Chosen Welcome
For the first two years of the Chosen of Fate's existence (1999 - 2000), Cordir would send a 'welcome email' to all new members. This was its last updated content:
Welcome, thrice welcome, to the Chosen of Fate. You have joined a meager, yet honorable company - stand proudly, for you have earned, not been gifted with the right to stand among us, through your own actions and the caliber of your being. It is my fervent hope that this missive should make clear My wishes, and the purpose of this assemblage.
Our Purpose:
We stand within the Realm as teachers, guards, role models, and servants of those who may grow into the vanguards against the Adversary. We Serve, giving cheerful assistance in the face of onerous or tiresome duty. That is our first and foremost calling. Service to Others. Service to each other. THEN, and only then, Service to Self.
On LifeTaking:
As a Neutral, you are unable to initiate a player-kill. This is much to my liking. We are an Order that supports Life, not death. We seek our own fates – not to act as The Final Fate in the lives of others. If you are attacked, it is my preference that you flee. There is no dishonor in fleeing from a fight brought by an aggressor – far from it. When you flee from combat you deny your attacker their fondest wish; to have a fight.
As well, hiring someone else to do your dirty work for you is equally unacceptable. None save my Ordained, Nyx, may hire a bounty hunter. If you feel it is needed, discuss it with me FIRST. I consider it the same as you killing someone yourself. The same goes for the Haunt spell.
If you are slain by a PK'er, please do not bargain with them. We will re-equip you as needed.
On Alignment:
We are a Neutral following. What this means in practical terms is that we seek to aid the Realm as a whole, and to stand as teachers and examples of intelligence and compassion. I wish you to help others – especially newbies – whenever possible, unless you believe that those others will gain advantage in a Player Killing because of your assistance. I wish you to Heal people who are plagued, regardless of alignment – to not do so spreads this menace which endangers everyone. Seek your fate with honor, respect and compassion, and you will find those same qualities returned to you. There are many we call friend - and we do not consider their aura .
On Immortals:
Not all followings will respect our faith. Some mortals, some Immortals, may speak with a vicious tongue and denigrate what we seek to do. Treat them with dignity and courtesy. If you feel you are being wronged by an Immortal, do as you are bid nonetheless and speak to me of it immediately. By the same token, in fact, more so, always be respectful of the Implementors and God+s that may speak with you. If you are behaving as a true Child of Fate, you should not have any problems with them. If you do, however, behave as fits one of us, with honor and worthiness.
On Newbies:
Beginners are the lifesblood of TFC – and so I ask you to help them whenever possible. Never take any action that could hurt a newbie. Show them patience and understanding; remember you were like that, once, too. Give advice rather than equipment, and be helpful. Remember than while Ambassadors have the task of helping newbies, there is much an Immortal cannot say. Your advice and assistance may well be more useful to the newbie than the Ambassador's is.
On Oathbreaking:
When one of my laws is broken, a meeting called the aireachtas will be held. Discussion of the situation will occur with all sides being heard equally. Should the wrong be against a fellow, an eraic – blood price - will be set. Should the wrong be against me and my laws, additional geisa may be imposed or another act of contrition be required. Depending upon the severity of the act, dismissal may be chosen.
On Leavetaking:
I Choose you for life. I do not Choose those I do not feel worthy. However, if it comes to a time in your Pattern when you feel your path does not tread alongside that of the Chosen, simply speak with me. I will Release you from service, albeit sadly. Please, do not feel that you must “earn” a rejection by angering me, harming your fellows, or breaking my rules. Even in leaving, you are still of the Weaver, and I pray all will remember that and their dignity.
On Titles and Identification:
I request (NOT demand) the use of the following titles (At the very least, please put ‘Fate’ in your title somewhere. But it would make me happiest if these titles are used.
10 - 13 Servitor of Fate
14 - 16 Attendant (male) / Handmaid (female) of Fate
17 - 29 Student of Fate
20 - 23 Seeker of Fate
24 - 30 Servant of Fate
30 - 39 Favored of Fate
40-50 Chosen of Fate
Additionally, I have a few special titles that will be given:
- WebWeaver’s Apprentice - to the premier mage of the Chosen. Currently held by Palin.
- Seeker of the Threads - to the premier ranger/warrior of the Chosen
- Master/Mistress Weaver - Granted to those of 30th level, who quest for the privilege
On Geasa (pronounced ‘Gay-sa’, the plural form of Geas - ‘Gaysh’)
All members of the Strand must take three Geasa. A Geas is a specific action that is required or forbidden. It is a binding of sorts, and, in that we all bear them, in turn binds us together. Geas may include such as: To never set foot into a particular city.. to never eat a particular type of food… to give flowers to every woman encountered on the Great Western Road. Geisa must be unique. They may also be given to you by me, as a form of Atonement for infractions. Pick your own - you won’t like it if I pick one for you.
On Quests:
Questing is encouraged. Ask.
On The Destined:
These are rare and treasured individuals not in the Chosen of Fate that have my highest esteem. Treat them as if they were one of ours, and heed their direction, unless it should contradict one of our Laws or Dictates. Current Destined are Typhon – Ebon Shaman and Weaver, Jahiliya of the House of Veladorn, Ivarr – Ebon Weaver, Trap of the Tigers, Vecna the Lord Arch-Mage of the Grey Vortex, Gaul Stone, Paladin of Rhina, and Abender Stormreaver, Council Member of the WarDancers, and Knight-Protector of My daughter, Mireya.
On Me:
My Chosen have come to Me from many different and varied backgrounds. Some are used to the moods and whims of other Immortals they have pledged Service to. I am very different than many of the Immortals in the Realm of TFC. I believe that the Oath you give to Me upon joining is a two-way Oath. Just as you promise to serve Me and serve Fate, I am also promising to serve you - and do my utmost to protect and aid you. If you need equipment, ask. I may not always have what you need, but I'll always try and find it. If you are EXP'ing, ask for spells. The potency of an Immortal's Blessing is often underestimated. I want to help you always - you all are granted my Recall, and I'm always willing to help with plague, spells, or even simply my presence in an unpleasant situation.
On Your Fellows:
Help your brothers and sisters within the Chosen. As there is strength in the balance of a spider’s web, so can one weakened thread damage the strength of the whole Pattern. If you have access to knowledge or equipment that could aid or strengthen another member of the Chosen, share it with them. This helps us all. Please make frequent use of the Board list, and keep apprised of what is on it. The following are all current members of the Chosen of Fate, in order of their joining:
- Nyx, Shadow of Fate, First Chosen, Ordained
- Talmud
- Deamhan An-Shalach
- Amblin Dirado
- Durin
- Gregar
- Marvadoc
- Ananasi Aletrios
- Kennet D'Augustine
- Palin D'henoke
- Gernoul **
- Cerberus
- Mireya
- Helati
- Allyena ***
- Teine **
- Adso
- Cirth
- Lataal
- Boromir *
- Tyrall *
- Storivad **
- Irgaak **
- Elaina
- Bastian
- Trakker
- Serenity
* These two folks joined us from Foolkiller's Following, the Trinity. They are still 'questing', and are not as yet full members of the Chosen. However, please treat them as such.
** Deleted.
*** Requested rejection and release from the Chosen, which was granted, much to my sorrow.
Now… all that being said, know this: I am honored you have entered the Order of Fate. Know that your pledge is a dual one: As you serve me, so also do I do my utmost to serve you. Thus, we aid each other.
The blessings of Fate be upon you.
Cordir
Post Script: Some have expressed confusion upon how my name is pronounced. It's 'Core-Deer', and the accent is on the second syllable. Also, my husband, Deamhan, is not "Deem- Han" - his name is pronounced "Jaown". (An ancient dialect of Thoras, I think. )