Clergy
This mod has not been fully tested yet. Please report any issues you encounter.
This mod introduces a rich hierarchy of religious roles in Dwarf Fortress, each with unique responsibilities, succession rules, and potential influence over your fortress and the broader world. It’s designed to add depth to the religious and political dimensions of your gameplay experience.
Take A Look At Other Mods:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3157869674
In Dwarf Fortress, religion and politics are deeply intertwined. This mod reflects that complexity by introducing a variety of clergy roles. From humble Acolytes to the powerful Highest Priest, each position adds layers of narrative and strategic possibilities to your fortress and the generated history of the world. These roles aren’t just about religion—they’re about influence, control, and the ever-present struggle for power within society.
Due to game engine limitations, I don’t have control over how positions are assigned or how many of each role are created. To work around this, I’ve created multiple positions with similar functions and succession rules, ensuring these roles are assigned during world generation. Additionally, I can’t ensure that only priests or believers will be assigned to these roles, so I’ve included references to secular administration and other professions in some descriptions to allow for more flexible interpretations.
Because of these modding limitations, some roles may be filled by non-religious figures. The use of [NUMBER:AS_NEEDED] is not fully controllable, leading to the creation of multiple positions with similar functions to ensure assignments during world generation. Also, note that additional noble positions may result in a significant increase in historical events.
- Description: The Acolyte is often a self-imposed title, the lowest rank in the religious hierarchy. They might be an altar server, performer at ceremonies, or a devoted member of the faith. Some Acolytes are ambitious, seeking to rise in the ranks, while others are content with their modest role.
- Responsibilities: Primarily involved in religious ceremonies and daily religious duties.
- Appointment and Succession: Appointed by a Cleric, Mayor, or Expedition Leader. It’s an entry-level position with little succession requirement.
- Titles for Inspiration: Sacristan, Devotee, Altar Server, Cantor, Novice, Performer, Lector, Disciple, Votary, Zealot, Seeker, Initiate, Neophyte, Vedmak, Vedma, Witch, Apprentice, Aspirant, Postulant, Catechumen, Oblate, Famulus, Adept
- Cleric: Mid-level religious leaders overseeing temples or even multiple temples in a town. They are respected figures, often serving as medics, administrators, or scholars.
- Chaplain: Provides spiritual guidance to military members, crucial during wartime for morale and spiritual fortitude.
- Grand Sacristan: Oversees sacred relics and religious artifacts, playing a crucial role in major ceremonies.
- Responsibilities: Overseeing religious sites, meeting with workers, handling day-to-day religious affairs, building morale in the military.
- Appointment and Succession: Appointed by higher clergy or local administration if no higher clergy exists. Can succeed from Acolyte or through heirship.
- Titles for Inspiration: Abbot, Vicar, Deaco,n Healer, Sage, Monk, Nun, Augur, Haruspex, Hierophant, Gothi, Zhrets, Tlamacazqui, Mallku, Druid, Shaman, Medicine Man, Curate, Parson, Rector, Elder, Preacher, Imam, Rabbi, Pandit, Granthi
- Bishop: Ordained clergy members with authority over a diocese, often engaging in politics and balancing religious duties with secular power.
- Metropolitan: Powerful clergy overseeing several dioceses, involved in both religious and political leadership.
- Patriarch: High-ranking clergy, often equivalent to a Patriarch or Matriarch, holding significant authority.
- Archbishop: One of the most powerful religious figures, overseeing an archdiocese that includes multiple dioceses.
- Primate: High position of honor and influence within the church, crucial in religious diplomacy behind closed doors.
- Responsibilities: Managing religious regions, law-making, judging, advising leaders, sometimes espionage.
- Appointment and Succession: Appointed by the Highest Priest or Monarch. Succession typically follows from lower-ranked clergy.
- Titles for Inspiration:Pontifex, High Cleric, Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop, Vicar General, Dean, Metropolitan, Church Magistrate, Patriarch, Matriarch, Arch-Patriarch, Archbishop, Primate, Grand Hierarch, Vestal, Church Governor, Divine Oracle, High Ecclesiast, Grand Cleric, Magus, Tomekeeper, Supreme Augur, High Oracle, Pontifex Maximus, Archon, Inti Raymi, Druhtinaz, Znich, Flamen, Archimandrite, Exarch, Catholicos, Mufti, Chief Rabbi, Mahant, Gyani
- The Highest Priest / The Holy Father/Mother: Supreme authority in the religious hierarchy, holding ultimate spiritual power and often significant political influence.
- Cardinal: Right hand of the Highest Priest, often tasked with military strategy, and advising.
- Responsibilities: Shaping religious doctrine, law-making, advising leaders, overseeing all religious activities, leading holy wars.
- Appointment and Succession: Appointed by a Cardinal or Monarch, with succession typically from Archbishops or Metropolitans.
- Titles for Inspiration: Pope, Divine Oracle, Grand Prophet, Guru, Hierophant, Grand Archon, Knyaz, Tlatoani, Sapa Inca, Dalai Lama, Ayatollah, Ecumenical Patriarch, Caliph, Shankaracharya, Jathedar, High Priest/Priestess, Oracle, Seer, Supreme Pontiff
- Templar Commander: Leads the elite fighters who protect the faith, responsible for training holy warriors and fight with heresy.
- Templar: Elite fighters dedicated to protecting the faith, enforcing religious law, and defending against threats.
- Responsibilities: TExecutions, enforcing religious law, leading in battle, defending the faith.
- Appointment and Succession: Appointed by Templar Commanders, Cardinals, or the Highest Priest.
- Notes: Higher clergy and religious leaders, may also command their own military units or command subordinates.
- Titles for Inspiration:Master Inquisitor, Grand Master, Crusader Leader, Holy Warrior, Knight of the Faith, Paladin, Zealot, Divine Champion, Sacred Guardian, Warrior Monk, Janissary, Immortal, Hashashin, Samurai, Miko, Sohei
None at the moment, but I’m always open to suggestions. Perhaps a version merged with Nobility Expanded.
- 1.00 – Initial creation
- 1.01 – Released version
- 1.02 – Templar and acolytes naming convention
- 1.03 – Changing the [PRECEDENCE] of some roles as that caused crashes on load and [MAX_SITE_POP_NUMBER] 250 instead 120
If you encounter any problems or have feedback, please let me know.
If you’ve used this mod and have stories to share, I’d love to hear them. Please leave a comment!
If you are an artist and would like to contribute with inspirational images, please contact me.
LICENSE: Creative Commons – CC BY 4.0 License
