Sisterhood of the Mother
These female monks are followers of Hathor but do not associate with any specific Temple. They will follow the instructions of the High Priestess of Hathor but are nomadic in nature. These women serve as midwives and travel Draconia helping pregnant mothers. The women in this Sisterhood take vows of celibacy. Often, the hospitals associated with a Temple of Imhotep will call in one of these monks to assist in the care of a pregnant woman. These highly trained women are skilled in combat and have even picked up healing magic (something that is uncommon as monks don’t typically learn magic).
These monks also revere Isis, as the goddess of fertility, and Bes, as the Protector of Children and Pregnant Mothers. In fact, there is often a ceremony that is performed during labor that invites Bes to protect the mother and child.
Female paladins may also join the sisterhood. These paladins also take vows of celibacy and protect the mother and child from harm in cases where there is fear of attack.
Structure
I. Global Leadership and Oversight
| Position | Title | Role and Function |
|---|---|---|
| Global Administrator | The Grand Administrator of the Mother | Head of the Dicastery. Must be a Mistress of Harmony appointed by the High Priestess and Quorum. |
| Governing Body | Dicastery of the Monasteries | The central administrative council, composed of Mistresses/Masters of Harmony, that manages the Sisterhood’s global assets, doctrine, and regional coordination. |
II. Local Monastic Structure (The Abbey)
| Monastic Rank | Title | Role and Function |
|---|---|---|
| Abbey Leader | Abbess of the Mother | Presides over an individual Abbey. |
| Spiritual Oversight | Chaplain (Conductor of the Joyful Current) | Must be female. Provides spiritual services and administers the sacraments of the Church of Hathor. |
| — Contingency Rule — | (If Local Conductor is Male) | The High Priestess (with Quorum approval) appoints a second Mistress of Harmony to serve as Conductor specifically for the Abbey, operating under the direction of the primary (male) Conductor. |
| Chief Counselor | 1st Prioress | Primary deputy; manages the Abbey's day-to-day spiritual life. |
| Second Counselor | 2nd Prioress | Deputy; manages the Abbey's resources and secular affairs. |
| Healing Specialist | Sister of the Cradle | The consecrated rank dedicated to advanced healing, spiritual counseling, and midwifery. |
| Core Monastic Rank | Sister of the Hearth | The consecrated rank dedicated to domestic service, general protection, and teaching novices. |
| Novice Rank | Aspirant of Grace | Entry-level rank; focuses on theological study and basic discipline. |
| Paladin/Military | Shield of Life | Paladins who adhere to monastic vows, serving as the Abbey's armed defense force. |
| Specialized Offices | Sister of the Sacred Knot (Isis) & Vigilant of the Nursery (Bes) | Specialized Sisters of the Cradle responsible for performing rites in honor of the ancillary deities. |
III. Appointment and Ordination Process
| Office/Rank | Appointment Authority | Ordaining Authority (Spiritual Keys) |
|---|---|---|
| The Grand Administrator of the Mother | Appointed by the High Priestess and Quorum of Nine Guiding Fates. | Ordained by the High Priestess of Hathor. |
| Abbess of the Mother (Abbey Leader) | Appointed by the Grand Administrator of the Mother. Appointment must be confirmed by the High Priestess. | Ordained by the High Priestess of Hathor. |
| Monastic Leadership (Prioresses, Specialized Offices) | Appointed by the Abbess of the Mother. | Ordained by the Abbess of the Mother (or a Sister of the Cradle for the specialized offices). |
| Shield of Life (Paladin Rank) | Appointed by the Abbess of the Mother based on merit and obedience. | Ordained by a Mistress/Master of Harmony (Church of Hathor High Admin Rank). |
| Sister of the Cradle (Specialist Rank) | Promoted by the Abbess of the Mother upon passing advanced certification tests. | Ordained by the Chaplain (the female Conductor). |
| Sister of the Hearth (Core Monastic Rank) | Promoted by the 1st Prioress or 2nd Prioress. | Ordained by the Chaplain (or delegated female Daughter of the Lyric). |
| Aspirant of Grace (Novice Rank) | Entry granted after testing and initial vow of service. | Vow administered by the Chaplain (or delegated female Daughter of the Lyric). |
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