Sisters of the Southern Rite
Structure
The structure of the Sisters resembles that of a familial or tribal group (or a pyramid), with different ranks being viewed, in a sense, as different generations. However, ascending ranks happens by virtue of merit, rather than seniority. When a Sister retires, dies, or leaves the Sisterhood, the Sister with the most merit rises to take her place. New sisters are apprenticed to whichever "Mother" (Master Wizard) finds them "in the wild" initially, though many leave this initial Family for another as they advance past Novice rank and begin to specialize. This specialization generally operates on the basis of Mothers exchanging apprentices, but no sister can force apprentices to stay. At present, there are an estimated 5 or 6 Generations, comprised of around 40,000 sisters. Assuming that Magery is as common in Lorane as elsewhere in Arstol, this suggests that there are likely an additional 10,000 undiscovered female mages, likely in rural or migratory communities.
Since the fall of Lorantis in late 7394, the Sisterhood has been in negotiations to rejoin the Guild of Mages as a subsidiary organization, much like the Alchemy-Artificery Association.
Culture
The Sisterhood, from its name to its organization, holds itself up as a family. Indeed, under the legal system of the Kalorane empire, it formally adopted new sisters from their home clan and family.
Public Agenda
The Southern Rite exists to preserve and further magical learning and knowledge in the Twin Lands.
History
After the Severance of Brotherhood between the Cousin Lands in 6028, the mages of Kalor were forced to schism from the Guild of Mages. Since Kalorite orcish culture broadly viewed magic as a feminine duty, over fewer and fewer men were admitted to the Rite, with the Rite becoming solely female by the 63rd century at the latest. With the Drying of the Land in 6324, conflicts between the Twin Lands which had raged intermittantly since the Severance erupted into an all out crusade by the South, with Man'at being overwhelmed by 6327, and the rest of Lorane falling by the end of the decade.
The Guild of Mages in Lorane was forcefully integrated into the Sisterhood in 6331 by Kal-Sultan Kalorane I. Any male mages in the empire were forced to flee, or were hunted down by his personal Witchhunters, the [Witchbutchers]. Seeking ever to control the mages, he would later force celibacy onto the Sisterhood, a practice that continued (legally, at least) until 7395. The Sisters did not sit idly under Kalorane rule, with several major Magister revolts occurring across the empire (6408, 6521, 6703, 6841, and 7304, at a minimum). The result of this oppression and careful cloistering of magical users has been posited as a major turning point in the Sisterhood coming from a more Guild-like organization to its present familial structure. Long oppressed and kept out of significant power, the Sisterhood was in contact with, protecting, and working clandestinely alongside the Guild of Mages from the beginning, successfully ensuring the escape of many male mages. It has long been suspected that they also worked to deliberately fail to identify males with Magery, From the early days of Karvo's crusade, they worked clandestinely with the Guild of Mages to thwart major Horde actions and to prevent major civilian incidents (failing, mainly, at the Khemun Pogrom]. They were key masterminds behind the mostly bloodless capture of Lorantis, working with the city council to block Kalorane attempts to reinforce or capture the city. Freed at long-last from the Kalorane Empire, they negotiated re-integration with Hexarch (then 8th Magelord) the Wolfgang von Eberesche, which was approved by the @[Synod of Seventy-Seven on the First of Greatbloom, 7395.
Disbandment
The Sisters of the Southern Rite still exist as a subsidiary organization of the Guild of Mages, in the Twin Lands. Though the reuinification is recent, it seems likely for the time being that the Sisters will continue to focus on recruiting and training female Magicians, while the Guild proper will begin inducting the likely many undiscovered male magicians.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
Aetherius Suscipit
Founded 6028, Joined with Lorane in 6331 - Reunited with Guild of Mages in 7395
Type
Guild, Mages
Alternative Names
Southern Sisters; Southern Rite; Southwitches
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