Shaeman

Among the Id’Ori people, the Shaemen (pl.) are a the local tribal leaders responsible for overseeing medical care, village upkeep, education, and inter-tribal communication.  A Shaeman is appointed by his or her tribe as Shaeman’ti, an accolyte or apprentice chosen from among his tribal peers for general aptitude in earth magics and intellect, to follow and learn from the Shaeman, and becomes Shaeman once the current Shaeman becomes infirm, dies, or is called away to fill in for a village lacking Shaeman of any stature.

Shaemen regularly travel among the tribes within a 7 days’ walk from their village, sharing information, comparing astral readings from Veria, and offering lectures on personal expertise to local children.

Shaemen do not take mates and sire no children, though they may request overnight companionship in an open call manner during community gatherings, which is then left for the females of the tribe if and who to send.  Male companionship may be requested or offered, but it is still at the discretion of the local females.  The Shaemen are also visited on occasion by the Shae’m’Ori, their female superiors, for companionship.

Beyond the Green Law or an overriding decree from a visiting Shae’m’Ori, the decisions of a Shaeman are considered local law.  There is, however, no system of punishment or crime among the Id’Ori.  A shaeman leads by his Mush’ti, a general earned respect or presence.  If a shaeman loses his Mush’ti, it is the same as being physically infirm, and his Shaeman’ti replaces him by the tribal vote.

Once a boy is selected as a Shaeman’ti, the prefix of “Id'” is added to his name.  Thus a boy named Torgo becomes Id’Torgo.  The first sign that a shaeman is losing his mush’ti is when he is challenged by a tribesperson calling him by his childhood name.  This is rare, and usually followed by a visit from a Shae’m’Ori to settle the matter.