Order of The Isle
From Changeling Venue
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Theme, purpose, and organization
The Order of the Isle is the spiritual branch of The Praesidium, responsible for grounding and spiritually guiding the military roman order. In contrast, however, the Order of the Isle follows the routes of Celtic and pagan mythos, finding inspiration and purpose in the Goddess and the primal wild rather than in Roman order and Heirarchy. They serve as scholars, diplomats, occult specialists, and magic users, as well as officiating rites for the Praesidium. The combination of ideals is not always a fully comfortable mesh, but both sides seem dedicated to providing the balance to the other.
Additionally, the Order of the Isle draws heavily on the mythos of old Arthurian legend, pre-dating the French interpretations of the middle ages. Like it's counterpart in the Praesidium, many individuals in the order find inspiration and moral guidance from old Arthurian legend. While they don't believe themselves to be such legends themselves, they see nothing wrong in following the guidance of such tales - before those tales were perverted and twisted by the very Fae that they sometimes speak of. To the Order of the Isle and to the Praseidium, the human creation of such stories is both a caution of what lies in the primal wood and outside of the bounds of loyalty and friendship, and a beacon of hope that such ideals can still exist. It is important to note also that the older Arthurian tales bound in roman and celtic myth are by no means the shining beacons of chivalry and light that many of the later, more sanitized versions present. They are full of grisley acts, repenetance, darkness, battle, madness, but, ultimately, the struggle to be heroes and better people.
Rituals
Information coming soon
Rank:
Each member of the Order of the Isle has a designated rank depending on experience and position. The Order frequently works as one unit with judgments reached by consensus rather than heirarchy, however each region also claims an arch-druid to oversee affairs and serve as a more visible point of contact for those not as familiar with the druidic circle.
Initiate
It is possible, with the right knowledge, to bypass this level of initiation into the order. However, serving a period of time as an initiate sometimes allows an individual to improve on various magical, occult, and scholarly skills. (optional RP. Not required for entrance)
Derwyd
Pronounced (Der-with (e as in "pet")) A full member of the Order of the Isle. This individual shows marked talents and skills in at least one area of the Druidic studies - sometimes more. These individuals may lead rites, perform studies, teach, worship, and participate and lead any of the actions in the order. Scholars, diplomats, priests, healers, and guardians of the old ways and the wild. (suggested skills and attributes: Occult of 3 or higher, intelligence of 3 or higher, Contracts of 3 or higher in at least one area.)
Penderwyd
Pronounced (Pen-der-with (e as in "pet")) The regional head of the Order. This individual serves as high priest or priestess for various rites and fulfills all of the requirements and roles of the Derwyd in the order. The Penderwyd, however, also takes on the additional burden of being a "face" to those outside the Order of the Isle for times when those outside the old ways require such hierarchy. This position involves, thus, a fair amount of political savvy mixed with the intention to keep the Order's interests and philosophies intact. As this is a regional position there may be more than one Penderwyd. (Suggested skills and attributes: See Derwyd)
Titles of skill:
While in each other's company alone, the Derwyd often have no need of bragging rites as they function as a circle and unit. However, to outsiders, the ability to work as a group is often overshadowed by a simple need to understand the mystery of the order's organization and workings. Additionally, the need for ceremony and ritual is important to the Order as it adds tentative structure to the primal forces and philosophies they often deal with.
The Order thus supports a system of Titles of Skill, assumable by individuals who have proven themselves in their respective areas. A Derwyd may have more than one title of skill - but keep in mind that claiming one is a sign to both the Order and to the Praesidium that one is capable in an area; lying to the Goddess about ones own talent and to others you are sworn to spiritually guide, is distinctly frowned upon. similarly, it's a bit gauche to claim everything, even if you are very talented. Most characters will find one or two areas that particularly call to them.
Titles of skill are almost entirely up to the individual to suit to their own leanings. For example, an autumn courtier skilled in earth magic might be a Magus of the Withering Earth to reflect their court while a Spring courtier with the same skill might be a Magus of the Flowering Earth.
Suggested titles
Magus - Controllers of elemental magic or other contractual magic. Druidic belief attributes power to all elements and so this area holds its own regard. Samples: Magus of the frozen flame, Magus of summers flame, Magus of springs renewal, magus of the chill wind, magus of the hearth fires, etc.
Priest/Priestess - Healers and Luck weavers. The healing arts and the arts of fate to increase your friends' luck are old arts of the druidic orders. No druid would be considered properly trained without at least a little herb lore and some of the Order's individuals take their healing abilities to new heights. Samples: Priestess of Summer, Priest of Spring's balm, etc.
Scholars - Researchers and Information finders. The druidic orders placed a great deal of emphasis on the honing of the mind. These are members of the Order that, above and beyond their brethren, have information and resources of knowledge at their disposal. Samples: Scholar, scholar of winter's secrets, scholar of summer's bounty, etc.
Wardens - Battle capable - and lastly not all Druids are meek scholars. Though rarer, many have a single minded capacity to defend themselves and the ideals that they espouse. Physically capable - either in magic or in more mundane means - wardens are the fighters of the Order and their titles usually represent an area of combat strength. This is one of the rarer titles in the Order as many of the martially minded individuals found the Praesidium more to their liking. Samples: Warden of the Mists (stealth), Warden of the Paths (magical), Warden of the talon (physical) etc.
Membership
If you are interested in membership in an existing area or one that lacks members, please mail Lana below.
Southeast:
Penderwyd
Edria Meredith - Penderwyd for the south east, Magus of the Withering Earth and the Frosted Mirror, Priestess of Autumn's Relief.
Derwyd
Durendal - Derwyd of the Isle, Warden Of The Breeze, Magus of Twisting Wind, Wielder of Gaea's Wrath, Oneiropomp Warrior . Signifier of the Order of The Isle.
Initiate
Jandori - Initiate of the Isle and apprentice to Durendal, Keeper of the Shadow, Follower of the Mercury.
Kalen Blazenheart- Initiate of the Isle, Warden of the Talon.
Dog - Marked as Priest and Warden, Dog is a special in a way you can only experience not be told.
Northeast
Penderwyd
Erised Eveningsong - Penderwyd for the North East, Priest of Verdant Renewal & Scholar of the Sight
Derwyd
Green Man - Derwyd of the Isle, Withering Magus of the Quenched Thirst and Fiery Touch, Priest of the Falling Leaf.
Initiate
Elizabeth Ann Sexton - Not quite an Initiate as of yet, but has begun her tutelage. Presently, Merlin and Erised are sworn to her by the motley pledge. A motley whose name means "Tutors of the Lady"
Northwest
Penderwyd
Althea Sexton - Penderwyd for the north west, Magus of Drowned Waters, Scholar of the Seven Seas, Keeper of the Undertow.
Derwyd
Quinn Denton - Until recently, Quinn was an Initiate. He has not held the rank of Derwyd long enough to claim a title.
Initiate
Southcentral
Initiate
Ambriss Eveningstar - Initiate of the Isle, Magus of the Harvest Flame and the Withering Spark, Warden of the Mists
Miscellaneous
Initiate
Vayne Cruxis - Fairest, Dancer: Currently an Initiate within the Order who is trying to find his place within the religions of the world. Currently he is located in Athens where he has settled down and is looking into the old religions of the region. (Played by Steven Stroud)
Quotes and Opinions
From The Order's Own:
- "Sometimes faith is simply trust that the divine either has a plan or a great punchline for the comedy of errors we sometimes find ourselves in. Erised (Penderwydd of New England)
- "I am a true follower of my Goddess...but this whole ritualized practicing of faith with others is just...Strange."- Kalen Blazenheart (Initiate)
The Outsider's View:
- "Someday I shall understand their rites, as they shall ours. Until then? Well, I shall respect them to my utmost... I only hope my men can do so as well. Each half needs the whole." - Gaius Arctorus
Rumors
Feel free to add!
OOC Contact information
For more information please contact Lana Q at minxlette@gmail.com
