Lýsenngead (LEES.ehn.gade)
Founded in the third century ATC in Sleigh Aisling, the Lýsenngead are essentially diplomats and emissaries of the Aisling people. As most Aisling never leave the protection of their country's protective Veil (see Veil of Sleigh Aisling), these ambassadors are essential to the Aisling people's understanding of the world Outside.
Structure
There is a head Lýsenngead that oversees their operations within Sleigh Aisling, such as the training and education of future Lýsenngead, and the dissemination of information learned from Outside; otherwise, there is very little organizational structure between individual Lýsenngead, as each is essentially a free agent while Outside, pursuing whatever course and interest they wish.
Collectively, the Lýsenngead are divided between four distinct Schools, each representing a different approach to their work, or a different focus to their studies outside Sleigh Aisling.
Sinn'Deann (sihnn.DANE) The first of the Schools was founded within a century of the completion of the Veil of Sleigh Aisling, as the Aisling people began to manifest an intense curiosity about the world Outside. As their focus was on learning and recording information about the world Outside, the Sinn'Deann have become known as the field researchers, teachers, and historians among the Lýsenngead.
Gidhraoirn (GIHDTH.roirn)- Founded concurrently with the Shan'Mael, the Gidhraoirn resulted from a particular fascination with the workings of politics and diplomacy among the less stable, more chaotic peoples of the world Outside. Thus, they are the Lýsenngead most likely to attach themselves to important government officials and rulers as advisors and counselors.
Shan'Mael (shan.MAIEL)- Founded at the same time as the Gidhraoirn, the Shan'Mael began from those Lýsenngead who were surprised and even appalled by the lack of healing sciences and understanding of the living world they found in peoples Outside. The Shan'Mael have therefore become renowned internationally as physicians, healers, alchemists, magisters, and even botanists, as well as teachers to those of other nations who would learn such disciplines.
Sakharrel (sahk.HAHR.uhl)- The last of the Schools was founded during the Zendylite conquests of the Akeaoman city-states in the 17th century ATC. The emergence of a strongly expansionist nation led to a fierce curiosity among some of the Lýsenngead, who decided to create a new School devoted to the study of conflict and warfare. Thus the Sakharrel act as military advisors and strategists for foreign rulers and militaries, often using the expertise and deep knowledge gleaned from centuries of accumulated studies, tempered by their training and the Trials of the Trees, to mitigate the effects of war.
Culture
As ambassadors of the Aisling people to the world Outside, Lýsenngead go through years of intensive training in order to be able to cope with, and adapt to, the chaotic and often dangerous conditions found in foreign lands. Each of the Sun Trees tests a prospective Lýsenngead as part of their final Trials, exposing them through a trance to experiences in which the Tree's essence is alternately magnified to an extreme, or absent entirely (for example, as Aegis is the Tree of strength, courage, and protection, his Trial would include experiencing a world of oppressive control and overprotection, as well as a world in which one is surrounded by fear, helplessness, and vulnerability).
Assets
A Lýsenngead's greatest asset is their Trinket, which they choose before beginning their Trials with the Sun Trees, and which is empowered by each of the Trees upon completion of their Trial. Once fully empowered, the Trinket carries the essence of the Trees, and the Veil of Sleigh Aisling, in a concentrated form, giving every Lýsenngead a means for meditating and reconnecting with their homeland and its harmony even while abroad.
History
Founded near the end of the 3rd century ATC as simply the Lýsenngead of Sleigh Aisling, many of the organization would return to their homeland to share their experience and knowledge of Outside, and were known as Sinn'Deann Lýsenngead, giving rise to the name of the first School of the Lýsenngead.
In the early 5th century, the Gidhraoirn and Shan'Mael Schools were established, diversifying the focus and purpose of the Lýsenngead in their activities abroad.
The fourth and final School, the Sakharrel Lýsenngead, was established in the 17th century, as the Lýsenngead developed a desire to study and understand war. Some of the first Sakharrel would attach themselves to powerful individuals within the Zendylite Empire as a result.
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