Vestal Order

Vestals are an all-female religious order of Witchbloods dedicated to worshiping the White Witch and following her footsteps in defending humanity. Many young witchblood girls are taken to their convents and raised by their sisters to become vestals in turn. The Vestals are often known as the 'Daughters of Aideilia.'

## ***Life as a Vestal***

Most Vestals join the order as young children, taken in from the streets or sent by their parents. The Vestal order makes sure all the girls receive an appropriate education among their peers, for the first few years Vestals are discouraged from using magic, instead being taught the mental fortitude and wellness necessary to maintain the proper state of mind of a Vestal.

By the age of twelve, Vestals become Novitiates where they begin learning magic proper. Within a few years, most have graduated to full sisters and serve under Elder Sisters or their convent’s mother-superior.

In addition to magic, Vestals are thought manners, etiquette, medicine, scripture, art, thanatology, and dance to fulfill their role as healers and spiritual counselors.

### Vestal Ranks

* Daughter, girls below the age of 12 who have yet to begin their formal training.
* Novitiate, girls of 12-17 learning magic
* Sister, women 18 or above who have finished their training
* Elder Sister, older sisters who show great devotion and leadership, serve as the mothers' aides
* Mother, leader of a coven
* Arch-Mother; leader of all vestals in a region or nation.

### Day in the life of a Vestal

Vestal Sisters go through most of the days maintaining their monastery, meditating or aiding the supplicants who come for guidance or healing. Vestal Monasteries are split between city and country monasteries, city Vestals are typically devoted to the public while those in isolated monasteries focus on the studies of the arcane arts and teaching of pupils.

Vestals are forbidden from demanding payments from petitioners, but it is custom to bring a form of donation if one can afford it, even if it is symbolic. As such, all things Vestals possess are acquired from charity and donations.

### Vestal's Vow

Upon becoming a full sister, a Vestal takes on the Vestal vows if they so desire, but may leave the order if they do not and become a ordinary citizen. Vestals are also allowed to retire if they want to.

* Vestals make a vow of poverty, swearing off personal property and inheritance
* Vestals make a vow of celibacy, swearing off family and marriage, although physical intimacy is permitted if it does not interfere with their duties.
* Vestals make a vow of charity, swearing to help all those who request their aid without asking for a reward
* Vestals make a vow of nonviolence, rejecting fighting except in self-defense
* Vestals make a vow of Truth, swearing lying except in protection of others
* Vestals make a vow of Compassion, promising to care for all living beings equally
* Vestals make a vow of Obedience, to follow the teaching of the church and to follow their superior's orders.
* Vestals make a vow of Temperance, promising to take all things in moderation and swear of undue intoxication.

### Vestal Robes

Vestals typically wear the iconic robes of their order, a black hooded open robe embroidered with gold filaments in sacred patterns, underneath which are a simple white tunic and trousers, or skirt, and shoes or boots depending on the occasion. For centuries these robes have been a gift to the Vestal order by the weavers of the city of Sayiid.

## Known Vestals

### Current Vestal

* Mother Sophia Yavuz
* Sister Enya Calyse