Holy Church of Galbados

The Holy Church of Galbados is an extralegal power that has major influence on all Valorian affairs. Its dedicatd to the worship of Galbados, The First Founder. The clergy elects from within its ranks the Holy See who serves as the connection between Galbados and Man. The Holy See appoints his four cardinals, who comprise the Four Cardinals of Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, and Prudence. Such is the influence of the Church in Valoria that The Holy See is regarded second only to the Monarch himself. The Church is well known for its vast scholarly institutions, religious militiary order, and charitable foundations, but those with a keener eye recognize its influence over the nobility and the mercantile class as they strive to curry its favour. The Church's structure is divided into four sections, each of which is governed by one of the Cardinals. The Cardinal of Prudence oversees the charities that serve the poor throughout the kingdom, while the Cardinal of Temperance manages the universities and observatories. The Cardinal of Fortitude commands the Knights Templar, who are the military arm of the Church and are tasked with executing Galbados' justice throughout the land as a complement--and often rival--to the Lowenritter. Finally, under the Cardinal of Justice are the Church Inquisitors, whose duties are to root out heretical beliefs and bring heretics to face justice in the religious courts.

The Holy Church of Galbados exists in opposition to the major religious institution of Altonia, the Almaic Kyriakos, and exhibits growing influence within Altonia's borders as well as surrounding nations. The Holy Church has its own levies stationed in cathedrals across every major city in the country, but two-thirds of those levies can be raised by the King at any given moment. The Church is taxed accordingly to its owned lands. The Monarch of Valoria has absolute power and is seen by the nation as Chosen by The First Founder, Galbados.

The Holy Church of Galbados is overseen by the Holy See, who is elected from among the Bishopry. The Holy See has the ability to excommunicate people from The Holy Church, and excommunication is recommended by the Cardinal of Justice for people who have been convicted of heresy. Excommunicated people are required to pay penance and perform public service in order to be accepted into the Church again, although some cases are deemed worthy of banishment. After election, the Holy See appoints:
 * The Cardinal of Fortitude, who oversees The Knights Templar
 * The Cardinal of Justice, who oversees the Grand Adjucation and the Inquisitors
 * The Cardinal of Prudence, who oversees the collection of tithes and operates the charities across the kingdom
 * The Cardinal of Temperance, who oversees all scholarly institutions, monasteries, and universities