Tolana Rhetoricians

The Tolana Rhetoricians are the dedicated debaters that regulate and enforce laws in the great debate halls on the mountains of the major Tolana cities. To become a rhetorician, you must first be declared one on your birth day. Rhetoricians then begin a rigorous intellectual training, entering academy study at age three. The goal of their studies is to immerse them in the values of Tolana culture, then school them on logic, rational argument, and emotionless decision-making. Once they have a foundation of study and knowledge built, they will train and begin the process for contacting the ancestral plane. They are taken to the top of the highest mountains in their city, going through the rituals to contact and commune with the ancestors, seeking their wisdom and guidance on contemporary matters.
Growing up in clans, the future rhetoricians are highly valued within their clan. Having a rhetorician in the clan is a great honor and does much to boost the reputation of the clan. However, once they become rhetoricians, they are no longer official members of the clan since it might come into conflict with any decision the rhetorician must make. To remove the potential conflict of interest, the rhetorical must withdraw their clan membership, which in turn, however, awards a clan for their sacrifice. The clan knows this process as the young, future rhetorician grows. Thus, they are often spoiled, given much attention and love such they will not be with the clan for their life. This can sometimes cause resentment among younger clan members, so clans must constantly navigate with politics within their clan to ensure successful outcomes for all young people.
Ultimately, the Rhetoricians do not serve the Grand Eminence, rather the ancestors. But since the Grand Eminence and his clan are expected to be in close communication with the ancestors, relying on them for guidance, conflict is not expected or anticipated, not has it happened in Tolana history.