Acólita

English: ACOLYTE

TRIM COLOUR

The Acólita is the lowest rank of Sacerdotisa, a girl in training. They are normally initiated at the age of eight after a year of shadowing with a Priestess to assess their suitability.

Etymology

The name is the direct Spanish translation of "acolyte". Although a member of the Sacerdotisa, they are never referred to as Priestesses until they have progressed to Sacerdotisa Nombrada.

Appearance

Acólita wear the black robes of a Priestess although simplified, with light brown trim signifying the original plain leather belt. Because they are children or young adults, they do not wear their hair in elaborate hairstyles but in a simple bun. The hood of the robe is shorter but still attached to the hair.

Notes

A potential Priestess normally begins at the age of seven by becoming an Aspirante or Aspirant, an assistant to a Sacerdotisa Nombrada (or occasionallly, Sacerdotisa Venerada) for a year. If she is considered suitable after this time, she is sent to the training school Prueban on Veridia where she becomes an Acólita.

She remains there for six years until, aged 14, she returns to her original Priestess to continue her education outside of the Cregan. If she remains suitable, at the age of 20, she moves to a Cregan to complete her final year, becoming a Sacerdotisa Nombrada on her twenty-first birthday (or as close to it as possible).

To become a Sacerdotisa Nombrada, she needs to go through the Ceremony of Purification. This is a requisite for living in a Cregan so, before beginning her final year there, she undergoes the simpler ceremony, taking the full ceremony at qualification.

Timetable

Age	Event
7	Becomes an Aspirante working with a Priestess.
8	Sent to Prueban on Veridia for training, becoming an Acólita.
14	Returns to the original Priestess.
20	Sent to a Cregan for further instruction. Undergoes simple Ceremony.
21	Undergoes full Ceremony. Becomes a Sacerdotisa Nombrada.

Characters

Named Acólita: none

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Casta and their ranks

Sacerdotisa / Priestesses
Acólita	Sacerdotisa Nombrada	Sacerdotisa Venerada	Alta Sacerdotisa	Arcipresta Suprema
Criada / Handmaidens
Criada Novicia	Criada Jurada	Criada Velada	Criada Mayor	Criada Sabia
Bestia / Slaves
Bestia Baja	Bestia Plena	Bestia Primera	Bestia Fiel
Guardia / Military
Peón	Soldado	Veterano	Cabo	Sargento
Alférez	Teniente	Capitán	Marischal
Custodio Mayor	Inquisidora de Guerra	Comandanta Suprema