Lindung

The **lindung** (literally 'shelter') was a type of association in Ketran, which was fraternal in character and defined itself in opposition to and negotiation with the rest of society.

## Development

### Origins

The first lindungs were formed from gatherings of non-firstborn sons, as inheritance in ancient Gasal was strictly primogenital, requiring younger children band together for their livelihoods. In a Ketranite myth purporting to explain the origin of the lindungs and other customs, a ruler in distant antiquity restricted the scope of inheritance to consolidate his own power, then recruited the dispossessed as soldiers. As Ketranite society sophisticated, the lindungs did serve as merchant companies, pemutus judges, and mercenary bands. They generally provided useful if not vital services to 'propertied', 'firstborn' society (a category that stretched beyond the aristocracy, though early Ketran generally had a weak sense of hierarchy), while separating the latter from their profession. Public culture as dictated by the firstborn depicted the lindungs as dangerous and volatile; it was only by their services that they could earn access to ordinary society for matters such as marriage, although this dynamic also drove lindungs to become more self-sufficient.

From the 3rd century PB, the lindungs became so powerful and important that the pemutuses were elevated into a distinct category of officials that now also arbitrated between lindungs. While the conduct and character of the pemutuses became 'designed' by prescriptions from the rest of society, other lindungs became much more autonomous in contrast, and even permanent.

### Prohairesis

The lindungs also began experiments at human enhancement, often not just to fulfil their vocations better, but to specifically make themselves more distinct from, if not superior to, ordinary society. Ketranite biological sciences were strongly hereditarian and stilus use was considered only acceptable for crop and livestock transgenics; believing prohairesis must be brought about through careful, long-term cultivation, the lindungs primarily practiced eugenic cultures and regulations that were *followed* by members, usually contrasted with the *imposed* mutagenic treatments of bhujas.

This somewhat counteracted the effects of institutionalization, at least with respect to joining as opposed to creating societies in the 'lindung market', as older ones could no longer admit new initiates (who were obviously not bred carefully for generations according to their requirements) on equal terms, nor entertain novel ideas of bodily cultivation (out of inertia). Unlike the Thesis-Sects, the lindungs never cultivated 'laities' or 'subalterns'; direct membership was seen as the most important, above mere affiliation, meaning few saw any value in junior forms of admission.

A lindung deep into its path of prohairetic eugenics could opt for more prolific reproduction to sustain itself, a choice often made because these pursuits created the exact reason to seek the society's permanence. In the vast majority of cases, the societies developed new familial structures that either caused them to lose their distinguishing features as lindungs and become generic clans, or outright implode and dissolve as these new hierarchies were disputed.

## Structure

Early lindungs were most often formed within the first five years after initiation into manhood by a group of men who had little or few prospects in managing their family assets; after the 2nd century MB foundings became extremely rare and noteworthy events with most joining existing, established lindungs instead. Such foundings tended to keep a relatively close age range: men who were much older than the mean age were considered undesirable for having been passed over by other societies; and men who were too close to the time of their initiation were considered too undependable and vulnerable to other prospects. One exception to this rule was that men who excelled at cooking were actively sought after and competed for, so they were sometimes much older or younger than the group at large. The members would take an oath to their new brothers as a second family, and nominally renounce the prospect of matters associated with normal society such as marriage or property. After this, whatever assets or incomes the members had would be pooled and, if they were not planning on immediately embarking on travel, would purchase or build a communal home for themselves.

If the lindung was engaged in an activity that required it, such as forming a military regiment or engaging in a contract, they would appoint a spokesman who would act as officer or signee for the group. Such elected positions were generally temporary and, even in war, there was an expectation for decisions to be made collegially.

## Culture

### Livery

Almost all groups used some kind of token to distinguish themselves from bachelors or other unbonded men. Jewelry was common, especially carved earrings, but it depended heavily on the resourced available. The most sophisticated (and wealthy) societies would use a full uniform of distinctly patterned cloth to indicate their membership. These uniforms would become especially important later on as a component of legal codes for distinguishing real lindungs from runaway boys and criminal gangs.

### Architecture

The lindungs were forced, by a lack of female members and other considerations, to ignore Ketranite architectural conventions, instead building large, extravagant homes for themselves. Their communal homes would have an unusually large number of private cells for members as well as separate guest rooms. Some homes also contained a workshop for the society's commercial endeavors or, for wealthier groups, a leisure room.

### Marriage

The prospect of marriage, at least as normal society understood it, was formally rejected in lindung oaths, but in reality it formed an elaborate aspect of fraternal culture, concerning not just the exit of individual members, but the relationship of the entire association to normal society. Later, more self-sufficient lindungs arranged marriages either within the framework of the fraternity or with captured slave brides so as to maintain the veneer of 'celibacy' with respect to ordinary society.