-
The Blessed
Magicians, also known as the Blessed, are distinguished by their blue eyes. While not everyone with blue eyes has magic, every magician born with the gift has blue eyes, and it's said to be a family trait (i.e., if a non-magician has blue eyes, it's likely their ancestors had or children will have magic at some point). Typically, the Ahibanu assume that anyone with blue eyes possesses the gift, and if they have not exhibited signs of it, that it is simply lying dormant.
According to Ahibanu belief, this blessing comes from Seht himself, marking those he has chosen to serve him and Anahita. Thus, the Ahibanu actively seek out any who are born with this gift. Both men and women may be born Blessed. Women are taught to control their skills and may in time become Ahibanu, while men become Mahdi who are generally drained and controlled with only partial access to their abilities. -
The Unwritten Ranking
Beyond the recognized ranks within the temple, other aspects may effect the individual's status.
Age
Sisters who have served in the temple for many years are generally highly esteemed.
Power
While it can be difficult to gauge strength with all the variation in abilities, those considered particularly powerful are naturally elevated.
Blessed vs bestowed
Generally Sisters who are born with the the gift hold higher status among their peers than women who have it bestowed on them later in life. -
Neophyte Rules
Every Neophyte must attend mandatory devotions to Seht and Anahita. These occur twice daily in the front courts of the Temple. The first is before breakfast, and the second is before dinner. Punishment for not attending (excepting reasons of death and childbirth) consists of two hours' public torture.
Neophytes are afforded two meals and two water skins per day. Each misbehaviour will result in one meal and one piece of clothing being taken from the Neophyte. They will also earn one hour of public torture. Crying will incur a water skin being taken away. There will be no emergency supplies; if a Neophyte reaches the end of their physical tolerance, that is on their backs.
Attempting to coerce the punishing Sister into being lenient will earn two hours of torture.
Neophytes who earn more than five hours of torture will be stripped of all of their clothing. They will be leashed to Punishing Sister's belt and undergo constant observation until she believes they are ready to attempt living by the rules alone.
