![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sparkindarknessI keep feeling I've posted this before but I can't remember. Reminded by Zero_pixel_coun on their musing about Finian's Ghost, a fic which is on my huuuge "MUST READ" list which annoys me with its hugeness and lack of time to read
Rank and Hierarchy
Camaalis actually doesn’t have all that much in the way of a hierarchy. 9 times out of 10 you can’t command and control other Camaalis no matter who you are - you always have to convince. It doesn’t matter much in daily life since Camaalis actually rarely gather more than a dozen in a single place due to preference (and egos) and because personal autonomy is very important to them (and because they‘re too busy). Most Camaalis pursue their own projects with at most one or two helpers - it is very rare to find extensive MAGICAL co-operation among Camaalis. Even when together on the estates or territory of Camaalis they don’t tend to mix more than basic social pleasantries.
Times when you can command:
Ok, there’s 101 rules but in the end they are all EXTREMELY rare and rarely enforced. Some of the more usual ones:
1) Undisputed Special Expertise. Pretty much a no-brainer. If you’re a White Mage renowned for your healing abilities and you’re in a sick room trying to save the injured then all other Camaalis in the situation should obey you. This is pretty much a common sense rule and doesn’t really need enforcing. The only time people have to mention it are those few times when someone hasn’t realised they’re in a situation that requires special skills.
2) Seer’s Oath Originally this stemmed from an old tradition of ‘Special Emergency’. Basically a Camaalis knew something that needed action NOW and had no time to explain. Over the years enough mistakes had built up that only those who could see the future were given the right to command other Camaalis and then only when necessary. Abuse of this will get you slapped. Hard.
3) State of Emergency Leader Sometimes Camaalis faces an emergency of such proportions that they will declare a state of emergency and elect a leader/leaders whose word is god. Almost NEVER happens since a state of emergency needs a unanimous vote of all Camaalis over the age of 25. This is not easy. All Camaalis over the age of 25 have never agreed. Ever. You ask them what colour the sky is? They’ll debate it to hear the sound of their own voice and to be considered relevant if nothing else. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible.
4) Special Task Force An adaptation of the above - basically Camaalis decides that a special issue needs attention and appoints a leader to deal with it. They have authority over that issue and that issue ONLY. They also cannot conscript. Any Camaalis can simply declare themselves uninvolved in the issue and tell him to bugger off. This only needs a 3 quarters vote and most of the time many Camaalis don’t bother to attend, largely trusting the Council of Elders to sort it.
Customary Commands:
As with all things to do with Camaalis, there are more customs than rules. Below are a selection. Camaalis aren’t required to obey in these situations but usually do unless there’s a very good reason not to. They don’t have to, but the Clan will disapprove if they don’t. And if they disapprove you lose rank, standing and respect which means when you want something no-one will listen to you.
1) Edicts of the Council: The Council of Elders are respected - that’s how they became Elders. Ok, this is the one most likely to be broken but it’s still very rare for a Camaalis to disobey a UNANIMOUS decision of the Council. Majority votes are less binding. If Councillors repeatedly try to force through measures that are unpopular they will lose respect and in turn lose their Elder status.
2) My Business, Get out: Camaalis are autonomous and each involved in their own projects. Meddling can cause a great deal of damage and may even be dangerous. Any Camaalis can go to any other, regardless of rank and claim interference and ask the offender to back off. (Of course, if someone is much more respected than you are it may not be exactly advisable to do so...)
Basic Principle
The basic interaction of Camaalis with each other is based on respect. Part of this respect is subjective - Camaalis spend a lot of their time building allies and favours and debts with other Camaalis - there’s a lot of informal kudos and respect gained simply by being well liked, being willing to help and having lots of people owe you favours.
But there is also a more formal and objective form of respect. Not just respect for each other as powerful and wise magicians (though there is that) but also respect for achievements. Camaalis traditionally wear their hair long. When a Camaalis achieves something - be it an important goal or manages some great spell or just reaches some basic level of training or even just writes a paper or book for the library (which may not be of a magical nature) or even achieves non-magical feat (completing university, for example) the Camaalis is awarded a small decorative talisman (called a Ruig though many modern Camaalis consider this to be an anachronism and just say ’talisman’ or just ‘award‘.) These Ruig are made either by the Camaalis themselves (though if others mock or dispute your ruig it can have a negative effect) or by another Camaalis to acknowledge their achievement (one old fashioned but very rare talisman now is a duel ruig - awarded by a Camaalis after you defeat them in a duel).
Camaalis often worked spells of various kinds into these talismans, this has become less common since they aren’t normally worn now. Some talismans have been passed down through the generations (especially if they are enchanted or mark a grand quest that needs to be repeated) but the vast majority are new to mark this person’s achievement.
These ruig are twined into the hair. Any Camaalis can see what another has achieved by the type and number of talismans they wear in their hair. It became a mark of pride to have long hair studded with talismans and a mark of shame or contrition to cut your hair short when you failed or did something terrible - your short hair isn’t long enough to twine all your talismans in so you lose the respect you had earned until your hair grows back. This is still reflected in Camaalis culture with sayings such as “you’ll see me bald first” to indicate an action they’d never do.
This is becoming less common as some younger Camaalis are less willing to put up with knee-length hair (though they still have relatively long hair and since they’re young they’re not likely to have many talismans anyway). Generally, as they age they tend to allow their hair to grow (having shoulder length or shorter hair is actually seen as teenage rebellion in Camaalis and older Camaalis mutter about their short hair in disapproving tones). Young Camaalis argue that if you have achieved something they would likely know about it (generally true) and there’s no need to announce it. Regardless, few Camaalis wear their ruig except for the most formal of occasions since they do get in the way quite a lot and it takes a long time to twine them into the hair (most Camaalis prefer to tie their hair back for the most part or braid it out of their way).
There is little actual rank among Camaalis. If someone has a lot of respect from their achievements then they tend to be treated better - other Camaalis will look up to them and accord them more honour and even deference - it‘s natural in the same way people defer to a world specialist in their field. There is no actual law that covers interaction between Camaalis with different levels of respect, but it is firmly engraved in custom. You are polite to people with more respect than you - the more they have, the more deferential and polite you are. If someone has a lot more than you that deference crosses the line to outright obedience. Again, no-one will make you but not doing so is seen as extremely rude and frequent breaches for no good reason can see you severely ostracised or targeted.
With respect comes advantages - as said above, other Camaalis will treat you better. This means you can generally rely on more cooperation for your projects and your words are generally given more weight. If you need to access Camaalis resources, especially ones that are in competition, then you have a much higher chance if you have more respect (from Camaalis point of view someone with respect has achieved more and is likely to continue to do so - so will use the resources more effectively). It also means you are less likely to be drafted (again, not forced but if someone with a lot of respect makes a concerted effort to recruit you, you don’t have much choice) into various projects.
Respect also gives you protection or influence when it comes to customary and actual commands. The more respect you have the less likely one of the Pillars, the Council or various Special Taskforces won’t just grab you and recruit you. People who technically have the power to command you are very unlikely to do so (though they may ask) and actually trying to command you may even be seen as rude by other Camaalis.
Elders
Council of Elders: No-one makes you an elder. The elder merely decides that they have enough respect to be one and puts the Ruig in their hair and call themselves an elder. If they’re laughed down by other Camaalis they’re going to need to get a haircut and try and regain face, which is why most elders only officially become elders when they are VERY sure they have the gravitas for it. Being an elder wins you a vast amount of respect. Elders are the ones most likely to be able to expect obedience rather than just deference. If several elders agree then most Camaalis will treat their words like gospel. Camaalis alternate between trying to impress the elders and trying not to be unduly noticed by them. If you want respect and to climb the ladder then hanging around with the elders is a relatively easy way to do it - they tell you what to do, you do it, you get respect. If you want independence then you avoid them like the plague.
A note on Darren’s EXTRA long hair - normally only really ancient and heroic Camaalis would have ankle length hair - his is an act of defiance on his part. Part of it is that even though he IS hunted and IS in hiding he still refuses to get rid of an EXTREMELY identifying feature because HE IS STILL CAMAALIS. He may be in hiding. They may hate him. They may fear him. They may try to kill him - but he is STILL Camaalis and his long hair (and collection of ruig) are his anchors to that. Something tangible he can point to and say “no matter what, I am still Camaalis.” It is a way for him to cling to his identity.
He also refuses to cut it his hair - a mark of shame and dishonour - to mark that despite Camaalis hunting him for what he IS, he hasn’t actually DONE anything that would shame him into cutting his hair. It‘s like a flag to Camaalis implying that their hunt is unjustified. That‘s also why he never wears pony tails or braids - he‘s flaunting it. He accepts that he is inherently evil, even that he should be destroyed, but part of him still resents the hunt and wants to declare “I have done nothing wrong.” (Even despite the fact he has).
Rank and Hierarchy
Camaalis actually doesn’t have all that much in the way of a hierarchy. 9 times out of 10 you can’t command and control other Camaalis no matter who you are - you always have to convince. It doesn’t matter much in daily life since Camaalis actually rarely gather more than a dozen in a single place due to preference (and egos) and because personal autonomy is very important to them (and because they‘re too busy). Most Camaalis pursue their own projects with at most one or two helpers - it is very rare to find extensive MAGICAL co-operation among Camaalis. Even when together on the estates or territory of Camaalis they don’t tend to mix more than basic social pleasantries.
Times when you can command:
Ok, there’s 101 rules but in the end they are all EXTREMELY rare and rarely enforced. Some of the more usual ones:
1) Undisputed Special Expertise. Pretty much a no-brainer. If you’re a White Mage renowned for your healing abilities and you’re in a sick room trying to save the injured then all other Camaalis in the situation should obey you. This is pretty much a common sense rule and doesn’t really need enforcing. The only time people have to mention it are those few times when someone hasn’t realised they’re in a situation that requires special skills.
2) Seer’s Oath Originally this stemmed from an old tradition of ‘Special Emergency’. Basically a Camaalis knew something that needed action NOW and had no time to explain. Over the years enough mistakes had built up that only those who could see the future were given the right to command other Camaalis and then only when necessary. Abuse of this will get you slapped. Hard.
3) State of Emergency Leader Sometimes Camaalis faces an emergency of such proportions that they will declare a state of emergency and elect a leader/leaders whose word is god. Almost NEVER happens since a state of emergency needs a unanimous vote of all Camaalis over the age of 25. This is not easy. All Camaalis over the age of 25 have never agreed. Ever. You ask them what colour the sky is? They’ll debate it to hear the sound of their own voice and to be considered relevant if nothing else. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible.
4) Special Task Force An adaptation of the above - basically Camaalis decides that a special issue needs attention and appoints a leader to deal with it. They have authority over that issue and that issue ONLY. They also cannot conscript. Any Camaalis can simply declare themselves uninvolved in the issue and tell him to bugger off. This only needs a 3 quarters vote and most of the time many Camaalis don’t bother to attend, largely trusting the Council of Elders to sort it.
Customary Commands:
As with all things to do with Camaalis, there are more customs than rules. Below are a selection. Camaalis aren’t required to obey in these situations but usually do unless there’s a very good reason not to. They don’t have to, but the Clan will disapprove if they don’t. And if they disapprove you lose rank, standing and respect which means when you want something no-one will listen to you.
1) Edicts of the Council: The Council of Elders are respected - that’s how they became Elders. Ok, this is the one most likely to be broken but it’s still very rare for a Camaalis to disobey a UNANIMOUS decision of the Council. Majority votes are less binding. If Councillors repeatedly try to force through measures that are unpopular they will lose respect and in turn lose their Elder status.
2) My Business, Get out: Camaalis are autonomous and each involved in their own projects. Meddling can cause a great deal of damage and may even be dangerous. Any Camaalis can go to any other, regardless of rank and claim interference and ask the offender to back off. (Of course, if someone is much more respected than you are it may not be exactly advisable to do so...)
Basic Principle
The basic interaction of Camaalis with each other is based on respect. Part of this respect is subjective - Camaalis spend a lot of their time building allies and favours and debts with other Camaalis - there’s a lot of informal kudos and respect gained simply by being well liked, being willing to help and having lots of people owe you favours.
But there is also a more formal and objective form of respect. Not just respect for each other as powerful and wise magicians (though there is that) but also respect for achievements. Camaalis traditionally wear their hair long. When a Camaalis achieves something - be it an important goal or manages some great spell or just reaches some basic level of training or even just writes a paper or book for the library (which may not be of a magical nature) or even achieves non-magical feat (completing university, for example) the Camaalis is awarded a small decorative talisman (called a Ruig though many modern Camaalis consider this to be an anachronism and just say ’talisman’ or just ‘award‘.) These Ruig are made either by the Camaalis themselves (though if others mock or dispute your ruig it can have a negative effect) or by another Camaalis to acknowledge their achievement (one old fashioned but very rare talisman now is a duel ruig - awarded by a Camaalis after you defeat them in a duel).
Camaalis often worked spells of various kinds into these talismans, this has become less common since they aren’t normally worn now. Some talismans have been passed down through the generations (especially if they are enchanted or mark a grand quest that needs to be repeated) but the vast majority are new to mark this person’s achievement.
These ruig are twined into the hair. Any Camaalis can see what another has achieved by the type and number of talismans they wear in their hair. It became a mark of pride to have long hair studded with talismans and a mark of shame or contrition to cut your hair short when you failed or did something terrible - your short hair isn’t long enough to twine all your talismans in so you lose the respect you had earned until your hair grows back. This is still reflected in Camaalis culture with sayings such as “you’ll see me bald first” to indicate an action they’d never do.
This is becoming less common as some younger Camaalis are less willing to put up with knee-length hair (though they still have relatively long hair and since they’re young they’re not likely to have many talismans anyway). Generally, as they age they tend to allow their hair to grow (having shoulder length or shorter hair is actually seen as teenage rebellion in Camaalis and older Camaalis mutter about their short hair in disapproving tones). Young Camaalis argue that if you have achieved something they would likely know about it (generally true) and there’s no need to announce it. Regardless, few Camaalis wear their ruig except for the most formal of occasions since they do get in the way quite a lot and it takes a long time to twine them into the hair (most Camaalis prefer to tie their hair back for the most part or braid it out of their way).
There is little actual rank among Camaalis. If someone has a lot of respect from their achievements then they tend to be treated better - other Camaalis will look up to them and accord them more honour and even deference - it‘s natural in the same way people defer to a world specialist in their field. There is no actual law that covers interaction between Camaalis with different levels of respect, but it is firmly engraved in custom. You are polite to people with more respect than you - the more they have, the more deferential and polite you are. If someone has a lot more than you that deference crosses the line to outright obedience. Again, no-one will make you but not doing so is seen as extremely rude and frequent breaches for no good reason can see you severely ostracised or targeted.
With respect comes advantages - as said above, other Camaalis will treat you better. This means you can generally rely on more cooperation for your projects and your words are generally given more weight. If you need to access Camaalis resources, especially ones that are in competition, then you have a much higher chance if you have more respect (from Camaalis point of view someone with respect has achieved more and is likely to continue to do so - so will use the resources more effectively). It also means you are less likely to be drafted (again, not forced but if someone with a lot of respect makes a concerted effort to recruit you, you don’t have much choice) into various projects.
Respect also gives you protection or influence when it comes to customary and actual commands. The more respect you have the less likely one of the Pillars, the Council or various Special Taskforces won’t just grab you and recruit you. People who technically have the power to command you are very unlikely to do so (though they may ask) and actually trying to command you may even be seen as rude by other Camaalis.
Elders
Council of Elders: No-one makes you an elder. The elder merely decides that they have enough respect to be one and puts the Ruig in their hair and call themselves an elder. If they’re laughed down by other Camaalis they’re going to need to get a haircut and try and regain face, which is why most elders only officially become elders when they are VERY sure they have the gravitas for it. Being an elder wins you a vast amount of respect. Elders are the ones most likely to be able to expect obedience rather than just deference. If several elders agree then most Camaalis will treat their words like gospel. Camaalis alternate between trying to impress the elders and trying not to be unduly noticed by them. If you want respect and to climb the ladder then hanging around with the elders is a relatively easy way to do it - they tell you what to do, you do it, you get respect. If you want independence then you avoid them like the plague.
A note on Darren’s EXTRA long hair - normally only really ancient and heroic Camaalis would have ankle length hair - his is an act of defiance on his part. Part of it is that even though he IS hunted and IS in hiding he still refuses to get rid of an EXTREMELY identifying feature because HE IS STILL CAMAALIS. He may be in hiding. They may hate him. They may fear him. They may try to kill him - but he is STILL Camaalis and his long hair (and collection of ruig) are his anchors to that. Something tangible he can point to and say “no matter what, I am still Camaalis.” It is a way for him to cling to his identity.
He also refuses to cut it his hair - a mark of shame and dishonour - to mark that despite Camaalis hunting him for what he IS, he hasn’t actually DONE anything that would shame him into cutting his hair. It‘s like a flag to Camaalis implying that their hunt is unjustified. That‘s also why he never wears pony tails or braids - he‘s flaunting it. He accepts that he is inherently evil, even that he should be destroyed, but part of him still resents the hunt and wants to declare “I have done nothing wrong.” (Even despite the fact he has).
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-11 06:42 pm (UTC)...I wonder about the charms? I think the more mystic-inclined of mine do wear such. At least, it occurred to me at the weekend that there was something eerily familiar about Hart's braids (disappointingly, I couldn't find a picture with both the braids and the cute widdle antlers. Trust me, the antlers are weirdly cute.)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-12 01:50 pm (UTC)The ruig are different from the normal magical charms that Camaalis wear - the magic in ruig is considered, well, a bonus? They're more like medals or award certificates than actual enchantments. In some ways they're warnings - like "don't mess with me, you see the charm? that means I can squish you."
Aww, i want to see the cute antlers
(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-12 01:54 pm (UTC)... dammit.
So this Hart is horny, then?
(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-12 02:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-12 02:38 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-15 09:22 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-06-15 09:33 am (UTC)