Lady Alice, Knight of the Order of the Crimson Rose
Picture (spoilered for people with shitternets)
Background (spoilered for easy navigation)
Some say the nobility have it easy, but in truth, it simply a different set of jobs and responsibilities. For the males of any noble line, there is much work to do in terms of hunting, horseriding and the arts of war, but for females of that line, the focus is far elsewhere. Alice, with her two younger brothers Damian and Josh, was not particularly pleased with the idea of being raised to become a bride to some noble idiot. Possessed of a keen mind and a desire to learn more, she would, even as a child, spend hours reading books in her father's library, and rapidly learned of faraway lands and unusual beasts with unusual capacity. She would also regularly go riding and sparring with her younger brothers, learning the craft of the sword and the lance. Their training partner, a distant cousin named James, was their constant companion, and Alice quickly learned to fight in unusual ways, learning how to fight better than the drills would teach them. As they learned to fight, they also heard many stories from their training masters, of knights and their orders. She was especially taken with the stories of the Knights of the Crimson Rose, their unusual and difficult mental situation mirroring her own in surprising ways.
However, it was not to last, and as Alice grew into a beautiful and intelligent young woman, discussions at home turned to marriage. However, none of the prospective suitors interested Alice at all - they were all stupid compared to her, interested only in money, fancy clothes or even more banal subjects. Likewise, very few of them took her at all seriously, whether in the library or on the training mat, and thus, noble after noble was spurned by her. She also had fewer and fewer opportunities to see her brothers and their sparring partner, as she was expected to learn to be ladylike, with less time given to things that would not help in attracting a husband.
When James, who she secretly had strong feelings for, was engaged to be married, she finally decided that she could not lead the kind of life everyone else wanted her to. That very night, she told her parents that she was going to join the Knights of the Crimson Rose, whether they wanted her to or not.
Naturally, this did not lead to anything positive from either of her parents, who considered her delusional at best. It was only with the help of an uncle, himself a Knight of the Crimson Rose, that she was able to even visit the Order, and only her mind and persistent nature convinced the Master Knight who she was introduced to that she was worth accepting into training. Upon learning of this, her family disowned her, leaving her without a last name, and without any goals or purpose in life other than her future knighthood. She passed the Trial with remarkable ease, and became a Knight-Errant. Her speed of learning and willingness and ability to train impressed everyone, as well as her new-found love toward painting, which she practiced daily along with all her other training duties. She took her love of learning and reading with her to the Order, spending many hours poring over books about monsters and magic, learning as much as she could. She studied the exotic fighting styles of the monstrous races, and sought to adapt them into her own training. It was perhaps this that gave her an advantage over other Knights-Errant, who mostly saw her as a pretty face to be pursued. Alice was never pleased with this, and would regularly seek to spar or even outright fight with anyone who tried to court her in this fashion. However, she was not without heart, and had several relationships during this time, though all of them ended after several months, as she found that even the smarter ones among them were not interesting enough to keep her occupied for long.
It took her only about five years to become a full knight, which was unusually fast for the Order. Having been made a Knight, Alice declared her desire to spread the message of the order, becoming a wandering knight. She was granted this dispensation, with the Order's blessing, and has wandered ever since, searching for her next goal in life.
Race and Type: Medium humanoid (human)
Class: Soldier 3
Speaks: Common, Elven, Goblin, Orc, Sylvan
Allegiances: The Order of the Crimson Rose (primary), Master Knight Sir Valanar Tyberian, The Thrice-Born
Background: Royalty of a fallen nation (well, sorta)
Str: 12 (+1)
Dex: 13 (+1)
Con: 16 (+3)
Int: 16 (+3)
Wis: 10 (+0)
Cha: 14 (+2)
Vital Statistics
BAB: +2
AC: 23, touch 13, flat-footed 20
Speed: 20ft (in armour)
Initiative: +1
Hit Points: 33/33
Saves: Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +4
Attack: Sword of Stars +7 melee (1d8+2 piercing) or Large masterwork greatbow +7 ranged (2d8+4 piercing)
Class Features
Weapon and Armour Proficiencies: Alice is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, any orc, goblin or human exotic weapons and the elven thinblade. She is proficient with all types of armour, and all shields (including great shields).
Soldier Manoeuvres: Alice's manoeuvres take a standard action and are extraordinary abilities unless otherwise noted.
Secrets of Battle: Alice adds her Intelligence modifier to her attack rolls, up to a maximum of +3.
Stances: If Alice is not flat-footed, she may engage a stance at the cost of one swift action per round.
Hardened Survivor (Ex): Alice has been through a lot in her training, and thus adds her Constitution modifier to her Survival checks instead of her Wisdom modifier. She also increases her death margin by her ranks in Survival.
Wearing Shoes (Ex): Alice has read enough to understand how practically
anyone thinks. As a result, she gains a bonus on Disguise checks equal to her ranks in Disguise, and suffers no penalty for disguising herself as a different race.
Lucky (Ex): Getting to where Alice got requires no small amount of luck, and Alice has plenty of that. She gains a luck bonus to her saves equal to Constitution modifier, to a maximum of +3. She also never has to make saves against massive damage.
Skills
Climb +1 (6 ranks, +1 Str, -4 ACP)
Craft +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Diplomacy +8 (6 ranks, +2 Cha)
Disguise +14 (6 ranks, +2 Cha, +6 wearing shoes)
Handle Animal +8 (6 ranks, +2 Cha)
Jump +3 (6 ranks, +1 Str, -4 ACP)
Knowledge (arcana) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (local) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (nature) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (religion) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Knowledge (the planes) +9 (6 ranks, +3 Int)
Perform +8 (6 ranks, +2 Cha)
Ride +9 (6 ranks, +1 Dexterity, +2 synergy)
Survival +9 (6 ranks, +3 Con)
Swim -1 (6 ranks, +1 Str, -8 ACP)
Tumble +3 (6 ranks, +1 Dex, -4 ACP)
Feats
Duelist [Combat]
You stab people in the face with nothing but a sword and some shiny pants.
+0: When you are wielding a light or one-handed weapon in your main hand and nothing in your off-hand, you may add your Int mod to your AC instead of your Dex mod.
+1: You have Edge against any opponent with an Intelligence score lower than you while you wield a light or one-handed weapon in your main hand and nothing in your off-hand, regardless of BAB.
Mounted Combat [Skill]
You fight best while sitting on an ally.
Ride 0 ranks: Once per turn, you can attempt to negate an attack that hits your mount by making a Ride check with a DC equal to the AC the attack hit. Attacks that do not require an attack roll cannot be negated this way. Using this ability is a free action.
Ride 4 ranks: While mounted, you may make a charge attack at any point along your mount's movement, as long as your mount is moving in a straight line up to the point of your attack.
Scholar [Skill]
Knowledge is power.
Knowledge (any) 0 ranks: If a Knowledge check to identify an opponent gives a result of at least 15 + the opponent's CR, you have Edge against that opponent until its CR increases.
Knowledge (any) 4 ranks: You may take 10 on Knowledge checks, even if stress and distractions prevent you from doing so.
Stances
Dark Way
When in this stance, Alice adds her Intelligence modifier to any Strength-or-Dexterity-based skill checks. Additionally, she can use any armour or weapon without penalty, and is not subject to ACP or ASPs.
Underhanded Tactic
When in this stance, Alice adds her Intelligence modifier to AC. Additionally, she can redirect any attacks made against her mount to herself, and may choose to have her mount discounted from any area of effect if she is still within it.
Wrathful Style
When in this stance, Alice adds her Intelligence modifier to her weapon damage. Additionally, she is considered proficient with all kinds of weapons and armour, and does not take any ACP or ASP.
Manoeuvres
Brutal Strike
Alice hits her opponent extremely hard with a single melee attack, dealing an additional 2d6 damage.
Blinding Blow
Alice hits her opponent's eyes, making a single melee attack. If it hits, the target must make a DC 14 Fort save or become blinded.
Equipment
Armour of the Rose
This armour is worn by many of the knights of the Order of the Crimson Rose. Manufactured to a precise standard, this armour is slightly better at keeping the wearer going than normal, and is more flexible than you would expect.
+10 AC, +4 Max Dex, -4 ACP, -2 ASP
+1 BAB: You are encased in steel and negate the first 5 points of physical damage dealt to you.
Belt of Endurance
This belt, taken by Alice off a bandit king she beat at wrestling, makes one endure more than you would expect. It's also rather stylish.
Gives a +1 enhancement bonus to the wearer's Constitution score.
Large masterwork greatbow (Str minimum 12)La
Sword of Stars
These weapons are made in large numbers by the more urbane elves that inhabit larger cities. Fine in workmanship, these cut though enemies remarkably well, while still being able to finely slice fruit.
1d8 piercing damage, +1 enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls, 18-20/x2 critical
Barronar, Moonlight Guardian
Barronar was born to a herd of unicorns living in the Grove of Moonlight Sorrows, planted by elven druids in remembrance of a massacre committed by orcs at that very spot, leading to over five hundred elven deaths. Barronar was always serious as a foal, given to wandering the grove in pensive, reflective moods. When he grew up, Barronar was often sent by the guardian of the grove (a druid named Aeshtarr) to deal with the various forest creatures that inhabited the grove, as he proved quite intelligent and capable.
One such mission, however, led him to meet Alice, who was wandering through the grove in search of a rare plant that would cure her persistent injury she got earlier that week, practicing orc fighting techniques against actual orcs. As Barronar helped her search for it, he found her interesting, intelligent company, and when she finally found what she sought, he eagerly undertook going with her.
Race and Type: Large magical beast
Speaks: Common and Sylvan
Allegiances: Natural life (primary), Alice, The Order of the Crimson Rose
Str: 20 (+5)
Dex: 17 (+3)
Con: 21 (+5)
Int: 10 (+0)
Wis: 21 (+5)
Cha: 24 (+7)
Vital Statistics
BAB: +4
AC: 25, touch 12, flat-footed 22
Speed: 70ft
Initiative: +6
Hit Points: 60/60
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +6
Attack: Horn +11 melee (1d8+8 piercing) and 2 hooves +3 melee (1d4+2)
Monster Features
Senses: Barronar possesses darkvision 60ft and low-light vision. A unicorn also has scent.
Immunities: Barronar is immune to poison, charm and compulsion.
Magic Circle Against Lower Plane Allegiance (Su): This ability constantly duplicates the effect of the spell. Barronar cannot suppress this ability.
Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): At-will:
detect allegiance (usable as a free action); 3/day:
cure light wounds (CL 5); 1/day:
cure moderate wounds (CL 5),
neutralize poison (CL 8, DC 21);
greater teleport (only anywhere within its home)
Wild Empathy (Ex): As a druid, except that Barronar has a +6 racial bonus on the check.
Skills: Barronar receives a +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks. He also has a +3 racial bonus on Survival checks in the boundaries of his forest.
Skills
Jump +21 (4 ranks, +5 Str, +16 high-speed bonus, -4 ACP)
Listen +11 (6 ranks +5 Wis)
Move Silently +7 (2 ranks, +3 Dex, +4 racial, -2 ASP)
Spot +14 (6 ranks, +5 Wis, +3 competence)
Feats
Danger Sense [Combat]
You react to danger with uncanny effectiveness.
+0: You receive a +3 enhancement bonus to initiative rolls.
+1: For the purpose of Listen, Search and Spot checks, you are always considered to be actively searching. You also gain uncanny dodge (see the rogue ability of the same name).
Sharp-Eyed [Skill]
Nothing escapes you.
Spot 0 ranks: You gain a +3 competence bonus on Spot checks.
Spot 4 ranks: You can make a Spot check once per round as a free action. You don't take penalties on Spot checks due to distraction.
Equipment
Barding of the Scaled
Made from the hide of a red dragon, this barding was taken by Alice and Barronar in their first victory together, against a Hell Knight mounted on a fiendish... something.
+10 AC, +4 Max Dex, -4 ACP, -2 ASP
+1 BAB: You gain fire resistance equal to your BAB.
Horseshoes of the Zephyr
Standard issue for the steeds of high-ranking Crimson Rose knights, these are not normally given out to anyone of below Master rank. When pressed about how she got Barronar shod in these, Alice blushes and changes the subject.
+10ft movement speed.
Now I have to explain my allegiances a little bit. First, a little code of conduct for the Crimson Rose. Note that both Alice AND Barronar must follow it.
- A Knight of the Crimson Rose must always appear immaculate, even in the heat of battle, to the extent that it does not endanger her own life. Slightly out-of-place hair, a broken nail or creased clothes are acceptable, but anything more severe must be remedied as soon as possible.
- A Knight of the Crimson Rose may never use curse or swear words, in any languages, whether she knows them or not. While provisions are made for accidental swearing (as it is a popular prank among those who know obscure languages and this practice), even this is to be avoided whenever possible.
- A Knight of the Crimson Rose must always wear a prominent piece of clothing coloured red. The piece must be at least six inches square, and cannot be covered by anything.
- A Knight of the Crimson Rose never accepts undue assistance. She must refuse Aid Another actions.
In Alice's case, the red thing is her boots. In Barronar's case, his barding.
Secondly, an explanation of what I mean by 'natural life'. Essentially, Barronar is all about sustainable use of nature, without anything that would get people who agree with the Kyoto Protocol worked up.
Thirdly, 'Master Knight Sir Valanar Tyberian' is the uncle to which Alice owes so much.
Lastly, the Thrice-Born. I would like to, before posting this, reinforce that Alice is in absolutely
no way a Thrice-Born Believer.
The Thrice-Born
Origins: The Thrice-Born have been worshipped for an incredibly long time, predating all other forms of worship on Arthuria. First revealed by the Prophet Issa, it has since become the predominant religion of Arthuria, with limited success elsewhere. Although Issa lived a very short life on Arthuria (having chosen to leave it and travel to 'worlds elsewhere'), his teachings were the beginnings of the kingdom of Cristia, which continues to be a stronghold for the Thrice-Born Believers, the strongest and largest faction within the followers of the Thrice-Born.
Beliefs: Those who follow the Thrice-Born are known to disagree on many things. However, the points of agreement are as follows: the greatest divinities of all are the Thrice-Born, represented as Father, Mother and Son (although some factions also claim a Daughter, although this is considered heterodox at best), who are 'as one, but in thrice'. Some claim that this means that they are one being with three different forms, or three beings which act in unison. The former interpretation (the Monoformants) is the one that is taken by the Thrice-Born Believers, although the latter interpretation (the Triunitarians) is slowly becoming more popular. Additionally, all hold the Contract of Issa as the key guiding principles of their faith, although interpretations vary considerably, and the status of Issa is always at least that of a prophet (if not a divine being, or the Son himself). Lastly, all those who follow the Thrice-Born are expected to spread their faith and convince others to believe as they do. To what extent this is taken varies, but some factions have seen this as justification for holy war and worse crimes.
The Contract of Issa
Believed to have been formulated by Prophet Issa himself, as revealed to him by the Thrice-Born, the Contract of Issa is the key founding document of all Thrice-Born followers. However, as the document was written down only in poetic form, interpreting it precisely has become an endless complexity between the different factions of the Thrice-Born faithful, with the recent Collegiate Revolution and its discoveries not helping one bit.
The Contract contains nine clauses (or Edicts), which are listed below.
Honour the greatness of the Thrice-Born, for none are above their power. Those who would be gods are but as men before them.
This passage, known as the Totalitarian (or First) Edict, has been largely interpreted to mean that the Thrice-Born are the only deity worthy of the title. The Thrice-Born Believers in particular assert this claim, insisting that even other deities are not as powerful as the Thrice-Born, thus making them lesser (if still divine) beings. As a result, those who belong to the Thrice-Born Believers must venerate the Thrice-Born above and beyond all other deities, and single-choice veneration is seen as the best approach to worship.
However, the Collegiate Revolution has shed further light on this. Specifically, the power of a deity is both theoretically infinite, but largely unattainable. Resultantly, claiming that one deity is more powerful than another is essentially akin to claiming one beach is better than another because it has more grains of sand – a rather pointless claim even if it could be substantiated. This discovery has forced the Thrice-Born Believers to amend their doctrine to its present form (whereas in the past, they simply claimed that other deities were not deities).
Largely due to this research, the second sentence of the Totalitarian Edict has been interpreted by several factions as not referring to deity-level beings at all, but simply claiming it as a reinforcement of the idea that no non-deity-level being is deserving of worship, making the Thrice-Born as simply another deity, with no claim of superiority, but having a strict prohibition against the veneration of any individual 'of this world or any other'. These factions venerate the Thrice-Born along with other deities, something which the Thrice-Born Believers look upon with scorn.
Depict not the Thrice-Born, nor my form in any matter of this world but your minds and hearts, for those who would create such things would attempt to form the formless, and limit the limitless.
This passage, titled the Non-imagic (or Second) Edict, is fairly uncontested, and almost all factions do not depict the Thrice-Born in any way aside from their symbol (which never claims itself as a depiction anyway).
The difficulty arises from the statement that 'my' form also cannot be depicted. Although most claim that Issa had been speaking from the first person while saying this, essentially insisting that he could not be depicted either, this is not a reading recognised by any but the Thrice-Born Believers. All other factions claim that the justification given cannot possibly fit Issa, as he had both form and limit (although less than can be expected). The Believers justify their interpretation by claiming that Issa was in fact the Son in mortal form, and therefore, had only the illusion of form or limit, but this is no longer looked upon as credible, as no provable Collegiate theory exists that could indicate that a deity could take mortal form. However, the Believers insist that until such a theory exists and is proven, their interpretation cannot be discounted.
Other factions interpret 'my' as referring to themselves, which means that they do not allow their picture to be painted or sculptures made in their form (a doctrine termed Non-imagism). This is considered extremist by many, and thus, these factions tend to be the minority. Most claim that Issa cannot be depicted, but not because of the justification given, but simply for reasons that are perhaps left unsaid.
Speak as you wish to be spoken to. Sully not your tongues with the words that harm, the words that injure, and speak only the truth of the Thrice-Born.
The Polity (or Third) Edict is one of the most disputed in existence. The Believers claim that it prohibits curse words of any kind, as well as speaking in any way that would hurt another. However, they claim that when an accusation is true, it can be spoken irrespective of how impolite or hurtful it is. This has caused accusations of hypocrisy by many, who claim that this merely allows the Believers to reprimand those that would criticise them, but allows them to criticise others on bases they consider 'truthful'.
Other factions claim that 'words that harm and injure' are words that incite others to harm or injure, which prohibits actions such as giving orders to hurt or kill someone (or even carry such an intepretive possibility). The 'truth of the Thrice-Born' is also interpreted by some (extremely extremist) factions as referring to only the teachings of the Thrice-Born, which prohibits them from saying anything not directly related to the faith. Others instead insist that this prohibits lying in any form. Most ordinary faithful simply claim that this is an injunction for politeness, civility and honesty.
The Fiveday is a day for holy work and holy thoughts. Keep it always.
The Fiveday (or Fourth) Edict is often seen as an insistence on prayer, divine contemplation and learning every Fiveday. How strict this regulation is varies from faction to faction, with the Thrice-Born Believers insisting that all attend a service on that day, and that missing such a service for anything short of life-threatening reasons is a great spiritual failing. However, other factions disagree with such a strict reading, claiming that 'holy work' and 'holy thoughts' can mean many different things, and many claim that simply ensuring that one follows the Contract thoroughly on Fivedays is sufficient. Activities which are not considered appropriate for Fivedays vary widely; the Believers insist on including sex into this category (and are about the only faction that does), while others claim that everything from eating meat to gambling to use of intoxicants to physical exercise (and many more besides) are not considered 'holy'.
The hierarchy is a sacred thing. Father comes before Son, Mother before Daughter, king before subject, and Thrice-Born before all things.
This clause, termed the Hierarchical (or Fifth) Edict, is interpreted in three ways. Firstly, it is claimed as an indication that the Thrice-Born indeed have a hierarchy of their own. However, at the same time, this interpretation hails that the unity of the Thrice-Born must come before such hierarchies, indicating that within an organization, all lessers and greaters become greater than they are. This interpretation is popular within the Believers, who also add that, as it involves 'kings and subjects', it must mean that all things in life also have such a hierarchy, which is of equal sacredness. These hierarchies are constituted in many different forms, concerning all ways of life, and deference to them is seen as a spiritual thing.
The second interpretation is more literal, claiming that this does not refer to the Thrice-Born at all; instead, it discusses the structure of the family, and that fathers should look after their sons, and in turn, be respected by their sons, and likewise for mothers and daughters. Kings and subjects are seen in the same way. However, in all other things, it claims that hierarchies are not divine or sacred things, but simply created for whatever purpose, good or bad, that their non-divine creators insisted upon. This is probably closest to what many lay believers practice in their lives as far as this Edict is concerned.
The last, perhaps most unusual, interpretation of this is the fact that in fact, the Thrice-Born are not three, but four, with the Daughter being a hierarchically inferior, but present, being. Very few factions consider this interpretation valid, however.
Kill not those who believe, for they are equal in greatness to yourselves. Only the Thrice-Born can decide who is to live and who is to die.
Due to the gravity of its implications, the Terminal (or Sixth) Edict is a matter of hot interpretive debate. The most common divergences result from differing interpretations of 'those who believe'. The Thrice-Born Believers claim that this refers only to other Believers, and thus, claim that violence against those who are not Believers (even if they are heterodox followers of the Thrice-Born) is acceptable. This is not something shared by almost any other factions, who largely interpret 'those who believe' as referring to the faithful of any deity, or those who believe in the Thrice-Born (including those who venerate other deities in addition). Some factions also claim that if the Thrice-Born (through some mortal agent) declare an enemy, they can be killed without concern. Who has the right to make such a decision is frequently a matter of dispute, although the Thrice-Born Believers insist that the Hierarch has this right (although it has rarely been invoked, and always for a limited span of time).
The marriage contract is akin to that of Issa – those that violate it are unworthy in the eyes of the Thrice-Born.
The Marital (or Seventh) Edict is usually read as requiring those who are married to abstain from sexual relations with any other person, as well as requiring those that are married to not marry anyone else as long as their spouse lives. Divorce (that is, the breaking of an already-established marriage contract) is rare among those who believe in the Thrice-Born, though some factions claim that the breaking of a marriage contract does not constitute its violation. The Thrice-Born Believers also claim that sexual relations outside marriage regardless of whether one is married or not are a violation of the marriage contract, though in this case, explicitly that which you would sign in the future. Such a 'chronological' interpretation is not seen as valid by any other faction within those who believe in the Thrice-Born. Lastly, monogamous marriage is rejected by several factions of those who believe in the Thrice-Born (which collectively term themselves as the Polygamists), although most claim the ability to marry multiple women is restricted to men only. Endless denunciations over the interpretations of this Edict abound.
That which another owns is theirs to give and theirs alone. None but the Thrice-Born can decide who is to own what, and none beneath them can make that choice for another.
This Edict, dubbed the Mercantilist (or Eighth), is basically non-controversial. Its basic implication (that property and possession transfers are only valid with the consent of the one that owns them) is not disputed (except by the few factions who argue that figures senior enough to be qualified to speak for the Thrice-Born can make decisions redistributing property or possessions without the consent of their owners), but the extent to which it applies varies. The Thrice-Born Believers read it as strictly forbidding theft, whether by strength or guile, but insist that the Hierarch, who speaks for the Thrice-Born, may make decisions regarding the redistribution of anyone's property. As this power has yet to be used by the Hierarch, its implications regarding non-believers (and, indeed, non-Believers) have not yet been considered.
Envy not what others may have, for it demeans both you and them. Be like the Thrice-Born, content with all, but owning none.
The Ninth (or Luxurious) Edict is the subject of some controversy among the different factions. The most common interpretation of this Edict is that none should envy others simply because they have something that they do not, is complicated by the various implications. Some factions argue that only physical objects should not be envied, and that the envy of intangibles (such as intellect or talent) is acceptable. Others (including the Believers) claim that it is the emotion of envy, rather than some specific expression of it, that is being criticized within the Edict, and thus, claim that the envy of anything for any reason is wrong.
The second sentence is also widely disputed. Many argue it to simply be an injunction toward tolerance, benevolence and acceptance, but other, more literalist traditions claim this is an injunction toward a monastic existence for all those who believe in the Thrice-Born. Generally, factions tend to fall in-between these positions, allowing for a monastic tradition for those who desire it, but not requiring it of all faithful. The Thrice-Born Believers state that monasticism is an ideal state to aspire to, but accepts the fact that not all are willing or able to undertake such a step, making allowances for both monastic and non-monastic adherence.