The Oaths and Paths of the Basanic Tao
Followers of the Tao are taught from the offset of the various layers that exist within its structure, of the most spiritual of its places, of the hierarchy made up by the senior Fosters and Melkarr and of the Spirits themselves and how they play a part in our lives. Each Ulmargarn, Melkarr, Elestrom or Vormearn will take one of the Oaths and be part of that life, this before any other Path of Way of the Tao is taken. (A character chooses one of the Oaths to represent their tradition.)
The Oath to Dreff
To honour the traditions of the Melkarr and the Gillieabad
This Oath symbolises the adherence to the rituals and the Tao, to nor defile or misuse the powers and rites that have been gifted to us and to never cross the boundaries into corruption.
The Oath to Azilir
To strengthen the ties of the spirits to the mortal through pure lineage and Blood
This Oath symbolises the binding of the spirits to the mortals that work with them through the purity of and strength of their blood.
The Oath to the Spirits
To bridge the gap and be at one with the Spirits
This oath symbolises those that spend great periods in deep meditation, their mind in the spirit world, to better understand and serve the Gillieabad.
The Oath to the Altar
To be the mark between the people and the Tao and the Tao and the Spirits
This Oath symbolises the duty of the ritualist to help those within the Tao understand the spirits and keep those that have made such oaths aware and informed as to their power and intention.
Choosing a Path
When choosing your path as a follower of Kethlan you must choose the spirit that will be your patron. This spirit, one of the great three, becomes your patron and defines the way that you will have taken before taking up apprenticeship with the Melkarr, Ulmargarn and the like. Once you have chosen your spirit you gain the associated gift and will have chosen to follow that spirits ideals. You then chose your profession (way) and gain the responsibilities and boons allied to that way. This continues to be your way regardless of your status and power. The followers of Kethlan continue to remember their origins and fulfil even the humblest of duties.
The Path of Quinrath
Quinrath is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true, he is closest to the heart of civilisation and the speaker, the watcher, the guardian.
Overview
Quinrath, often called farmers friend, is what the Monarchy of the Basin would call a “civilised god”, that is to say that it seems more orientated towards civilised peoples of the world and is happy for its followers to teach woodlore and the ways of Kethlan. Its nature breeds co-operation and the passing on of information that the world can be at harmony and there will be no need for destruction of what its teachings hold. For example, if there is a village being constructed or expanded upon followers of Quinrath are often on hand to show where to take wood from the forest and to explain the value of planting saplings to replace the trees that have been cut down. Farmers are instructed on the correct ways to farm their land so that they do not take everything from the earth without returning some of the goodness that they have taken. It is a guiding hand in political matters, understanding and shaping the need for the advancement of the Tao among cultures through debate and democratic process.
The Four Ways of Quinrath
The Follower of Quinrath chooses to gain guidance from the Tao or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.
The Way of Omukuru
Way of Meditative Enlightenment
The Way of Meditative Enlightenment is one that is taken by those Tao followers who wish to cast the future of their charges through solitude meditation and calmness of souls. Their responsibilities fall under providing guidance for individuals when they call upon the spirits. They are also trained to understand mysteries and grant wisdom and insight into such things.
The Way of Ditaolane
Way of the Deep
Those that take up the way of the deep are responsible for tending of the waterways of the Tao and those that utilise them for their own purposes. They have found affinity with the spirits if Ditaolane and hear many things from the beasts and tides. Their responsibilities include the reasonable harvesting of the seas, updating of coastal charts and passing knowledge from the deep to the land
The Way of Kaka Guie
Way of the Warrior
The Way of the Warrior brings the follower of Kethlan to the attention of those worthies that defend the borders and territories of the Tao. The responsibilities of the warrior are to protect those that fall under the Tao, the lands claimed by the Tao and to obey the words and actions of their chieftains.
The Way of Mwuetsi
Way of the Craft
Those that follow the way of the craft are trained to provide specialists roles in Kethlanic society that will support and build the community. They are the weavers, smiths, bakers and overseers of the peoples, the bedrock on whom the others can stand and place supports and foundation. Without the Way of the Craft there would be no society.
The Path of Avvannah
Avvannah is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true; she is the cycle, the tick of the clock, life and then death and then birth and then life.
Overview
Many consider that Ravage is the most dangerous of the three aspects of nature as it is the most vehement and violent of the three often in the case of Avvannah this is not true. It is the true aspect of the Earth, sometimes kind and caring, sometimes harsh and unforgiving, it reflects the unpredictability of Nature. The untamed wilds, the soft warming breezes, the decay of dead mater and the birth of new life, all these aspects got together to make up Avvannah. Its interests are in continuing the cycle of its domain, truly understanding that the circle of life and death is essential to continue the function of the world.
The Four Ways of Avvannah
The Follower of Avvannah chooses to gain guidance from the Tao or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.
The Way of Congal Cláen
The Way of the Past Watcher
The Past Watcher is the historian, the keeper and the teacher of the ways of not only Kethlan but the society and the peoples as a whole. They play a pivotal role in the shaping of each community within the Tao and are called upon to recite tales of old to inspire the people and to enlighten the young. They are keen seekers of new histories and it is their duty to note and keep such records.
The Way of Cyheuraeth
The Way of the Voice
The voice is the communicator, the harmony of the grove that compliments the rituals and the ways of the Altar. The mediator the leader and often the reason within a Tao based community. Their duties include the maintaining of many protocols, the shepherding of new folk into a group and of course any mediation between parties.
The Way of Dian Cecht
The Way of the Cycle
The Way of the Cycle deals with the cycle of life and its impact on the community of the Tao of Kethlan. Those that bear this burden are responsible for the rituals and rites of those that pass and their dedication to the spirits in the spirit world. The Way of Mug Ruith The Way of Legends The way of legends deals the lores and the contacting of those creatures that fall into the supernatural and in some cases unnatural. It is vital that the people of the Tao maintain vigilance against the unnatural and to cultivate the powers of the natural world that will aid the community in the days of chaos. Those of the Way of Legends are the speakers to such things.
The Path of Ravage
Ravage is one of the Gillieabad, powerful and true; it is the hunter, instinct breathing, prey tracking, life ending, fear bringing.
Overview
Ravage, fearless pursuer of foes of Kethlan through the darkened hearts of the deepest sanctuaries of the wild. Ravage is all in favour of fearlessly hunting down anyone who steps into the boundaries of its land. Ravage epitomises the bestial part of nature, the part of all creatures that relies on instinct rather than rational thought, a killer, a hunter, a beast that lives only to destroy those who would cross the threshold of the Forests, the deserts and the seas and perpetrate against the will of the spirits.
The Four Ways of Ravage
The Follower of Ravage chooses to gain guidance from the Tao or way of one of its four Abberundy that serve it.
The Way of Borghild Gudrun
The Way of Oath Taking
The way of Oathtaking is a role of great responsibility amongst those that take on this duty; they are allowed to participate over ceremonies of great joy such as weddings and the naming of the young, dedicating their spirit names. However when making a warriors oath or an oath of vengeance they become responsible for the hunting down of those that would be called an Oathbreaker.
The Way of Oden Njord
The Way of the Chieftain
The way of the Chieftain is often thought to be the way of the leader of the people amongst the Tao, instead this is the path of the battle leader and one that brings renown and respect to the successful chieftain and humiliation to those that fail. The burden of leadership is often too heavy for a warrior to bear and they are oust from their position by a younger or more experienced warrior.
The Way of Sigurd Verdandi
The Way of Sigurd Verdandi
The way of judgement is often a tedious task and one favoured by the Elestrom of the Weeping Lady. The responsibilities of the way leads the follower to sit in neutral favour during any manner of settlements including bartering and minor legal issues. Often one is called upon to adjudicate at competitive events, political debates and even border issues but they are not Elestrom.
The Way of Ing Skuld
The Way of the Hunter
In every camp, township and even pack the role of the hunter is a top tier one and one that is coveted and sought after by many of the younger and upcoming followers of the Tao. Their primary responsibilities are to feed their dependants whilst at the same time maintaining the herds that support them. They are also responsible for ensuring the rights of each pack to different hunting grounds.