Editing Protectorate of Menoth (section)

==Life in the Protectorate==

The nation is a strictly ruled theocracy. The Hierarch (read: Pope) of the Synod (read: Church) is also the political leader of the Protectorate, although most of the day-to-day operation of the nation is done by the Synod of Visgoths (read: cardinals). The previous Hierarch, Garrick Voyle, is largely responsible for the structure of the Protectorate, as well as it's military power. Since he was a very martial dude, he ended up being killed in the battle for Caspia. His successor, Severius, also has a very hands-on approach to leading, and was until recently on the frontlines in Llael, converting and burninating locals and enemies alike.

According to Cygnaran propaganda, life is shit in the Protectorate. This is only partially true. Yes, citizens of the Protectorate live in an extremely hot desert, they're regularly conscripted to become <s>fanatic meatshields</s> holy warriors (Although most actually volunteer), and they follow a religion that demands total obedience to both the priesthood and Menoth. However, if you labour for your allotted time, follow the commands of the priests, and of course, you're a faithful menite, then things could be worse. It's however illegal for any citizen to own any real currency, and the Scrutators developed a system specifically to prevent its citizens from amassing wealth. Instead of coins made from valuable ores, they use clay shaped into beads with holes through them so they can be tied to strings. Not big on capitalism, are they?

Menites outside of the Protectorate don't fare much better. While members of the "Old Faith" (which are a bit more conservative compared to the Sul-Menites in the south) are a fairly large group in [[Khador]], they are sometimes treated with disdain due to the tensions between Khador and the Protectorate. The [[Cygnar]]ans are occasionally quite religionist, throwing Cygnaran menites into a terrible prison (Although most of these were released after the civil war). And yes, Cygnar are the Mary Sue good guys of the setting. And in the wilderness, the domain of the Devourer Wurm, yeah, that's not really an option for a menite. In short, for a devout menite, the Protectorate is probably the best place to be. Plus... if you ''refuse'' to live there (for whatever reason), the Synod might send the High Executioner to hunt you down.

Even the church isn't as bad as is sometimes said. Refusing to worship Menoth makes him weaker, which is bad for ''everyone,'' as he's the only one that can fight the [[Devourer Wurm]]. Also, the church of Morrow broke its promise of honoring Menoth aside Morrow, although Morrowans point out that Menoth did nothing during the Orgoth invasion and so he isn't a "real" deity, and that they ''do'' worship Menoth alongside Morrow.  Then the Scrutator petulantly says they don't do it enough and has them all crucified, because Scrutators argue like that fifth grader who used to punch you whenever you disagreed with him.

Also, with the fight against [[Cryx]] ramping up, the Protectorate is pretty much the only nation that can count on their souls being saved from the Cryxian necromancers. The Protectorate's Reclaimers literally channel Menite souls through their bodies to the City of Man on [[Urcaen]]. With this process, devout Menites know that they won't be turned into zombies or used to power [[Warjack#Cryx|bonejacks]].