Sanctum Attendant

Sanctum Attendants are equines who have dedicated their lives to Ignacio and his people, and work within the Sanctums of Aodh.

## Overview

Sanctum Attendants live and work within a Sanctum of their choosing, and are direct subordinates of the Flamen of that Sanctum. Their primary job is to maintain the Sanctum - including cleaning, repairs, handling offerings and so on - and they also provide spiritual guidance to those in need. For most equines, a Sanctum Attendant is their point of contact with religious matters. Many Sanctum Attendants also provide other services that fall in line with the specialization of their Sanctum, such as medicinal aid, relationship counseling, art therapy and so on.

To become a Sanctum Attendant is to give your life to charity and faith. Sanctum Attendants are not paid a traditional salary, but instead given food, medicinal care and a bed or a simple apartment by the Sanctum. Sanctums also provide their Attendants with small monthly stipends for keeping up with humble hobbies or the occasional night out, but extravagance and riches are not within the scope of their lifestyle. Some Attendants who come from prestigious families may receive additional monetary assistance from their families, but in general, the path of a Sanctum Attendant is not for those who desire luxury and unabated hedonism.

Sanctum Attendants generally don’t own slaves - partly due to not being able to afford them, partly because having a slave perform your duties within the Sanctum is poorly regarded by others. Like Flamines, Sanctum Attendants are not expected to be celibate, but are expected to uphold Ignacio’s virtues. They’re easily recognized by the ash they wear on their coats, but are not permitted to wear candles.

### **Education and Background**

There are no requirements for becoming a Sanctum Attendant - Sanctums will admit children as young as 13 to join as Attendants with parental consent, and even younger children may help out at Sanctums if their parent works there. For poor families, it is not uncommon for children that are not needed for work at home to be herded into Sanctums to become Attendants - while not a luxurious life, it is secure, and generally keeps the kids away from becoming Scoundrels. As a result, many of the Attendants, especially in the Sanctums of Vatros and Enya, have a low level of formal education, and instead learn on the job.

For some others, work at a Sanctum is a calling - something of a personal aspiration. These individuals often have at least upper secondary level education, and come from well-to-do families. They are often able to enjoy the support of their family, while also receiving the image of a pious individual for working at a Sanctum. It is not uncommon for middle and upper class youths to use a Sanctum as an opportunity to hone the skills learned through their formal education - such as psychology or theology - before moving on to more lucrative careers. These Attendants tend to flock to the more prestigious Sanctums.

A small minority comes to the Sanctums with ambition. These are children of noble houses, often receiving the highest of educations. Some noble lines have long held a tradition to send their youngest children to serve Ignacio in a more direct form, giving up their nobility permanently. Such sacrifice is quite often honored with the eventual position of a Flamen. For the House, this is a great PR move, and can be used to solve some unfortunate inheritance issues on the side. Attendants from noble backgrounds usually receive hefty stipends from their families, and live at their own apartment near the Sanctum. Nobles heavily favor Fernos and Ignis.

*Note that Sanctum Attendants from a noble background are available only via being related to an existing PC. Loss of nobility for becoming an attendant is permanent.*

## Internal Hierarchy and Progression

Each Flamen is the lord of their Sanctum, regardless of their status at birth. Out of the Flamines, the one at Ignis is the highest, but each Sanctum is fairly independent in its operations. While Attendants are naturally expected to respect all the Flamines, they’re only required to directly obey their own.

Despite a pretense of equality, Aodhian classism penetrates even the Sanctum system. Within the Sanctum’s internal hierarchy, two factors are of paramount importance: social class, and their duties within the Sanctum, which are given out based on experience and skill. Trainee Sanctum Attendants are given the most basic and lowly tasks, such as cleaning, while those that are more experienced are gradually given more important and more customer-facing jobs.

As one might expect, education or higher social status can allow an Attendant to quickly leap over the menial duties to join the more senior Attendants. Other merits can include piety, charisma and simply being liked by the Flamen. The weight of one’s birth varies Flamen by Flamen - Ignis and Fernos traditionally heavily favor their noble Attendants, while places like Vatros and Enya are more equal, and solely based on skills and years of service.

The internal hierarchy among Attendants is not strictly held, but those who constantly go against it are generally viewed as troublemakers, and may be shunned by the community to the extent that they need to change Sanctums. This extends even to Attendants who come from nobility - they’re expected to obey and respect their seniors in service, no matter how lowly their birth.

Typically, the Flamen will have a protege or two - Attendants they’re personally coaching to take their place when the time comes, whether via death or by retirement. Often one of these students will succeed them, unless the Crown finds reason to object. As such, they’re usually found in close proximity to their Flamen, are entrusted the most important tasks, and often supervise other Attendants when the Flamen is busy.

It's relatively rare for an Attendant to become a Flamen at a different Sanctum than where they themselves served, and this almost always involves Crown meddling.

## Rank Levels

* **At 25 AP** | Attendants often study the art of medicine or therapy. You may gain your **Tier 1 Talent** early (for your first talent only).
* **At 50 AP** | Though only the Flamines incorporate candles in their attire, Attendants are usually adorned in sacred ash. Receive **Ash** and **Cloak** for free.
* **At 75 AP** | You spend much of your time in prayer or under the tutelage of your Flamen. Receive +15 SP to Wisdom or Vitality.
* **At 100 AP** | The snake is commonly associated with Ignacio, and considered one of his favored creations. Receive an **Aodhian** **Level 1 Familiar.**