UpChurch Law
- Becoming a Worshipper
- Baptism is the ceremony that inducts a citizen into the Church as a worshipper. Baptism may be performed by any Clergy holding the rank of Lector or higher. One witness other than the Clergy member and the individual being baptised must be present at the time of baptism.
Related Files: HELP WORSHIPPERS - Becoming a Righteous Citizen
- All citizens are welcome to become worshippers in one of the churches of the realm through the ceremony of Baptism.
Worshippers receive extra health and social bonuses, as well as the ability to receive blessings from appropriately trained Clergy. Furthermore, worshippers will lose less experience upon death.
The cost of being a worshipper is paid via confession and penances. You must be a worshipper to attend Mass or Confession. No longer wishing to be a worshipper, the cost of leaving the Church will result in all Piety Points erased, all worshipper benefits revoked and possibly a loss of social status.
Related Files: HELP BAPTISM, HELP CONFESSION, HELP PENANCE, HELP
MASS, HELP COMMUNION, HELP EXCOMMUNICATION. - A Life of Dedication
- Clergy are individuals who have devoted their life to God and the helping of others. Being a member of Clergy takes a special demeanor and strength of character. Service to the Church is often viewed as a selfless act for the betterment of the realm and, indeed, requires a complete lack of selfishness as advancement in the Clergy ranks are oft times slow, tedious and meager in monetary gains. Clergy cannot be members of a Regiment.
Commands:
WORSHIPPERS - Lists all worshippers within the realm.
CHURCHES - Lists all shrines and churches within Paris.
CHURCH - Lists Clergy.
CWHO - Quick who list of online clergy members.
Each Clergy rank is limited to a ratio of the total number of Clergy in the realm. As each rank is needed to perform certain tasks, allowing the Church to evolve into all of one rank would cause chaos and obviously be the work of the Devil.
Approval and appointment of any advancement or demotion in Clergy ranks is solely the responsibility of Cardinal Bishop Mazarin and should not be performed by any other Clergy rank. A true Clergy would not be so selfish as to be seen promoting themselves within the ranks. Therefore, written requests for advancement should not be performed by the individual seeking promotion, but instead by another member of Clergy as a recommendation.
UNSUBSCRIBED DORMANCY will result in lost ranks as follows: First demotion at 4 consecutive real life months of dormancy. Every following demotion will happen at consecutive 6 real life month intervals. Upon return, accumulative masses will start from the minimum masses required for current rank held plus zero. Example: The minimum masses required for Deacon is 28. Therefore, if a dormant player returns as a Deacon, their number of accumulated masses begins at 28.
Related Files: HELP PORTER, HELP LECTOR, HELP ACOLYTE,
HELP EXORCIST, HELP SUBDEACON, HELP DEACON, HELP PRIEST,
HELP RECTOR, HELP VERGER - Celebrating Mass
- Mass is a gathering of worshippers congregating in one of the city's churches to listen to the word of God as given by a member of Clergy.
At the beginning of Mass, while inside the Church, worshippers will be prompted to type ATTEND MASS. This command will enable worshippers to reap the benefits of attending.
Worshippers attending Mass should TURN OFF THEIR TRIGGERS, including drink triggers, and behave accordingly. Failure to do so may result in excommunication from the Church.
Attending Low Mass, generally lasting 10 minutes, 10 Piety Points are earned and your need to confess is erased. Attending High Mass, generally lasting 15 minutes, may result in communion being received, 15 Piety Points are earned and your need to confess is erased.
AMEN!
Related Files: HELP WORSHIPPERS, HELP COMMUNION, HELP EXCOMMUNICATION - Receiving the Sacraments
- Communion is a religious ceremony in which worshippers receive the sacraments of Christ. You may only receive communion during a MASS. This ceremony grants 2 Piety Points and will also remove 1 Penance.
Worshippers will be prompted by Clergy to begin by kneeling when communion is ready to be given. At this point worshippers may be asked to move closer to the Altar.
Commands:
KNEEL BEFORE name of Clergy - Kneels to accept the sacraments.
SIP THIMBLE - Consumes the communion wine.
EAT BREAD - Consumes the communion bread.
Related Files: HELP WORSHIPPERS, HELP MASS - Confessing Your Sins
- Periodically, all worshippers feel the need to confess their sins. The true act of confession occurs within a confessional at the worshipper's church. A member of Clergy at the rank of Exorcist or above must be in attendance.
Following confession, the attending Clergy will give penances to allow for atonement of the sins. Failure to confess is shameful and the weight of unconfessed sins will weigh upon the worshipper's soul much more heavily than for those whose souls are unburdened regularly.
Commands:
ENTER CONFESSIONAL - Once begun by Clergy, will accept a session.
CONFESS text - To confess any sins since the previous confession.
Attending Mass will erase the need to confess and erase 1 Penance. Confession needs and Penances are listed in a worshipper's STATUS. All worshippers are encouraged, by Queen Anne and Madame de Chevreuse, to be very naughty so as not to put the Clergy to sleep during confession.
Related Files: HELP WORSHIPPERS, HELP PENANCE, HELP MASS - The Price of Sinning
- Penance is the atonement of sins and listed in STATUS. Only worshippers will gain penance. Confession gains the least amount of penance. Penance is paid via Church Donation Boxes located around the realm. The most common locations are at the Louvre and Notre Dame. Attending Mass will erase the need to confess and 1 penance.
Commands:
DONATE amount - While at a donation box, donates that amount of livres.
The formula for each penance is Title X 120 + 1. Since Chevalier is title 1, each penance for a Chevalier would be 1x120+1=121 livres. For those of you who were too busy sinning to pay attention in math class:
Chevalier-Madame is 121 livres per penance.
Baron-Baroness is 241 livres per penance.
Marquis-Marquise is 361 livres per penance.
Viscomte-Viscomtess is 481 livres per penance.
Comte-Comtess is 601 livres per penance.
Duc-Duchess is 721 livres per penance.
ArchDuc-ArchDuchess is 841 livres per penance.
Grand ArchDuc-Grande ArchDuchess is 961 livres per penance.
Related Files: HELP CONFESSION, HELP MASS, HELP WORSHIPPERS - The Holy Bond of Man and Woman
- Marriage, the holy bond between a man and a woman, should not be undertaken lightly as the penalties for divorce are steep. Marriage must be planned in advance with a Clergy member holding the rank of Deacon or above. Pre-marriage counselling by Clergy is required.
The Clergy member's rank dictates the cost of the wedding. The minimum cost of a marriage performed by a Deacon is 3000 and by a Priest is 6000 livres.
Upon Marriage, your social level will become the average of your spouse and your social levels. For example, if you had social level 20 and your spouse had social level 30, you will both have social level 25 once married.
When married, experience gains and losses are shared. For example, if you accomplish a deed worth 100 experience, you will gain 60 experience and your spouse will gain 40.
If you do not have sufficient social points to maintain your current social level, the necessary points will be subtracted from your spouse's social points. If your spouse has insufficient social points to donate, then you will both lose a social level.
Related Files: HELP DIVORCE - Breaking Your Vows of Holy Matrimony
- Divorce is seen as a travesty by the Church and is deeply frowned upon. If you must break your vows, Cardinal Bishop Mazarin is the only Clergy member able to perform such a function.
All requests for divorce must be submitted in writing by both parties to Cardinal Bishop Mazarin. Take heed, however, for divorce is extremely costly. A divorce may cause each spouse to lose up to half of their piety, experience and social points.
On rare occasions, an annulment is granted. A letter from a spouse to Cardinal Bishop Mazarin requesting an annulment is required. Annulments are granted if your spouse has been completely absent for four Parisian years with no return to the city whatsoever, from the date of the annulment request and if you have remained faithful to your departed spouse during that time. There are no point losses associated with an annulment.
Related Files: HELP LETTERS - Abandoning the Church
- Excommunication is the severest form of censure within the Church. It removes a church member either worshipper or clergy of all rights of participation and blessings of the Church.
The most serious penalty that the Church can inflict, it supposes a very grave offence, and all Piety of the offender is lost. However, it is not meant so much to punish as to correct the offences and bring him or her back to the path of righteousness. Therefore, such exile can have an end.
After a sufficient period of time has elapsed, and if the offender has exhibited remorse and reformation, he or she may seek absolution and re-admittance into the Church.
Those excommunicated may not participate in Mass nor receive Communion or other blessings of the Church. Moreover, if he or she is a member of the Clergy, all abilities to administer any holy ceremonies or blessings will be removed.
Related Files: HELP PIETY - The Clergy Rank of Porter
- This is the entry-level position within the Church that holds no powers, thus leaving the Clergy at this rank will not incur any penalty losses. A Porter's primary duty is to become familiar with the Church of Paris. Attend and help Mass and/or Confession to learn how such ceremonies function. Higher-level Clergy assist all Porters in becoming familiar with the ways of the Church.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of bleached-white satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a white satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Porter has a bonus social gain of 10% and receives 1000 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 3 Mass ceremonies and earned 150 Piety Points. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is Marquis. - The Clergy Rank of Lector
- The Clergy rank of Lector gains the powers of Unction and Baptism. Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Lectors are to assist worshippers as they enter the Church for ceremonies, hand out candles and to read prayers during Mass. Lectors should remind worshippers, upon entering, to read HELP MASS.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of bleached-white satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a white satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Lector has a bonus social gain of 15% and receives 1500 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 7 Mass ceremonies, earned 300 Piety Points and trained Unction to 2. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is Marquis. - The Clergy Rank of Exorcist
- The Clergy rank of Exorcist gains the added the power of Confession. Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Exorcists are to assist in Church ceremonies and seek out new citizens to convert to the Church to either worshipper or Clergy status.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of bleached-white satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a white satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Exorcist has a bonus social gain of 20% and receives 2500 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 12 Mass ceremonies, earned 600 Piety Points and trained Unction to 3. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is Viscomte.
Honour of the Order de Notre Dame is attained at this rank, however it is not made permanent until the rank of Deacon. - The Clergy Rank of Acolyte
- The Clergy rank of Acolyte gains the added the power of Low Mass. Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Acolytes are to assist in Church ceremonies and seek out worshippers for confession purposes.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of bleached-white satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a white satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Acolyte has a bonus social gain of 25% and receives 3000 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 19 Mass ceremonies, earned 1200 Piety Points and trained Unction to 4. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is Comte. - The Clergy Rank of Subdeacon
- The Clergy rank of Subdeacon gains the added the power of Communion.
Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Subdeacons are to assist in Church ceremonies and assist higher-ranking Clergy as needed.
Subdeacons are the designated ringer-of-the-bells. Previous to each Mass, Subdeacons announce the upcoming ceremony via shouts and ring the bells of the Church 3 times for the thirty minute warning, 2 times for the fifteen minute warning and 1 time for the five minute warning.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of matt-black satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a matt-black satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Subdeacon has a bonus social gain of 30% and receives 3500 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 28 Mass ceremonies, earned 2000 Piety Points and trained Unction to 5. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is Duc. - The Clergy Rank of Deacon
- The Clergy rank of Deacon gains the added the power of Marriage. Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Deacons are to assist in perform ceremonies and train new Clergy as needed. Honour of the Order de Notre Dame is now permanent at this rank.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of matt-black satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a matt-black satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Deacon has a bonus social gain of 35% and receives 4000 Livres per month.
Advancement to the next rank in Clergy will be considered after having attended a minimum of 40 Mass ceremonies and earned 3000 Piety Points. Other considerations include attitude, behavior, loyalty to both the Church and Paris, plus Experience and Social Levels. Minimum title requirement for this rank is ArchDuc. - The Clergy Rank of Priest
- The Clergy rank of Priest gains the added the power of High Mass. Leaving the Clergy at this rank will incur penalty losses. Priests are to coordinate and perform Mass on a regular basis and make themselves available to both worshippers and Clergy for counselling when needed. Some Priests may be assigned a Church to oversee if the need arises.
Vestments at this rank are long flowing robes of matt-black satin, a pleated knee-length alb of bleached-white linen and a matt-black satin sash embroidered with a golden cross. Vestments are to be worn at all official Church occasions.
The rank of Priest has a bonus social gain of 40% and receives 4500 Livres per month.
Priests are recognized more by the Diocese and Royalty. Therefore, a lack of priestly qualities, a lack of effort in their duties and/or being involved on the wrong side of political issues may incur reassignment or demotion. Minimum title requirement for this rank is ArchDuc. - The Prestige of Being Rector
- The appointment, oft times temporary, to Rector is a prestige to achieve. This responsibility is assigned to one Clergy per active Church when said individual is recognized by the Diocese as the coordinator for that particular Church. Said individual must be remain active in the realm and present themselves as available for both formal and informal services.
Rectors have the ability to change the place of worship for any worshipper wishing to do so, either temporarily or permanently.
Commands:
WORSHIP HERE - Worshipper command requesting to change churches.
A Rector is responsible for the upkeep of both the Rectory as well as the Church, to which he or she is assigned. To assist them in this task, each active Church also has a Verger.
Related Files: HELP CLERGY, HELP VERGER - Church Assignments
- _________________________
Notre Dame
Head Clergy: Eliaya SubDeacon
Lower Clergy: Kymmee Porter, Vergus Porter, Adriana Acolyte
Notre Dame Inactive: Aaron Deacon, Cirinos Lector, Simone SubDeacon, Badenpowell Porter, Chantal Porter, Guiliaume Porter, Emlynn Porter, Lennox Porter, Valerie Porter, Abner Porter, Vance Porter, Endigo Porter, Nora Porter, Goeffrey Porter, Dathan Porter, Jeannette Porter, Grace Porter
_________________________
St. Eustache
Head Clergy: Katrine Deacon
Lower Clergy: Charles Lector, Lisbette Porter
Saint Eustache Inactive: Amadore Porter, Jeanna Acolyte, Redrose Deacon, Violetta Porter, Bastian Porter, Luigi Porter, Zyano Porter, Lacie Porter, Garibaldi Porter, Andrew Porter, Baleron Porter, Florette Porter, Pallatine Porter, Violet Porter, Aurelien Porter