Acolytes

At Nemnosti, for centuries now, Nemnu Ula has overseen the development and nurturing of acolytes (alelu, pl. alelur). These are student-scholar-devotees who spend a year or more at Nemnosti learning the lelutte, Nemnu's Courses, which prepare them for life. Neither strictly religious nor mystical in orientation, acolytes are not being prepared for any one profession, but rather, for a variety of futures. Once you complete your time in training, you are still an acolyte for life - literally a follower of Nemnu's path.

Courses

The courses are a mixture of practical training, philosophy, and moral guidance. The training of an acolyte encompasses all of the following:

• Literacy and literature in Ombesh
• Moral instruction (often this aspect alone is simply called The Courses)
• Oratory and poetry
• Architecture, stonecarving, and masonry
• History of the Empire and of Khutu
• Religious training
  • The history of the Corps
  • The Ancestors and their care
  • Saints and their powers
  • Coherence and Unfolding
• Old Omban language (elementary)
• The natural world
  • Wild herbs, mosses, and grasses
  • Agriculture, care of plants and animals
  • Geology and mineralogy
  • Swimming and boating
• Magic
  • Use of fos
  • Theory of Source
  • History of the magic and the Academies

Who are acolytes?

Acolytes normally come to Nemnosti between the ages of thirteen and seventeen, and spend between one and two years at Nemnosti. Nemnu is particular about who she permits to take the role of acolyte, although there is not always a surplus of interested individuals. There are between twenty and thirty acolytes at Nemnosti at any one time, when it is busy. Some of those found most commonly as acolytes include:

• Members of the Nemni lineage: Whether by birth or adoption, Nemnu almost always allows members of her cult lineage who are interested to become acolytes.
• Ravre / country folk of the hills: Nemnu has always had a warm relationship with the Ravre, and there are always several Ravre among her acolytes at any one time.
• Nobility both from Naftusa Province and elswhere in Khutu: Often accompanied with large donations to her temple, Khutuan noble children often find themselves occupying a slot as an acolyte.
• Children of acolytes: While it is not a guarantee, it doesn't hurt your chances if one or more of your parents was an acolyte.
• Apprentice mystics: Because Nemnu provides a specialized training quite different than would be received at one of the mystic Academies, some seek out the role of acolyte for this specific reason
• Apprentice Voices: Because Nemnosti is such an important holy site, novice Voices will often seek acolyte positions in lieu of theological training at one of the larger temples.

Social Life

• Acolytes often form close lifelong bonds with those they train alongside. One of Nemnu's sources of power is her broad network of acolytes. It would not be unusual for acolytes to eventually marry one another.
• Acolytes usually take or are assigned a special name that they only use among other acolytes. Not exactly a nickname, it is a secondary or additional name that may fade out of use once their training is done, or may be shared among one's fellows for decades thereafter.
• For various reasons, around one in five acolytes does not finish their training. Except in cases of expulsion, this is not seen as a grave mark against the person. However, acolytes are not permitted to take a leave of absence and then resume their training later.
• Many acolytes will return to Nemnosti later, as Voices, as mystics, as teachers, artists, or in various other roles. Nemnu is exceedingly loyal to her acolytes.
• There is no cost associated with being an acolyte. It's all covered by the income from the cloister. However, wealthy patrons will often make large donations to attempt to influence Nemnu's choices.
• In addition to their courses, acolytes live and work at Nemnosti doing chores like cleaning stables, making beds, picking fruit, cooking, etc. It is not heavy labour but it is daily.