The Cinctari (singk-TAR-ee)
Many see casters as being solely a malignant force in our communities, but those of the Sanguine Tower, the Cinctari, are quite the opposite. These servants of the Crown recognize the danger and responsibility of using magic, and serve under Tower authority. The Cinctari defend our communities, aid in large scale projects, and seek out others like themselves. Most notably, in recent memory, the Cinctari assisted the city of Auberris in draining their wells and cisterns following the Nelarian Fever that raged there.
The Cinctari, commonly referred to as Red Robes, were formed in 237 AS with the publishing of the Act of Solace. King Gaetan decreed that, because of the dangers posed by uncontrolled magic, all casters were to work for the greater good, and in exchange, they would be provided for, given food, clothing, a home, and education in the ways of magical control. They would also have access to the Crown's store of Aspium, to treat Spell Sickness, and a distinctive jewelry item, known as a Handflower, to prevent them from casting without orders.
Contrary to popular belief, the Cinctari are self-governing. The head of the organization, known as the First Cinctari, and all other major roles are filled from within the Tower. The First Cinctari is chosen by their fellow senior Red Robes, and affirmed by the Crown.
One of the most important jobs of the Cinctari are to seek out others like themselves and bring them into the fold as useful members of the Tower. There are generally several pairs of Cinctari, escorted by the Blood Guard, in each region at any given time. These Red Robes will scan for signs of magic use, and are available to take custody of any caster who may have volunteered for the Tower, as well as those who have not yet entered Crown service. Bracelets carrying spells of restraint and suppression are fitted on the newly selected Cinctari to ensure no accidents occur on their way to the Sanguine Tower.
Upon arrival at the Tower, each new member is given a full set of Cinctari robes and other articles of clothing, is measured for their full Handflower, and assigned a room and a mentor. The mentor system is a large part in easing the new trainees into the Cinctari way of life. A mentor is usually someone who has progressed far enough in their training to be entrusted with such a responsibility, and who has a background in common with their charge, so they may relate better to the new arrival.
Mentors are with their assigned ward full time, even sharing a room with them at first, to be available for any questions or issues that arise. The mentor teaches them the routines and layout of the tower, and is a friend and support during what can be a difficult transition. This mentorship continues into the first weeks and sometimes months of a caster's new life as a Red Robe.
As soon as possible to arrange, often in a matter of hours, there is the binding ceremony. The new Cinctari is fitted with their own personally sized Handflower and given a new name to symbolize their new life in service to the Crown. A small celebration is often held, with sweets being added to the dinner menu. Early the next day, training begins. The first months of training can be arduous, as the initiate unlearns bad habits and learns how to truly control their power. Often, the new Red Robe is exhausted before dinner. Afterwards, they are given the needed dose of Aspium to ward off the pains of Spell Sickness and can finally get a little sleep. Often within several months, a Cinctari mentored this way will be able and willing to mentor their own new recruit, and help ease their reintegration into the Tower.
When a new Cinctari is deemed to be ready, in the judgement of their supervisors, the formal mentorship is ended, although there are often fast friendships formed. They will be transferred to a private room, which they may decorate as they like. The Red Robe now has all the privileges of a full Cinctari, including the ability to write home, if they wish, and even have visits at the Sanguine Tower on occasion. These visits are supervised by an older Cinctari to ensure no well-meaning family member upsets the Cinctari's hard earned training.
The Cinctari live a comfortble, but not lavish, existence. Meals are eaten communally, and it tends to be plain fare, but well prepared. New clothing is provided on a regular basis, and there are materials provided to mend older outfits. Housework is divided up amongst the residents of any given wing of the tower, even to the First Cinctari. To ensure the Cinctari are freed from distractions from their magical training and duties, supplements like the fertility suppressing Silver Root are added to the food in safe doses. A healer is on call for any medical need that may arise, and, of course, Aspium is available to treat Spell Sickness as it arises. Older Cinctari are made as comfortable as possible in their declining years, and are cared for with dignity through the final stages of Spell Sickness.
The Cinctari, commonly referred to as Red Robes, were formed in 237 AS with the publishing of the Act of Solace. King Gaetan decreed that, because of the dangers posed by uncontrolled magic, all casters were to work for the greater good, and in exchange, they would be provided for, given food, clothing, a home, and education in the ways of magical control. They would also have access to the Crown's store of Aspium, to treat Spell Sickness, and a distinctive jewelry item, known as a Handflower, to prevent them from casting without orders.
Contrary to popular belief, the Cinctari are self-governing. The head of the organization, known as the First Cinctari, and all other major roles are filled from within the Tower. The First Cinctari is chosen by their fellow senior Red Robes, and affirmed by the Crown.
One of the most important jobs of the Cinctari are to seek out others like themselves and bring them into the fold as useful members of the Tower. There are generally several pairs of Cinctari, escorted by the Blood Guard, in each region at any given time. These Red Robes will scan for signs of magic use, and are available to take custody of any caster who may have volunteered for the Tower, as well as those who have not yet entered Crown service. Bracelets carrying spells of restraint and suppression are fitted on the newly selected Cinctari to ensure no accidents occur on their way to the Sanguine Tower.
Upon arrival at the Tower, each new member is given a full set of Cinctari robes and other articles of clothing, is measured for their full Handflower, and assigned a room and a mentor. The mentor system is a large part in easing the new trainees into the Cinctari way of life. A mentor is usually someone who has progressed far enough in their training to be entrusted with such a responsibility, and who has a background in common with their charge, so they may relate better to the new arrival.
Mentors are with their assigned ward full time, even sharing a room with them at first, to be available for any questions or issues that arise. The mentor teaches them the routines and layout of the tower, and is a friend and support during what can be a difficult transition. This mentorship continues into the first weeks and sometimes months of a caster's new life as a Red Robe.
As soon as possible to arrange, often in a matter of hours, there is the binding ceremony. The new Cinctari is fitted with their own personally sized Handflower and given a new name to symbolize their new life in service to the Crown. A small celebration is often held, with sweets being added to the dinner menu. Early the next day, training begins. The first months of training can be arduous, as the initiate unlearns bad habits and learns how to truly control their power. Often, the new Red Robe is exhausted before dinner. Afterwards, they are given the needed dose of Aspium to ward off the pains of Spell Sickness and can finally get a little sleep. Often within several months, a Cinctari mentored this way will be able and willing to mentor their own new recruit, and help ease their reintegration into the Tower.
When a new Cinctari is deemed to be ready, in the judgement of their supervisors, the formal mentorship is ended, although there are often fast friendships formed. They will be transferred to a private room, which they may decorate as they like. The Red Robe now has all the privileges of a full Cinctari, including the ability to write home, if they wish, and even have visits at the Sanguine Tower on occasion. These visits are supervised by an older Cinctari to ensure no well-meaning family member upsets the Cinctari's hard earned training.
The Cinctari live a comfortble, but not lavish, existence. Meals are eaten communally, and it tends to be plain fare, but well prepared. New clothing is provided on a regular basis, and there are materials provided to mend older outfits. Housework is divided up amongst the residents of any given wing of the tower, even to the First Cinctari. To ensure the Cinctari are freed from distractions from their magical training and duties, supplements like the fertility suppressing Silver Root are added to the food in safe doses. A healer is on call for any medical need that may arise, and, of course, Aspium is available to treat Spell Sickness as it arises. Older Cinctari are made as comfortable as possible in their declining years, and are cared for with dignity through the final stages of Spell Sickness.
Freedom In Service
Founding Date
237
Type
Education, Magic
Capital
Alternative Names
Towerbound, Red Robes
Ruling Organization
Parent Organization
Location
It's sad that casters kind of have to embrace this life or live always looking over their shoulders. However, it does seem as though they are well taken care of once they get there, so I imagine most people settle into the lifestyle quite well. What if a new recruit doesn't settle?
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I'd imagine they'd have to use more coercive techniques to get them to comply