Canonization Thread

[Nargles]

[ The Pinnacle ]
Location: Deep In Central Paludis

Description:

There are places even the wilds of Paludis refuse to enter, locations so damned the jungles will not claim them. The southern continent is known as the Land of Fallen Empires for good reason and not all dominions that found a foothold in the soil left empty ruins in their wake.

Created, or as some scholars argue summoned, by the Foris empire, the laicar nation viewed the place as their salvation. They saw Araevis as hindering their natural talents and sought to expand to places beyond even where the Vis held sway. What became of the Foris is unknown; however, their capital city was replaced by a location that even the ravenous wilds of Paludis refuse to enter.

The Pinnacle itself is composed of two parts, the first of which is a twisted wasteland that stretches for five miles in all directions around the epicenter. Within this circle plant life refuses to grow, the usually adventurous beasts of Paludis seem to treat it as an anathema.

The structures that clutter this zone look both advanced and terrifyingly alien to the world of Araevis. These remnants of buildings look composed of an alien network of materials the jungle should not have been able to provide. Metals, including strange foreign alloys that have yet to be replicated, twist in impossible angles out of the wreckage and tower into the sky.

In what could be described as the streets of the city lie two types of basalt figures in various poses. The first of these gives the impression they were modeled after laicar and appear to be caught in everyday activities. The second type are much larger and more animalistic though each seems slightly different from the next. These second figures also carry another distinct feature, rather than faces there seems to be a bone white ivory plate where their facial features should be. Any attempts to move or otherwise tamper with either set of figures causes a disintegration of them only for a new different figure to appear near by.

At the center of the nightmare lies the structure which gives the region its name. The Pinnacle is a massive tower of unknown build. The Pinnacle itself appears to be made out of obsidian and lit through unknown means. Entering the building finds one in a central chamber with a simple terminal. Any current attempts to reach the top have been repelled by a host of different combatants who do not seem to wish to leave. Each of these individuals seems unique with a skill set and techniques not seen on Araevis. Those attempting a climb have two options, an attempt to climb the tower proper through an unknown assortment and number of opponents or the option to challenge a particular combatant to skip floors. Rumors have begun circulating that the Pinnacle is host to otherworldly items for those who are able to defeat its guardians.

 

[Chef Bryardee]

Finny made me do it

Lenimentum - "Reclamation"

The Lenimentum is a sect within a long-forgotten religion, the namesake of which has been forfeited to oblivion. What few timeworn manuscripts which remain from the years closely following the Cataclysm point to its founding having purportedly occurred well before the current age somewhere in the low continent of Paludis. There are few, if any, who still believe in an outlandish pantheon consisting of six transcendent divinities rising above the exalted Vis in both power and authority.

There was Urasil, the goddess of Creation, regarded as the matriarch of the quintet whose gender alone gave the faith a distinction among bizarre religions like it. Beneath Urasil was her betrothed, Syxses, who stood as both ruler and guardian of the heavenly plane, Divinitus. Upon the day of their sacrament, Urasil bestowed upon her brother-in-law, Areus, supremacy over the mortal domain. Jealous of his sibling, Odarus was eventually cast down and out of Divinitus to the bottoms of Infernalis after attempting to usurp the throne that was Mortalis. It is believed among the faith that this aggression between Areus and the archfiend precipitated one of the earliest cataclysms. And then, there was Irasil.

For the Lenimentum, however, there was only Irasil. He was the twin brother of the goddess of Creation. Each of them the brood of Xoros, God of All – each of them two halves of the same coin.

Born as the rightful heir of everything that was or ever would be, it was arranged that Irasil would eventually be given dominion over All by his father. Instead, the once-successor fervently denied his birthright due to his mother’s passing during his birth, leaving him perpetually overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow. Xoros viewed this only as dishonor to not only himself but to Irasil’s mother, Oprena, as well. The father cast his own son down, handing the bequest of All to his only daughter instead.

Urasil sought to restore her sibling to Delubrum, where Xoros rules and all gods call home, but Xoros denied her appeal. Her undying love would not be quelled, however, and upon the onset of her reign, the goddess of All devised a plan: upon the death of Oprena, Xoros honored his departed wife by cremating her, the ashes of her body coalescing into the supreme jewel of universe – known to nearly all of mankind as Araevis. Appealing to her brother’s deep love for his mother, Urasil divided her dominion over All into two halves: Creation and Death. The latter was bestowed to her brother, who was given dominion over Araevis to judge all either worthy or unworthy of his mother’s final resting place – not only holding power over the life cycle, but influencing it by his own judgment and will as well.

Xoros was enraged by her decision but, as she did not disobey his injunction against Irasil, her diktat stood for thousands of years. Though the God of Death never again returned to the god’s realm from whence he came, Irasil dutifully ferried souls to and from the holy planes until…

All records end there, the fate of the now-seemingly slumbering deities unknown to anyone still alive. With this farfetched tale being the most grandiose of the fellowship’s many boasts, but certainly not their only, it’s easily fathomable that the bizarre cult was written off by the rest of the world and time.

 

[K3]

Ketch: Resubmit

So, here's a quick rundown here of the reasons why the GMs aren't really okay with this as presented: We don't like that this seems to be a very confrontational "my gods are better than yours" kind of post ("There are few, if any, who still believe in an outlandish pantheon consisting of six transcendent divinities rising above the exalted Vis in both power and authority."). We're not against other creation myths existing, but to go out of your way to make it out like "these are better than what already is there" is pretty dumb and pointless to include.

Secondly, and this is one I personally need to get out of the way, you're using copyrighted art for this. Professionally made, professionally sold art. This isn't like stuff you rip from DA because the creator posted it four years ago and they're not gonna miss it. I really would suggest trying to find something else to work with if you want some art to go with this.

Third, for a long-lost and written-off cult, why is there so much detail in the scripture relating to this pantheon? If it's long-lost, how do we know the full pantheon from what you describe as very few documents still existing? This is a strangely complete story that doesn't seem to fit what you actually submitted it as. A little more on that, is this weird lack of actual, pertinent information to the actual religion as stated.

When was the scripture discovered? How old is this cult? Why do they believe in these beings? What support is there that they even have authority or power similar to the Vis? What infrastructure exists for this cult? What actual documents exist that are followed? How does this sect reconcile its beliefs against the other, more dominant systems?

You wrote a creation myth and then nothing to support whatever is surrounding it. It's a very interesting creation myth, but it's still without any actual structure or actual followers to adhere to it. There's nothing here but some interesting mythos and a few throwaway lines about the actual purpose of the post, which is the cult that follows this mythos.

I'd like to see more theology in the RP, definitely, but this is not the best way to go about it. Focus on the followers and work outwards to justify the mythos that they adhere to. Tell us more about who and why. I hope this helps point you in the right direction, because this is the first piece of contesting theology against the popular religious standpoints in-game. I'd like to see this in a more compatible state where it could feasibly function in Araevis, but as it stands it just doesn't seem to actually coexist with the actual world.

 

[Mystydjinn]

Strange Old Magicks

The cataclysm left many things behind besides it's mysteries. With the discovery of the Demvir, ancient temples and other old ruins have been discovered with numerous strange powers surrounding their relics or themselves. Some archaeologists have reported moving walls that attack and hinder a ruin's explorers, and strange illnesses and sicknesses that appear upon leaving or entering these forbidden places of old magic.

Some explorers have reported strange appearances of creatures in the corner of their vision, falling unconscious and waking in unfamiliar places with no explanation for how they arrived there, and in the most tragic and surprising of the cases some have died upon crossing invisible boundaries around seemingly innocuous places, as though they are fenced off by some supernatural entity.
Some artifacts uncovered in these ruins have been known to display strange and unusual powers, completely unrelated to modern magic that draws power from the planes or the entities living there, but rather these objects draw from their users themselves, or some unknown magical power source currently being called “raw magick.” These effects are not always helpful or even useful either, and have varied negative and positive effects. Things like weapons becoming permanently attached to a wielder’s hand, strange trinkets making victims disappear from our plane of existence, presumably killing them, some granting the user wings, the ability to remove oneself from existence, or even immunities to magic in certain forms, and the list goes on.

Even stranger, these strange effects rarely exist on TR substances, but most often regular steel and other metals, or some of the most frightening ones, on natural organic materials such as but not limited to bones, shrunken heads, or cloths. They are often possessed by creatures from other dimensions and planes of reality at that, Infernalis and Natum being the most common home planes to creatures seen carrying them.

These strange properties are for the most part, not very well understood or documented; and furthermore only truly shocking or widespread cases have been reported; the particular artifacts that produce augurs being some of the only ones recorded that haven’t killed their discoverers and victims. An entire branch of study has been devoted to understanding these strange objects called “medieperpe,” the study of sorcery, another term thrown around with magick to describe these objects.

A sort of in-game explanation for magical abilities attached to items that don't seem related to the main spell branches, like the cursed sword Kincaid found or Augur abilities.

 

[K3]

Minja: Denied

 

[The Liar]

The Hospital

A small, one-story building buried in the Civitatulum. Its only identifying mark is the painting of a small staff encircled by a single serpent on the double-doors at the front. To the residents of the Civitatulum and Terminus as a whole, the building largely goes unnoticed.

To those with the proper clout, whether political or otherwise, it is a hospital that specializes in discretion. Those that run the hospital keep careful track of patients they are willing to accept, making concessions only for those that bring enough exa just to set foot within.

The Hospital is also a place for disgraced medical practitioners to continue their work, though they too must pay a price of some kind to enter the hospital’s employ. Whatever should happen within The Hospital’s walls is meant to stay within, and those in charge take care that both staff and patient do not break the institutions most important rule.

More recently, the hospital has taken to hiring armed protection hidden throughout the hospital, disguised as ordinary staff. Due to the hospital’s very nature, there is no known reason or cause for the sudden increase in security.

Tinalta

A bustling town on the southeastern edge of Aridus. Its placement makes it the prime location for trade with Paludis and, to a small degree, Pelagium as well. It is decidedly less arid than the rest of the continent thanks to its location. People from all over the continent call it home and, thanks to easy access to trade is known for its economic stability.

Tinalta is also known for housing the headquarters of Asterium, one of Aridus’ largest and most popular caravan lines. Not only does Asterium provide transportation across all of Aridus thanks to its many platform locations across the continent, it also connects many of the cities to trade and commerce opportunities they would otherwise be without, so long as the cities can pay for the privilege of having access to its many routes. As a result, Asterium is a an important part of moving trade throughout the continent.

 

[Abbey Rose]

Barrister Mage

In a normal world, crime is full of nuance, intent, and circumstance. What constitutes breaking the law changes depending on location and situation.

This is doubly true in a world filled with magic. Is it murder if you bring them back to life, or just assault? At what point does necromancy become desecration? Does scrying someone violate a restraining order? These are questions that have continually popped up since magic was first revealed to the mortal realm.

Enter the barrister mage. Equal parts lawyer, defense attorney, and sorcerer, these people are judged by a group to be sufficient enough for each to muddle through how the courts should handle a magician. Many different groups exist, some licensed by the church, some by the government, and others by arcane schools. All, however, share a similar desire to ensure that magic and law are properly balanced according to each other, even if they have different viewpoints on where that balance is located.

Whenever a practitioner of magic becomes the accused in a trial, they will almost always want to go to that trial with a barrister mage by that side. Whether they can afford it, or even whether the court will accept the credentials of that barrister mages license, however, is usually an entirely different matter.

 

[swaswj]

The Hospital

A small, one-story building buried in the Civitatulum. Its only identifying mark is the painting of a small staff encircled by a single serpent on the double-doors at the front. To the residents of the Civitatulum and Terminus as a whole, the building largely goes unnoticed.

To those with the proper clout, whether political or otherwise, it is a hospital that specializes in discretion. Those that run the hospital keep careful track of patients they are willing to accept, making concessions only for those that bring enough exa just to set foot within.

The Hospital is also a place for disgraced medical practitioners to continue their work, though they too must pay a price of some kind to enter the hospital’s employ. Whatever should happen within The Hospital’s walls is meant to stay within, and those in charge take care that both staff and patient do not break the institutions most important rule.

More recently, the hospital has taken to hiring armed protection hidden throughout the hospital, disguised as ordinary staff. Due to the hospital’s very nature, there is no known reason or cause for the sudden increase in security.

Seems legit.

Tinalta

A bustling town on the southeastern edge of Aridus. Its placement makes it the prime location for trade with Paludis and, to a small degree, Pelagium as well. It is decidedly less arid than the rest of the continent thanks to its location. People from all over the continent call it home and, thanks to easy access to trade is known for its economic stability.

Tinalta is also known for housing the headquarters of Asterium, one of Aridus’ largest and most popular caravan lines. Not only does Asterium provide transportation across all of Aridus thanks to its many platform locations across the continent, it also connects many of the cities to trade and commerce opportunities they would otherwise be without, so long as the cities can pay for the privilege of having access to its many routes. As a result, Asterium is a an important part of moving trade throughout the continent.

Approved, but bear in mind that there are other cities in the area. Flumen Petram is geographically right about the same spot and Vanus Junction is a trading hub not far south.

Barrister Mage

In a normal world, crime is full of nuance, intent, and circumstance. What constitutes breaking the law changes depending on location and situation.

This is doubly true in a world filled with magic. Is it murder if you bring them back to life, or just assault? At what point does necromancy become desecration? Does scrying someone violate a restraining order? These are questions that have continually popped up since magic was first revealed to the mortal realm.

Enter the barrister mage. Equal parts lawyer, defense attorney, and sorcerer, these people are judged by a group to be sufficient enough for each to muddle through how the courts should handle a magician. Many different groups exist, some licensed by the church, some by the government, and others by arcane schools. All, however, share a similar desire to ensure that magic and law are properly balanced according to each other, even if they have different viewpoints on where that balance is located.

Whenever a practitioner of magic becomes the accused in a trial, they will almost always want to go to that trial with a barrister mage by that side. Whether they can afford it, or even whether the court will accept the credentials of that barrister mages license, however, is usually an entirely different matter.

Sure, why not.

 

[Bish]

Custos Tutella​

History

When the Cataclysm devastated Araevis, the world experienced a trauma like no generation before. Millions of creatures were wiped out, swathes of the planet devastated, and entire civilizations were ground into little more than broken relics and fading memories. Those left behind to pick up the pieces of the broken world were brave indeed, but such a breaking point caused even the hardiest of minds to falter. The surviving populace of Araevis were forced to deal with the surge of emotions brought about by a world that had quite literally shattered beneath their feet. Some drowned their sorrows in alcohol or intoxicants, others lashed out in anger and fought their fellow people, and some just lost the will to continue entirely. Many practitioners of Castus found themselves mending hundreds of bodies over the course of their careers, but one Velen named Pyrrhas wondered if there was more to be done than just treating the physical flesh: the idealistic Velen wondered if it was possible to heal a broken spirit or a shattered mind.

At first, her colleagues dismissed the idea as noble but ultimately impossible. The school of Castus was designed to mend the broken body and was great enough even to snatch a soul back from the brink of death, but the realm of the mind was beyond their power. She argued that the primary goal of any Castus user should be to alleviate suffering, not just mend flesh. The Masters often reminded Pyrhhas that the Vis gave very specific gifts, arguing that if Castus intended for her followers to rescue those who had fallen to madness, then she would have given them the power to do so. Eventually, Pyrhhas broke away from the Arcanum and set out to create their own guild, dedicated to alleviating suffering in all of its forms. Pyrhhas named this group Custara Tutella, which meant "Stewards of Care" in the old tongue.

Pyrhhas and their followers never did manage to create the new breed of Castus spells that they envisioned, but this did not discourage them from their work of alleviating suffering in all its forms. The Caretakers established several temples across Araevis where they performed their work. These people were potent practitioners of the art of Castus, but they also performed the work of feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and doing their damnedest to provide a listening ear to the mad and the broken where society would not. When Pyrhhas passed, Custara Tutella eventually fell into obscurity as many of its members were followers of Pyrhhas rather than personally devoted to the cause.

In Modern Times

While the group never achieved the spread that its creator had hoped during their time, some of Pyrhhas's journals were discovered around 60 years ago and added to the Arcanum's collection. Eventually, a Velen student of Castus named Jelani Asa decided to revive Custara Tutella in this current age of crime, villainy, and madness. Members of the guild are, as in the past required to recite and uphold the Caretakers' Creed: a code of ethics that explains how all members are expected to conduct themselves. Unfortunately, the full code written by Pyrhhas has been lost to time: what exists today is a reconstruction based on parts of it that were mentioned in Pyrhhas's journals.

There are roughly 200 individuals in all of Araevis who have become Caretakers in the old sense of the word, though that number continues to grow over time and Custara Tutella enjoys a sizable number of volunteers who do the work of providing for those who lack. Caretakers are required to undergo a rigorous study of conflict resolution, trauma counseling, and psychiatric services at the primary temple of Custara Tutella as well as becoming proficient in at least the Novice level of Castus. The Arcanum maintains a fairly positive relationship with these individuals, acknowledging their dedication to Castus's mercy in all aspects of life rather than merely healing the body, though even now there are a devout few who assert that a Caretaker's goal of healing the mind is an overstepping of their divine calling.

The city of Terminus at large is still trying to determine how best to use these Caretakers. Some have found work in the governmental side of things. These caretakers provide a range of services from prisoner rehabilitation to psychological evaluation, using their unique training and skills to ascertain how best to help criminal minds. Others still take their service into a private practice, helping everyday citizens to make sense of their own turbulent minds and find their place in the world of Terminus, though often for a small fee.

Notes for Staff

So this is a very rough idea that I have, and I know there are a lot of things that could stand to be expounded upon, but I wanted y'alls opinion on what I've got so far because this is something that I'd like to get established before I start writing with Tegalus again. Thoughts? Criticisms? Suggestions?

 

[swaswj]

Custos Tutella​

History

When the Cataclysm devastated Araevis, the world experienced a trauma like no generation before. Millions of creatures were wiped out, swathes of the planet devastated, and entire civilizations were ground into little more than broken relics and fading memories. Those left behind to pick up the pieces of the broken world were brave indeed, but such a breaking point caused even the hardiest of minds to falter. The surviving populace of Araevis were forced to deal with the surge of emotions brought about by a world that had quite literally shattered beneath their feet. Some drowned their sorrows in alcohol or intoxicants, others lashed out in anger and fought their fellow people, and some just lost the will to continue entirely. Many practitioners of Castus found themselves mending hundreds of bodies over the course of their careers, but one Velen named Pyrrhas wondered if there was more to be done than just treating the physical flesh: the idealistic Velen wondered if it was possible to heal a broken spirit or a shattered mind.

At first, her colleagues dismissed the idea as noble but ultimately impossible. The school of Castus was designed to mend the broken body and was great enough even to snatch a soul back from the brink of death, but the realm of the mind was beyond their power. She argued that the primary goal of any Castus user should be to alleviate suffering, not just mend flesh. The Masters often reminded Pyrhhas that the Vis gave very specific gifts, arguing that if Castus intended for her followers to rescue those who had fallen to madness, then she would have given them the power to do so. Eventually, Pyrhhas broke away from the Arcanum and set out to create their own guild, dedicated to alleviating suffering in all of its forms. Pyrhhas named this group Custara Tutella, which meant "Stewards of Care" in the old tongue.

Pyrhhas and their followers never did manage to create the new breed of Castus spells that they envisioned, but this did not discourage them from their work of alleviating suffering in all its forms. The Caretakers established several temples across Araevis where they performed their work. These people were potent practitioners of the art of Castus, but they also performed the work of feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and doing their damnedest to provide a listening ear to the mad and the broken where society would not. When Pyrhhas passed, Custara Tutella eventually fell into obscurity as many of its members were followers of Pyrhhas rather than personally devoted to the cause.

In Modern Times

While the group never achieved the spread that its creator had hoped during their time, some of Pyrhhas's journals were discovered around 60 years ago and added to the Arcanum's collection. Eventually, a Velen student of Castus named Jelani Asa decided to revive Custara Tutella in this current age of crime, villainy, and madness. Members of the guild are, as in the past required to recite and uphold the Caretakers' Creed: a code of ethics that explains how all members are expected to conduct themselves. Unfortunately, the full code written by Pyrhhas has been lost to time: what exists today is a reconstruction based on parts of it that were mentioned in Pyrhhas's journals.

There are roughly 200 individuals in all of Araevis who have become Caretakers in the old sense of the word, though that number continues to grow over time and Custara Tutella enjoys a sizable number of volunteers who do the work of providing for those who lack. Caretakers are required to undergo a rigorous study of conflict resolution, trauma counseling, and psychiatric services at the primary temple of Custara Tutella as well as becoming proficient in at least the Novice level of Castus. The Arcanum maintains a fairly positive relationship with these individuals, acknowledging their dedication to Castus's mercy in all aspects of life rather than merely healing the body, though even now there are a devout few who assert that a Caretaker's goal of healing the mind is an overstepping of their divine calling.

The city of Terminus at large is still trying to determine how best to use these Caretakers. Some have found work in the governmental side of things. These caretakers provide a range of services from prisoner rehabilitation to psychological evaluation, using their unique training and skills to ascertain how best to help criminal minds. Others still take their service into a private practice, helping everyday citizens to make sense of their own turbulent minds and find their place in the world of Terminus, though often for a small fee.

Notes for Staff

So this is a very rough idea that I have, and I know there are a lot of things that could stand to be expounded upon, but I wanted y'alls opinion on what I've got so far because this is something that I'd like to get established before I start writing with Tegalus again. Thoughts? Criticisms? Suggestions?

First off, Castus can actually work on mental effects. There's only one spell that does so far (Calming Placebo) but there's still room for additional spells. That being said, you wrote as if the prayers of Castus were a set of gifts handed down to followers, but really it's more a matter of people who had faith in Castus and, through enough study and prayer, learned to draw upon and direct the mercy of Castus. If Custos Tutella were faithful and sought to heal maladies of the mind, it's very possible they could eventually do so with Castus' magic. Calming Placebo could have been one of their early successes, later passed on to others.

The magic of Castus isn't the focal point of the School of Castus (nor is that the case for any of the schools). Rather, the magic is a metaphysical expression of the ideals taught by the school and the conviction held by the caster. In fact, the School would more focus on allegory and parables, wisdom of famous saints and the benevolent acts of the Viskar.

Essentially, what you describe as an offshoot, wherein the Custos Tutella encourages people to show Castus' mercy in all aspects of their life, is exactly what the Arcanum teaches in its School of Castus.

Now, one way you could work this is to say that they emphasize healing maladies of the mind and spirit, believing that a whole mind must by necessity come before a whole body. Alternately, they could be a sect that eschews their own comfort and instead devotes themselves entirely to seeking out those who need help, rather than merely bestowing the mercy of Castus on those they encounter.

 

[Bish]

Custara Tutella​

History

When the Cataclysm devastated Araevis, the world experienced a trauma like no generation before. Millions of creatures were wiped out, swathes of the planet devastated, and entire civilizations were ground into little more than broken relics and fading memories. Those left behind to pick up the pieces of the broken world were brave indeed, but such a breaking point caused even the hardiest of minds to falter. The surviving populace who had amassed in Terminus were forced to deal with the surge of emotions brought about by a world that had quite literally shattered beneath their feet. Some drowned their sorrows in alcohol or intoxicants, others lashed out in anger and fought their fellow people, and some just lost the will to live entirely.

One Velen named Pyrhhras wondered if there was more to be done than just treating the physical flesh: the idealistic Velen wondered if it was possible to heal a broken spirit or a shattered mind. At first, her colleagues dismissed the idea as noble but ultimately impossible, as all the existing spells were meant to deal with the body. She argued that Castus users had a responsibility to devote themselves entirely to the eradication of suffering, and argued that the best way to do so was to find a way to heal the mind. After all, the mind was the master of the body in the first place, and that it made more sense to try and convince someone to live than it did to spend precious time every month drawing out alcohol from their system after the latest suicide attempt. A few of the old masters agreed, but all of them were too consumed with the task of teaching new followers of Castus and ensuring the physical health of the devastated populace to pursue the matter further. Pyrhhras, growing frustrated with what she saw as a purely reactive approach, eventually decided to embark on a religious pilgrimage. Some sources say that on her journey, she travelled to each of the former capital cities of the Laicar, the Enlil, and the Velen, but scholars rightfully point out the implausibility of the claim considering the level of devastation wrought on those places during the Cataclysm.

Fifteen years later, she returned to Terminus with a band of capable followers who revered her as a saint (much to her chagrin). Some records say that she returned claiming that she had received a visitation from Castus himself, who had shone a light on her that she had never seen before. Whether she did or not she did meet Castus has remained a hot point of debate since her journals were rediscovered. What is undeniable is the fact that all known records point to her returning with the power of a Master-class Castus practitioner. When questioned on the fruits of her pilgrimmage by the old masters, Pyrhhras demonstrated an entirely new spell: modern day Castus users know it as Calming Placebo. She used this new knowledge and power as a way to legitimize an ambitious religious sect devoted to the alleviation of all Vis’ suffering: it was dubbed Custara Tutella, which meant “Stewards of Care” in the ancient language.

For the remainder of her days, Pyrhhras remained the spearhead of Custara Tutella and spread the revelations that she had experienced on her journey to all who would listen. She preached that just healing the body was only a temporary fix, and afflictions of the mind were of utmost importance in the long term care of a patient. She did not neglect physical injuries as a source of suffering by any means, but she made it her personal mission to go after other, more insidious sources of suffering: mental health, poverty, and even discrimination were all popular subjects in her speeches and journal entries.

As the years went on, the Caretakers established several temples across Araevis where they performed their work. These people were potent practitioners of the art of Castus, but they also performed the work of feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and doing their damnedest to provide a listening ear to the mad and the broken where society would not. When Pyrhhras passed, Custara Tutella eventually fell into obscurity as many of its members were followers of Pyrhhras rather than personally devoted to the cause.

In Modern Times

Around 50 years ago, some of Pyrhhras’s journals were rediscovered and added to the Arcanum's collection. 27 years after that, a Velen student of Castus named Jelani Asa decided to revive Custara Tutella in this current age of crime, villainy, and madness. Since its revival, only a small number of individuals in all of Araevis have become Caretakers. Few individuals are benevolent enough to take up the Art of Castus and even fewer are selfless enough to walk the path of the Caretaker.

The Custara Tutella are only modestly known in this age, but those who have experience with the Caretakers regard them as masochists. Who else would devote their entire lives to alleviating suffering in a city that was built on it? But the Caretakers often remind their doubters that the best way to deal with an overgrown plant is to remove the root, and they firmly believe that things which compromise the mind (hunger, mental illness, inebriation) are the root of all suffering. Due to this, the Caretakers have become the foremost mental health experts in Terminus. Caretakers are required to undergo the following: a rigorous study of conflict resolution, psychology, therapy, and similar services at the primary temple of Custara Tutella; becoming proficient in at least the Novice level of Castus; serving at least one year performing community service. Members of the guild are required to recite and uphold the Caretaker's Oath: a code of ethics that explains how all members are expected to conduct themselves. Unfortunately, the full code written by Pyrhhras has been lost to time: what exists today is a reconstruction based on parts of it that were mentioned in Pyrhhras's journals.

I swear to uphold, to the best of my ability and judgment, this oath:

As a follower of the Immaculate One and a member of the Custara Tutella, I hereby devote myself to the eradication of the suffering of my fellow Vis.

When the call of suffering reaches my ears, I am bound by creed and compassion to answer its call.

If the poor cry out for food, then I will feed them to the best of my ability. If the sick cry out for healing, then I will employ the gifts of Castus in their favor. If the maddened cry out for relief, then I will listen to their plight and empathize with their struggle.

I will respect the hard-won progress of the Caretakers in whose steps I walk, and gladly share their knowledge as well as mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the suffering, all measures which are required.

I will remember that there is art and beauty in the works of the Immaculate, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may sometimes outweigh the surgeon's knife or the alchemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to acknowledge when the skills of another are necessary for a patient’s recovery, for arrogance will always be the downfall of the Vis if we are not vigilant.

I will not indulge in any activity or substance that could compromise my ability to do the work of the Castara Tutella.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that all of Araevis may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death in a world so devastated by both.

I will remember that I do not treat depression or a virus, but a sick human being whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability, and vice versa. My responsibility includes all these related problems, if I am to care adequately for those who suffer.

I will prevent suffering whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow Vis, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May Castus grant me joy in alleviating the suffering of those who seek my help.

The city of Terminus at large is still trying to determine how best to use these Caretakers. A fair number respect the level of dedication (and insanity) it takes to devote one’s life to alleviating suffering in a world as cruel and chaotic as Araevis. The Arcanum appreciates the extra business from teaching Caretaker-hopefuls the arts of Castus, but keeps the organization at arm's length due to the Caretakers' rather liberal political position regarding the Spuurii and their tendency to share information quite freely. Some Caretakers have found work in the governmental side of things. These caretakers provide a range of services from prisoner rehabilitation to psychological evaluation, using their unique training and skills to ascertain how best to help criminal minds. Others still take their service into a private practice, helping everyday citizens to make sense of their own turbulent minds and find their place in the world of Terminus, though often for a small fee. One thing’s for certain though: if you need a place to rest your head, fill your belly, or patch a wound (mental or physical), there is no better place in Terminus than on the couch of a Caretaker.

Round Two lesgo

Took both of your suggestions, will. Changed up the History and Modern Times section accordingly and added a copy of the Caretaker's Oath. I think this looks a lot better now actually

 

[swaswj]

Custara Tutella​

History

When the Cataclysm devastated Araevis, the world experienced a trauma like no generation before. Millions of creatures were wiped out, swathes of the planet devastated, and entire civilizations were ground into little more than broken relics and fading memories. Those left behind to pick up the pieces of the broken world were brave indeed, but such a breaking point caused even the hardiest of minds to falter. The surviving populace who had amassed in Terminus were forced to deal with the surge of emotions brought about by a world that had quite literally shattered beneath their feet. Some drowned their sorrows in alcohol or intoxicants, others lashed out in anger and fought their fellow people, and some just lost the will to live entirely.

One Velen named Pyrhhras wondered if there was more to be done than just treating the physical flesh: the idealistic Velen wondered if it was possible to heal a broken spirit or a shattered mind. At first, her colleagues dismissed the idea as noble but ultimately impossible, as all the existing spells were meant to deal with the body. She argued that Castus users had a responsibility to devote themselves entirely to the eradication of suffering, and argued that the best way to do so was to find a way to heal the mind. After all, the mind was the master of the body in the first place, and that it made more sense to try and convince someone to live than it did to spend precious time every month drawing out alcohol from their system after the latest suicide attempt. A few of the old masters agreed, but all of them were too consumed with the task of teaching new followers of Castus and ensuring the physical health of the devastated populace to pursue the matter further. Pyrhhras, growing frustrated with what she saw as a purely reactive approach, eventually decided to embark on a religious pilgrimage. Some sources say that on her journey, she travelled to each of the former capital cities of the Laicar, the Enlil, and the Velen, but scholars rightfully point out the implausibility of the claim considering the level of devastation wrought on those places during the Cataclysm.

Fifteen years later, she returned to Terminus with a band of capable followers who revered her as a saint (much to her chagrin). Some records say that she returned claiming that she had received a visitation from Castus himself, who had shone a light on her that she had never seen before. Whether she did or not she did meet Castus has remained a hot point of debate since her journals were rediscovered. What is undeniable is the fact that all known records point to her returning with the power of a Master-class Castus practitioner. When questioned on the fruits of her pilgrimmage by the old masters, Pyrhhras demonstrated an entirely new spell: modern day Castus users know it as Calming Placebo. She used this new knowledge and power as a way to legitimize an ambitious religious sect devoted to the alleviation of all Vis’ suffering: it was dubbed Custara Tutella, which meant “Stewards of Care” in the ancient language.

For the remainder of her days, Pyrhhras remained the spearhead of Custara Tutella and spread the revelations that she had experienced on her journey to all who would listen. She preached that just healing the body was only a temporary fix, and afflictions of the mind were of utmost importance in the long term care of a patient. She did not neglect physical injuries as a source of suffering by any means, but she made it her personal mission to go after other, more insidious sources of suffering: mental health, poverty, and even discrimination were all popular subjects in her speeches and journal entries.

As the years went on, the Caretakers established several temples across Araevis where they performed their work. These people were potent practitioners of the art of Castus, but they also performed the work of feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and doing their damnedest to provide a listening ear to the mad and the broken where society would not. When Pyrhhras passed, Custara Tutella eventually fell into obscurity as many of its members were followers of Pyrhhras rather than personally devoted to the cause.

In Modern Times

Around 50 years ago, some of Pyrhhras’s journals were rediscovered and added to the Arcanum's collection. 27 years after that, a Velen student of Castus named Jelani Asa decided to revive Custara Tutella in this current age of crime, villainy, and madness. Since its revival, only a small number of individuals in all of Araevis have become Caretakers. Few individuals are benevolent enough to take up the Art of Castus and even fewer are selfless enough to walk the path of the Caretaker.

The Custara Tutella are only modestly known in this age, but those who have experience with the Caretakers regard them as masochists. Who else would devote their entire lives to alleviating suffering in a city that was built on it? But the Caretakers often remind their doubters that the best way to deal with an overgrown plant is to remove the root, and they firmly believe that things which compromise the mind (hunger, mental illness, inebriation) are the root of all suffering. Due to this, the Caretakers have become the foremost mental health experts in Terminus. Caretakers are required to undergo the following: a rigorous study of conflict resolution, psychology, therapy, and similar services at the primary temple of Custara Tutella; becoming proficient in at least the Novice level of Castus; serving at least one year performing community service. Members of the guild are required to recite and uphold the Caretaker's Oath: a code of ethics that explains how all members are expected to conduct themselves. Unfortunately, the full code written by Pyrhhras has been lost to time: what exists today is a reconstruction based on parts of it that were mentioned in Pyrhhras's journals.



The city of Terminus at large is still trying to determine how best to use these Caretakers. A fair number respect the level of dedication (and insanity) it takes to devote one’s life to alleviating suffering in a world as cruel and chaotic as Araevis. The Arcanum appreciates the extra business from teaching Caretaker-hopefuls the arts of Castus, but keeps the organization at arm's length due to the Caretakers' rather liberal political position regarding the Spuurii and their tendency to share information quite freely. Some Caretakers have found work in the governmental side of things. These caretakers provide a range of services from prisoner rehabilitation to psychological evaluation, using their unique training and skills to ascertain how best to help criminal minds. Others still take their service into a private practice, helping everyday citizens to make sense of their own turbulent minds and find their place in the world of Terminus, though often for a small fee. One thing’s for certain though: if you need a place to rest your head, fill your belly, or patch a wound (mental or physical), there is no better place in Terminus than on the couch of a Caretaker.

Round Two lesgo

Took both of your suggestions, will. Changed up the History and Modern Times section accordingly and added a copy of the Caretaker's Oath. I think this looks a lot better now actually

For the most part, consider this accepted. There are things that still need revision, which I don't have the brain-power to do right now, but can easily do when creating a Codex entry.

In the oath, you speak of "fellow Vis" but the Vis are the deities of the world. There are five Vis (Castus, Occultus, Bellator, Serpens, Aquila), and Castus, as the premier of the five, is also known as the Viskar.

The Arcanum would welcome the Caretakers with open arms. While individuals within the Arcanum may not always uphold the ideals perfectly, and some -- such as the Solaviskar -- are oblivious to how their treatment of other races is wrong, the organization as a whole is inclusive, welcoming, and generous. There will never be an official stance from the Arcanum that spurrii are at all unwelcome, and the bulk of their libraries are open to all comers, whether members of the Arcanum or not. Think... up to 'skilled' level in knowledge, which would encompass about 80% of anything people wanted to know.

This leads into a growing frustration I have, personally, and it seems to crop up in multiple places in your write-up: Terminus is meant to be seen, from the outside and by most people in the city, as idyllic. People come to Terminus from all over the world because it's seen as a place of opportunity. There is corruption, there is crime, there is a dark side to the city, but think of an apple with a worm in it. It looks whole and healthy and you might never notice anything wrong unless you find the hole or dig beneath the surface.

For many, the Arcanum stands as the pinnacle of moral guidance. The Conexus is seen as a shining example of upholding duty. The Commercium as the leader of a free market. Fraternitas... nah, Fraternitas is still seen as powerful but unruly and potentially unreliable.

One thing I'd point to in-game is the Lupanar District. Its existence is contradiction. On the one hand, the fact that criminals have an entire district as a safe haven, where the guards leave them alone, is a symbol of corruption. However, on the other hand, the fact that criminals have only this one district is a testament to how effectively the rest of the city is policed and protected. The biggest crime families and organizations will of course always be trying to expand their influence, but carefully, because if they play their hand too strong, they run the risk of drawing attention and being forced back into their little corner, in shame.

That little rant aside: I like the idea of the Caretakers. I like the additional lore that it brings to the School of Castus (although I would not limit to the one spell we currently have submitted, and leave it more vague to allow for future submissions). And if you ever reach a point where you can afford a registration, I could see transitioning them into a player guild, as well. So the Caretakers are approved, but expect revisions on the wording.

 

[Redfin]

Global Holidays
These holidays are recognized all over the world.

Ortus 20th (March), Serpens's Day
The first global holiday of the year. It is a day to celebrate the world both that is close and far. It is a popular time to do repairs around the home and to clean up. People also volunteer to help out their neighborhoods. Others take time to go out exploring and hiking.

Sol 20th (June), Bellator's Fire
It is a day to celebrate strength and the way forward. It is a time to have outdoor parties consisting of the recent harvest. A bonfire is lit during the entire celebration. At night, it is also time to burn effigies representing the past year.

Occiduus 31th (October), Occultus's Night
It is a day for celebrating the unknown and mysterious. It is a time for people to try out new things and discover what they can possibly become. People dress up in strange and spooky costumes and pretend to be something else. There is a huge increase in nighttime activities.

Umbra 25th (December), Aquila's Ball
It is a day for peace and joy. It is a time to spend with families and loved ones. It is customary to give people presents and to help the less fortunate. During the day, groups of people go around singing. At night, people cook elaborate dinners for all of their family and friends.

Somnus 14th (February), Castus's Gathering
The last holiday before the new year. It is a day for celebrating relationships and love. It is a day for couples to show that they appreciate each other, and for single people to try and find someone for themselves. Chocolate is a popular gift to give out to partners or potential partners.

 

[swaswj]

Global Holidays
These holidays are recognized all over the world.

Ortus 20th (March), Serpens's Day
The first global holiday of the year. It is a day to celebrate the world both that is close and far. It is a popular time to do repairs around the home and to clean up. People also volunteer to help out their neighborhoods. Others take time to go out exploring and hiking.

Sol 20th (June), Bellator's Fire
It is a day to celebrate strength and the way forward. It is a time to have outdoor parties consisting of the recent harvest. A bonfire is lit during the entire celebration. At night, it is also time to burn effigies representing the past year.

Occiduus 31th (October), Occultus's Night
It is a day for celebrating the unknown and mysterious. It is a time for people to try out new things and discover what they can possibly become. People dress up in strange and spooky costumes and pretend to be something else. There is a huge increase in nighttime activities.

Umbra 25th (December), Aquila's Ball
It is a day for peace and joy. It is a time to spend with families and loved ones. It is customary to give people presents and to help the less fortunate. During the day, groups of people go around singing. At night, people cook elaborate dinners for all of their family and friends.

Somnus 14th (February), Castus's Gathering
The last holiday before the new year. It is a day for celebrating relationships and love. It is a day for couples to show that they appreciate each other, and for single people to try and find someone for themselves. Chocolate is a popular gift to give out to partners or potential partners.

I like it.

Since Vesper and Umbra (Nov/Dec) are involved in the Nocte Nils holiday, though, I think we may need to relocate Aquila's ball to Arctos/January