It definitely requires players to willingly have their characters submit themselves to the religious authority. Get enough people like that in secular power positions, and you can make something happen.
Yes, but that is true for anything in the game.
Velax is "emperor" because people with authority will submit to him. It is no different and doesn't require game mechanics to implement.
Religions really dont have any more influence or power than what the players give them. Which is a shame - the priest game could be a whole lot more fun and intricate if there was more influence to be wielded.
That said, I've run a priest character for years. Its amusing at least to try.
