History edit edit source
The order is named after their home, The Temple of Shan Sua, a stony temple high in the Pardor Range, largely inaccessible but for the winding paths cut by the monks themselves over the centuries. The elves of Eomas call them tel’Orodyamen (literally “of the mountain place”) and they were already living on the mountain as the inhabitants of Terra began to climb out of the rubble of The Great Awakening.
Philosophy edit edit source
The monks follow a particular philosophy known as Yanji (The Study). The Shan Sua venerate no deity above all others, but rather they believe that there is truth to be found in all things.
Hierarchy edit edit source
The Order of Shan Sua has a loose hierarchy through which monks progress through their life as a Follower of the Study. No expectations are placed on any monk to rise to any level beyond Apprentice (Novices must rise to apprentice before their 13th year, or they must leave the monastery) and no limit is placed on the number of monks at any level below Elder Master, of which there are only 4. A council of Masters decide when monks who so desire may move up, and the Elder Masters decide who will take the place of one of their number when one retires, passes away or is elected Grandmaster.
At each level there are certain skills (Paths and Ways) that a follower of Yanji is expected to know, before he or she is eligible for promotion. The council may choose to promote a monk who lacks mastery in one or more areas, but that is an uncommon occurrence.
As an accepted novice, new followers of Yanji are expected to train in 4 Paths (known as the First Paths), each designed to prepare the young men and women for a life devoted to The Study. In most cases, this happens around six years of age. If by the age of 13, the Novice has not mastered each of the Paths, he or she is asked to leave the Monastery. In a very few cases, novices who have been accepted at a later age, and who show exceptional promise on some Paths are allowed to progress without mastering one or more of the other Paths.
Once promoted from Novices, Apprentices embark on a more rigorous study of the Paths (known as the Second Paths). They must prove Mastery in all 4 Paths and be accepted by the Council of Masters to progress to Disciple. An Apprentice of Yanji must choose their own name in the order, as a symbol of the abandonment of their old life, for the Study. Thereafter, monks of Yanji are known only by this name, and by the honorific denoting their rank within the order.
Disciples are the everyday Monks of the Order. Many monks progress no further than this rank, and serve in a variety ways both in the monastery and out in the world. Each Disciple must choose one of 7 Ways of the Order in which to train and progress. Training in each of the Ways imparts different abilities and knowledge, and the Masters of each Way oversee the training of their Disciples. Progressing to a Master of the Way involves rigorous training and experience as well as the Mastery of 4 additional Paths (known as the Third Paths) unique to each Way. the Disciple must also embark on a Pilgrimage to Practice the Study out in the World. During this time, the Disciple may return to Shan Sua for short periods to study and train, but once embarked, the Pilgrimage must be completed before the Disciple may return to full time life at the Temple. It is for this reason that many monks never progress beyond Disciple - many have no desire to leave the temple, and many, once they have left, have no desire to return.
To be considered for a position as one the Elder Fathers, a Master must endure a great deal more experience earn the respect of the Masters and Elder Fathers and master at least one of a further 4 Paths, known as the Elder Paths, one for each one of the Elder Fathers.
The position of Grandmaster sits above but also somewhat outside the traditional hierarchy. The Grandmaster is affectionately known as Zifu (Zifu Shan, Grandfather Mountain) is elected by all the monks in the Order. The Grandmaster is most often chosen from among the current Elder Masters, but there is no requirement for it to be so. Any Master may be elected, especially one who has given great service to the order or performed great deeds of service to the world at large. In the History of the order this has happened but 3 times, and of those times, in one case the election was posthumous.
The Order of Shan Sua is currently led by Zifu Shan Poe ("Grandfather Mountain" Poe), 245th Grandmaster of Yanji. The Order also has four Fujin ("Elder Fathers") that lead the Council of Masters: Fujin Dongbu Lee ("East Father Lee"), Fujin Xi Bao ("West Father Bao"), Fujin Bei Huang ("North Father Huang"), and Fuijin Nan Ju-Long ("South Father Ju-Long").
Symbol edit edit source
The symbol of the Order of Shan Sua is a mountain peak surrounded by rays that seem to represent light or power. It is most often found emblazoned on amulets worn by the monks of the order. The amulets of novices, initiates and disciples are typically cast in copper, the relative patina of the amulets suggesting the relative years spent devoted to The Study. The amulets of the Masters are carved from semi-precious stones found and chosen for just such a purpose while on their Pilgrimage. The head of the order wears an amulet that has been passed down over centuries from Grandmaster to Grandmaster. This amulet seems carved of an unknown substance and serves as a badge of office.
Above excerpted from the Master's Thesis of Melvin Dooly, Head Clerk and Paragon Virtue to the House of Wind