Divine Rank

Scholars categories the various ascended beings into a divine ranking. This is both a relative individual power scale and a measure of their influence on the mortal plane.

Rank 0--normal beings

Mortals, low-ranking infernals, "normal" residents of the elemental planes, low-ranking demons. Also the Faded--those ascendants who have lost most of their power stream and subsist on dribs and drabs. Those are some of the most dangerous beings, because they'll risk anything to regain their former status.

Rank 1--minor ascendants

These beings have a steady and stable stream of power, but little overall influence on the Mortal. Mid-ranking infernals, contractors and lesser demon lords rank here, as do many of the ascended heroes and a few of the elemental lords. These are still very killable. There is a wide range of powers in this category.

Rank 2--major ascendants

These beings have a steady and strong stream of power and wield significant influence on the Mortal, but lack the depths of power of a god or demigod. Infernal dons and demon princes fall into this category, as do many elemental lords. Killing one of these is incredibly difficult, as they can reform due to their influx of power.

Rank 3--minor demigods

These servants of the Congregation wield their patron's power but have only limited responsibilities or roles (and wield correspondingly limited power). Destroying one of these is possible, but will call down the wrath of their patron.

Rank 4--major demigods

These are the primary servants of the Congregation. They wield most of the power of their patron, and are the ones responsible for acting in the mortal realm on behalf of their god. Beings such as the Archon of Time also fit into this category (being fed by the Great Mechanism but not being a congregant. Destroying one of these is nearly impossible unless they are rejected by their patron.

Rank 5--congregants

All the members of the Congregation have the same theoretical power--nearly infinite in their domain, but strongly constrained. Destroying one of these is impossible. The Great Mechanism will not allow it (although it can absorb them if it needs to, as it did the Old Gods). There are always 16 of these, no more, no fewer.