High Aldarch

High Aldarch
Office	Leader of the Church of Alaxon
Region	Summerset Archipelago
Created	Merethic Era (Exodus to Tamriel)

The High Aldarch is the head of the Church of Alaxon, they hold several honourary titles such as His High Holiness, and Voice of the Eight on Earth. Historically the High Aldarch has ruled from the Monastery of Serene Harmony in the city of Shimmerene. The High Aldarch is typically elected by the Holy Convent from among their own number, who are all exclusively Aldarchs themselves.

Position

The High Aldarch and the Holy Convent convene in the Monastery of Serene Harmony in Shimmerene, a vast building of white marble with various towers and spires. This is also where the election to choose a new High Aldarch takes place upon the death of the prior one.

The High Aldarch was not especially "beholden" to the ruling kings of Alinor, and was often a dangerous rival to them, until the reigns of Daethen the Wicked and Viseriel the Virtuous when the power of the High Aldarch was greatly reduced for the second and final time.

The selection of a new High Aldarch is traditionally in the hands of the Holy Covent but the will of past Liaren kings has sometimes influenced their choice, an influence that was passed to the Aranas and the now ruling Xs.

A new High Aldarch extends the practice of priests giving up their family names by renouncing any kind of surname. This is due to the belief that the individual becoming High Aldarch is no longer a mortal but an avatar of the gods. This leads to trouble distinguishing between various past holders of the office, as one can only refer to them by descriptions such as "the stonemason one" or "the fat one" or the "one before the fat one". This is not helped by the fact that many High Aldarchs change their birth names to match those of previous High Aldarchs, though they do take on regnal numbers (e.g., IV, III, etc.) to help in distinguishing one from the other.

High Aldarchs usually wear an elegant crown made of silver and gold while performing their duties. According to some, it is possible to winkle out the old surnames of High Aldarchs but they do not appreciate it if you use them.

Known High Aldarchs

• Alluin IV, who ruled during Aerel's Invasion and was instrumental in the submission of Shimmerene.
• Ithronel IX
• Elwin III, who rose the Church in rebellion against Daethen I Arana.