Titles and ranks of The Tribe

*"The Lorekeepers remember all histories, The Sentinels protect those histories. The Preceptors teach us how to do both"*

- Aetela Farron

## Background

As with any culture or society, The Tribe has a societal structure that is overseen by the Preceptors. Positions within the tribe aren't seen as a traditional Hierarchy but rather as a web - where all positions are treated equally and held with an equal measure of respect. Despite this, many in The Tribe view the structure as a hierarchy, with Preceptors assuming the role as Leaders.

## Preceptor

Preceptors are considered the Leaders and mentors of the tribe in most Bastions. They are responsible for tutoring potential Lorekeepers and directing the path The Tribe takes into the future.

### Dravanian Preceptors

The Preceptors in Dravania operate a small council of themselves - it is their belief that not one person should be responsible for the entire tribe, rather the responsibility should be shared among others, so that as many ideas and options may flourish through the mind - lending to the best future for the Tribe. Lorekeepers that demonstrate commitment to the Tribe are appointed by the Preceptor council, should space be available. Sentinels are not permitted to become Preceptors in the Dravanian Bastion.

### Ruby Sea Preceptors

The Ruby Sea Bastion was formed after the exodus of Dravania, The only known Preceptor was Aetela Farron, who was self appointed as the Tribe settled into Onokoro and the Azim Steppe. The Ruby Sea Preceptor would often hold elections to establish a new Preceptor - as Aetela believed that the Tribe should have its right to elect its future, but each time the Tribe would reject this notion - idolizing the current Preceptor for rescuing them from the Fall of Dravania and feared that if the Preceptor were to change, it would cast upon a doom to the Tribe. Eventually, as the tribe began to grow, another Preceptor was establish so that each Preceptor could watch over a region. Preceptors within the Ruby Sea maintained their position as mentors - Tutoring the Lorekeepers, but in contrast from the Dravanian Bastion, the Preceptors would take a Sentinel to safegaurd them, the Preceptor's Sentinel would be responsible for training other potential Sentinels.

## Lorekeeper

Lorekeepers are what comprise of the majority of the Tribe. They are traditionally non-combatants who focus on documenting Scrolls, recording events witnessed by themselves or their Sentinels when returning from pilgrimage. As well as meditating on the Souls of the Lorekeepers (Keystones) drawing knowledge and lore from the past from the Souls and imprinting their memories unto the Keystones.

### Dravanian Lorekeepers

Dravanian Lorekeepers were forbidden from leaving Dravania, unless with specific permission from a Preceptor. They had strict responsibilities: Focusing on the Scrolls and to birth offspring that would inherit their duty. Thus, the role of Lorekeeper was mostly dominated by females. They were forbidden from entering any combat role and were encouraged to take a Sentinel through the Avowal of Pairing and mating with them. The Lorekeepers followed a strict proclomation known as **Duties as Assigned.** Which was the pledge that Lorekeepers would honor their duty to their Scrolls and reproduction, strictly. Should a Lorekeeper fail in one of these duties, the Lorekeeper would then be publicly sacrificed.

### Ruby Sea Lorekeepers

Ruby Sea Lorekeepers, while focusing on their scrolls - had an emphasis on storytelling. Often traveling to Hingashi and Othard to tell their tales and to learn and record of new ones. Aetela, the Preceptor of the Ruby Sea Bastion had less restrictions on her Lorekeepers compared to the Dravanian Lorekeepers, allowing them to develop relationships with whomever they pleased - and encouraged bringing Outsiders into The Tribe. While she encouraged Lorekeepers to have a Sentinel to safegaurd them, She had no restrictions on Lorekeepers learning martial or combat arts - so long as they scrolled what they learned and had a Sentinel present during combat encounters.

Aetela disbanded the *Duties as Assigned* proclamation, and introduced the **Reversal of Roles** proclamation, encouraging pairs to swap their roles as Lorekeepers and Sentinels should the Sentinel ever become injured in combat or unable to fulfill. The act of Public Sacrifices was also disbanded, as it was believed that regardless of the state of a person - they are always able to contribute in some way to the Tribe. While Aetela did not enforce the reproduction among Lorekeepers, she encouraged them to take on any young or orphans that were in the Tribe as students or pupils.

### Crystal Lorekeepers

Lorekeepers within the Crystal Bastion had a stronger focus on being present with the Sentinels company. While most remained non-combatants, many followed their Sentinels into battle and served as Healers or *Defense Wardens.* The Crystal Preceptor believed that the best knowledge a Lorekeeper could have was to be their with the Sentinels. The Avowel of Pairing was not enforced - As Lorekeepers would tend to travel with various other Sentinels on incursions and exploratory missions, rather - the Avowal of Pairing became a symbol of marriage after a pair traveled and endured hardships for a significant amount of time. Lorekeepers in the Crystal Bastion assumed a more dominant role between Sentinel and Lorekeeper - being the ones to lead or guide a pair or group in any given scenario.

## Sentinel

Sentinels are the guardians of the Lorekeepers. They are responsible for protecting their lives and the scrolls they produce. Sentinels serve as the first line of defense for both Lorekeepers and Preceptors and their strength and endurance in combat can be rivaled to that of the fiercest militaries in Eorzea.

### Dravanian Sentinels

The role being dominated equally by Male and Female, the origins of the Dravanian Sentinels come from the Dragonsong War - warriors that fought alongside and revered the Dragons. It is said that they would consume the blood of the Dragon for strength and the blood of their paired Lorekeeper for knowledge in a intimate ritual after the Avowal of Pairing. Sentinels would often stand at the border of Coerthas and Ishgard, preventing any Adventurer from discovering the Lorekeepers deep within Dravania. The Sentinels would follow a strict proclamation known as **Duties as Assigned** - Being responsible for safeguarding their Lorekeeper and being responsible for producing offspring. Should a Sentinel fail in that regard, or sustain an irrecoverable injury, the Sentinel would then be publicly or honorably sacrificed.

### Ruby Sea Sentinels

With Aetela allowing the introduction of outsiders, many Sentinels comprised of Tribals from the Azim Steppe and Samurai of Hingashi. Sentinels held a stronger comradery among each other, often sparring and training each other along with their Lorekeepers they were paired with, this lent the Ruby Sea Sentinels to have a wide range of combative styles. Sentinels would often take their Lorekeepers on journeys beyond the Ruby Sea, allowing them perspective of the outside realm, while protecting them on their pilgrimage.

Sentinels, quite often would become injured from battle - thus, Aetela disbanded the *Duties as Assigned* proclamation and introduced **Reversal of Roles,** where an injured Sentinel would assume the role of Lorekeeper, and their pair became Sentinel. While Aetela did not enforce the reproduction among Sentinels, she encouraged Sentinels to take young and orphans within the tribe as students or pupils.

### Crystal Sentinels

Sentinels within the Crystal Bastion were held in high regard by the Lorekeepers for their loyalty and prowess in combat. The Sentinels of the Crystal Bastion revered their Lorekeepers to a religious-like extent, worshipping them and pledging servitude to them in perpetuity. The Sentinel within the Crystal Bastion was that of a willing servant role - dedicated to tend to the Lorekeepers needs, and protecting their lives - though they benefitted greatly by having Lorekeepers in combat, having them serve as *Defense Wardens* - This has led to zero recorded injuries or deaths of Sentinels in combat. It was also common for a Sentinel to have several Lorekeepers follow them on missions - responsible for teaching the adolescent Scribes of a life outside their duty to scrolls.

## Arrencade

Arrencade is a title that holds a significant amount of stigma among members of the tribe with no clear translation to other languages. The title is obtained by a Lorekeeper or Sentinel deserting their duty and/or the tribe, following their own path or using the knowledge within the Scrolls for eprsonal gains or reasons that do not allign with the Tribe.

### Arrencades within Dravania

Arrencades were considered as a class of people beneath the Tribe, and often were hunted for sport by a particular sect of Sentinels. The treatment of Arrencades by this sect of Sentinels were cruel. Often enslaving them for physical work, or tortured for fun - which included sexual abuse, maiming or dismemberment. The most cruel of Sentinels would attach parts of their mutilated corpse to their clothing, carrying them as trophies and go as far as to bathe in their blood.

### Arrencades of the Ruby Sea

Given the events that transpired, leading to the formation of the Ruby Sea Bastion, Aetela forbade the intentional harm of Tribe members among each other - this included members branded with the Arrencade title, Those within the tribe that sought to threaten the life of a Sentinel or Lorekeeper were banished from the tribe and was branded as an Arrencade.

Arrencades were forbidden from interacting with members of The Tribe. Conversely, The Tribe was forbidden from interacting with Arrencades and were forbidden from doing them harm unless the Arrencade's intention was clear.

### Arencades within the Crystal Bastion

Arrencade is someone that is revered and cherished among the people of the Crystal Bastion - the title is synonymous with someone who has achieved legendary feats and is highly respected.