The Great Church

The Great Church is the primary religious institution of Europa.  It is also a potent political force there.  Its seat of power lies in Roma.

The Great Church dates back to the times of the downfall of the Old Empire; scholars say it dates back many centuries.

When the Old Empire fell, Europa was plunged into darkness.  The growth of the Great Church had a wide enough reach to bring humanity back together, but in doing so some say there is something of a de facto theocracy in place since they command so much political power due to reliance on the Church.

After the Chaos Crusades an edict by The Ardor of Law at the time that placed the blame for the incursions of Chaos squarely on the practice of magic, and as such its practice without the consent of the papacy was banned under punishment of torture, disfigurement or death.  The Church continues the ban to this day, which is enforced by The Inquisitors.

Clergy of the Church are all human, and are either normal men (some of whom can still perform miracles) or members of the Cleric class.  However, the ranks of any class can be found among the clergy.

Many of the clergy travel, as the Church also protects travel across the dangerous lands between the cities of Europa spreading information and hunt for lost relics of the Church.

There are many orders, but the two most famous ones are the Inquisitors and the Paladins.  The Magisters are a church-sanctioned order of wizards that work to serve the ends of the Church.

The Great Church is the setting’s shallow analogue of the Roman Catholic Church in fantasy trappings that worships a benevolent-but-stern paternal figure called The Lawgiver.