Curates
| Curates | |
|---|---|
| World of Origin | Roshar |
| Universe | Cosmere |
The council of curates is the group within the Vorin church responsible for maintaining doctrine and upholding the Covenants of Theocracy, though they are not technically the heads of the Vorin church. They are based in the Holy Enclave in Valath.[1]
The council is made up of ardents; it is not known how individuals are chosen to become curates. They dress similarly to other ardents, but they wear unique blue robes. Dalinar Kholin notes that they carry staves wound with gemstones that are far more ornate than he would have expected, since such grandeur was supposed to have ended after the Hierocracy.[1]
History
Despite his disinterest in the intricacies of Vorinism,[2] Dalinar was technically one of the heads of the church,[1] presumably through his status as a Highprince and the de facto leader of Alethkar after Elhokar's death. Dalinar's position that the Almighty was dead therefore caused a schism in the church.[3][4] Kadash asked Dalinar to recant his statements and help him soothe the anger of the curates, but Dalinar refused to do so, as he felt he could not perpetuate a falsehood for the sake of holding to traditions.[4] When Dalinar later visited Vedenar, a group of curates found him there and excommunicated him, claiming authority through the Covenants of Theocracy. They publicly listed his heresies and denounced his assertion that the Almighty was not God. Dalinar became angry and fled, fearing that the Thrill would overtake him.[1]