Ranks of the Temple

Acolyte

Acolytes are those newly come into the service of their god. They have not yet taken any vows and generally perform the most boring or menial jobs. They have not yet received powers from their god. About fifty percent of these drop out before being promoted, having decided that a life spent in worship is not for them. They do get a fairly good education at the expense of the temple, though.

High Acolyte

High acolytes are the next step up from acolytes. They have taken a vow of loyalty to their god and generally are stuck with paperwork or the administration and teaching of acolytes. They can perform minor tricks through the power of their god but rarely anything major. They may have had some training in self-defense. They are expected to be promoted to monk, priest, or Templar after a few years of training and work.

Monk

Monks are one of the things that high acolytes may be promoted to. Monks are generally reclusive worshipers, locking themselves up in monasteries or temples. Many of them take vows of silence, using their voices exclusively to sing praises to their god. They only have the powers from their god necessary to help in their worships. They may have some self-defense skills that they learned as high acolytes.

Priest/ Priestess

Priests are another of the things a high acolyte may rise to. Priests are the leaders and keepers of the temples. They lead the common people in worship and help them in times of need. They might have administrative duties higher that those of a high acolyte. They may have taken a vow to their particular temple or to help the poor. Priests can use the powers of their god to perform miracles, invest an object with power, help those in need, or occasionally do battle. They may have some fighting or self-defense skills.

Templar

Templars are the third choice for an advancing high acolyte. Templars are the fighters of the temples, protecting them in times of need. They have sworn to uphold the word and temple of their god, giving their lives if necessary. They also have sworn to protect the weak and poor. They use their god's powers in battle, to destroy or confuse the enemy. They usually travel in groups, but occasionally army-like numbers of them will come together to battle unholy forces. It is not a good idea to bring Templars of different gods together, for they have a tendency to start quarrels.

Abbott/ Abbess

Abbotts are like most other monks, but are in charge of their abbeys. They have administrative duties and will lead their monks in group worships. Their title might vary if they call their establishment a monastery.

Regional Priest/ Priestess

Regional priests are can be in charge of any number of temples. They may be in charge of only one, they might be in charge of five that are close to each other, or they might be in charge of one and under someone who is in charge of five. It varies between regions. Their god may speak through them if the high priest is not available.

High Templar

High Templars are the commanders of the Templars, equivalent to officers in a normal army. There is about one to an averaged-sized temple. They are usually one of the toughest fighters in the area. High Templars are in charge of teaching any and all fighting skills to other members of their temple, though they may delegate.

High Priest/ Priestess

There is only one high priest for each god in the known world. Their god speaks through them and gives them awesome powers, though they are wise enough to use them rarely. They usually stay in one temple in a major city, but occasionally they leave to handle some matter personally or make sure all is right in the temples of their god.