The Church is based on the medieval Christian Church, and this institution was considerably different than any religious organization known in America today. So here are the top five myths about the Church of the Five.

1. All clergy members must be AD&D Priests, able to turn undead and cast spells. Most members of the Church are zero-level humans, with no ability to advance in levels or to cast spells. Those clergy members who have the abilities of an AD&D priest ( theurgists) are a minority—albeit a very important minority. Further, it is possible to encounter NPCs from any character class within the bounds of the Church. For example, the Seeker order may employ many AD&D Clerics, but it contains even more Fighters.
2. The highest ranking clergy members are the highest-level Priests. This is in part a holdover from the early beginnings of D&D, in which game level translated directly into social status. It is generally recognized that the Five work in mysterious ways. Those fortunate few who have the ability to cast spells are not always the oldest, most senior, or even wisest members of the clergy.
3. Everyone must be lawful to belong to the Church. AD&D game alignments are not really understood by the people of Frilond. The Church has an overwhelmingly lawful bent, but it is nevertheless made up of people of every possible alignment. The Church is a huge political institution before it is anything else.

4. The Church is monolithic. The Church of the Five encompasses people from all walks of life and with many different ideas. There is actually considerable friction within the Church: between individual monastic orders; between monastic orders and the secular clergy; and within branches of the secular clergy. Bishops quarrel with each other; scholars wrangle over the interpretation of doctrine.

   The church is a powerful, dynamic force, able to tolerate much distention. There is a breaking point, but it is usually hard to reach. Consider the difference between criticizing the federal government and blowing up federal courthouses. One sort of dissension is seen as a harmless, even normal form of expression; the other form is sedition. There's a lot of room in between.

5. Priests are all intolerant and humorless. Nothing could be further from the truth: while there are plenty of single-minded zealots, there are also just as many open-minded and mirthful priests. Similarly, priests are not themselves perfect—despite what some might think or tell their parishioners. In the eyes of the Five, all humans are sinners, period.