Officiates : Mediators to the Elements
I have spent the last chapter detailing the relationship to the Elements that the Secret Island's inhabitants share - How we take their bounty and serve them as best we can. However, sometimes conflict arises between these two forces and there needs must be mediation in order to avoid possible retaliation from the Elements, or for our people to stop their servitude. It is out of this necessity that the position of officiate was created in our community. They do not speak for the Elements nor do they speak for us, but rather mediate common ground and resolve disputes. While I'd never put much stock into their ramblings, their position serves as to reassure those of us that feel they have slighted the forces that grant them sustenance that they are never beyond redemption, and helps alleviate potential problems from obsessing too much about perceived slights against the Elements.
Since the position is only needed temporarily, rare are those that can afford to officiate permanently. Officiates cannot accept payment for their services from either party. While the blessings of the elements is good to have, rewards of money, food other tangible goods are far more interesting to us people tied to the material world. As such, their judgment could be clouded when faced with deciding on what fair compromise and reparation would be. In history, there has been two members of our community that have been officiating for so long that they were supported by both the Elements and the people as full-time officiates. Though their history is interesting, as the conflicts they mediated have gone on to become legend among the people, these people will be covered elsewhere in this book.
Officiates on-duty are easily identified by the accoutrements they wear. The robe will be of a creamy white mixed with black highlights - the more common snow white being associated with Water and Ice, thereby admitting a bias towards these two parties in mediation as well as other concerns which will come later, should never be used for fabrication of an officiate robe. Though some have disputed the practice of placing ornaments on the robe, thinking it a bias towards either Earth or towards the Midlander side of the conflict due to the price and craftsmanship, the robe should be adorned carefully as to respect both parties in the conflict. It would not stand to have an officiate poorly dressed - it would be seen as a dismissal of the situation's gravity.
Ideally, an officiate should seek purification from the Elements prior to officiating, but sometimes this practice falls short due to time. Purification of the Element involved in the negotiation is of the utmost importance and is generally performed in front of the other party as to show the least amount of bias possible. There are many ways to purify oneself from Element influence, and so long as they are accepted by both parties, the method is not important.
Common methods of purification are not so different than what I am told is found in Eorzean resorts, only with a much different goal in mind. Most of the purification rituals involve Water in some way - Fire involve pouring water over hot coals in an enclosed area and Ice involves getting cold water poured over the head. While originally the purification trials were more punitive, it was soon found that the officiates who performed rituals that were loving gave more reasonable judgments, and thus the practice now serves to clear their mind of resentment and accept mediation for both parties.
Most officiates come from a background where they have learned lots in their life, allowing them to more accurately mete out reparation attempts and properly counsel both parties. As an example, a man who has neglected his duty to Earth would have a hard time figuring out how to make amends, though one who has extracted bounty from the land would have a much easier time advising them in making reparations and following up on these. The moments where less tangible mediation is needed are where an officiate can make or break his career as these are at the mercy of the Elements - Though they are negotiators first, they are not people who channel the strength of the Elements or directly talk to them. They can, through signs and portents, interpret the Elements' desire but beyond that they cannot directly communicate with them. An officiate who would figure that out would become the greatest of his kind.
Officiates are an extremely important part of Toegisil's culture, and feature in many of its legends in a support or antagonist fashion, depending on what is the lesson that the story wishes to impart on the listener.
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OOC Section: I haven't determined yet which glamour will be the officiate garb but likely SCH.
