Silver Eye Monastery
The monks of the Silver Eye are an enigmatic and reclusive sect, devoted to the spiritual contemplation of Lykania's hidden truths. Whereas the Order of the Radiant Blade acts upon the world, the Silver Eye withdraws from it, believing that true enlightenment comes not through action, but introspection. Despite the name, the Silver Eye monastery is not one singular monastery, but an order of them that share a single name.
Philosophy & Doctrine
The monasteries take their name from Lykania's scarred, blinded eye, one that they believe is a symbol of inner sight. It is their belief that the physical loss granted her true vision, allowing her to perceive truth beyond the material world.- Sight lies beyond vision.
- To record is to remember; to remember is to preserve.
- In stillness, the world speaks.
Practices & Lifestyle
- Asceticism: Silver Eye monks renounce wealth, personal identity, and even speech for long periods. Many take vows of silence, relying on scripts and common understanding between the monks to communicate.
- Scripture Preservation: They are scribes and illuminators, transcribing both current doctrine and ancient texts, including fragments from the old pantheon even as it is not regarded as part of the faith anymore, but it remains historically vital.
- Meditative Trials: The monks engage in rituals, with long fasts and seclusion from others, so that they may get closer to Lykania and learn her will.
- Dreamwatching: Some monasteries keep Dreamwatchers, monks who interpret visions that they experience during their sleep, and which are considered messages from Lykania herself.
Structure
- The Blind Prior: The spiritual leader of each monstery is ritually blinded upon taking office, symbolizing the surrender of worldly sight in favor of divine clarity.
- Vision-Bearers: Senior monks that are allowed to speak and teach. They guide novices through philosophical inquiry and introspective training.
- Grey Robes: Novice monks, often anonymous to the world, who serve in silence until they are judged spiritually ready to transcribe scripture.
Interaction with the Empire and wider faith
- Though rare, the Silver Eye monks are sometimes summoned by the church or emperor when doctrine becomes uncertain or prophecy is needed.
- Surrounding villages support the monasteries with food and supplies, seeing it as a sacred duty. This is seen as a great honor, and the monasteries in return may grace them with their presence during major celebrations, though they remain in their monasteries the rest of the time.
- Some factions within the church distrust the Silver Eye for preserving banned knowledge, particularly the Order of the Radiant Blade, who consider such heresy, but to whom they are not allowed to persecute as per a decree from the Divine Prophet.
- Pilgrims sometimes attempt to reach the monasteries, but many ate turned away unless they bring something of extraordinary value to the monastery, such as rare texts or evidence of prophetic dreams.
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Parent Organization