High Priest of Metzetta

The High Priest of Metzetta is the leader of the Chulcheo religion. Traditionally a high ranking government official until the separation of state and religion under Emperor Daeku. Chulcheo priests are not restricted in having children and the position normally passes down through the generations; each High Priest is entitled to name his or her successor. Women can hold the position of High Priestess but are markedly less common than men. The first two High Priests were Emperors, the position was not separated from the monarch by default, though early High Priests are considered fictitious much like the early emperors. Their lineage is well documented thanks to the Metzettan obsession with genealogy.

History
As recounted in the Iyagi-seda, the first man born was Yang-jo, who was Metzetta's first Emperor. Yang's first child Wa succeeded him as Emperor; both Yang and Wa are counted in the traditional order of succession of the High Priests. Wa's second son Dangun was the first stand-alone High Priest after Wa divided the powers of the Emperor in 3, freezing out the positions of High Priest and War Chief; his first son Kitae took over as Emperor while his third son Jinbae became the new War Chief. Early Emperors' daughters often became shrine maidens at prestigious locations. Marriages between the High Priests and high-ranking clans, including the Imperial Family, were and remain common. Currently the office is controlled by the Zuzeonhwa Clan. Many of the early High Priests are only known through family trees included in the Iyagi-segye, having largely been skipped over in the intervening Iyagi-ingan.

Roles
The High Priest is the ultimate authority on Chulcheo. Other duties include crowning the Emperor and performing special rituals on important dates. As a physically active role, High Priests may retire and return to life as a normal, if highly-respected, priest, unlike Emperors who are expected to serve until death.