As a character in "The Mayors" notes, the priesthood is built on strictly authoritarian lines, forming a hierarchy with the king (who is regarded as a minor god) at the apex. The priesthood is in charge of all technology in the Four Kingdoms, including hospitals, power plants, and military installations (it is mentioned that the navy yards on Anacreon are religious sanctuaries completely inviolate on the part of the lay public). Every ship in the Four Kingdoms' space fleets is assigned a complement of Foundation-educated priest-attendants to maintain the technology as well as provide spiritual guidance to the crew.