In domains where a large number of Acolytes reside, the covenant sometimes prefers to make use of a “low priest.” The low priest, just below the Hierophant in the hierarchy, attends only to the religious leadership necessary within the cult. The Hierophant maintains overall leadership, dealing not only with ritual but also with politics as well as the structure of local Circle society. The Vala isn’t supposed to concern herself with politics (though some certainly do); her sole task is to be a powerful ritualist. She leads rituals when the Hierophant cannot. The Vala learns as much Crúac as her soul can stomach, and similarly goes on whatever perilous quest is necessary to gain a deeper understanding of blood magic.
The nature of the Vala differs from city to city. In particularly large Acolyte populations, the Hierophant may not meet with many covenant members face-to-face. His grasp of the local personalities within the cult may be slim. In this case, the Vala must pick up the slack. She represents the leadership “in the trenches” and thus is able to counsel other Acolytes one-to-one. Of course, this isn’t always the case — sometimes the Vala has her head buried in old books or her fingers damp with forbidden blood and makes no time for the other Acolytes except during ritual. Her time, in these cases, is devoted only to the dire powers.
