The Silan'siol

[Gaea_Foundation 625]

Silan’siol

Guardians of Nor'Asath

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Published 4th of the Sun’s Smile 125 SA

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 Preface.

Founded from the ashes of those before it, the Silian’siol was founded in 64 S.A and restructured in SA 125. The Silian’siol are tasked to serve and protect the blessed maehr from external and internal threats. Duties of which were inherited from the Div’cruan of ages past. They serve as both peacekeepers in el’zidar and hunters of Azulites, effortlessly shifting between inciting fear within enemies and acting as symbols of peace from those they protect.

Similar to the Div'cruan, they show dedication to the Ancestors. Acting as their Champions and aiding in teaching the populace how to venerate and honor them, typically dedicating themselves and their lifestyle to a specific Ancestor.

 

Hierarchy 

 

Primarch

The leader of the state. They hold executive powers over the Silan’siol and may take complete control in times of war or crisis.

Ulavaen (Lord Commander)

The military leader and head of the Silan’siol. They are in charge of recruiting, maintaining, and training all in the Silan’siol’s ranks. The Lord Commander holds the authority to make immediate decisions amidst times of crisis, appointing warriors to stand against all that threatens the city. 

 

Hulnyte (Commander)

Second-in-command of the Silan’siol who have proven themselves worthy of leading in the Ulavaen’s absence. The commander holds the authority to make immediate decisions amidst times of crisis, may recruit citizens into the Silan’siol’s ranks, and handle promotions. They report directly to the Ulavaen.

 

Vindicators

Soldiers that have proven their combat prowess and leadership during tenures in the Ythaen rise to the rank of Vindictator. They serve as general officers responsible for hosting training, espionage, and commanding urezdzh and vulladzh in and out of battle. Typically they are assigned a battalion, though not always.

 

Okaryr-Ythaen (Honorable Guardian)

The bulk of the Silan’siol, the Okaryr-Ythaen are those who have completed their Oath to the Primarch and Silan’siol. They take up arms in defense of the Mali’ker people, and are tasked to battle enemy forces and maintain the peace of the city. They report to the Lord Commander and their Vindictator superiors. 
 

Zuloate (Trainee)

Newly made soldiers that have passed their Test of Faith are called Zuloates. Zuloates are put through rigorous training and trials, only being elevated in position when besting a Ythaen in honorable single-combat. Unlike the Neophytes they are trusted to uphold the law in el’Zidar and have the authority to make arrests. They report to Vindicators and their superiors, but must defer to Ythaen when the former are absent. 

 

Neophytes (Aspirant)

Young ‘ker yet to lift a blade but eager to raise arms and join the Silan’siol so they may fight for the well being of the Maehr and Nor’Asath. Effectively a recruit, they cannot make arrests and hold no authority until they have passed their Test of Faith. 

 

Enlistment

Test of Faith

When a Neophyte completes basic training training and they are ready to advance to the rank of Zuloate, they must undergo a simple test of faith. The Lord Commander or Commander will bestow a task onto them that is tailored to the recruit. These tasks can differ depending on who delivered the trial, and at times, these tasks may even be quite dangerous. Only once completed will the recruit be promoted from Neophyte to Zuloate.                                

 

The Proving 

To advance in their careers Zulolates must first beat a superior officer in a duel of honor. This event is often held several times throughout the Elven year as part of a public ‘showing’ for the Silan’siol. This often includes other showings, such as Blade Dances, but can also be held at request in more private settings. 

 

The Ancestral Pledge

All maehr who complete their Tests of Faith must utter this pledge before becoming a Zuloate.

 

I, ___, swear upon my life to uphold the honor of our people, to stay upon the path as we have for so long. My life is devoted to furthering our people to the best of my ability. I do not seek sin, I seek the love of my Ancestors. I do not seek glory, all glory is theirs. I do not seek riches, coins are meaningless within Stargush. If I betray my oaths I will relinquish my life and honor and accept that I may never again dwell within our blessed ranks.

 

Oath of the Faithful

Traditionally, the promotions following the Silan’siol’s advancement from Neophyte to Zuloate are made without pre-planning. They are made to the Primarch OR Lord Commander during the promotion ceremony, and are encouraged to stray from more ‘common’ promises. 

 

Silan’siol Etiquette 

Uniforms

While on duty, each and every member of the Silan’siol is expected to be in uniform, matching their respective rank. While off duty and not in uniform, the Silan’siol still maintains that all members must maintain acceptable behavior, as they represent the Silan’siol and therefore the Ashen State of Nor’asath. Modifications to a member’s uniform are explicitly not allowed unless cleared by the Lord Commander beforehand.

 

Greetings

It is expected that all members of the Silan’siol, when first seeing the Lord Commander each lunar day while on duty, that they give a proper salute. This is a sign of respect for one's superior and the authority they hold.

 

Addressing Superiors

When addressing a soldier who is senior to oneself, one must first of all state the rank of the person one wishes to address as well as their first or last name. This courtesy is extended to not just the ranking members of the Silan’siol, but also the members of the High Council. Following this, the reason for the address is to be stated. Additionally, superiors may refer to them back similarly, however such is not obligatory.

 

Rank Specializations

Specialized ranks are extra duties granted to ranking Silan’siol members who show exceptional knowledge and ability in a certain skill. The roles are granted in addition to a typical rank within the Silan’siol and denote additional responsibilities.

 

Bokolo Riders

The calvary of the Silan’siol ride into battle on the backs of battle-trained Bokolo. Though bokolo-riders are one of the smallest specializations due to the amount of time and effort required to tame and train a Bokolo, they are a force to be reckoned with when on the field of battle.

 

Kaayr (Scout)

Established as a lighter armed force, these troops favor lighter armor than the typical Silan’siol issue, favoring tactics based on stealth, agility, and the like. Are not required to wear standard issue armor, to allow them the best execution of their skillset. Serves as a combat division similar to the Bokolo riders.

 

Akernak (Medic)

The medic is tasked with ensuring that each and every member of the Silan’siol is physically prepared for any task they may be ordered to perform. They furthermore administer medical aid in any way possible.

 

Darmyr (Quartermaster)

A Quartermaster ensures everyone in the Silan’siol is well equipped for any task they may have to face during peace and or war. They take count of equipment and act as the keeper of logistics.

 

Venerable Ancestor Styles

 

Khel
Path of the Warrior and Zealot

 

Spoiler

Khel Oussana is a name burnt into history, a bloody path carved from the pages of the world. This Mali'ker freed his kin from the enslavement of the Mori in the days of yore. Raging a bloody crusade that left them scattering to the winds. Khel was a wrathful man in life, though kind to those he called friends.

 

Followers of Khel are often noted for being the most formidable of foes, training relentlessly to perfect their technique. Those that take up this path tend to be those who seek to pick up a blade to protect the maehr with an almost feral frenzy. Dauntless in the face of conflict and unflinching though the pain, no foe would wish to find themselves within the crosshairs of a member of this path. In combat, the followers of Khel are often in the front lines, alongside some of the followers of Wytall, unleashing wrath akin to that of their patron ancestor.

 

When one spots a warrior following this path, they will oft see them executing techniques upon a training dummy or trading sparring blows with a partner to an extreme degree with intense focus. They also will join members of other paths in intensive training.

 

Worship, conceptually, is a free form concept, bound only by the spirit’s interests. Traveling along a path of an ancestor is worship. However, in addition, those that partake upon this path are known to also offer up trophies of their victories in combat and actively seek out beasts, bandits, and the like to fight to do such. Additionally, one can often spot a member of this path shouting battle hymns as they fly into battle, and spend some of their free time creating more of them. Those upon this path are also known for being firm believers in the spirits and will gladly show their kin how to follow the spirits, if a bit intensely.

 

 

 

Waenia
Path of the Healer

 

 

Spoiler

Waenia was once a bandit. Upon meeting Velulaei, this soon changed. Waenia lived beneath Magara’lin, yet actively taught praise of Akezo, and studied the body. She upheld the active belief of a healthy diet, bodily exercise, and proper sleep. During the Azul Heresy, she roamed the under realm, conducting counter guerrilla war-fare against the Azulites.

 

Typically followers of Waenia focus upon not only healing, but also general physical and mental health, believing that perfection of the mind and body are key first and foremost to triumph. Most of the path is composed of medics, alchemists, and shamans who aspire to protect their allies from injury. However, the path is also known to have the odd fitness freak. In combat, most members of the path of the healer will aid the frontlines in a conservative manner, carrying away the injured to treat them, should their lives be in danger.

When doing specialized training, followers of Waenia typically travel to other cities seeking to help the sick or wounded, or to seek tutelage under medics throughout the realm. Additionally, followers of this path will spend their time cooking balanced meals for the ranks of the Silan’siol and themselves, work out within the gym, or meditate alongside those following the path of the warsage for mental training.

 

A member of this path honors Waenia by remaining devoted to their training, learning medicinal techniques while constantly seeking to heal the injured and find ways to prevent future injury. When taking others to worship Waenia, outside of the typical forms of worship like prayer, dancing, or leaving offerings one may also equip others with basic medical equipment and teach them basic medical practices. Additionally, as stated prior, another goal of the path of the healer is to not just heal injury, but prevent it, meaning exploration, documentation, and containing of dangerous fauna/flora is another common practice. Those who devote focus upon the ‘health’ aspect are known to perfect culinary skills and perform feats of fitness as a method of worship.

   

 

Moryvan

Path of the Commander

 

Spoiler

Moryvan was a Mali that served Velulaei during the War of the Four Brothers. A Lord Commander in her garrison. During the Azul Heresy, Morvyan took up this mantle once more and served Uradas. Led active charges against the Azulite and in the end divined the final siege which ended the Azul Heresy.

 

Those of the Path of the Commander are often high ranking, gravitating towards the heavy use of tactics and leadership. Through meticulous study, followers of this path train in situational awareness, flexibility, and concise command. Additionally, they practice communication, to both effectively command their subordinates and communicate with their superiors. In combat, members of this path will be scattered throughout the ranks, fighting alongside their allies, making keen observations and shouting out orders.

 

Unlike a lot of the other paths, the path of the commander has very few specialized trainings, instead, a follower of this path will favor joining another of a different path in their trainings, both as a means to strengthen relationships with their fellow members of the Silan’siol and condition themselves to be versatile. However, in their free time, they tend to study tactics and strategies.

 

Offerings usually left by followers of this path would include snippets of tactical plans, battle strategies, or items claimed after a tactical victory to name a few. To honor Moryvan, many upon the path of the commander will spar with an ally and offer them tips to improve their fighting skills. Seeking out new tactics and pioneering new strategies is one of the most venerable acts one can do in worship.

 

Wytall
Path of the Warsage

Spoiler

Little is known of Wytall, but his actions and council earned him a place in Stargush, and in life, many recall the wisdom gifted by this dark elf. To this day, those that recalled him recall him with such a fondness that is rarely seen of any mortal.

 

Those that follow the path of the Warsage are similar to those of the commander path, noted for their patience and meticulous deconstruction of their opponent’s style. Often favor martial styles that emphasize defense, counters, and patience. When in armed combat, a member of this path will tend to use parrying weapons, shields, or bows. In a fight, those of the warsage path will tend to fill the front lines with shields and tact, engaging their foes to lock them in battle, letting their allies take advantage, or skirt along the edges of combat, patiently waiting for their opponents to slip up. Those of this path that opt for a ranged weapon will dispense precise fire upon their enemies from afar.

 

Whilst doing specialized training, followers of Wytall’s ways will spar with the followers of the path of the warrior, focusing upon honing their patient styles. They may also be spotted meditating in silence, or uttering prayers while in this state. Those who gravitate towards archery can also be spotted perfecting their aim on targets, or hunting wild game.

 

A follower of the Path of the Warsage will often spend their time at the shrine of Wytall playing a calming music piece or dancing in a slow, methodical way, typically with an expression of complete serenity. THey leave offerings typically reflective of taking great effort and patience, be it an intricate craft or a memento from a relationship carefully forged. One of the best ways to worship Wytall is to bestow upon fellow maehr the wisdom one has.

 

Additionally, many members of the Silan’siol will embark on unique paths that align with the ancestors of their own family or clan, with unique philosophies and training. Some may also interpret the path of an ancestor differently than the offered definitions. This is not only allowed, but encouraged, as the Silan’siol recognizes that there is no ‘right way’ to fight, and thus there is always room for specialization and veneration of other ancestors. 

 

Awards and Merits of Honor

Members of the Silan’siol that have accomplished great feats are rewarded with permanent reminders of their achievements. Most of these merits are displayed on the armor of the veteran and are encouraged to be worn when on active-duty. Common awards and their meanings can be found listed below:

 

The Onyx Star | Badge | Awarded to those able to obey direct orders with unrivaled haste. One of the most common Merits for warriors quick on their feet. 

 

Observant’s Ruby | Badge | Given to members of the Silan’siol for exceptional talent with ranged weapons. 

 

Dancer’s Emerald | Badge | Granted to those who walk with a dexterous grace on the field of battle, often awarded to those capable of utilizing Traditional Blade Dancing techniques. 

 

Zealot’s Sapphire | Badge | Typically awarded to members of the Silan’siol that also belong to the Maehr Clergy. Those bearing the Sapphire have acted in the defense of the Ancestors regardless of personal cost.

 

Mark of Morvayn | Ceremonial Sword | The greatest award one can receive, awarded to a member of the Silan’siol who went above and beyond what was expected of them in a time of need. This sword, made only for such an honor symbol of the undying loyalty of its wielder, is a greatsword, along its fuller are prayers in Vel’luah script, and the pommel is made in the image of the crest of Nor’asath. 

 

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