“Beyond reason, beyond physical proximity, men are connected by their
experiences. It is art that reveals and strengthens these bonds, providing
the most meaningful form of order for Man.”
—Fantha, The Torovar, “Fantha’s Manifest”
Rigor: Spiritual
Focus: Self
Color: Orange
Adjective: Fanthan
Overview
The Fanthan (followers of Fantha) believe that while mental and physical discipline provide temporary solutions for Order in a world threatened by Madness, it is only developing our sense of common humanity that will provide long term growth. More, they believe that personal expression through art is the greatest means of seeing and developing these common bonds. For them, art is not about beauty, but truth.
Structure
The Fanthan are not just creators of art, though some of them do that exclusively. They also make art accessible to the populace, theorize about it and, in the case of many of the Fanthan in Connovar, restore damaged art. They are sculptors, actors, painters, dancers and musicians. Some of them have a broad focus exploring interdisciplinary modalities of art while others work at perfecting the playing of an instrument. No matter how they specialize, however, they believe art is meant to be shared and, consequently, they are among the most social of the monastic sects.
The sociability of the Fanthan makes their politics an art-form in and of itself. While some members of this order would prefer to work quietly away in their disciplines, most see the various offices of the monastic hierarchy as a chance to spread art and culture not just within in the confines of the sect but to the world at large. Fanthan monks serve in office until a majority of the sect's monks vote to have an election. When a Fanthan election is called, everyone begins the process of social networking, gathering allies, making promises and brokering deals. This goes on for thirty days. At the end of that month, a first election is held. The bottom half of the field is removed from the running and the top half are given nine days to try to scavenge votes off of the castaways. A second vote is then held, and the two top vote winners are given a three days of scavenging. The winner takes the office.
There are three Deans in a Fanthan monastery. One is the supply master, overseeing the acquisition and distribution of materials to the sect's monks. A second is the trainer, responsible for organizing the education and development of artistic skill in the monks and those who come to study with them. The third is the conservationist, responsible for the preservation and restoration of works of art, both those created by its members and those discovered. Above the Deans is the Prior, responsible for overseeing the daily lives of member monks. Above the Prior is the Abbot, responsible for the care of the monastery in general.
The special office of the Fanthan monks is the Curator, responsible for the display, dissemination and storage of the monastery's art. Needless to say, for artists, the person with control over who sees their art is a very important person indeed. The Curator ranks just under the Prior.
Special Vow
In additional to the traditional vows of obedience and poverty, Fanthan take a vow of humility.
Rituals
(to be determined)
