Primate

First Appearance and Context

Within the chancel of the Mynster, the office is marked by a dedicated screen and chair. The northwest corner of the hall connects directly to the Primate’s Compound. In services leading up to Apert, an aide has emerged from the Primate's screen to officiate on the office‑holder's behalf, indicating that portions of the liturgy may be delegated. During Apert’s Tenth Night celebration, the Primate addressed visitors and avout, delivering the Invocation and introducing scheduled performances.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Presides over major rites conducted in the Mynster and may delegate specific parts to other hierarchs.
• In a witnessed retirement rite, called the name of the retiring Warden Regulant and named the successor.
• During a Voco aut, formally summons the concent (first in Old Orth, then in New Orth) and calls the name of the avout to be Evoked.
• Serves as the first court of appeal for sentences of the Book at Six or higher; such cases may then be appealed to the Inquisition.
• Approves observing plans presented by avout (such as cosmographers) and, when warranted, directs the Master of the Keys to keep specific portcullises open or closed so that a given math has controlled access to the starhenge on particular nights.
• Seen alongside the Warden Fendant during Apert as visitors entered, reflecting a supervisory presence during openings.
• Oversees the reporting line for the Inquisition; Wardens Regulant and their officers are technically part of that body, which in defined circumstances has authority to depose a Primate.
• During Apert festivities, serves as master of ceremonies for communal observances, making announcements, delivering the Invocation, and introducing performances at the high table.
• Associated with, and often approaching the chancel from, the adjacent Primate's Compound.

Relationships

• Seating at the chancel places the Warden Fendant to the left and the Warden Regulant to the right of the Primate, reflecting outward‑ and inward‑facing responsibilities.
• Holder: Statho is identified as the Primate during the observed Apert.
• Operational counterpart: Master of the Keys, who implements portcullis scheduling at the Primate’s direction.
• Receives visiting hierarchs and investigators; in one service the Primate entered the chancel accompanied by two purple‑robed Inquisitors.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• A dedicated chair and a screen identify the office's place within the chancel; a private doorway from the Primate’s Compound allows the Primate or delegates to enter.
• Among the hierarchs, members of this office and their aides are seen in purple bolts during rites.

Current Status/Location

Active within the concent's hierarchy. Based at the Mynster with controlled access through the Primate’s Compound; observed in person during Apert and seen entering with visiting Inquisitors.