The Circle of Grace
Healers, herbalists, therapists, surgeons, doctors, midwives, and death doulas
Members of the Circle of Grace are healers (both mundane and magical), herbalists, therapists, surgeons, doctors, midwives, and death doulas.
Structure
Guildmaster
Lillian Gardiner is a quiet and serious human woman who has eyes that have seen too much and yet still remain compassionate. She has been guildmaster for several years and leads the Circle in ways she knows will be best for not only the guild members, but the population they serve. She is an accomplished healer in all ways non-magical, and is an especially talented midwife. It is perhaps ironic that she and her wife have no children themselves, but Lillian has instead dedicated herself to her trade.
Guild Representative
Tahira is a tiefling priestess of Loreali and a specialist in the magical healing arts, through the grace of her goddess. She’s a gentle soul, but quite social and friendly. She makes for a good guild representative and often acts as a mediator between other guilds on the council.
Guild Administrator
Jurgen Brandt is a dwarven surgeon. He is a grounding presence in the Circle, and has served as the guild administrator for many years.
Guild Structure and Ranks
Apprentice: Apprentices who join the Circle are expected to learn the basic anatomy and common ailments of all the most common races as well as the basics of mundane healing, even if they are magically skilled. Before attaining the rank of journeyer, all apprentices are expected to have mastered the basics of first aid. Journeyer: Upon attaining this rank, all journeyers are expected to take an oath dedicating themselves to the health and safety of their clients. Loreali’s Oath is sanctified by the goddess in one of her temples and requires those of the Circle to do no harm, and forbids them from refusing to treat someone in need for any reason. Journeyers will pick a specialty area based upon their talents and skills. Someone with magical healing abilities will be encouraged to focus their studies there, while someone who is skilled with plants might be encouraged to pursue herbalism. Despite delving deeper into a specialty area, all journeyers are expected to continue their studies of mundane medicine, anatomy, and how to treat everything from boils to botulism. Master: Masters of the Circle are not only experts in their chosen specialty area, but they have a wide depth and breadth of medical knowledge which can be passed down to apprentices and journeyers studying with them. For example, a midwife should be able to set a broken leg, and a surgeon be able to deliver a baby in a pinch. Mastery Exam: The Mastery exam for the Circle is almost all knowledge based, presented in written or oral format as suits the candidate. The test is overseen by five Masters of different areas of speciality, two of which match the chosen speciality of the candidate. The test covers the basics of all areas of knowledge including anatomy, healing plants, techniques for wound cleansing, and how to settle an upset stomach for various races. Once this wide ranging practicum has been successfully completed, more specific questions relating to the chosen area of specialty are asked. If a majority of the presiding Masters (at least 3 of 5) find the candidate’s knowledge and skill in their specialty sufficient, they are granted the rank of Master.Culture
Members of the Circle of Grace are meticulous, but compassionate. Guild members are expected to be selfless and hold the public well being higher than their own profit. Those who enter apprenticeship without this true dedication often wash out before attaining the rank of journeyer.
Patron God: Loreali
The guild’s symbol is a six strand round braided circle, and is usually worn as some type of jewelry. A braided bracelet in copper, silver, or gold (depending on rank) is most common, and easily recognised. But it can also be displayed as a pin, necklace charm, or even embroidered on clothing.
Guild Symbols
Guild House Description
The Circle of Grace maintains two properties in Novandria. One is on Guild Row proper and consists mainly of living and gathering places for the guild members. There is also the Lady of Mercy Hospital on the grounds of Loreali's temple, where they work hand-in-hand with the Order of Life & Mercy. The hospital is open to all, free of charge, to come for cures and healing. This building is set up rather like an abbey with various rooms maintained for exams, procedures of various types, and counseling. It has a well stocked dispensary for medicines and herbal remedies. The entire building is maintained in scrupulous cleanliness and it is an expectation of all guild members to spend time rotating through to maintain the services provided. Apprentices are often set to scrubbing down the stone floors and walls, washing linens, and preparing bandages. Journeyers will see patients, and there is always at least one Master on-site to oversee operations and handle any difficult emergency cases.Public Agenda
The Circle is absolutely scrupulous about staying out of politics, and while they will advocate strongly in the interests of public health, they will refuse to take sides when public health is not a factor.
Assets
The Circle has ties to the various religious orders of Eisen, both due to the healing skills granted by the grace of several deities and the inextricable intertwining of death and religion. The herbalists of the Circle also maintain close ties with the Union of Naturalists, for the discovery and development of new plant based remedies.
History
The Circle of Grace has its own culture hero, a woman named Mercy’s Rose. The stories of her do not agree on a race, or even if she might have been Loreali herself come to walk Terranon. The stories do agree that she wore a white hooded robe embroidered with red roses, and she wandered Terranon, bringing healing and comfort wherever she went. In her wake, new healing plants sprung up to treat previously untreatable diseases. Plague was chased away from villages due to her intervention and care. Travelers in dire distress would see her join their campfire and within days they would be healed and on their way to spread the word of having met this remarkable woman. Sort of a cross between Johnny Appleseed and Florence Nightingale, Mercy’s Rose is an example often held up as a standard for selflessness and dedication to the public good.
Type
Guild, Professional
Alternative Names
The Circle, Healer's Guild
Demonym
Healer
Location
Loreali, Goddess of Healing & Light Guild Symbols
Six strand round braided circle