Tarn looked up from the sick man he was tending, and said, “A life of service
and compassion are the things which renew humanity. In renewal is Order.”
—The Torovar, “Tarn’s Submission”
Rigor: Spiritual
Focus: External
Color: Green
Adjective: Tarnic
Overview
The Tarnesh (followers of Tarn) believe that service and subservience to one's fellow man is the key to Order. Released from the dictates of ego, they argue, humanity works together rather than at cross purposes, and this collaborative spirit is the key to perpetuating and expanding Order in the world.
Structure
Tarnic monks actively seek ways to serve. This service can occur within the walls of a monastery where they serve meals to other monks or out in the wider world where they are known for acts of charity and run organizations designed to help the poor and downtrodden. The best healers know to mankind come from the ranks of the Tarnesh and they have a great school of medicine located in Oricel.
Politics and leadership are seen as public service and, consequently, are highly regarded by the Tarnesh. Tarnic monks all have a chance to enjoy a leadership position; the offices rotate on a roster every year, allowing all interested parties who have been members of the monastery for more than 2 years to participate when their time comes. Though the Tarnesh still follow the basic ranking system the other sects adhere to, with the Abbot making decisions for the Monastery, the Prior ruling over the daily lives of the months and the Deans ruling over specific sphere's of focus, the Tarnic focus on subservience puts a different spin on rank. Of all Tarnic monks, the Abbot is expected to behave with the greatest humility, followed by the Prior, the Deans and then the monks themselves.
The three Deans each represent a sphere of service with one overseeing physical service (healers, servants, etc), one mental service (counselors, scribes, etc) and one spiritual (confessors, companions, etc). The special office of the Tarnesh is the Chamberlain. The Chamberlain oversees all monastic service positions.
Special Vows
In addition to the traditional vows of obedience and poverty, Tarnic monks take a vow of pacifism.
Rituals
(to be determined)
