Snow priests

Snow priests and priestesses belong to an a nameless organization that expands all over the far northern territory. Part of an ancient duty that has been around for over a thousand years, they commit their lives to worshipping the Gods of Before and searching for those lost in the snow. They first swear to a life of abstinence (both sexual and alcoholic) because those acts will get in the way of their duty. Both men and women are allowed to join and any crime one has commited in their past life has been erased, but once you join, however, it is not expected that you leave it unless you want a lifetime of being cursed from the gods.

Traditionally, both genders wear thick black or red coats with intricate colorful patterns so they are easy to spot against the snow. The cloth is made from fine wool belonging to mountain sheep that dwell within the valleys of the north.

There are several occupations that Snows can sift through within the ranks of the order: hunter and gatherers (men and women can do whichever as long as they can do it well), searchers, and caretakers. A hunter can also be a searcher and a caretaker, there is no set job that a priest is only bound to.

Their monastaries can range from one to three stories high or below. They can either be made of stone, wood, or a mixture of both. The monastaries are so far and few in between that finding one on one's own is considered by many a gift from the gods. Theyare always located a ways from any form of civilization as a form of protection from bandits and/or those searching to hurt the priests and their dogs. Smoke is always pouring from a chimmney and there's always a bright lantern hanging just outside the door. Food is plentiful and warm beds inside are always open to those who need it.

Most temples contain a graveyard out front where both the priests and dogs are buried together. Often, the first thing someone hears when entering a temple is the barking of a northern caller, the loyal guide dogs that search alongside the priests for lost souls.

It's said that snow priests will take in a child if a mother or father leaves it at their door and will raise it with kindness to be among their own ranks.