House of Leavings
The House of Leavings is a secular profession crossed with a monastic order, and is a widespread field throughout most countries in Icalar. The term is also used to refer generally to the building in which practitioners live and work.
Practitioners act as coroners, morticians, funeral directors, grief counselors, and other roles associated with attending the deceased and laying them to rest. More often than not it is a hereditary field, and although often aligned with the Order of the Burning Crown, its roots are technically in Sehndism. Practitioners -- known as leaveguides informally or Honored Guests or Shepherds of Leaving formally -- typically work and live in a House, which is typically built on a strong Ega node, known as a Root.
A person (usually a young child) can be seen to be predisposed / “chosen” for the honor and sent to training, as it is believed (not incorrectly) that one must have a particular type of soul to be suited to deal with death constantly. They are often located in Holdings preparing for life in the church, or in the annual search for prospective channelers via Peithya's Feast.
Structure
A small administrative council known as the Eyes oversees all Houses. Descending hierarchy of a House is: Master Shepherd, Apprentice Shepherd, Acolyte, Initiate. Promotions are usually made on recommendations from Masters, but sometimes without, by the Eyes. There is typically only one House per majorly-populated area provided there is an Ega Root to sustain it; currently the number of Houses is in the dozens.
History
The first Shepherds were nae'cthosai, and this is reflected in the Luk'Eishar motto "Abella w'vuut tye vilor", which roughly translates to "Honor to the passage". Much of scholars' knowledge of the early stages of the profession is due to the writings of Yi’suiha Mis, the first named Shepherd (though most are reluctant to name them the 'founder' of the practice, as the writings suggest that others -- unnamed -- have been conducting Shepherd-like affairs before they themselves began to).
Education
Shepherds are given the freedom to pursue any additional education of their choosing -- providing it does not interfere with their duties -- and the only expectation is the basic education provided at a Holding; advanced education is not seen as essential to the role or promotion within it. Instead, Initiates and Acolytes focus on learning related to the role -- its history, literature, rites, and norms -- in addition to the practical, psychological, and Ega-based skills they require. Apprentices then receive training in the advanced form of these skills in preparation for being able to collect, carry, and Release a soul.
Infrastructure
Although ideally a House is situated on or near an Ega Root or Leyline, in smaller communities they may be constructed anywhere.
Larger Houses have a dedicated chapel for their Shepherds' devotions: traditionally square with a centralized waterhearth around which winds an unbroken, squared fingerprint -like arrangement of backless 'pews', low enough to step over.
Worship
Simple supplications are conducted by the highest-ranking Shepherd in a given House in both the morning and the afternoon at a time specified by the senior Shepherd; they are not open to the public, but involve all members of the House. These act as guided meditation sessions and affirmations of duty, along with general prayers for those who have passed on with or without their knowledge and prayers for their own strength. In larger Houses these typically occur in a dedicated chapel, but in smaller ones they may occur in the House generally.
Priesthood
Appointment and Autonomy
The Eyes technically oversee all House activity, but their ways are not fully understood. Their passivity, hands-off approach, shifting nature, and ambiguity mean that the senior Shepherd of a House has an incredible amount of autonomy, and therefore it is only their strict adherence to the teachings and their duties that keep it functioning as it should. Promotions (and demotions, though this is rare) and relocations are obeyed without question, and in this manner it is assumed that the Eyes ensure consistency and high moral character of the practice. I.e., they choose the individuals that will best serve the whole. Garb
All Shepherds regardless of rank are provided with a number of sets of casual robes and two sets of formal indigo robes. The Master Shepherd will also wear a ceremonial cap with a shoulderblade-length cape and carry a short-poled lantern on the occasion of important processions and Viewings. Ranks (with the exception of Initiates) are identified by the color of a shawl collar laid half-under the outer portion of the robe:
The Eyes technically oversee all House activity, but their ways are not fully understood. Their passivity, hands-off approach, shifting nature, and ambiguity mean that the senior Shepherd of a House has an incredible amount of autonomy, and therefore it is only their strict adherence to the teachings and their duties that keep it functioning as it should. Promotions (and demotions, though this is rare) and relocations are obeyed without question, and in this manner it is assumed that the Eyes ensure consistency and high moral character of the practice. I.e., they choose the individuals that will best serve the whole. Garb
All Shepherds regardless of rank are provided with a number of sets of casual robes and two sets of formal indigo robes. The Master Shepherd will also wear a ceremonial cap with a shoulderblade-length cape and carry a short-poled lantern on the occasion of important processions and Viewings. Ranks (with the exception of Initiates) are identified by the color of a shawl collar laid half-under the outer portion of the robe:
- Initiate -- no shawl-collar
- Acolyte -- cerulean shawl-collar
- Apprentice Shepherd -- violet shawl-collar
- Master Shepherd -- scarlet shawl-collar
Political Influence & Intrigue
A remarkable ability to remain untouched by politics has ironically led to Shepherds being perceived as incredibly influential, though in practice this can be no further from the truth -- shunning political or other bias is intrinsic to Shepherds' vows.
"Abella w'vuut tye vilor." / "Honor to the passage."
Founding Date
c.315-350AC
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Demonym
Shepherds, Honored Guests, leaveguides
Ruling Organization
Legislative Body
Related Professions
Controlled Territories
Related Items
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