The Ventus Brotherhood

Subject: The Ventus Brotherhood Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:09 pm

While I am not the Plot Leader for Ventus, there are a few things that have been established for the Brotherhood by characters:

Timeline

Eldest children are taken around the age of 8-10 to join the Brotherhood. Some families refuse, many do not.
When these children enter the Brotherhood, they become Initiates. Initiates perform chores and generally lose their unique personalities and become accustomed to the Brothers. During this time, they also begin their studies.
After they have been sufficiently worn down and are in a moldable state of being, they become Young Brothers. Young Brothers no longer have to do chores, instead they have their physical training which includes training with their element (often Wind) and training with daggers. Their other studies intensify.
When the Master Brothers have determined Young Brothers are ready, around the ages of 19-23, they are sent for their final test.
The Final Test consists of a Young Brother going alone at midday to the very center of Ventus, to the Heart of Winds, where the winds are so strong they would disintegrate a lesser person, and meditate for a full day. Not all survive. The only people that go here are members of the Brotherhood.

The Vows

Celibacy -- This includes any intimate contact from hand holding to sexual intercourse. Marriage is essentially the worst offense one could do to their Brothers. It is never done by a full Brother.
Never to ingest Alcohol -- It only dulls the senses they have worked so hard to obtain. Many Brothers find this vow the easiest to keep.
Never to leave a post -- Brothers are loyal to the end. No matter the reason, a Brother may never leave his post or agreed assignment.
No Brother knows the punishment for breaking a vow. Brothers that do are never seen again. Initiates and Young Brothers typically never return to their Discipline.

The Loners

The Loners (searching for the Relic) are groups of Elite Brothers. This is their secret that none other than Full Brothers know.
Groups of 4 Brothers are sent all over Carista to follow any and all leads to the Relic. Many do not return.
It is known by all full Brothers that a group of Loners came close to the Relic, but never returned. They presumably perished from unknown causes.

Other Aspects

A Brother may be of any Elemental Control
A stereotypical Brother is quiet, seemingly emotionless, Wind Walks (walks on "soild Wind" to give the impression that they float), are the best assassins and guards, are deadly with their Element alone, and very observant.
One would address a Brother like "Brother Lastname" unless one is very close with that particular Brother. The King of Ventus still follows this protocol with his two Brothers, and they have been with him for over ten years.
The Brotherhood has many places throughout Ventus. Each of these housings/training facilities is called a Discipline. "The Ventus Brotherhood Discipline of (near by town)"
Initiates wear all brown, Young Brothers all gray, and Brothers wear all black. The suits of the Brothers are well made, but simple. They come to the high neck of the wearer with a band collar, with the jacket closing in front, but the buttons hidden. The black cloaks of the Brothers are so dark that they seem to suck up the light and meld with any darkness.

Skills

Brothers with Wind Control tend to "Wind Walk", or walk on solidified wind so that they don't actually touch the ground.
Brothers are very skilled with daggers. Their suits hold special, hidden places for these.