Elspa regarded her followers. “There is order to be found in the world around
us. Its discovery, study and dissemination are our greatest callings. All other
means for cultivating Order find, in their origins, scholarship.”
—The Torovar, “Elspa’s Book”
Rigor: Mental
Focus: Self
Color: Yellow
Adjective: Elspin
Overview
The Elspin (followers of Elspa) are a monastic sect dedicated to scholarship in all of its forms. They believe the best way to propagate order and to fight madness is through understanding the world around them. They take on a variety of specializations, not only by subject, but also by vocation; some teach, some work in the field, some write books, some experiment. If the end goal is practical knowledge, there is an Elspin involved.
Structure
The Elspin elect their leaders from the smallest office to the head office of Senior Abbot. Every member of the order is allowed a vote in these elections. Consequently, the politics involved can be grueling. Add into the mix professional jealousies, competition and jostling for subject matter and the whole thing can get a bit ugly. It is not unknown for politics to be used as a form of punishment, either; many Elspin want nothing more than the time to study and political duties get in the way. When one is in a race to make a common discovery, it doesn't hurt to get the competition saddled with extra responsibilities.
It is the firm belief of all Elspin that learning never ceases. To that end, they are not only scholars and teachers, but students as well. Each new Elspin arrival is given a mentor in their field of study, providing one can be found. The mentor relationship is maintained until death, even should one of the monks transfer to a new monastery; monks send academic treatises back and forth through the mail.
Like the other sects, Elspin monks are ranked, from lowest to highest, brother/sister, dean, prior and abbot. Deans tend to head specific areas of monastic life, like the library, scriptorium and laboratory. At Connovar Monastery, the prior oversees all members of the sect. In addition to the usual ranks, the Elspin also have a special officer, known as the Chronicler, who records events of note in the monastery's life.
Special Vow
In addition to the vows of obedience and poverty taken by all monks, regardless of order, the Elspin take a vow of honesty.
Rituals
(To be fleshed out)
