The Spheres of the Cult

The Cult of Xionakis membership is divided among four levels, each exercising checks and balances against the others.  Each level has a cumulative voting power equal to 10 points.  In the event of a disagreement, votes are taken; the vote percentages are then divided by the 10 points, and the side with the higher number of points takes the vote.  Guild aspirants do not belong to one of the four guild levels, and therefore do not have voting power.  The four levels are as follows:

The High Priestess of Xionakis:

The head of the Cult of Xionakis and considered to be Xionakis’ chosen mouthpiece in the Realm.  Chairs all general cult meetings, approves all new members, and provides general direction for all cult activity.  The Cult of Xionakis is matriarchal, its leader symbolizing Xionakis’ presence among us -- therefore, the leader of the Cult of Xionakis is always a female character.  This position is currently held by guild’s founder, but is subject to change based on a guild-wide vote.

The Hierophant :

The Council of the Spheres:

The Council of the Spheres is composed of six cult members, each being a Grand Master in a different sphere of magic:  Thaumaturgy, Necromancy, Sorcery, Mysticism, and Elementalism also the Hierophant.  The Council’s duties include the training of young cult magicians, providing the cult with general magical services, and acting as advisors to the High Priestess.  Membership in the Council of the Spheres comes by either of two ways:  guild-wide vote at instigation of High Priestess, or Mephit Challenge.  Any Mephit wishing to join the Council of the Spheres may choose to challenge the Council member he/she wishes to displace to battle in Tourney Grove.  Mephit Challenges must be supervised by the High Priestess, and are often public events involving a certain festival-like atmosphere.

The Council of the Blade:

Like the Council of the Spheres, this Council is also composed of five cult members (two warriors, two adventurers, and one thief) -- each being Grand Masters in their own respective skills.  The Council’s duties include the training of young warriors, adventurers and thieves, providing the Cult with armor and weaponsmithing, wealth accumulation, cult-directed assassinations, and acting as advisors to the High Priestess.  Membership in the Council of the Blade comes in the same way as stated above for the Council of the Spheres.

The Mephit Circles:

The Mephit Circles are composed of all other guild members.  Upon entry into the Cult of Xionakis, intiates choose a path of power they wish to pursue based on their skills and attributes.  They are then assigned a master of that path from one of the Councils, becoming part of that Master’s circle.  Mephit and Master work together to increase skill levels as quickly as possible.  The Master may also direct the Mephit to perform certain tasks for either the Master’s Circle or for the guild entire.  Mephit titles and honors come at the recommendation of that Mephit’s Master.