Bishop
If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.
Bishop Armand of the League AssemblyIntroduction
Bishops represent the clergy and religious leaders of League society. They have embraced the truth and power of The Way of Virtue and The Imperial Synod. Each has a Church and is responsible for the spiritual guidance of a congregation of lay Citizens, as well as playing an active part in the Synod.
Religious Heritage
Many Bravos start as ruffians, thugs and even petty criminals on the streets of the League cities. They come to the attention of a Free Company or Carta through a combination of bravado and raw talent. Aping the attitudes of the Free Companies, gangs of aspiring Bravos engage in fights and acts of petty vandalism and disobedience. Some end up dead, some end up falling foul of the law and some are lucky enough to attract the attention and patronage of a Carta or Company. Even those who fall afoul of the law may find themselves in a Free Company - it is a common punishment for unruly men and women with some level of chutzpah to be "sentenced" to life as a soldier of the League.
Men and women are known for their swagger. Their behaviour is loud and "laddish" - they drink, carouse and fight among themselves when they are off duty. They are not simply thugs - they are unruly and boisterous, but they reserve their violence for each other and members of rival Free Companies. When they are on the field, an element of this braggadocio remains, but it is tempered by the seriousness of war.
The behaviour of off-duty Bravos is seen as an useful safety valve - an opportunity for fighting men and women to blow off a little steam. They often refer to being "at liscence" - they literally are given permission by their commanding officer to squander their money gambling, drinking and whoring as long as they remember that they are representing the honour of their Free Company. As long as nobody is killed or permanently maimed, and as long as property damage is kept within managable limits, the rest of League society tends to turn a blind eye.
This unruly, swaggering behaviour serves a dual purpose. In addition to relaxing or blowing off steam, it serves as an advertisement for the Free Company. If a drunken brawl results in one Free Company trouncing the bravos of another, the victors are more likely to win lucrative contracts. By the same token, if a Bravo murders someone or shows disrespect for the rules, it reflects badly on the entire Free Company and the likelihood of employment is reduced. In a way, it is a military expression of the same drive that causes other citizens of the League to engage in displays of wit and savoir faire - it keeps them sharp, and leaves others in no doubt as to their skills.
In many cases, the reputation of a band of Bravos is enough to ensure that their employer is untroubled. In part, a Free Company is often paid to be larger than life, and even Bravos stationed in a city to protect the interests of a Merchant Prince are likely to spend some time being seen, and ensuring everyone remembers their reputation and skill with casual violence.
If a band of Bravos - or more than one band - damages property or possessions, it is traditional for their commanding officer to ensure that all losses are covered in cash by the next evening. Provided the payment is forthcoming, Magistrates are generally not involved. If more than one band of bravos is involved, it is traditional for each company to offer full payment, meaning that when two Bravos smash up an inn or brothel, the owner ends up with twice as much money as the damage that has been done, further discouraging the populace from complaining about the behaviour of the bravos.
All of this can occasionally cause problems when a Free Company comes into contact with a military unit from another Nation. Soldiers and warriors from outside the League are often unaware of the unwritten rules of Bravo behaviour and mistake an invitation to a brawl for a serious threat to life and limb.
Creating Bishop Characters
Bishops are powerful and influential figures who are responsible for the spiritual leadership of congregations of League Citizens. To play a Bishop, you will need to select a religious downtime resource which will represent a Church, Tomb, Pilgrimage Site or other holy location wherein the Bishop can administer guidance and direction to the laity. These congregations can be in any part of the League, even if the Bishop elects to travel extensively leaving day-to-day matters to junior clerics.
There is no actual requirement for a Bishop to know any of the Liao Ceremonies, as they are not required to give sound counsel. Some Bishops elect to sell the Liao allocated to their holy site so that they may use the funds to further the worth of the Faith in more practical ways. Others find that the Liao Ceremonies are an important part of exerting social pressure.
Bishops may operate alone, or as part of a larger group. Within a group of Bishops, one or more is usually nominated as their leader or spokesperson with the title of Archbishop. Such groups may also include junior Priests, who know Liao Ceremonies but have no congregation, as well as other League folk who have dedicated their lives to The Way.
Bishops do not join groups such as a Carta or a Free Company, per se, but it is not unheard of for Bishop's to elect to show favour or patronage to such groups, and be publically associated with them. Such an arrangement can enhance the status and reputation of both the group and the Bishop, provided that the conduct of one reflects well on the other.
Playing Bishops
For a Bishop of the League, perception and reputation are important concerns. The clergy of the League are no less competitive than any Bravo or Merchant Prince, but success is measured by profile and influence. A celebrated Bishop is far more likely to be asked to conduct a state funeral or be consulted by Senators and Emperesses. Yet, for all that they are a prominent part of a Faith that extols individual Virtue, Bishops of the League are perhaps more likely than most to take a pragmatic approach to the Virtues, accepting that - sometimes - the ends justifies the means.
It is possible to play a less-competitive Bishop with no interest in politics, machinations and status. Such Bishops are important to the more politically-minded and may be courted for the support and resources they can provide. After all, a Bishop who commands the respect of other Bishops must indeed be a force to be reckoned with.
For inspiration of figures who have walked the tightrope of religious credibility with political acumen and ruthlessness, some good examples are Jeremy Irons' portrayal of Rodrigo Borigia, various interpretations of Cardinal Richleu from The Three Musketeers, and Abbot Hugo from the Robin of Sherwood TV series.