The Society of the Changed [IN PROGRESS]

[Saruna]

As ever, feel free to offer ideas, suggestions, criticisms.

The Society of the Changed is a rather large and old group dedicated to dealing with the changes wrought on Pal Tahrenor by the Changer's War. They teach, seek knowledge, and deal with (sometimes fatally) the benevolent and the benign of these changes. They are constantly seeking to improve the understanding of the strange and arcane, and are sometimes colloquially known as 'them damn monster hunters.' They are viewed as corrupt power-mongers and saviors both, depending on who you are talking to.

History
[[slated for rewrite, don't pay too much attention to it]]
Society of the Changed started out as a group for those who were frightened and seeking help during the Changer's War. At first it was little more than an excuse for a social gathering during all of the terrible events, but slowly it turned into something of an organization dedicated to volunteering around the community. But then around 634 three people within the group decided to start something even greater. Giovanni Rizzari, Logaro Greco, and Claud de Vitali created the Society of the Changed as a group of people determined to seek out and solve issues caused by the Changer's War, even as it occurred.

During those years, many life-changing and huge catastrophes occurred, but only in some regions and sporadically. Much more frequent were the little things, such as a baby being born with too many eyes or strange creatures seen from afar. Even some adults mutated into strange beings, and many people went missing. Small as they were, with only fourteen of the members of the social group agreeing to join this strange new organization, they could not do everything. They did try, and their efforts were noticed.

Certain magic users and philosophers fleeing the surrounding countries heard of the Society, and joined. Within the first few decades the ranks almost doubled the initial seventeen to the 30s. It was chaotic for the Society. Many challenges they sought to face decimated them; often they'd get several new recruits only to lose other members. They were not quite suited to certain tasks at hand, and when they neared their sixtieth anniversary they found themselves floundering. Giovanni and Claud had both perished, and Logaro was ill with a magical malady no one knew how to beat.

Malonia Ricci, a wise woman and mage from the north, stepped in. Having been with the Society long enough to be respected, she put her foot down. She organized the Society into three simple groups: Division of Learning, for teaching its members to survive the war; Division of Tasks, for jobs that involved going out and taking care of problems that sprung up; and Division of Seekers, for the study of all the strange and myriad changes that were occurring.

There had already been a sort - of hierarchy within the Society that sort-of did this, but Malonia's enforced structure improved the way in which the Society operated and handled jobs asked of them. Soon their ranks were growing, and as they grew so too did their notoriety.

Around their hundredth anniversary they were very well known in Apthoni, and they had grown to over 100 members. The influx brought knowledge and skill, and their ability to tackle problems was powerful indeed. By 510 Theogios had grown in influence and power, and the Society put out a tentative offer to serve under him.

The results were fantastic. 500 BCE found them restructuring yet again to suit all the new recruits, under the leadership of Ysonda Galovic and Pito Rozzir.

They fought by Theogios' side throughout the Changer's War, and though they had major upheavals and catastrophes (the most notable of which being the Great Destruction of 472, and the Falling of 320 -- during both of these events they were almost wiped out) they persevered.

The end of the Changer's War saw mass devastation across Eyropa. The Society was in the thick of things, doing all they could to make the land livable and sustainable to all the people and species that called it home. Though there were some notable failures, mostly they were able to help the transition from war to peacetime go smoothly.

Due to their aid during the War, the Eyropan Empire requested that the Society become Imperial in name, but the Society refused. Citing their founders' intentions, they felt that they could no longer be seen as neighborly if they were to become Imperial in name. However, they remained fiercely loyal to the Empire, and the next ruling Emperor after Theogios declared them favored allies. Traditionally, the Society is considered to be beholden to the Emperor, and it is said they are often discreetly called upon to perform tasks those with the Imperial Crest are unable.

The Society does not have an untarnished past, however. Periods of corruption and decadence (100 BCE - 2100 PW, 999 PW - 921 PW, 673 PW - 613 PW, 457 - 357 PW) have been recorded into the Society's own archives, and serve as a constant reminder that no one is proof against the thrill of power. As well, a particularly dark moment in the Society's history occurred when, at the behest of the particularly infamous Emperor Theo II, the Society was used to suppress a rioting public from 2290 to 2100 PW. Afterwards it was declared that the Society would never interfere in civil strife, and only manuever to aid against notorious killers and fell creatures.

Though at first the Society garnered Imperial support, it became clear as they grew that the Imperial Palace could not sustain them indefinitely. As such, the Society made a monumental decision in 2099 where they would have to start collecting fees for the duties they performed. Sometimes it would be a matter of collecting bounties, but more often tasks asked of them would require payment. The exception to this as part of the 2099 Declaration was that each New Moon would see a day of honor to Theogios, where the poor could beg tasks of the Society.

In later years, around 500 PW the Society also started to offer classes and lectures for non-members, some for a fee and some free of charge. Particularly popular was the offer of private tutors for the wealthy. It was vogue for a time for aristocrats to have a Society-trained member of the family. Though the practice is still carried out today, it is largely due to more practical desires of settling disputes and having in-family guardians. Too, some cities will have their Guardsmen train at the Society's university.

The Society is typically at odds with the Puradynes of Eyropa, who view them as callous devil worshippers in the soul trade. Despite several attempts to shut them down, the Society has been tenacious and always bounces back. Over the years they have grown quite large, and while their main branch is in Apthoni they host another in Hasele (which is the home of their immense Archives), and one near the city of Keltaris. They also have an outpost at the Temple of Athena, despite the vocal protest of the Puradynes.

Their current leader is known only as Madam Staunch. Sometime around 600 PW (likely due to their wild unpopularity) it became the norm for the leader(s) of the Society to remain largely anonymous, and to pick a name, typically descriptive, for themselves.

They are relatively well known throughout Eyropa, though the more northern provinces are less familiar with them. The coastal provinces in the south, however, see them as being rather infamous.

Organization

Divisions

The Society is traditionally divided into three main components that sort the different specialties its members typically operate under. Greater specialties are then sorted into sections within the divisions.

Tasks: Whether it is investigation or hunting, this involves those actively going into the field to solve problems. Mascot badger & fox.

Seekers: Those people dedicated solely to experimenting and seeking knowledge to better the Society are placed here. Closely tied to Tasks. Mascot crane & serpent.

Learning: All training, whether internal to the Society or extrernal classes, happens within this division. Mascot raven & wolf.

Sections

Each division has any number of sections, some major and some minor, utilized for certain times when extra specialization is needed versus their more typical generalized skilled members. Though each division varies, Section Zero is for each where their more typical operations fall under. In many cases, most is expected out of Section Zero members, due to the sheer amount of knowledge and practical know how they must know and understand in order to be found worthy. Even if a task is set for one of the other Sections, usually Zero is expected to give support and not fuck up.

Tasks

Section Zero: There are three main groups within Tasks Zero; Runners, Speakers and Executioners. Runners are tasked with investigation and message relay, Speakers are the diplomatic bunch sent to deal with paperwork/ruffled feathers/publican sensitivity, while Executioners are sent out only to hunt down and kill monsters (be they human or otherwise) dangerous to the public. Often these have large bounties on them, and are Imperially sanctioned.

Section One, "Nighthunters" : This section is for those whom might otherwise be named thieves or assassins. They are charged with conducting investigations on the most sensitive cases, and of hunting down the most sneaky and troublesome targets. These are considered the deadliest (and least legal) individuals within the Society.

Section Two, "Fairydust" : Though their call name is often used with derision, this skillful bunch deal exclusively with the political/diplomatic aspects of all (or most) fae and those daimons who are wholly bound to pal tahrenor. They know the arcane rites, taboos and tricks to the fae. Tasks Two are the only people allowed to speak with fae customers/clients in an official capacity.

Section Three, "Unliving" : Those dedicated to the study, interaction and killing of various unliving monsters and peoples.

Section Four, "Astral" : Dealing in the astral plane and its daimons, and the weird blend of reality and unreality. They also deal with exorcism.

Seekers

Section Zero: Those of high rank in Seekers Zero are known as sages, and considered to be the most learned individuals within the Society. They are often old or elderly, having spent their whole lives dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. The Sages often will take pupils on, and so Seekers Zero is split by who belongs to which Sage (and the few who belong only to themselves, often fearsome individuals). To become a Sage one must pass a test put on by the Sages. What the test is, only the testers and testees know. It is said to have driven some knowledgable men and women crazy.

Section One, "Archivists" : Sturdy and reliable individuals dedicated to the preservation of knowledge. They hole up in the Archives with their paper and quills and ink. They are often seconded to Tasks and Learning when research or a chronicler is needed.

Section Two, "Experimental" : When theories need to be put to the test, this crazy group of various experts do so. . .sometimes at the risk of their own health.

Section Three, "Bardic" : Sometimes pursuit of knowledge requires field work, often to uncover historical bits and pieces. Strictly non-violent research.

Learning

Section Zero: Though often joked about their callsign ("Learning Zero" ), the teachers and academics of Learning Zero take their task seriously. So stop giggling. Seriously. The members in Learning Zero are the governing portion over Learning: THE Headmaster, Masters and Honorables. Teachers are referred to as 'Learned' and are assigned most typically to Learning One or Learning Two for the whole of their tenure. Those kept in Learning Zero to switch between the two are known as Honorables, though sometimes Masters will teach advanced classes.

Section One, "Academy" : The Society's internal training facilities are collectively referred to as the Academy, and host wings for Tasks and Seekers in particular, as well as instructing students on basic instruction in mathematics, reading, writing, athletics, history, geography, biology, creativity and arcane.

Section Two, "University" : For those who wish to learn, but do not want to join the Society, both free and paid courses are available in different areas and times, with a few regular classes set to strict schedules. Often other universities and places of learning will send their students to certain lectures, or to the Archives for study with the strict supervision of Learned or Honorables.