Khalo: A Student's Primer (book)

Khalo: A Student's Primer

Part One: The History of the Khalo

In the time of the Empire, when the land was inhabited by people seeking knowledge in the healing arts, alchemy, magic and other scholarly pursuits, a group of people came together to form what would become known as the Imperial Healer's Guild. It was a center for research as its members strove not only to understand how the world worked, but how to enhance it to benefit everyone.

Overseeing these efforts was the Khalo rae li Fand, the "leader of the head", a single person to whom guild problems and concerns were brought who could make decisions that would be followed by the members for years to come. This worked for a time, but as with all powerful things, eventually someone tested the limits. Sadly for this group of magnificent people, those tests destroyed centuries of work and many of the people who had contributed to it.

Divided and defeated, the more talented of the remaining healers began to meet in small groups. These brave men and women quietly gathered all the written material they could uncover from the ruins of the Imperial Healer's Guild, dividing the pages amongst themselves without anyone reading anything first: they vowed that never again would a single person be responsible for the whole of the knowledge. And recognizing the need for a place to train the young in the arts of healing, they vowed to rebuild, to regain the respect granted to those who could heal.

Eventually there would come to be five individuals, one for each established province, that would act as representative for their province in decisions involving the newly formed guild. Other than the original Guardians themselves, these individuals would be entrusted with the most secret of information, the most details regarding guild history and lore. They, and they alone, would have access to the documents and research conducted by those in years of long ago. However, each individual would have access only to those documents that were passed down to them when they accepted the position; information held by the remaining four would remain unknown. They would function, incomplete in their full potential, for the sake of the world that needed their touch.

During the early years of the newly formed Empath's Guild, the guild representatives were fiercely protective of the pieces of information passed on. In areas of heavy population especially, the leaders, or Khalaen as they soon became known, kept watch over the healers that joined the guild. Restrictions were put in place regarding activities and actions that could or could not be done, for the Khalaen were ever mindful of the harsh lesson of their past ignoring of potential threats. Trust was slow in coming from the rest of the citizens. In addition to being leaders for the Empath's Guild, the Khalaen had to become diplomats and merchants, relying on their skills and resources until the time that society once again accepted and welcomed the empaths' presence. The Khalaen carried with them the burden of past betrayals, shouldering it for the benefit of their students.

As populations grew and expanded, members of the guild followed, providing a healing touch and comfort to those adventurers that chose to explore at the very edges of the known world and beyond. The Khalaen alone could no longer provide adequate leadership to such an expansive group while still maintaining relations with the community leaders and keeping up with all of the mundane tasks of running a guildhall. Finally determining that they needed assistance, each Khalo selected a healer from their province, one that they felt exemplified the skills and values important to the growth and development of the guild. They bestowed upon these healers a new title, Khalaen rae li Wen, the leaders of the young. With this new help, the original Khalaen were now better able to step into the positions as overall leaders and advisors. They provided rules and guidelines for the rest of the guild to follow, and eventually adopted the title of Khalaen rae li Modaen to designate themselves as the mouths, the voices, for the guild.

The teaching of the new healers now rested in the hands of the Khalaen rae li Wen. As time passed and the Wen became more adept at handling basic guild issues, the Modaen started to return to their documents and journals, many of which had become damaged and forgotten over the many generations. Consulted periodically for changes in guild structure, guidelines and important decisions regarding guild regulations, the Modaen became primarily the keepers of policy and history. Serving as mentors to the Wen during their tenure, the Modaen were approached to settle disputes and advise on courses of action. With the Wen as intermediaries, the Modaen faded even further into the shadows of guild structure, eventually to operate in secrecy. Over time, general members of the Empath's Guild knew of these leaders only peripherally; their existence entirely unknown beyond the guildhall doors. Their respective duties and the lands that they were each responsible for made traveling to meet difficult. Conscious, too, of the danger in having groups of them congregate in a single place, the Modaen found a need to establish a third branch of the Khalaen. They required messengers, those that could travel the provinces to receive and deliver news between the Modaen and the Wen.

Due to the sensitivity of the information passed, the messengers could not be simple errand boys. They needed to possess a core knowledge of the working of the Empath's Guild, and the skills of diplomacy and communication in addition to basic healing. These were the Khalaen rae li Aevaen, the eyes of the Empath's Guild. They needed to observe, to question, to speak and to be silent. So adept were they at these skills that the Aevaen were (and are today) often counted on to represent the guild in matters of diplomacy. Many of them hold positions of respect and stature on the community.

The influence of the Aevaen is felt especially during times of strife, as they are often called on to help mediate between disputing parties, in and out of the guild. Though the Modaen remain committed to their founders' vows, historical moments of dissension among them have often ended with reconciliation due to the efforts of the Aevaen. Unfortunately, the Aevaen are not always successful, but they continue to endeavor wherever they are needed most.

The Khalo Today -- Basic Structure and Hierarchy

As often happens with language over time, the formal titles were altered as they crossed cities, languages, and years. Although today's modern terms are similar to their original versions, the terms have evolved and have become somewhat simplified, with only the Moda/Modaen term retaining its singular and plural forms. Yet even that has undergone a simple spelling change. The information that follows reflects the current terminology used within the Empath's Guild, though some traditionalists maintain the use of the original language.

In addition to the regular guild members that comprise the basic population of the Empath's Guild, there are three levels of leadership. Each of these is given a variation of the title "Khalo," which means leader in Gamgweth. Each Khalo has their own responsibilities and representation, but all work together to ensure the success of the guild.

The top tier of this structure is composed of five members, one for each of the provinces. They are known as the Khalo rae Modien (plural) or Khalo rae Moda (singular). This phrase translates to "leader of the mouth"; they are the mouthpieces of the guild, and hold the most knowledge about the Empath's Guild history and lore. As such, final decisions regarding guild disputes or guild-wide discussions rest with their leadership. Once an empath agrees to accept such a position, they rarely if ever leave the province they speak for.

The selection process for a Moda is unknown outside the circle of Modien, but there are rumors that the tests and tasks required of candidates are difficult, at best. Once chosen, a Moda cannot be removed from office; the position is only relinquished upon death or, in rare circumstances, complete incapacity of the Moda. However, a Moda can opt to retire from the position.

The correct form of address of a Moda is using the abbreviation K' before their first name. In writing, the first letter of their name in addition to the K' is capitalized (example: K'Xonei). Though there are some Moda that prefer to be addressed by their title at all times, others opt for more casual interactions. When in doubt, always choose the formal address and let the Moda's response guide you for future conversations.

The middle tier of the structure does not have a set number of of members. These are the Khalo rae Aev, the "leaders of the eye." The Aev function as observers of the Empath's Guild in general, and often serve as messengers of confidential guild business between the provinces because the Modien don't travel. They are also the guild's diplomats and are called upon to act as representatives during governmental and other important functions. Upon a Moda's retirement, a short term as Aev is served, with the option to continue as Aev should they choose after their required term has ended. In addition to retired Modien, the Aev are composed of other empaths of note who have demonstrated commitment to the positive progress of the Empath's Guild.

For those chosen for the position, it is difficult to remove an Aev from Office. However, in extreme cases, an Aev can be dismissed from their position if the majority of Modien determine that no other course of action can correct questionable behavior. Given the qualities Aevs must possess at the time of appointment, dismissal is a rare occurrence and, at the time of this note, has only happened twice in guild history.

Like the Modien, the correct form of address of an Aev is by using the abbreviation K' before their first name. In writing, the first initial of their name plus the K' are capitalized. Though there are some Aev that prefer to be addressed by their title at all times, others opt for more casual interactions. When in doubt, always choose the formal address and let the Aev's response guide you for future conversations.

The lowest tier of the leadership structure is one that most guild members interact with frequently: the Khalo rae Wen, or Guildleaders. It is the Wen's responsibility to guide the training of the guild members, offering recommendations and promotions when they're appropriate. They also must convey the viewpoints and decisions passed down from the Modien and enforce them when necessary.

The Wen are appointed to their office by the Moda for the province in which they are located. Their appointments must be approved by the other Modien; however, it is the provincial Moda's option and responsibility to present appropriate candidates since they are most familiar with the personalities and needs of the citizens of the province. A Wen can choose to leave the appointment, request to move to a different guildhall when there is an opening, or be replaced or dismissed by their immediate Moda. It is rare for a Wen to be dismissed or replaced; however, it has happened with more frequency than dismissal of an Aev.

The correct form of address of a Wen is by using the abbreviation K' before their first name. In writing, the first letter of their name is not capitalized, unlike the Modien and Aev. Most Wen prefer to be addressed without the title, though when in their presence formally, the title is recommended. This is especially true during ceremonies of state, or during official guild business in which an Aev or Moda may be present.

As with any uncertain circumstance, opting for formality is always preferred when addressing any of the Khalo, unless and until given alternate information by the individual Khalo. The use of a Khalo's given name alone, without the K' prefix, is considered inappropriate unless the Khalo has previously made it understood that doing so is acceptable. It is recommended that one let the Khalo guide the formality level during interactions. They are trained in diplomacy and can offer assistance regarding when formality is best used and when it is safe to discard it.