Nightsingers
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Structure
Whispered Twins
Leaders of the Nightsingers. They speak as Champions of the Goddess Valis and the God Sar, answering to no one but the gods, themselves, and on occasion the current Empress / Emperor of Valissa.
The duties of the Whispered Twins are vast. From leading various rituals and ceremonies, spreading the teachings of the Nightsingers across the kingdom, and overseeing the disciplinary action for any Nightsingers who go against the teachings of the religion. They will also lead the Nightsingers in prayer sessions during large events, or when they are visiting a congregation.
As far as the Nightsingers are concerned, the word of a Whispered Twin is law. To go against them would be to go against the gods themselves.
Lord of Night
Answering to the Whispered Twins, Lords of Night are in charge of a number of ceremonies and rituals. This includes the Calling (the ritual through which new Whispered Twins are chosen) and the Passing of Two (ceremony for the burial rights of the Whispered Twins), the latter of which they share the responsibility with the Lords of Song.
Outside of bigger rituals and ceremonies, a Lord of Night will lead the prayer sessions for their congregation. The only exception to this is when a Whispered Twin is present. In these instances, it is assumed that the Whispered Twin will lead the prayer session, otherwise the Lord of Night must be given permission to lead the prayer session on behalf of the Whispered Twin.
One amongst the Lords of Night is chosen to protect the sacred grounds of the Gardens of Lysaer. Handpicked by the Whispered Twins, they are tasked with ensuring the Gardens are maintained to a respectful standard and to ensure that no one tries to desecrate the resting place of the Whispered Twins.
Apostle of Night
These apostles work under a Lord of Night. Each Lord of Night will appoint 5-7 apostles who will help them to complete certain rituals or organise prayer sessions. Sometimes, they may be asked to lead these prayer sessions, which is seen as a great honour and a sign that they have garnered the respect of their Lord of Night.
The position is often seen as a ‘trainee’ position as only apostles can be promoted to a Lord of Night. However, not every apostle will earn that coveted promotion.
Keeper of the Stone
The Lord of Night accompanying you points towards the group of people huddled by one of the graves. They wear pristine white robes, somehow lacking even a speck of dirt despite the fact that they are standing on muddy, slick ground. Green patterns are stitched onto the sleeves and the back. Symbols that you can’t identify, swirling masses that coil like cursive writing on a page.
“Anyone wearing those robes has been appointed as a Keeper of the Stone. They tend to the Gardens.” The Lord of Night looks down at you, mouth twisting into a frown. “Should you try anything untoward, they shall not hesitate to strike you down. Trust me - you may have the Empress' protection, but the Keepers do not answer to her, only the divine.”
One of them looks up at your group. Not a trace of emotion crosses their face. No hint of irritation, no anger, nor compassion or intrigue. It’s a little unnerving.
“So be on our best behaviour?” Luth asks in a singsong tone, to which the Lord of Night merely sighs.
Though not the most interesting of positions, the Keepers of the Stone are revered by their brothers and sisters in the Nightsingers, for they are tasked with one of the highest honours. Their job is to tend to the Gardens of Lysaer - a sacred land created by the Goddess Valis and the burial grounds for the Whispered Twins.
Tending to the Gardens doesn’t just mean looking after the plant life or maintaining the stone tablets that act as the grave markers for the previous Whispered Twins. They also serve as the Gardens protectors. Trained in the art of combat, they will not hesitate to strike down anyone who comes to desecrate the Gardens or show disrespect to those ‘buried’ there.
They answer to the Lord of Night currently in charge of the Gardens.
Lord of Song
Similar to the Lords of Night, the Lords of Song answer to the Whispered Twins. They carry out certain rituals and ceremonies, such as the Champion’s Chorus and the Passing of Two, and lead the congregation in song.
Some believe that Lords of Song are handpicked for their singing capabilities, but that is not correct. You see, the truth is that anyone can become a Lord of Song or an Apostle of Song, regardless of whether they’re tone death or the world’s best songstress, because upon their appointment a ritual is performed.
Exactly what the ritual entails, I am unsure of. They wouldn’t let me get that involved with the process whilst I was writing my paper, but the gist of it is that they hire a mutation arcanist to alter their voices. It’s why their songs are so captivating as well!
Apostle of Song
These apostles answer to the Lord of the Song. Much like the Apostles of Night, the Apostles of Song will help out during certain ceremonies and rituals. They are more involved in prayer sessions than the Apostles of Night by virtue of being a part of the choir, so they will often help their Lord of Song lead the congregation in song.
Most congregations will have anywhere between 10-20 Apostles of Song. As there are so many apostles in comparison to Lords of Song, promotions for most are unlikely. Only a lucky few ever find themselves becoming a Lord.
Songweaver
A special role tasked with protecting and maintaining the bonesong. They are usually a former Protector of the Song who has been chosen by a Lord of Song. Their appointment into this role is either blessed or denied by the Whispered Twins. In the instance of a denial, they will just go back to being a Protector.
As a Songweaver, only they may remove the bonesong from its lockbox. They have both a normal key and an arcane key that allows them - and only them - to open it. The only time that a Songweaver doesn’t have sole custody over the bonesong is during the Calling.
Tirelius holds the Lord’s gaze for a moment. He watches the frown take hold of the Lord’s features as more seconds pass, frustration seeping into the creases of the Lord’s brow.
“Songweaver–”
“For what purpose do you require the bonesong?” Tirelius asks. At his interruption the Lord snarls, anger flashing too quickly into those vibrant, emerald eyes.
“You dare to question me? Your Lord of Song?”
A dagger appears in Tirelius’ hand. Swift movement, one simple flick of the wrist and his blade is unsheathed, held to a point at the base of the Lord’s throat. The Lord gasps, quivers as the fear grasps him and his eyes dart around frantically. All the while Tirelius remains calm. “Yes, my Lord,” he says softly, complete control interwoven in every syllable, “I would question you. I would question a thousand others, even the Champions themselves. For I, and I alone, am permitted to handle this ceremonial tool.”
Fledgling Songweaver
Fledgling Songweavers work under the guidance of the Songweaver. Their sole job within the Nightsingers is to aid the Songweaver in the protection of the bonesong.
Protector of the Song
Knights, soldiers, loyal defenders of the Nightsingers. Religious pursuits can sometimes cause unwanted tensions and so the Protectors of the Song are employed to keep the peace. A lot of them are Nightsingers themselves, but some are just in it for the coin.
They answer to the Whispered Twins, the Lords of Night, and the Lords of Song depending on where they are stationed. For the most part their jobs are relatively easy, especially for those who spend their days within the Kingdom of Valissa. But for the Protectors who guard larger rituals the task can be a little more troublesome.
Songsworn
Elite knights hand picked by the Whispered Twins to act as their devoted protectors. They only answer to the Whispered Twins. To be chosen as a Songsworn is often seen as a great honour and these knights take their jobs very seriously.
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