Profile: Sisters of Spring

Patron City: City Medonia of Province Enamoria

Founders: Jaali Desseren, Maewen, and Qiora.

Mission Statement/Charter:

The Sisters of Spring will operate in any season. Spring is part of the name because it brings forth images of birth, renewal, peace, and lime-green happiness. The Sisters of Spring welcomes all females to join and help brighten the lives and brightenings of the less fortunate around the Empire. Whilst our male counterparts wield and brandish their swords and spears, slay and shout, we shall color Telath with song and mirth, not blood. Of course, we do not encourage our members to strengthen the typical sterotypes of females. Instead, we urge our members to speak out politically, to not occupy their time with only thoughts of romance, and to find the strength within them that can be more powerful than physical brute force. We encourage intelligence and the pursuit of knowledge. And finally, we encourage the pursuit of ultimate equality with our male counterparts, not hatred and contempt.

The Sisters of Spring also operate with the Siblings of Summer. The Siblings include male members who volunteer their time to deeds similar to those the Sisters perform. Siblings can also act as Guardians to their fellow Sisters. Siblings are given the title of Brother [Tree].


Income

The Guild is volunteer-based and therefore, the members as well as charitable nobles will fund all activities. Therefore, no members shall receive a salary. There is a mandatory monthly fee of 20 crowns per member. Members also fund their own activities. Gift contributions of 50, 100, and 200 crowns a month are acceptable and will be rewarded, thoroughly appreciated, and greatly acknowledged.

Activities

Planting seeds and seedlings each Spring.
Holding Flower Hunts beneath the harvest moon.
Funding of activities for children and orphans in already existing orphanages.
Striving for an end to domestic violence.
Cooking festivals to feed the poor and hungry.

Entertainment:
Dances and balls and auctions.
Beauty contests for contestants of all ages, and not just the usual lot: pretty elfin maidens with heaving bosoms.
All other activities will be decided by members and agreed upon with voting.
Developing confidence and self-esteem and pride in all Sisters.
General volunteering of time and genuine effort.

*Dancing around a Maypole! Sisters only.*
Coming of Age/A young maid's first bloom:
1. Higher Sisters in the outside ring
2. Newer ones in the inside
3. A plaited pole without any broken ribbons brings good luck to the city. ~By PC Maewen~


Benefits & Requirements

*The Sisters of Spring welcome all races and all females of all ages. The Sisters also welcome any interested males, though it would seem awkward. Of course, any male interested will certainly find himself in an enviable position. The Sisters encourage males to join the Ranks of Siblings of Summer and to volunteer as Guardians.

*No trade or lore skills are required, though they are highly appreciated.
*Charismean knowledge is a must.

*Benefits include:

-Smiles of happy children.
-Appreciation from cleaned animals.
-New friends from throughout the Empire.
-Exchange of recipes, home remedies, and advice.


Recruitment

Interested potential members are encouraged to make a trip to Medonia. Otherwise, a letter to the Guild Leaders would suffice. Members will make flyers to post in the city bulletin boards.

Rules:
*Each Sister shall contribute at least once every two months to society. No deed is too small; therefore, planting flowers can qualify as a deed.

*Each Sister shall abide to the Laws and Articles of the Annarian Code.

Ranks:

Guild Leaders: At any time, there will be three leaders with no hierarchy in ranking.


Sister Cherry Blossoms: The symbol of a Cherry Blossom flower... 16 deeds and plus

Sister Rose: The symbol of a rose. 14 deeds

Sister Lavender: The symbol of lavender. 12 deeds

Sister Ash: The symbol of an Ash tree leaf. 10 deeds

Sister Foxglove: The symbol of a foxglove. 8 deeds

Sister Petal: The symbol of a young flower petal. 6 deeds

Sister Stem: The symbol of a growing stem. 4 deeds

Sister Seedling: The symbol of a delicate seedling. 2 deeds

Names are subjected to change. A Sister moves up in ranking receiving gifts from the Guild once she has satisfied the deeds required. Gifts include any items with no significant monetary value such as pouches of seeds, clothes, and special recipes.

Two Nominations are necessary to reach the final rank, Sister Crystal Forest.

Guild Leader elections are held every new pattern. Upon expanding to other cities, Second Leaders will lead the other branches. Guild Leaders have the right to each choose two Second Leaders for the branching parties. Each Second Leader must have reached the ranking of Foxglove.

On Ranks: All members start out with the lowest ranking; however, upon consulting the Guild Leaders, one may start out with a higher ranking. The Leaders then decide depending on how the rest of the members feel.

On Deeds: One should not perform a deed merely for advancement; members should realize that it is superficial to do so. Therefore, all members should keep a Deed Journal. When members feel that they are ready to advance to the next rank level, they announce this at the next upcoming meeting. Members who are ready to advance to the same level will be acknowledged in a ceremony together. The Guild trusts that the deeds were indeed performed; however, the Guild may ask for evidence of select deeds performed.

Spring Fashion

Members are given an option to sew their own garments to wear to meetings and when they are performing the deeds. Seedlings often wear pastel greens. Stems wear forest greens and so on. Conservative garments are preferred though the Guild does not look down upon those who wish to make use of their feminine wiles.

Sisters of Spring Chapter house and meetings
Meetings will at first be arranged in the Sisters' houses until the Guild can afford a Chapter house. Meetings will be held in public parks and libraries, and even the Gaol— yes, the Gaol. The Sisters of Spring are courageous and brave and highly spirited!

Siblings of Summer

Ranks

Guild Leaders: Two Guild Leaders--male or female-- with no hierarchy in ranking, lead the Siblings.

Brother Yew:

Brother Oak: 13 deeds

Brother Elm: 11 deeds

Brother Hawthorne: 9 deeds

Brother Alder: 7 deeds

Brother Beach: 5 deeds

Brother Birch: 3 deeds

Brother Sapling: 1 deed

As with the deeds, each deed adds up. Having fulfilling three deeds, one advances to the ranking of Brother Birch and so forth.

With two Nominations, Brother Yew may advance to Brother Lightning Oak

Guardian Brothers opt to look out for the general safety of a fellow Sister during the performance of her charitable deeds. It is not necessary for the Guardians to perform deeds. They will receive no salary. They are welcomed to participate in all festivities of the Guild.

Rules, Regulations, Activities, Benefits, Requirements, and Note

*Brothers may participate in every activity with the Sisters. This includes the Beauty Contests.
*Every rule, regulation, benefits, and requirements (with rank and deed exceptions) stated for the Sisters is the same for the Brothers.
*Exceptions: Brothers may lead the Siblings of Summer, but they cannot become Sisters of Spring Guild leaders.


Siblings of Summer Fashion

Siblings of Summer are encouraged to wear greens, but the ultimate choice of clothing rests with them.

Spring and Summer
Every month, there will be a Spring and Summer Ceremony of dancing and singing beneath the stars during the darkening, and beneath the suns during the brightening.

The Guild does not forbid courtship amongst members. A Brother of Summer may present to a Sister of Spring a gift of love and vice versa.

Red Ribbon: Love
Pink Ribbon: Admiration
Yellow Ribbon: Friendship


Guild Speak and Guild Code

All Guild members may communicate through Gift. Members may pass along messages with a single flower or even bouquet of flowers. However, the planting of that flower’s seed to ensure natural balance must follow each flower passed along.
It is preferred for the flowers of Gift to come from fellow members' farmlands and gardens than from nature.

Flowers and their Meanings: (Maewen)
Periwinkle -- Happy memory
Phlox -- Agreement
Poppy, red -- Consolation
Rose, cabbage -- Ambassador of love
Rose, red -- Love
Rose, pink -- Grace, beauty
Rose, yellow -- Friendship
Rosemary -- Remembrance, constancy
Rue -- Contrition
Sage -- Gratitude, domestic virtue
Snowdrop -- Hope
Sweet Pea -- Departure, tender memory
Tulip, red -- Reclamation of love
Violet -- Loyalty, modesty, humility
Violet, blue -- Faithfulness
Wheat -- Riches of the continuation of life
Willow, weeping -- Mourning
Wallflower -- Fidelity
Yew -- Sorrow

Flower meanings are not set in stone. They are subject to future changes. Different leaves may be used as well.

Final Words

On religion: The Sisters of Spring and Siblings of Summer do not discriminate against religious affiliations and do not solely support one single Patron Deity; however, Jorelites, Hayans and Jalatians, and M'Taerowlites will only gain membership if no more than two fellow members disapprove.

In Sum: The Sisters of Spring are female Aelyrians from throughout the Empire who have decided to join together and form a Guild not based on swords, fighting, or race-oriented. Their goals are to perform benign deeds that will benefit the less fortunate of the Empire.

In return, they gain nothing material: neither fame nor fortune. They do find themselves with more friends and in the process enter a family.

The Siblings of Summer support the Sisters in full and they also perform charitable deeds.

The Sisters of Spring and Siblings of Summer accept support from other Guilds/Factions in the form of donations only.

The Sisters and Siblings work hard and play hard as well. Their activities range from the very fun to the very demanding. Sacrifices will be made and yet in the end, they will all be worth it. Therefore, the Sisters and Siblings welcome all to join and do not discriminate. Given that one has a charitable heart, she/he is welcomed, even if she/he were an orc.