Moonstone Abbey

Our Refuge is Our Strength

Bylaws, Charter, and Joining Information

I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The mission of MoonStone Abbey is to provide a safe haven to those wishing freedom to follow individual interpretations of historical materials and religions. By doing so members intends to allow its rich history to delve deeper into the annals of Elanthia and make significant contributions to both spirit and atmosphere in the best spirits of Role-playing.

The MoonStone Abbey will be open to all being in Elanthia, we do not discriminate against race, gender, age, or creed.

It is the intentions of MoonStone Abbey to construct certain "public" areas of the house proper (such as the Silvergate Inn) where any non-member may be free to enter. Examples of these "public" areas would be gardens, libraries, and worship areas. The house intends to offer to the peoples of Elanthia a variety of unique events, tours, published guides, and merchant services aimed at fostering broader awareness of the Elanthian lands, history, and magic.

Internally, the House seeks to offer its membership with a variety of facilities, including noded meeting areas for association and relaxation, a workshop for enchanting and imbedding, and ample lockers. We intend to offer our membership a broad array of events and activities, means of communication, a platform for published resources, as well as a social organization to facilitate individual projects.

II. STATEMENT OF GOVERNING

The government of the MoonStone Abbey shall be based on representative democracy.

Four Officers handle the daily affairs of the House: Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary, with the aditional office of Co-Chairman.

The current members of The Coven High Trine shall hold the positions of Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary, and a High Council Member shall hold the Co-Chair position on a non-rotating basis with special elections when needed. (see The Coven Bylaws, article II for more information on selection of the High Trine). Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary will also appoint a Co-Treasurer, and Co-Secretary at their sole discretion. These Co-chairs may come from the general body of the MoonStone Abbey membership and have no restrictions on age, gender, race, or creed.

III. BYLAWS

A. Membership Requirements:

1) Candidates must submit a completed application for membership to The MoonStone Abbey.

2) The required membership fee shall be one hundred thousand (100,000) silvers, for lifetime membership, as well as 5,000 silvers to handle initiation fees.

3) Initiates must have reached their tenth (10th) level of training to be qualified for initiation.

4) The initiate is required to obtain one Sponsor member from the Abbey who will vouch for the applicant's spirit and intent.

5) Once an application is received, it will be posted in the Member's Only area of The Abbey Website for private review. All members will be encouraged to check this area and review any applicants there. In order for an application to pass, they most have the general consent of the current active membership. (Note: active is defined as participating by reading the application). If there is any of the current membership that objects to an applicant they make state such and plead their case for rejecting the application. The current Officers will then hold a vote as to the final status of the applicant. If there is no challenge to the applicant then they will be accepted "no contest".

6) Initiation:

• a) Before induction into the House the applicant must have read and agreed to the Gemstone IV House system guidelines.

• b) Before induction into the House the applicant must have read and agreed to the House bylaws set forth here.

• c) The applicants must familiarize themselves with Elanthian History and make an attempt to absorb the knowledge provided by The Abbey Libraries.

• d) At the time of induction, the applicant must agree to the Abbey's Covenant of Conduct, and swear to uphold it.

• e) At the time of induction, applicant is required to have on their person the sum of silver equaling or exceeding the initiation fee of the House.

• f) Before induction of the applicant, the Officers present will ensure that the applicant has read and understood all of the aforementioned.

B. Member's Covenant of Conduct

All members are expected to remain true to their characters. This is to suggest that they attempt to remain in character and handle events and actions as they would within the best spirits of role-playing. (I.e. screaming about American Football on the amunet, or telling that story of your mother's microwave oven exploding last new years is not acceptable)

All members are expected to hold to their oaths of membership, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.) Promise of mutual aid. Any member must aid another member to the best of their ability. This will pertain to any magical elements as well as rescues and services.

2.) Promise of secrecy. All members are expected to keep internal Abbey matters, tomes, and ceremonies confidential.

3.) Promise of respect. All members are expected to treat all members of The Abbey as your own blood.

4.) Promise of service. All members are expected to volunteer time and resources, as they are able, towards Abbey events, happenings and internal governing.

Covenant of Conduct And Membership Oath

This Oath is to be recited and agreed to by all members. All members will be bound by these words in honor and law.

• Do you agree to the Spirit of Membership and pledge your energies, knowledge and creativity to further the aims of the Abbey and to assist your Sisters and Scholars in their struggle to attain record, and preserve the knowledge of the Ancients for all?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Respect and pledge that you shall treat others with the dignity and respect due to all peoples?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Support and agree to uphold the ideas of the Abbey and The Coven and embrace the Sisterhood and Members as your own blood?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Service and pledge to donate your time and resources as you are able to further the influence, membership and purposes of the Abbey both public and private?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Secrecy and pledge to keep Abbey matters confidential unless expressly released by the Membership to do otherwise?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Magic and pledge to be assiduous in your training?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Knowledge and pledge to note down and share your discoveries?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Sharing and pledge to train in the sharing of mana for the benefit of your Sisters and Scholars and the Friends of the Abbey?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Generosity; and pledge to consider your Sisters and Scholars when scarce resources are available as you would yourself?
• Do you agree to the Spirit of Sacrifice and pledge to risk your life to aid a Sister or Scholar In time of need?

C. Membership Services:

1) Access to House benefits determined by the Membership

2) Access to House-specific areas, save those quarters designated as Private

3) Universal suffrage to all members for purposes of House policymaking

4) Coat of Arms

• a) A registered Coat of Arms will be found in the Engravers shop where a member can elect to have it engraved upon possessions indicated by the Engraver.

• b) Coat of Arms: The Threefold Moon. (ASCII Art to follow)

5) Armory Access

• a) A private 40-item locker will be assigned to each member.

6) Workshop Access

• a) A magical workshop will be available for Enchanting capable members, their parties, and designated members only in order to preserve the magical properties of the workshop. Individual access rights will be at the discretion of the House Officers and the Head House Enchanter.

7) Private Rooms

• a) There are currently no privately held rooms in the Abbey. There are however, three rooms one in each tower, that are for the use of the current Trine (Officers of Moonstone Abbey excluding the Co-Chairman)

D. House Colors

The MoonStone Abbey device shall be the threefold moon. Its colors shall be black, white, and red.

E. Premise

The MoonStone Abbey seeks to promote the education of all practitioners of the ten magics. To this end, we desire to establish a public House dedicated toward the education of our Sisters and Scholars in magic through apprenticeship, the publication of Abbey-branded guides, and public events for the benefit of all of Elanthia's spell-casting community. We seek to eventually establish a merchant shop dedicated to distributing items and clothing suitable for Elanthia's distaff magical community. We also intend to provide a atmosphere where scholars can research in relative shelter and safety. We believe in the freedom of interpretation and acknowledge all religions.

F. Public Service Goals:

We plan on these events and goals:

• Town Tours
• Museum Tours
• Lectures on the Arkati
• Public Festivals
• Magical Tournaments
• Historical Lectures
• Much more...

IV. Background and History

Note: The Coven Sisters discovered these scrolls during the excavation efforts of MoonStone Abbey. They are open to interpretation. They are displayed here to provide more extensive background as to the origins and histories related to MoonStone Abbey and its connection to The Coven and other members.

The Story of Three - From the Tomes of the Ancients

The tome before you stands as one of the more ancient historical accounts in the entire library. Brittle cracks widen in your hands as you delicately caress the parchment penned so many years ago.

In the beginning there were the three. From the Arkati's bosom they were born, weaned on the teachings of the great one, and fed on the knowledge of their elders. After the time of great destruction, when the beasts of Drake fought those which penetrated the Veil, the lands were scorched and broken. It was in these barren times that the great Arkati were powerful and strong, and at their feet grew three elven sisters, among a handful of others, blessed by the touch of the ancients.

Still flowing in eternal darkness, the lands were reborn from chaos, through these children, and under the watchful eyes of the Arkati. It was through this darkness that the moonlight pierced, brought from these three sisters and their celestial embodiments in the blue night sky. As each young maiden grew in the light of their own moon, they took on names for themselves, and personalities within.

Lo'Tish'ana, the sister of light, sat in the white glow of the largest of heavenly bodies, what we now call the Moon of Liabo. Her light touch brought warmth and life to the lands. She was greatly loved by the children of the Arkati, and many listened to her reiterate the teachings she was passed. Indeed, Lo'Tish'ana was a welcome beacon of love in these troubled times.

The second sister, Tra'Lan'ari, pulled her nature from the red glow of what we see as the Moon of Tlilok. She had a unique power to see all outlooks of live and existence. Fully understanding the need for the balance of nature Tra'Lan'ari preached her knowledge of the centering of the lands. She was able bring harmony to the many different factors of beings in the lands, instructing them how to live together in harmony.

Lastly there was Das'Phan'ara, born of the dark light on the Moon of Lornon. Being birthed into full blackness she understood the ways of dark more than any of her siblings, and taught of the strength and power of the night. She watched over the creatures about her making judgement and vindication as she saw fitting and square. Das'Phan'ara often supplied the knowledge of the Arkati which others would not pass on to the races.

These three Sisters oftentimes sat together and debated the planes of existence. As the elven Empire grew, and their thirst for knowledge expanded, the Sisterhood found more and more pilgrims arriving to benefit from their teachings. Great leaders would often seek out this Trine of Sisters, and base heavy decisions upon their words. Peace and harmony blessed the realms in these fruitful times.

Yet it was not to be long lasted. After the passing of many moons, the Arkati seemed to dissipate in power and influence in the realms of the mortals. As this occurred the elven Empire fell to bickering among themselves. Factions vied for power and control as the holy rulers twisted and perverted the teachings of the Arkati and began to worship them as actual Gods.

The Trine of Sisters uttered an oath to return the true teaching of the elders at all costs. Before they left their moonstone temple, they took ten of their most learned and devout followers, each a sister who spent a lifetime with their teachings. As individuals they would represent one circle of magik, for which they would commit all knowledge thereof to memory and verse. Yet combined they would represent the entire learnings of the circles. As the Trine gave this High Council their blessing they made certain each promised to record their knowledge and maintain the ancient libraries of the Sisterhood.

Each sister set forth to speak to the leaders and bring their teachings individually. Lo'Tish'ana voyaged to Ta'Illistim to share her light with Linsandrych Illistim, who was the closest of elven factions that still embraced the teachings of old. Tra'Lan'ari set forth for the lands of the Sylphs. There she brought her ways of balance and harmony to the forest dwellers, knowing a time of great peril would soon descend upon the lands, and the nature must be preserved. Das'Phan'ara set out past the southern wastelands, there to the lands where the Ur-Daemons once ruled. She knew of the great powers embedded those hills, with which she might force the bickering houses to see the error of their ways. It was on this scorched soil that ...

Here the parchment has been torn and purposefully burned, as if trying to erase some part of the history of which it spoke

... the lands blackened and broken once again. Decomposing flesh rotted the ground upon which it lay, burning its horrible message into the depths of the soil. The grief that tore at the sisterhood was terrible. They knew the Trine of Three would never return to their moonstone home. With that knowledge they shut their doors, pushed out the pilgrims, and turned their backs on a society that was nothing more than and handful of crippled and scattered remains. There sat the Abbey for almost ten thousand years.

The Second Age of the Coven - From the Tome of the Ancients

Long before the elvish navigatrix placed her guidon on the beach of Darkstone Bay, a small craft carrying three wizened emissaries from far-off Ta'Vriel had steered their longboat onto the black sands. These were new lands, then -- and the Elves were patient. Shaking hands beneath the darkened skies, they moved in the way scholars of their land had for centuries.

Silent, rarely casting a shadow, they moved invisibly -- taking note of the herbs they found, the creatures they passed silently in their investigations. From time to time, they would summon a small Kraken, and with a charm, send it knifing through the seas back to distant Ta'Vriel with their yearly missives. Of their fate no more is known, though several of their effects fell into the hands of the daughters they left behind.

When Wehnimer's flew 'neath the Kelfour's flag, a daughter of the Three took a student, and before long, had founded a small band of witches studying the ten magiks the Three had made note of long ago. They would oft be found in the attic of the Museum, trailing their innocent cantrips, learning their craft from the old books.

Their first home, an old abbey fallen on hard times, was purchased for a song. But the townsfolk grew wary of the witchwomen who now inhabited the abbey's stone halls. They, like the three before them, also moved without casting shadow, and celebrated the Heavenly Trine, when most sensible townsfolk stayed in doors.

With a frightened town on his hands, the then-Mayor would have none of it. Leading a vengeful torchlit mob, the Mayor led them toward the old abbey, only to find the gates thrown wide, the lights extinguished, and not a soul to be found in the abbey proper. A cryptic scroll said only,

We ne'er meant harm;
Wisdom our aim;
we leave you our home;
Let none be to blame.

With that the gates were shut, locked, and the lands allowed to grow fallow. Decades passed. And one night, in the rear garden of the abbey, a gleaming brass tower appeared, its enameled cupola gleaming in the moonlight.

Guards who approached the gates of the abbey found another scroll, secured to the lock with a ribbon.

An we harm none;
Weal be our aim;
Peace unto thee;
Pray wish us the same.

Resources

• Co-operative Houses of Elanthia
• Website for Moonstone Abbey
• Officials folder