Clerical Vestments of the Mother Church

Clerical vestments serve a number of purposes, both practical and spiritual, only the most obvious of which is to identify the priest as a being separate from the common people. Here I will try to take a look at the basics of clerical garb for the world of Arcanis.

The vestments of the modern Mother Church are derived from the garb of the First Imperium. There are some variances between different orders, between garb worn while traveling/adventuring and in high ritual, and perhaps slight regional variances, but as a whole, the garb of a particular priesthood will be recognized the world over for being what it is.

Among the different ranks in any priesthood, the basic cut of garb is likely to change very little, if at all. The noticable variation will be in the quality of fabric used, and the degree of decoration. Higher ranking officials are likely to have more expensive fabrics used in their vestments, and to have much more heavily decorated vestments, than lower-ranking priests. Special vestments for high ritual are also likely to be much more heavily decorated than are typical traveling vestments.

|The Basics (Terminology)|
|Altharen|Ansharan|Beltinian|Cadican|Hurrianite|Illiiric|Larissan|Nerothian|Nierite|Saluwean|Sarishan|Yarricite|

The Basics (Terminology)

A definition of the various items used by the priesthoods listed here:
• Alb: Ritual robe. Usually ankle-length, but some orders may use a knee-length variant, especially for traveling vestments. Where unspecified, is assumed to have full-length sleeves of a loose, unfitted cut. It can be a tunic or dress-like garment, or sometimes cut kimono-wise for ease of movement at the legs.
• Chasuble: Overgarment. A rounded garment which drapes around the shoulders, sometimes as long as the waist. Can resemble a short cloak or a poncho.
• Cincture: Belt/sash. A piece of garb both symbolic and utilitarian. Can vary from something as simply as a delicate chain, to as heavy and complex as an embroidered sash with concealed pockets.
• Gauntlets: In this sense not an item of armor, but rather gloves, often with heavily decorated plates around the wrists.
• Holy Symbol: Jewelry. A tangible symbol and focus for the divine power of an anointed priest.
• Mantle: Over-garment. Can be as simple as a cloak or as complex as a heavy over-robe. When unspecified, is assumed to be a floor-length garment worn open, with long loose sleeves.
• Underrobe: Optional garment worn under the alb. Usually of a length longer than the alb, and with long, closely fitted sleeves. Not always worn traveling. Usually seen only in cold-climate garb and garb for high-ritual.

Altharan Vestments

• Alb: The alb of Altharan clerics tends to be knee-length for traveling clerics, with floor-length vestments used for high ritual. Color should be a dark, rich blue. Sleeves are usually fitted at the wrists, rather than hanging open, for reasons of practicality.
• Cincture: A belt or sash of a weight capable of supporting pouches or containing pockets. Often of an indigo or purple, or even a lighter blue. Other colors are acceptable depending on circumstances.
• Footwear: Boots are prefered, footwear should be practical. Most often black, sometimes of dyed lizard-hide when available.
• Gauntlets: Worn, most often by clerics who frequently deal with alchemical substances, and adventuring clerics. Often of dyed leather or lizard-skin when available.
• Headgear: Altharan clerics favor the wearing of a scholar's cap, similar to a beret, tam or slouch-hat in shape and construction. Embroidery or pins denoting rank and order may be affixed to the band of the hat.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Althares is a miniature book, containing the holiest Altharan scripture, worn on a chain around the neck. Sometimes also worn bound on the arm, in the style of a phylactery.
• Mantle: The mantle is typically a tabard, of 3/4 length (halfway between knee and ankle). Worn over the cincture. It may be of fine material for high rituals, blue trimmed with indigo, or of tougher stuff (sometimes even soft leather), for traveling clerics or those that often work with alchemical substances.
• Underrobe: Worn when desired. Can be 3/4 length or longer, and of any shade that compliments the alb. Should be only slightly longer than the alb (a few inches).

Ansharan Vestments

• Alb: Ansharan albs are typically short-sleeved. They should be some shade of light or faded blue. They are typically 3/4 length (halfway between knee and ankle). They are most often unadorned in any way, and sometimes are even allowed to get quite tattered, and even blood-stained.
• Cincture: Usually a plain piece of rope, often very coarse.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Anshar is a thorn vine, wrapped around the arm, such that it often draws beads of blood. Some clerics or paladins even wrap thorns around their necks, or other body areas, though a vine on the arm is usually maintained for ease of presentation.
• Footwear: Optional. Many clerics choose to go barefoot, or wear sandals, even where the climate would indicate otherwise.
• Mantle: Not worn. Ansharan clerics even tend to eschew armor when traveling, as suffering is considered a testament of faith.
• Underrobe: Not worn.

Beltinian Vestments

• Alb: The Beltinian church favors a floor-length alb for its formal vestments, and priests that do not travel widely. Itinerant priests may opt for a 3/4 length (halfway between knee and ankle) alb for practicality, though ankle-length is still prefered. The color of the alb should be some shade of yellow, with lighter, airier shades being prefered in order to differentiate them from the heavier more golden tones often worn by Illiirites.
• Cincture: A sash of darker golden yellow or black, wide and often containing pockets. Higher orders may wear long sashes with tails falling at the hip.
• Footwear: Chosen for practicality. Slippers often worn by those that do not adventure widely, or for high ritual. Closed shoes prefered.
• Holy Symbol: A thurible or censer, burning incense when possible. Can be hung from the cincture when unlit. Sometimes also mounted to the head of a staff.
• Mantle Ankle-length, light yellow often trimmed in black. Hooded, and with extra fabric scarf-like at the shoulders, such that tails can be wrapped about the head, concealing the face. Worn open, but bound by the cincture.
• Underrobe: Worn when desired. Most often light yellow.

Cadican Vestments

• Alb: The alb favored by Cadican clerics is knee-length, and black in color. It is sometimes decorated with indigo or other dark-colored trim. It is often short-sleeved.
• Chasuble: Cadican chasubles are hoods, with long scarves of fabric that are wrapped around the head to conceal the face. Almost always black, may be trimmed in indigo or other dark colors.
• Footwear: Boots or slippers are most often prefered, with soft soles such that they make minimal noise. Should be black.
• Gauntlets: Optional in daily use, most often worn by actively adventuring priests, and during high ritual. Usually of the softest kidskin leather, and reinforced at the wrist.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Cadic is a smooth disc of polished obsidian. It may be worn around the neck, but is also frequently worn mounted on gauntlets, hung on a string of prayer beads wrapped around the arm, or depending from the cincture. An additional holy symbol is often worn as a headband securing the hooded chasuble.
• Mantle: Optional. A cloak of black, may be lined in another color so long as the lining is dark colored.
• Underrobe: May be black or dark-colored; most frequently deeply indigo. Usually long-sleeved and ankle length, though may occasionally be 3/4 length.

Hurrianite Vestments

• Alb: The Hurrianic alb is frequently knee-length or 3/4 length. It is of a grey coloration, to resemble storm-clouds. Some clerics choose to ornament the alb with silver embroidery around the margins.
• Cincture: Most frequently a practical belt, of grey or silver-colored, though blue-grey and black are acceptable.
• Footwear: Boots are heavily prefered. Softer boots are more common for non-traveling priests, while adventuring priests prefer practical styles in grey, blue-grey, silver or black.
• Gauntlets: Frequently worn. Color should be silver or grey, blue-grey or black are acceptable. Frequently adorned with lightning bolts and storm-clouds. May actually be items of armor for adventuring clerics.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Hurrian is a small sword, with a blade that is depicted as a bolt of lightning, hunt pommel-up from a chain around the neck.
• Mantle: Infrequently worn, usually only for high-ritual. Usually grey, and heavily ornamented with clouds and lightning imagery. Often hooded.
• Mask: Clerics of Hurrian wear a silver-colored mask that covers the left half of the face. It is plain, and unornamented.
• Underrobe: Worn when desired, most often during high ritual. Usually 3/4 length or longer, and of blue-grey with silver embroidery. Unusual for adventuring clerics.

Illiiric Vestments

• Alb: The Illiirite church favors a short-sleeved, knee-length alb for its formal vestments, with clerics having the option of wearing leggings where climate makes this shorter alb impractical. In the Coryani Empire these leggings are uncommon, but they are widely used in Milandir. The color of the alb should be white, with trim of a heavy golden tone. The higher-ranking the priest, the less white and more gold in the alb. Cloth-of-gold is often used, and is favored for vestments, where available.
• Cincture: The cincture should be a belt or cord of gold.
• Footwear: Footwear should be chosen for practicality, but a gold or light golden-brown color should be used. In the Coryani Empire sandals are common, in Milandir boots are often seen.
• Gauntlets: Often worn, especially in high-ritual. Like footwear, a gold or golden-brown color should be used, and are often decorated with sunbursts.
• Halo: Illiirite priests typically wear a halo of radiant sunbursts. It may be mounted like a crest on a helmet, attached like a crest to the back of a robe, or worn as a sort of crown.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Illiir is a sunburst. This is most often worn as a golden medallion around the neck, but is sometimes also worn as a ring, especially by higher officials in the church. The sunburst is always prominently displayed.
• Mantle: The Illiirite mantle is an over-robe of white and gold. It is often heavily decorated. It is worn open, and is not hooded. It is usually of 3/4 length (halfway between the knee and ankle). Pockets are often present in the lining of this mantle.
• Mask: Illiiric priests wear a beatific white porcelain mask when engaging in ritual. This represents the 'perfect face' of Illiir.
• Underrobe: Floor length. May be white or gold, most often white, usually embroidered with white thread. Usually reserved for high-ritual use or cold-climate wear. Not commonly worn in the Coryani Empire, more frequently found elsewhere.

Larissan Vestments

• Nudity: Strictly speaking, vestments are optional for the clergy of Larissa, but the vast majority do choose to wear vestments for purely practical reasons, if nothing else. There is the theological debate, of course, that artful vestments can be more enticing than pure nudity.
• Alb: The alb of the Larissans should be red in color, of a shade that complements the skin tone of the cleric. It may vary from almost-pink to burgundy, with a true pure red being favored. It is most often of a length just above the knee, and often slit up one side to reveal the thigh, though personal preference of the priest, and practical concerns of climate, can affect this. It is always cut such that it is sleeveless, and the left arm and shoulder are always revealed. It should be of a fabric that drapes well, and can vary from rich, thick, velvet, to light see-through silks, again at the preference of the priest and concern of climate. It may be plain, or embroidered lightly, though overzealous gaudy decoration should be avoided. The idea is to complement the body, not conceal or distract from it.
• Cincture: The cincture is most often a thin decorative gold chain or cord, often with coins and small bells attacted. Those in need of more support may wear heavier chains, or red or gold-colored belts or sashes, such that spell-component pouches and other necessities can depend from the cincture.
• Footwear: Sandals and other open footwear are prefered for the Larissan clergy, except in such places where practicality demands other footwear. The emphasis should be on attractiveness of the footwear rather than specific cut; colors of gold, red, and red-browns are prefered.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Larissa is a large golden coin. It may be worn in any manner the priest deems appropriate and accessible, and complements the outfit. It is most often hung from the cincture, or worn around the neck on a chain.
• Mantle: Where climate demands more protection, or when traveling, Larissans may opt for a cloak of red, often decorated on the edges, as a mantle. It is usually 3/4 length (halfway between knee and ankle). It may or may not be hooded. It usually has a single clasp, that preferably is designed to look like a pair of coins or a pair of clasped hands.
• Underrobe: Not worn under normal circumstances, most frequently found in Milandir. In cold climates, an underrobe of attractively-draping red or golden fabric may be worn under the alb when necessary, but should either not cover the left arm, or should contrast highly enough with the alb such that the alb's display of left arm is evident.

Nerothian Vestments

• Alb: The alb favored by Nerothian orders is floor-length, and has elbow-length sleeves, even for traveling clerics, though some few may wear albs as short as 3/4 length, but no shorter. Color should be some shade of brown, with darker shades prefered. Decoration is often minimal, but is acceptable when not taken to excess.
• Cincture: A sash, wide and often made with pockets within, for the storage of spell components. Usually also a shade of brown, but black, and even ivory are acceptable.
• Footwear: Boots or slippers are preferred, of a brown color, though black is acceptable.
• Gauntlets: Usually made of linen strips, wrapped around the hand and up the arm to the elbow in the fashion of mummy-wrapping. Can be dyed brown or left as off-white or cream linen.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Neroth is the ankh. It is often worn on a cord around the neck, or sometimes on a string of prayer beads wrapped around the arm.
• Mantle: Hooded, also of brown shade, with long full sleeves. Can be worn either over or under the cincture. Usually of a very full cut, and always at least ankle length.
• Underrobe: Worn when desired. Most often brown, though ivory or black are acceptable.

Nierite Vestments

• Alb: Nierites, oddly enough, favor floor-length albs, though traveling clerics may opt for ankle-length or 3/4 length garments where necessary for practicality. Any shade of orange to red-orange is acceptable, though brighter tones are prefered. Sleeves should be close-fitting, Nierites frequently decorate their albs heavily with imagery of fire and war.
• Cincture: A practical leather belt, dyed in fiery tones when at all possible, though brown and black are acceptable.
• Footwear: Boots are prefered, again dyed in fiery tones, though brown and black are acceptable.
• Gauntlets: Frequently worn, usually also of leather, and frequently heavily decorated with flame imagery.
• Holy Symbol: The preferred holy symbol of Nier is a gem called the fire opal. Where this is not available, amber and other flame-colored gemstones are acceptable. These are most often worn around the neck as an amulet, often in elaborate gold settings. Flame-colored stones are also frequently used to decorate the gauntlets.
• Mantle: A tabard of flame-colors, usually a differing shade of orange to the alb, worn under the cincture. A cloak of red, orange, and/or yellow is also acceptable where desired, but is not frequently worn. Edges are usually decorated in all cases.
• Underrobe: Strictly optional. Should be sleeveless for comfort.

Saluwean Vestments

• Alb: Since the Saluwean priesthood spends a great deal of time outdoors, they favor a knee-length alb, often cut kimono-like for ease of movement. Green is the color of choice, the darker the better. Saluweans often decorate their albs with heavy embroidery of natural themes; leaves, floral motifs, and animals.
• Cincture: Usually a practical belt, of leather or cording, as desired. Natural colorings are heavily prefered. Almost always some shade of brown.
• Footwear: Boots and other practical footwear are heavily prefered, again in natural colors, usually brown.
• Gauntlets: Optional. When worn, often of soft leather or cloth. Often heavily ornamented with natural motifs.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of the Saluweans is a wreath of Mistletoe and Nightshade, often worn in the hair. For ease of presentation, Saluweans may also wear another loop wrapped around the arm.
• Mantle: When desired, a robe or cloak, often hooded. Usually colored to reflect the season of year, deep green in summer, rust in autumn, white in winter, etc. Usually heavily decorated with natural motifs.
• Underrobe: In cooler climates, Saluweans frequently wear leggings under the alb, but otherwise underrobes are rare.

Sarishan Vestments

• Alb: The Sarishan church favors a floor-length alb for its formal vestments, and priests that do not travel widely. Itinerant priests may opt for a 3/4 length (halfway between knee and ankle) alb for practicality. The color of the alb should be some shade of purple, with darker shades being prefered.
• Chasuble: The most recognizable piece of Sarishan vestment is the chasuble worn by all Sarishan priests. This is a circular mantle, 45" to 60" or more in diameter. The diameter of the chasuble is an indicator of the rank of the priest. It is made of durable fabrics, and has a simple slit-opening for the neck. The edges are embroidered all around with arcane symbols. This chasuble is designed such that it will function as a summoning circle if laid out upon the ground. It can be colored in any shade of purple or red, and the embroidery can be obvious, or of a color that will blend, but red coloring should not overwhelm the purple of the alb. Higher-ranking officials often have the edging symbols embroidered with gold thread, and augmented with gemstones.
• Cincture: The Sarishan cincture is a wide, usually pleated, belt sash. It is most often made in some shade of red or burgundy, though it can be purple. It is often made with concealed pockets, such that the priest may keep spell components therein. Higher ranks may use longer sashes, tied such that the tails may fall down the hip.
• Footwear: The priest may choose footwear based on comfort and practicality, but closed shoes are required. Sandals are not considered appropriate. Slippers are often used indoors and during high ritual, though boots are more common for traveling priests. Red is often used, as is black, often with gold trim.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Sarish is a Sarishan circle; a triangle surrounded by a circle of summoning and binding sigils. While the chasuble of the priest is a sort of holy symbol, priests will almost always carry a smaller symbol of a sort that can be easily presented in the casting of various spells. Common usage includes mounting the symbol on a ring, slave bracelet, or other armwear; necklaces are less frequently used due to the wearing of the chasuble.
• Mask: Sarishan clerics wear masks when engaged in ritual, and anytime dealings with Infernals are underway. Masks are almost always demonic in visage. This both emphasizes Sarish's dominion over Infernals, and conceals the identity of the priest from the infernal.
• Underrobe: Red or purple, usually of a slightly longer cut than the alb. May be embroidered, frequently in a contrasting color.

Yarricite Vestments

• Alb: Usually a knee-length, open garment of a fabric and cut that flows well. Most frequently with short or elbow-length sleeves. Color of blue-green is prefered, though shade can vary, and where available varigated fabrics are prefered. Frequently adorned with shells, coral, and other marine or nautical decoration; so long as decoration does not impede the flow of the garment.
• Cincture: Flowing sash, or cord, sometimes a thin belt if support is necessary for depending articles. Often adorned with shells. Light tan is acceptable if dyed sea-colors are not available.
• Footwear: Slippers, short boots, or sandals are all acceptable, though blue or green tints are prefered when available. Otherwise a light shade of tan is acceptable.
• Gauntlets: Rarely worn. On the occasion of wear, usually heavily decorated with shells and coral.
• Holy Symbol: The holy symbol of Yarris is a gilded conch shell, often worn around the neck, though sometimes hung from the cinture or on a string of prayer beads wrapped about the arm.
• Mantle: When worn, usually of a loose, flowing cut and lightweight fabric, often decorated with nautical or marine motifs.
• Underrobe: Usually a short, practical, kilt-like garment that girds the loins, and perhaps binds the chest.

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