Titles and Duties

Groups of Believers are called by many names, depending on what belief system a particular group espouses. For example, Christian Believers tend to call themselves Churches, Flocks or Bodies, while some claim more exacting - or grandiose - names, such as the 7th Street Adventists of Brooklyn, or Las Vegas' Church of the Neon Redeemer.

When a Wraith first joins a Group, she is known as a Supplicant. Once she has proven her dedication to the Concord by undergoing The Removal, she is accepted as a full member. The title given to a member differs from Group to Group, though Seeker, Parishoner and Pilgrim are fairly common. Others just identify themselves as Believers - what's the point of a fancy name?

The Believer in charge of a particular Group most often takes the name associated with the faith that Group holds: Priest, Father, Rabbi, Imam, High Priest, and so on. Some of the more non-denominational groups prefer the term Shepherd, Prayer Leader or Reader.

The duty of such a person is, unsurprisingly, to lead; Her Group is her flock, her example is the one they follow, and their spiritual welfare is hers to oversee. She decides who may join, and who must go, and sets tone for the Group's "life" of worship and praise.

While the sins of the individual cannot be fully blamed on her, if there is any trouble she often has to be the one to answer for it. As a result, her right to punish infractions of their beliefs, or the Concord's tenets, is considered absolute. The worst punishment is often to be cast out, though some Groups have devised more painful ways to deal with sinners.

Trumped by the Scythe

That said, no Shepherd should ever mistake "leading" for "complete autocratic rule."

The Ferrymen won't answer direct questions of faith, or what lies beyond the Barrier, and won't {usually} take a hand when conflict erupts between Groups. But they will intervene when they see someone abusing their position of trust in the Concord. If the legends of The Order are to be believed, that is one of the few things they retain from the Old Times, and they are very serious about enforcing it.

There are many tales of a Ferryman appearing to grab hold of a charlatan, and dragging her - kicking and screaming - back through the Barrier with him. Then the Ferryman returns and, with only the pointing of a long, metal finger, designates the new leader of the Group. {And you will never find a more humble and pious Shepherd...}

In some of the larger Groups, the Shepherd is joined by a Prayer Leader, who acts as a secondary voice of authority and praise, and leads the Believers in their rituals. This may have evolved out of the ancient practice of expounding on points through scripted dialogues, with one person asking questions and the other giving the answers.

It may also be simple logic: the Shepherd can't always be everywhere, looking after her flock, and an extra pair of eyes and ears is always a help. That said, a Shepherd should always be careful, as the Prayer Leader sometimes covets the Shepherd's position, and may act against her in order to acquire it - a practice that the Ferrymen don't find actionable, oddly enough.


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