is required (a Bishop may conduct a ceremony in any place of worship).

A lower ranking officiant may preside over a ceremony where he does not have the appropriate rank provided that a ranking official is also retained as a consultant.  That is, a Priest could conduct a wedding in a Cathedral, provided a Bishop is hired as well.  The consultant receives any appropriate Guest SP.

For more information regarding special events, please see the main rules.

5.2.3.1 Weddings

The officiant gains status equal to 1/2 the Groom's SL.
The groom gains Host SP plus 3.
The Best Man gets Guest SP plus 2.
Groomsmen get Guest SP plus 1.

5.2.3.2 Baptisms

The officiant gains Guest SP plus 2.
The father gets Host SP plus 2.
The godfather gains Guest SP plus 2.

5.2.3.3 Funerals

Standard SP rules apply.  Use the chart above unmodified.

5.2.3.4 A Note on SPs for Best Man, Godfather etc.

The bonus SP received for holding these positions assume a certain amount of activity on the part of the participant.  For instance, a best man would hold a party and deliver a toast, among other things.  A guest to a wedding should bring an appropriate gift, etc.  The requirements have not been made explicit in the hopes that players will be creative.  The GM is arbiter of whether a player has contributed sufficiently to warrant the extra SPs.

Guests who bring a gift (where deemed appropriate) receive 1 SP per 50 crowns spent (max=host SP for event).

5.2.4 Bishops and Above

There are many rules throughout this document that specify how Bishops etc. behave.  These rules are for NPCs.  Player characters who reach these positions may do as they please within the bounds presented here.  For instance, if someone gives a PC Bishop Influence, they need not overlook a crime.

Bishops and above may excommunicate 1 person every year. The sinner must be at least 3 SL below the clergyman, and he immediately loses 2d6 SP for the next 6 months. He may not go to church unless pardoned by a higher ranking clergyman (or the one who excommunicated him). An excommunicated player is disgraced until pardoned. NPCs will pardon a character on a roll of 7+. Clergymen cannot be excommunicated without being defrocked first.

Bishops and above may attend court.

5.3 Earthly Restrictions

Clergy may not be in the military nor may they hold military appointments, save Regimental Chaplain.

Clergy may not marry.

Members of the clergy are expected to adhere to the highest moral standards (at least publicly).  The Church despises having unwanted attention drawn to itself through the indiscretions of its members.  While many misdeeds can and do go overlooked, the penalties for attracting too much attention can be extremely harsh.

5.3.1 Transgressions and Offense Level

Each type of indiscretion a clergyman might commit has an Offense Level (OL)associated with it.  When a clergyman commits a misdeed the OL of the offense must be determined. The OL influences how difficult it is to avoid punishment as well as how severe punishment might be.

Type of Offense OL
Assisting an escape attempt 1
Breaking a legal contract
Cursing
Gambling
Purchasing home 1 level above station
 
Debting 2
Discreetly courting a
mistress in her chambers
Dueling
Poltrooning
Public drunkenness
Purchasing home 2 levels above station
Slandering 
 
Bribery or accepting bribes 3
Causing a small riot
Discreetly courting a mistress in public
Hiring Goons or Yobs
Obtaining companionship
at a bawdy house
Outraging public decency
Purchasing home 3 levels above station
Theft (less than 500 crowns)
 
Assault 4
Blackmail
Blasphemy
Causing a medium riot
Extortion
Indiscreetly courting a
mistress in public
Kidnapping
Purchasing home 4 levels above station
Theft (500 crowns or more)
 
Causing a large riot 5
Impregnating a mistress
 
Heresy 6
Treason
 
Murder 7
 
Wearing white shoes after Labor Day 10
 
Insubordination Special

5.3.1.1 OL for Incidents Involving Multiple Infractions

If a single incident encompasses two or more infractions then use the most severe of the OLs to represent the entire event.  If there are two or more infractions of the most severe OL, use the next higher OL.  For example, suppose a drunken clergyman is seen dueling outside a mistresses home with another would-be suitor after refusing to back down when both men showed up at her door.  Here we have public drunkenness (OL 2), dueling (OL 2) and indiscreet courting of a mistress in public (OL 4).  An offense level of 4 is used to represent the entire encounter.  If the clergyman had also put the mistress up against the side of her house and played a game of "Bridget the naughty nun" (OL 4), an offense level of 5 would be used to summarize the event since there were two level 4 infractions.

Related but separate incidents are not combined.  I.e. if a clergyman steals 1000 crowns (OL 4) then bribes a public official with the money (OL 3), this is not a single OL 4 incident.  Discovery of these events is handled separately.

5.3.1.2 Offenses not Listed

The above list is not exhaustive.  The GM is the final arbiter of what constitutes a crime for clergymen and the offense level in a particular set of circumstances.

5.3.1.3 Insubordination

Insubordination is a special type of infraction.  The GM/Bishop/Cardinal decides when insubordination has occurred.  Generally, this infraction is reserved for severe breaches of protocol.  Examples include failing to complete punishment assigned for another infraction, repeated infractions and blatant disregard of orders given by a superior.  In the first two cases, use the original OL+1.  The OL for the latter case varies with degree of severity of the offense.  At the Bishop or Cardinal's option, punishment can be rendered by them directly, and in this instance, the clergyman may not request a tribunal (this would be further insubordination).  Please see The Deed is Done, below.

5.3.2 Getting Noticed

Once an infraction has been committed, the chance of the infraction being noticed by the Inquisitor is equal to the offense level in d6 (i.e. causing a small riot will be noticed on a roll of 3 or less on a single d6).  This roll may not be influenced.  Note that there is no penalty whatsoever for offenses which go unnoticed.

Checks to see if an infraction is noticed by the Inquisitor occur at the end of the month during which the infraction occurred.

PC Bishops and above will be informed of certain actions of their underlings by the Inquisitor (if the action is noticed).  They may act on this information as they choose, or devise any punishment they see fit.  For that matter, they can make up evidence if they wish or act on any information they get through other sources.

5.3.2.1 Modifiers to Noticing an Indiscretion

The chance of an indiscretion being noticed assumes that it is not taken to the Inquisitor directly, and is meant to reflect the difficulty of keeping indiscretions from being widely known as well as the chance that someone will take notice.  An NPC Inquisitor will investigate any information brought to him.

The following are special cases under this rule:
  • The Commissioner of Public Safety: The CPS can't try a clergyman for anything, but can still cause plenty of grief.  That is, if the CPS were to charge a clergyman with a crime and demand a trial, no die roll is made and the indiscretion is considered noticed. This action assumes a certain amount of public clamor is produced by the CPS.  If public attention were not drawn to the matter, the CPS would be ignored.  See CPS in the main rules for more information regarding this position.  As has been previously stated, the Church does not like to have attention drawn to itself.  Due to this, the CPS may be brought up on charges by the Inquisitor for blasphemy.  An NPC Inquisitor will do this on 1 in 6 when charges are brought against a clergyman.  Such a trial takes precedence over other charges.  If the CPS is tried and convicted, charges against the clergyman will be dropped.  The Inquisitor may be influenced or bribed to charge or not charge the CPS (level 4 required).  On a roll of 7 on d6 (modified for influence etc.), the Inquisitor will do as requested.  If the Inquisitor unsuccessfully charges the CPS with blasphemy and the clergyman in question is summarily tried and convicted, then on OL of the clergyman's crime in d6 the Inquisitor loses his post and is charged with aiding the clergyman at the same OL as the clergyman's crime, i.e. conspiracy to commit treason would be OL 6.  Alteration of this die roll requires influencing the Cardinal.
  • Tattletales: NPC Bishops and up will not listen to reports of misdeeds from other characters.  Characters may, however, inform the CPS.  The CPS (if played by an NPC) will listen to a claim on a 6 in d6 and bring it to the attention of the clergyman's superior.  This die roll may be influenced as usual.  Individuals who notify the Inquisitor of an infraction by a clergyman may be well rewarded.  The Inquisitor and his agents are not well looked upon by the general populace.  Non-clergyman seen passing information (10+ on 2d6) to the Inquisitor will lose d6 SP.
  • Keeping Quiet and Hiding the Evidence: It is conceivable that a player devises a method to hide an infraction in such a way that it is less likely to be noticed.  One example might be cloistering a pregnant mistress.  Sufficiently hiding the evidence in some creative fashion can reduce the chance of it being noticed to 1 in 6.  This reflects the Inquisitor's vast network of sources, lurking in the most unlikely places.  Despite one's best efforts to hide a crime, the GM is the final arbiter for what specific effect a given precaution will have.  Be creative and indicate you are trying to avoid detection.

5.3.2.2 The Privileges of Rank

For Curates and Pastors, all level 1 offenses are ignored.
For Curia, all level 2 offenses and below are ignored.
For Bishops, all level 3 offenses and below are ignored.
For Prince Bishops, all level 4 offenses and below are ignored.
For the Cardinal, all level 5 offenses and below are ignored.

Treat these as if they are never noticed under any circumstances, even if charged by the CPS.

5.3.3 The Deed is Done...er Noticed

This section is concerned with what, if any, events occur as a result of an infraction by a clergyman.  The deft clergyman may prevent a crime from being observed or use money or influence to escape punishment.

5.3.3.1 Preventative Medicine

Before an offense is noticed (i.e. in the month an offense occurs), the clergyman can do several things:

  1. Conceal the Evidence
  2. Admit Crime - If he admits a crime before the roll to be noticed occurs, the crime is considered noticed, the clergyman is considered guilty, and he is punished according to the appropriate OL - 1.
  3. Do Nothing - Wait and see if the crime is noticed or not.

5.3.3.2 The Walls have Eyes

The clergyman will be informed when an infraction is noticed.  The following actions may be taken in the month after an infraction is noticed by the Inquisitor:

  1. Bribe the Inquisitor
  2. Influence the Inquisitor
  3. Admit Guilt - Punishment will be light for the offense.
  4. Do Nothing

The chance that an NPC Inquisitor will ignore a crime is 6 on d6, modified for influence or bribe.  This roll occurs a month after the offense is noticed by the Inquisitor.

5.3.3.3 Bribing/Influencing the Inquisitor

The Inquisitor may be bribed or influenced to keep any information he has collected to himself.  Use the OL of the crime to determine the bribe.  For an NPC Inquisitor, roll d6.  On a roll of 6, the Inquisitor keeps the money, charges the clergyman with the crime, and "notices" a charge of bribery as well.  Information regarding both charges is passed to the Bishop or Cardinal. If a non-clergyman tries to bribe an NPC Inquisitor to avoid blasphemy or witchcraft charges add 1 to this die roll.  A PC Inquisitor may do as he pleases.

5.3.3.4 Superiority Complex

If the Inquisitor learns about a crime and does not ignore it, he the passes information about the offense on to the clergyman's superiors.  The clergyman may then take the following actions:

  1. Influence his superior
  2. Bribe his superior
  3. Admit guilt - punishment will be moderate for crime
  4. Demand Tribunal - this request will always be granted by NPCs
  5. Do nothing

Listed below are the details regarding these options:

  • Influencing the Bishop/Cardinal: A clergyman may use influence to try and get their superior to ignore an offense.  The base chance they will not ignore the offense is OL in d6.  The die roll receives a positive modifier for influence or bribes used.  For example, a clergyman gets a mistress pregnant (OL 5) then uses 12 points of influence on an NPC Bishop (+2 modifier to die roll).  The Bishop will act on the crime on a die roll of 3 or less and ignore it on 4 or higher.  An NPC Bishop will always act on the crime if a "1" is rolled.
  • Bribing the Bishop/Cardinal: Use the OL + 1 of the crime to determine the appropriate bribe.  On a 6 in d6 an NPC Bishop or Cardinal calls for a trial using the original OL + 1 (as insubordination).  They do keep the money though.  Otherwise, the chance to ignore the crime is decreased by 1.
  • Nothing Doing: If the accused takes no action, roll an unmodified d6 and compare it to the OL.

3.3.3.4 Offense Resolution

Roll d6 (modified for influence etc. if appropriate) and compare it to the OL.  If the modified die roll is equal to or less than the OL then roll another d6 to determine whether a tribunal is called for.  If this die roll (which may also be influenced) exceeds the OL, an NPC Bishop assigns a punishment, otherwise a Diocesan Tribunal is convened the following month.

If the initial roll exceeds the OL, the offense is ignored.  On a 6 on d6 (may not be influenced) anytime a Bishop (PC or NPC) ignores a crime, it will be overruled by a higher ranking clergyman.  In this case, a tribunal is convened, but the clergyman which ignored the offense may not preside.

If the clergyman demands a tribunal, no die roll is made (for NPC Bishops) and the request is always granted.  PC Bishops etc. may do as they please.
 

3.3.4 A Rough Outline of Events

Month 1     Commit crime
                  Roll to see if noticed by Inquisitor
                  Player informed if noticed
Month 2     Interact with Inquisitor
                  Determine if Inquisitor informs clergyman's superior
Month 3     Interact with superior--Influence or bribe crime away
                  Determine if crime is ignored, or assign punishment/call tribunal
Month 4     Tribunal if applicable- takes one week of game time

3.4 Diocesan Tribunal

A Diocesan Tribunal consists of a meeting of five Curia members (Officials of the Diocesan Tribunal) of the diocese overseen by the Bishop.
 

3.4.1 Voting

Each Curia member has a vote as to whether the defendant is innocent or guilty. A PC obviously has a free choice, but NPCs use the following guidelines:
  • 2 base chance of each Curia member voting against you
  • +1 for each piece of evidence against
  • -1 for each piece of evidence for
  • +/-1 for each level 5 influence (each member influenced separately)
  • +1 if you are actually guilty.
  • +1 if defendant is a non-clergyman
The final total for each Curia member may not exceed 6 or be less than 1.

The total is compared to 1d6: rolling less than this total means the Curia member votes against you, rolling greater than this total means the Curia member votes for you, rolling equal to the total causes the Curia member to abstain. Votes are by secret ballot and are given to the Bishop.  The total number of votes determine the outcome, with the Bishop settling any ties.
 

3.4.2 The Bishop's role

The Bishop (or Cardinal) presides over the trial and can have a strong impact on determining its outcome.  PCs in these positions can decide on the outcome as they choose, regardless of the voting.  If a PC Bishop/Cardinal decides differently from the way the votes were cast there is a chance (6 on d6) that the ruling is overturned by a higher ranking clergyman.  In this case, a ruling will be handed down from Rome directly.  PC Bishops who repeatedly ignore the voting of their Curia will find themselves warned by the Pope or perhaps punished for insubordination.
 

3.4.2.1 NPC Bishops

NPC Bishops (or Cardinal) will begin a trial with a neutral disposition towards the outcome.  Starting with a value of zero, the Bishop's disposition can be swayed towards guilty (positive numbers) or not guilty (negative numbers) using influence and bribes as usual in addition to the other modifiers for Curia members (i.e. the evidence etc.).  All modifiers for and against the defendant are summed to yield a final value, whose range will not exceed +6 or -6.  Once the direction of the final disposition is determined, ignore the sign.  Roll d6.

If the die roll exceeds the disposition value, the Bishop will break a tie in the direction of the disposition, but take no other action.

If the die roll equals the disposition value, the Bishop will vote with his disposition and will also treat a single vote of opposite type as an abstention.

Finally, if the die roll is smaller than the disposition value, the Bishop will go so far as to reverse a single vote to favor his disposition and will break the tie as before.

The starting disposition will be positive (towards guilt) if the defendant is being tried for insubordination by the individual overseeing the trial.  Use the OL of the charge divided by 2 (round up) as the modifier.

If a tie occurs due to a change in voting, the Bishop breaks the tie in the direction of the disposition.

Example:
Francois du Nada has been charged with insubordination (OL 4) by his Bishop and is put on trial.  Luckily, Francois has some friends who help him influence the Bishop.  They use 36 total influence points which yields a -6 (36/6) bonus to the disposition.  Unfortunately, the Bishop started with a +2 modifier because of the insubordination.  Additionally, Francois has some enemies which put together 6 influence points against him.  The final disposition value is 2 - 6 + 1 = -3.

So, the Bishop is now predisposed to finding Francois not guilty.  When the votes are cast (after they are influenced separately) there are 3 votes for guilty, 1 for not guilty and 1 abstention.  A d6 is rolled and compared to the disposition value of 3.
On a 4,5, or 6, the Bishop takes no action and Francois is found guilty since there is not a tie.
On a roll of 3, one guilty vote is treated as an abstention, but he is still found guilty (2 votes to 1).
On a 2 or less, one guilty vote is switched to not guilty (2 votes to 2) and the Bishop settles the tie in favor of Francois.
 

3.4.3 Trials of non-clergyman

If a non-clergyman (such as a member of the CG) is brought before a diocesan tribunal, the base chance to be found guilty is 3 in 6.
 
 

3.4.4 Bishops and above

Bishops that are accused follow the same procedure, however, in place of Curia members the other Bishops decide the matter, with the Cardinal overseeing matters. Again, the Cardinal has authority over whether or not a case is heard. Likewise, should a Cardinal be accused, the Pope will hold a meeting of Cardinals to decide the matter. The Pope, of course, is perfect in every Catholic virtue and doesn't do anything naughty at all.
 

3.4.5 Inquisitor

Should the Inquisitor be put on trial, follow the procedure for Bishops (i.e. overseen by Cardinal etc.) even if he is only a Curia member.
 

3.5 Crime and Punishment

Should the clergyman be found guilty the Bishop decides the punishment that should be imposed. There are certain guidelines that must be followed: the punishment must be in accord with the offense, although a PC bishop does have the ability to make up any reasonable punishment.  For NPCs making these decisions, being found guilty by a tribunal will incur the stiffest punishments.  Admitting guilt before an offense is made known will get a much lighter sentence (use OL-1).  Other situations will fall in between.

For minor offenses suitable punishments include:
Donation of OL*100 crowns to the poor
OL weeks of extra duties in church

More serious offenses might require the following penance:
Donation of OL*d6*100 crowns to the poor
2*OL weeks spent performing church duties
Forfeiture of offices
Forfeiture of Church-owned estates (may be temporary)

For serious crimes such as heresy, treason, and murder, the clergyman may be defrocked then (in the case of murder or treason) turned over to a civil court.  He may also be excommunicated.

3.5.1 Defrocking

If a clergyman is defrocked, he loses all clerical appointments, church-owned lodgings, and church-granted estates.  Note that once this has occurred, the former clergyman could then be tried for the same crime by a civil court.  The poor sot would also be removed from any civil appointments gained by virtue of his clerical rank for which the required title was not also held.
 

4 Openings and Advancement

Advancement through the church hierarchy may occur as follows:  
Currently Attempted Roll on 1d6 Who Influence
Priest Curate 6 Bishop
Priest Curia 7 Bishop
Curate Pastor 6 Bishop
Curate Curia 7 Bishop
Pastor Curia 5 Bishop
Pastor Bishop(Arch) 7(8) Cardinal
Curia Bishop(Arch) 6(7) Cardinal
Bishop Prince Bishop 7 Cardinal
Prince Bishop Cardinal 7 Pope

4.1 Openings

Openings are created in the following two ways.

4.1.1 New Blood

Each month there is a chance that the Church will require new blood. The chance of a Bishop leaving is 11+ on 2d6, 10+ for one of the Curia Members, and 9+ for one of the Pastors or Curates. Which particular clergyman leaves from which diocese is rolled randomly. On a roll of 12, the Cardinal vacates his post. If the indicated post is occupied by a PC, another post is chosen to be vacated.
 

4.1.2 Promotion Vacuum

Openings are also created by promotion. If no PC fills a Bishopric, then the position will be filled by a random Curia member from that diocese. If a Curia position is unfilled by a PC, then a random Pastor from the same diocese fills it. If a Parish does not find a PC pastor, then the curate from the same Parish fills it. Curates are replaced from the masses (joke!) of NPC Priests.
 

4.1.3 Applications for Positions

When positions are open, the player may apply for as many as he qualifies for, and if accepted take his choice from amongst the offers. Unlike becoming a priest, applying for other clerical appointments does not take a week's action.  When a position is announced, any interested character may apply in the following month and spend influence as they choose the month after that.

Advancement is not guaranteed for there will be NPCs after the same position.

All of the advancements are treated like appointments: if two apply and both succeed, the higher roll gets it. Influence may be used to adjust the roll.

A curate attempting to replace his former pastor (e.g. curate 1 trying for pastor 1 in the same diocese) gets a +1 to his roll.
 

4.1.3.1 The Diocesan Ladder

A clergyman applying for a position in a less prestigious diocese gains a +1 to the roll per column shift on the diocese tables above. Likewise trying to advance to a more prestigious diocese is penalized -1 to the roll per diocese shifted (e.g. DBV to DP = -3).  Jesuits receive an additional -1 to their die roll any time they try to advance to a more prestigious diocese.  Dominicans reduce the penalty to their die roll by one when advancing to a position in a more prestigious diocese.  For example, suppose a Pastor in AMR were applying for a job as Bishop at DB.  The target number is a 7, as shown above.  The character in question receives a +2 to the die roll, which could be further modified using influence.  Now suppose a Curia DP applies for the Bishopric ADP.  The base difficulty of moving from a Curia member to a Bishop is 6.  There is also a two-column shift to the left which reduces the die roll by 2.  Thus a Benedictine who used a 16 points of influence on the Cardinal (+2 to die roll) needs to roll a six to get the position.  A Dominican using the same influence would need a 5.  A Jesuit applicant would not be able to get the position in this scenario because of the additional penalty to their die roll when moving to a more prestigious diocese (they would still need a 7).
 

4.1.3.2 Switching Dioceses at the same rank

A clergyman may try to move from diocese to diocese retaining his current level if a position becomes available: he needs to roll a 5, modified as above for changing diocese (Remember that this last rule does not apply to Priests attempting to become a Priest in another diocese). For example, a Benedictine DM Curate trying to become a DP Curate would need a 5+2=7 on d6.

Not unless one has joined a Curia is one locked into a Diocese. That is, a Curia member cannot move to a different Curia, although all other clergy may move from Diocese to Diocese. The Curia member may apply for any open Bishopric though.
 

4.1.3.3 Bishops and Up

Bishops may appoint and dismiss their Curia members at will, but a Curia member may only be dismissed if there is a vacant Parish for him in the same diocese (i.e. he becomes a Pastor).

When a player is a Bishop, the next step is to add the title of Prince Bishop. A PB is always a Bishop, and does not lose the Bishopric. Each January, each Bishop may attempt to become a Prince Bishop. The roll is 7 on 1d6. The Bishop gains +1 for being an Archbishop, and may use level 8 Influence.

A Prince Bishop may become Cardinal if that position is vacated.  The target is 7 on 1d6. An Archbishop gains +1, and level 9 influence may be used. PCs can't be Pope. (What? And leave France?)
 

5 Clerical Appointments

Clerical appointments follow a similar procedure to civil appointments.  First they are announced.  In the next month, the player applies for the position.  The month after that, influence is applied and the appointment is made.
 

5.1 Limitations on Clerical Appointments

Clerical appointments may be held by persons of the required rank or one rank above.  For example, the Inquisitor may be a Pastor or Curia member.  One exception to this rule is that the Cardinal may serve in any religious or civil appointment that may be held by a Bishop.  Additionally, the office of Cardinal's Assistant is open only to Curates.

Clergyman may hold one clerical appointment and one civil appointment at one time.

5.2 Curia Appointments:

Inside of each diocese's Curia there exist special offices. These are treated as appointments and are announced at the end of the Summer.

Curia Appointments per Diocese
 

Position Number Who Appoints SP Influence Die Pay
Vicar General 1 Bishop 3 3 6 10
Official of Diocesan Tribunal 5 Bishop 4 2 7 0
Diocesan Chancellor 1 Bishop 2 2 6 10
Bishop's Secretary 1 Bishop  3 4 7 0

5.2.1 Vicar General

The Vicar General oversees the day to day religious matters of the diocese that do not require the Bishop's attention.  The VG sees to the scheduling of religious services and special events.  The VG must spend one week per month at his duties.
 

5.2.2 Official of Diocesan Tribunal

See Diocesan Tribunals.

5.2.3 Diocesan Chancellor

The Chancellor oversees the monetary and business affairs of the diocese.  He may attempt to embezzle funds once per season (use the same chart as the Director of the Lottery).  If the die roll equalls or exceeds the number in the table, the Chancellor loses his post (but remains in the Curia) and is fined an amount equal to the amount embezzled when caught times the number of seasons as Chancellor (round fractions up).  The Chancellor must spend one week per month at his duties.

5.2.4 Bishop's Secretary

The Bishop's Secretary must spend one week per month assisting the Bishop.  He may also (on a different week) toady with the Bishop one week per month at La Fleur de Lys (PC Bishops are not obligated to do this).  The Bishop picks up the tab for carousing.  These positions are announced in October.

5.3 Other Clerical Appointments:

 
Rank Position Number Who Appoints? SP Influence Pay Die
Priest Regimental Chaplain 1/Reg Colonel As Subaltern 3 0 6
Priest Agent of the Inquisitor 3 Inquisitor none 3 special 6
Curate (only) Cardinal's Assistant 1 Cardinal 5 6 20 7
Pastor Minister to the General Officers 1 Field Marshal 8 7 0 7
Pastor Inquisitor 1 Cardinal 4  8 special 7
Bishop King's Confessor 1 King 10 9 100 7
Bishop Queen's Confessor 1 King 9 8 25 7
Bishop Prince's Confessor 1 Prince 9 8 20 7

5.3.1 Regimental Chaplains and Minister to the General Officers

The Regimental Chaplains go with their Regiments to war, and make death, plunder, and mention rolls as a Colonel.  When the regiment is not at war, the Chaplains still enjoy the SP bonus of a Subaltern in their Regiment and the Influence. The Minister to the General Officers is roughly the equivalent of a Chaplain for the General Officers and makes all rolls as a Brigadier General.  These positions are announced in March, or whenever the Colonel (or Field Marshal) dismissed a previous holder.  Applicants for Minister to the General Officers receive a +1 if they have previously served as a Regimental Chaplain.
 

5.3.2 I Confess!

The various confessors are announced in January. Incumbents gain a +3 to this roll, and if they fail, they may not apply for it until it comes open again. Influence may be used to keep the position. Jesuits receive an additional +1 when applying for/keeping these positions.
 

5.3.3 The Inquisitor

The Inquisitor acts as a policing agent for the Church.  He is responsible for discovering misdeeds by clergymen and reporting that information to the appropriate sources.

The Inquisitor may be bribed to not notice an infraction (see above).
 

5.3.3.1 Busy, Busy, Busy

The Inquisitor must spend one week per month doing sneaky Inquisitor stuff.
 

5.3.3.2 It's a dirty job...

The Inquisitor roots out blasphemers and witches from the populace at large. The Inquisitor may arrest any character for blasphemy or witchcraft, and they must then be tried.  The penalty for witchcraft is burning at the stake (which is discouraged in modern France) or indefinite institutionalization.
 

5.3.3.3 Making arrests

The Inquisitor makes arrests as does the CPS, and may order members of the CG to assist in doing so, which takes a week's action (for the Inquisitor, the guards and the arrested individual).  Note that the Inquisitor can bring anyone to trial, including the Cardinal (but not members of the Royal Family).  The Inquisitor may subpoena anyone to testify.  Those who refuse may themselves be brought to trial.  In such instances, the accused suffers a -1 to the outcome.
 

5.3.3.4 Accusing your boss is a no-no

If the Inquisitor prosecuted the Cardinal and the Cardinal remains in office, the Inquisitor will not be re-appointed.
Jesuits receive a -1 when applying to be the Inquisitor.
 

5.3.3.5 Use it or lose it

The Inquisitor must successfully prosecute one character in the first six months of his appointment or he loses the post.  Otherwise, the position is announced each September.  The current  Inquisitor receives a +2 to retain his post.
 

5.3.3.4 Above reproach...almost

Misdeeds by the Inquisitor can only be noticed by his Bishop if the CPS brings it to his attention or a PC Bishop gains the information through some other means.  If the Inquisitor must be tried, he is treated as a Bishop, that is he is tried by a panel of bishops overseen by the Cardinal.
 
 

5.3.4 Agents of the Inquisitor

Agents of the Inquisitor (AoIs) are the Inquisitor's eyes and ears.
 

5.3.4.1 Absolute Secrecy

AoIs are known only to the Inquisitor himself, unless he chooses to make them public (NPCs will never do this).  They will not even know who the other AoIs are.
 

5.3.4.2 Submitting Info to the Inquisitor

AoIs write on their orders what information the are providing (expressly directed to the Inquisitor), as do those seeking to become AoIs. Information that appears in the newsletter before being provided to the Inquisitor will under no circumstances be considered useful.

Non-clergyman may also submit information to the Inquisitor, just as they would the CPS
 

5.3.4.3 Becoming an AoI

Anytime a Priest or Curate brings valuable information to an NPC Inquisitor (GM determined) there is a 1 in 6 chance he will be chosen to be an AoI.   In addition, each month there is a 1 in 6 chance that one AoI will be replaced by an NPC.

It is rumored that the Inquisitor also has agents outside of the clergy, but this has never been confirmed.
 

5.3.4.4 AoIs Dropping like Flies

When a new AoI is selected, another is dropped.  The AoI who has brought in the least information in the preceding month will lose his spot.  Amount of information brought in is measured in Offense Levels of charges (these need not be real offenses).  To determine information brought in by NPCs, roll 2d10.  If more than three AoIs are selected in a single month, the ones who brought in the most OLs worth of information will be selected.

If an AoI provides no useful information for two consecutive months, he is dismissed.

A PC Inquisitor may appoint and dismiss AoIs at any time.
 

5.3.4.5 Dodging the Inquisitor

AoIs can be brought up on charges by the Inquisitor.  Generally, however, they may reduce the chance of any infraction being noticed by 1.  They may also bribe the Inquisitor as usual.  They will be charged with bribery by the Inquisitor only on a roll of 12 on 2d6.
 

5.3.4.6 Show me the money

PC AoIs get a 10 % cut on any bribe stemming directly from information brought to the Inquisitor by them (if two or more AoIs contributed, spit the amount between them).  AoIs must be careful with information that only they would be privy to.  AoIs have been known to be cut down in the street after an Inquisitor's charges against someone were made public.
 

5.3.4.7 Inquisitor Turnover

When a new person becomes the Inquisitor, an AoI may make himself known and remain an AoI (provided he is not dismissed by the new Inquisitor), or may keep his status a secret and relinquish the job.  This is done in the month following the announcement of a new appointee.
 

 5.3.5 Cardinal's Assistant

The Cardinal's Assistant must spend one week per month assisting the Cardinal.  He may also (on a different week) toady with the Cardinal one week per month at La Fleur de Lys (a PC Cardinal is not obligated to do this).  The Cardinal picks up the tab for carousing.  This position is announced in November.

5.4 Civil Appointments

Clergymen are not prohibited from seeking any civil office that they are eligible for.  In addition clergymen may apply for the following civil appointments:

     Bishop/PB/Cardinal: Provincial Governor, Minister w/o Portfolio, Minister of Education
                 PB/Cardinal: City Governor, Minister of Justice, Chancellor of the Exchequer
               Cardinal only: Minister of State

Clergyman may hold one clerical appointment and one civil appointment at one time.
 

6 The Cardinal's Guard

The Cardinal�s Guard is a company formed to protect the interests of the Church and is run by the Archbishop of Paris, who appoints its Colonel. The services of the Cardinal�s Guard are freely available to the Cardinal and lesser Churchmen. The Colonel may be commanded by the Archbishop of Paris or the Cardinal.  Other Bishops may make requests of the Colonel or lower officers.  While these may not be orders as such,  a Bishop may charge members of the CG with insubordination, which will result in a Diocesan Tribunal.

If any Cardinal or Bishop is required to be at the frontier, or in a province that is in revolt, the services of the Guard will be called upon to protect his person, and the Guard must accompany them to the frontier.

Finally, the Inquisitor may select members of the Cardinal�s Guard to make arrests of heretics etc. on his behalf.

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