Sisters of the Right Hand

The **Sisters of the Right Hand** are a group of women who chose to live in seclusion and dedicate their lives to the tenants of knowledge and humility. They are an organised community who live by mantras of charitable outreach and believe it their duty to equip younger generations with education and an appreciation of life. To that end, they run an orphange in their compound deep in the Stena mountain range.

## History

### Formation

The Sisters of the Right Hand were formed by an elderly human known only to history as Frau Ilyssandrina. Having escaped war and famine, she lived among numerous communities throughout her life and was homeless for long stretches of time. She learnt to utilise her voice to connect with others and would deliver sermons of racial unity, community uplift and communal sharing. Having encountered many in her life she deemed far worse off than herself, she spoke often of how her anger at the world subsided once she learnt to give even what little she had.

She eventually gained a small following, though was chased out of settlements as a public nuissance. Ilyssandrina and her group found themselves starving in the snow-capped Stena mountains until they came across an abandonned convent, which soon became home to the Sisters of the Right Hand. Frau Ilyssandrina claimed that the rules to a happy life could be counted on one hand and founded the organisation as a way to give home to the homeless and help to the helpless. Ilyssandrina is described by contemporaries as having one day "disappeared into the snow".

### Modern Age

The Sisters of the Right Hand became involved in a trail of bloodshed when a set of triplets were delivered to their doorstep. The man who delivered them considered them to be dangerous and claimed to have been paid by another individual to ensure their safe arrival. Before the Sisters who received the children could get anymore information out of him, the man fled into the night and was found dead the next morning in a tavern.

According to eye witnesses, the man had claimed that the individual who paid him had described travelling through several nations to deliver the children and that his associate, who had in turn handed the children to him, had been killed. This forced him to go into hiding for fear of his own life. The two had apparently been part of a rescue team sent to aid first responders who had not returned from aiding a village in crisis. Upon arrival, the team discovered the entire village and initial response team were all killed. The triplets were the sole survivors, shielded by the corpse of one of the first responders.

According to the man, the individual's story became more incredulous when he described the members of his rescue team being murdered individually, though the man came to believe his story when he too was found murdered soon after their meeting and the Sisters of the Hand's compound became home to the orphan triplets. Despite rumours circulating amongst other children in the orphanage, the Sisters vowed not to look into the triplets' origins, to protect the girls at all costs and provide them the best care they could.

## Structure

Though they live on the grounds of a former nunnery, the Sisters do not devote themself to religious service. They do, however, take a vow to live in poverty and humility within the confines of their compound, under the tenants of education and personal fulfilment to all. They dedicate themselves to charitable work and outreach in local communities, recognisable by their purple gowns.

The Sisters are unified by a shared belief in all persons' ability to achieve their own unique potential and a dedication to the dutiful fostering of that potential. The vast majority of Sisters come from troubled backgrounds and were at one point supported by the organisation. Many of the orphans raised in the compound go on to become Sisters themselves.

In accordance with the tenants of all sentient life's equal right to education and fulfillment, the Sisters of the Right Hand are accepting of religious practices and teach of respect for one's fellow people and their personal beliefs. Though a nontheist organisation, the Sisters could be described as spiritual in their belief in the betterment of the soul, regularly honouring group silence and meditation, as well as practising counsel to all, both grouped and private.

### The First Finger

The First Finger is the primary tenant of the Sisters, called *Yelagna*. This is evoked in the mantra "help to be helped". The principle is that one must extend charity to others if they wish others to be charitable and that the only way to lead is by example.

### The Second Finger

The Second Finger is *Schushana*, evoked in the mantra "be free". It speaks both to an acceptance of all, as well as oneself.

### The Third Finger

The Third Finger is *Eszmyol*, evoked in the mantra "smile in the dark". The tenant is grounded in a belief in the importance of happiness and laughter. To avoid being consumed in negativity, energy must be devoted to radiating positivity to others and as such, *Eszmyol* can be achieved simply by smiling.

### The Fourth Finger

The Fourth Finger is *Noragam*, evoked in the mantra "forever learn, forever gain". It speaks to the understanding that one never stops learning, that all deserve to be taught and that one must always be receptive to change.

### The Fifth Finger

The Fifth Finger is *Perimisa*, considered the final, and most nebulous, tenant. It is evoked in the mantra "be fulfilment" and is considered to have multiple meanings and endless interpretations. It primarily speaks to finding one's own sense of fulfilment in life, but also of fostering the fulfilment of others. It's true meaning is largely interpretted as personal to each individual and many Sisters described understanding it as a lifelong and ever-changing journey. It is more simplistically described as achieving one's own desires, provided they do not harm or disrupt the fulfilment of others.

### The Palm

In addition to the Five Fingers is the Palm. This is known as *Teratta* and is evoked in the mantra "to find a home, offer a home". *Teratta* is considered to be the principle that draws together all others and is the linchpin in the tenants of the Right Hand. The priniciple states that one must create an environment they are willing to share in order to find ture belonging. The Sisters' compound is the home and shelter founded by Frau Ilyssandrina, but by spreading the teachings of *Teratta*, the principles of the Sisters of the Right Hand may extend far beyond to other communes.

## Relationships

* Persephone Mindale - Former Ward
* Druscilla Mindale - Former Ward