At the age of sixteen, second-born children across Nalavaris step onto a path of purpose and mastery by choosing the Guiding Text of their Devotion. This marks the end of their general childhood education and the beginning of specialized study at one of the many Guild Sanctums scattered throughout the continent.

Each Guiding Text reflects a distinct philosophical and practical discipline—shaping not only the devotee's skills, but also their worldview and role within society. As students deepen their understanding, they ascend through ranks of mastery, marked by both achievement and spiritual or intellectual growth.

All initiates begin their journey at the rank of Devotee, regardless of which text they follow. Advancement, referred to as Ascension, is granted based on both skill and service, with each text offering its own hierarchy of ranks.

Below, you'll find a summary of the primary Guiding Texts—along with the corresponding ranks one may attain through study, devotion, and ascension.

Forged in the crucible of war, The Noble Codex—often referred to simply as The Codes—emerged to bring structure, discipline, and meaning to the chaos of conflict. It is both a legal and ethical cornerstone, outlining the conduct of warfare, rules of engagement, and societal traditions that have shaped Nalavaris for generations.

Those who devote themselves to The Codes are taught to value duty, honor, and order above all. It is from this text that the principle of birth-order designation originates, assigning firstborns to leadership and martial training, while second-borns pursue higher studies within the Guild Sanctums.

Beyond its military focus, The Noble Codex offers guidance on how to live a principled life—establishing customs, laws, and rituals that continue to influence the Empire's cultural fabric. Followers of The Codes are often found in leadership roles, civic governance, or serving as advisors in times of strife.

Ranks of Ascension:

• Initiate

• Counselor

• Archon

Veiled in mystery and written in lyrical, often ambiguous verse, The Testaments of Fates is a sacred text of prophecy—one that has both comforted the desperate and emboldened the ambitious. These prophetic writings are said to be channeled from divine or otherworldly sources, foretelling not only personal destinies but the sweeping turns of empires.

Interpretation is both its power and peril. Over centuries, rulers and rebels alike have turned to the Testaments to justify their causes, find signs in the stars, or glimpse echoes of a foretold future. Followers of this path often see themselves as truth-seekers, bridging the space between what is and what might yet be.

Those devoted to The Testaments of Fates study symbolism, cycles, and dreams, often serving as advisors, mystics, and visionaries. Their insights are sought in moments of great uncertainty—though their words are rarely straightforward.

Ranks of Ascension:

• Seer

• Oracle

• Weaver

A sweeping compendium of the world’s histories, peoples, and pivotal moments, The Chronicles of Nalavaris is more than a record—it's a mirror held up to the ever-turning wheel of time. Within its vast volumes lie stories of conquest and collapse, of visionaries and villains, all stitched together by a single guiding principle: balance must be maintained.

Followers of the Chronicles study patterns of power, the rise and fall of empires, and the cultural currents that shape civilization. They seek wisdom in what has come before, believing that the echoes of the past can illuminate the paths ahead.

Equal parts cautionary tale and guiding light, The Chronicles of Nalavaris offer a sobering reminder of how history repeats—and how it can be rewritten.

Ranks of Ascension:

• Scribe

• Keeper

• Sage

To ascend to the highest rank within a chosen Devotion is no simple matter. Beyond dedication and years of study, candidates must undergo a rigorous and time-honored process designed to test not only knowledge, but character, discipline, and readiness.

Once a student reaches the threshold of mastery, they must first complete a series of advanced trials that assess their understanding of their Guiding Text. If successful, they may submit themselves for selection as an understudy to a guildmaster of the highest rank.

Should they be chosen, a six-month period of intense, one-on-one training begins. During this time, the student is expected to refine their skills, deepen their insight, and prove their worth through action and wisdom alike.

At the end of the term, the guildmaster decides the next step: ascension, extension, or rejection. If they believe the student is ready, they may elevate them to the final rank. If more time is needed, another six months of training may be granted. But if the student is found lacking, the guildmaster must present their reasoning and evidence to the council of peers. A vote is then held. Only a unanimous decision can confirm a rejection. If not unanimous, another guildmaster may step forward to claim the student as their own, beginning a new cycle of mentorship.

It is a process not taken lightly—one designed to uphold the integrity of the Devotions and ensure that only those truly ready bear the mantle of mastery.