Order of the Shasan

*"We do not server the gods of this world. We do not serve its people. We serve the greater good. We serve knowledge. We serve Understanding. Our training helps guide us along our Path, but it does not rule over us. We live a humble life, content with sustaining our own, meditating, and contemplating our place in this world."*

The Order of the Shasan are a group of Monks. They live all across Aenín, but most live in their monastery of Bor-Shasa, in the Thera mountain range. They strive to achieve Understanding of the world, and to that end they train themselves both physically and mentally. They practise the martial arts, and are gifted scholars

## The Path

The Path of the Shasan is not an easy one. It is divided into three parts.

### The Journey

The Journey is the road to the monastery of Bor-Shasa . Monks, wherever their home may be, must travel here at some point in their lives. At the end a monk must ascend the Steps of Viswanathan in order to experience the hardships of the Path. This part makes the monk understand the land, the geography and other people, in order to better understand the World at large.

### The Training

The Training is the honing of body at mind to perfection. Monks must study and train for years if they want to climb the spiritual ladder. At the end a monk must pass several trials in order to be called Father of the Order and a guide to others. This part makes the monk understand one's self, to better understand the World at large.

### The Meditation

The Meditation is the deep thinking about the World. Monks must reflect and meditate for years to seek the connections in the world. At the end is the Destination, that all monks try to achieve. No monk has yet reached such a deep Understanding of the World. This part makes the monk understand the deep spiritual connections that each of us possess, to better understand the World at large.

There is no set order in which to complete the parts. Most monks first make the Journey to Bor-Shasa , and stay there for the Training and finally the Meditation. Some monks, though, also make the Journey first, but then go to explore the wide world in order to Train and Meditate. Some monks grew up at Bor-Shasa and have Trained all their lives, but must yet Journey across the world to return and Meditate. Generally though, the Meditation comes last, as it is the hardest to complete.

## Monastic Order

Most Shasan live in the monastery of Bor-Shasa, and try to follow their Path there. However, some monks believe their Paths lead elsewhere, and live free lifestyles all across Aenín. The Order is divided into several ranks, according to spiritual and martial prowess.

### Initiate

Initiates are those who have shown interest in learning the Ancient Ways, but have yet to prove themselves. They are most often young and have much to learn about themselves and the World. Once they have shown their devotion and respect for the Order, they become members in full.

### Brother

Brothers are the common monks. They are on their Path, but have a long way to go. They have the right to enter through the Gate of Eüwe and partake in any sacred activity. Most monks spend their lives Training and Meditating among their Brothers.

### Father

A Father has passed the Trials, earning his name as a spiritual leader among his people. He is a wise man, showing understanding of the World. Not many monks aspire to this level, but those who do have shown their utter devotion to the order. They have the right of authority, able to demand certain things from their (spiritually) younger fellows, as well as the right to judge any monk who faces the Trials.

### Father Superior

The Father Superior is the leader of the Bor-Shasa monastery. He is the first to awaken, ringing the gong at the top of the Temple to awaken the other monks, as well as the rest of the mountain valley. He leads the others in the daily training routines, and provides aid for those who come to him in need of spiritual advice. However, outside of the monastery he holds no higher rank than a regular Father. He just regulates every internal affairs of the complex itself, and negotiates with other factions in matters concerning the monastery.