Caretakers

Born of the Lodge of Jhiro,
October 25th, 1641 || 384 Years
Caretaker - Bishop of the Guiding Light
Headstrong, Rebellious, Inquisitive, Playful
- - - - -

The concept of morality and justice are very strong motivators for Fencer. As a former soldier of Akistro's battalion, Fencer is well known to keep a cool head while under intense pressure. After the divine barrier was erected some 250 years ago, Fencer stepped back as a soldier. He was one of many who had lost everything and looked for purpose, a reason to keep going. After a long time of thinking how best to use his drive and dedication, taking charge of a caretaker lodge was what called to him. He couldn't bring back those he'd lost, but he could give these new generations a fighting chance.
As time passed, the heaviness of his grief was slowly being overshadowed by the light in his heart that grew from seeing his young nymphs prosper. While not a weapons master, Fencer has more than enough knowledge of fighting, sparring, and weaponry enough to cleverly train his pupils in secret. Creating courses and classes that at first glance were entertaining and passed the time, but trained them to refine the skills they didn't even realize they were learning.
Archery competitions to see who could hit the most targets the fastest amongst their peers taught them speed, precision, and agility in their secret marksmen training. Training with a heavy moving dummy taught them how to keep calm, be aware of their environment, and think one step ahead when facing an enemy larger and stronger than themselves. Physical sparring amongst each other not only helped boost friendly rivalries and competitive spirit, but it also taught them how to study their opponent and try to learn weaknesses, find opportunities, and make their strike. When every opponent is unpredictable, your strength alone is not enough, you must learn from it. Fencer works with the nymphs to guide them along to find what fits them most.
Alongside his assistants, they often carve and craft the practice weapons out of wood. Giving the nymphs beginner bows and staffs to grow their skills. His teachings of protection and weaponry under the guise of competition don't end at the nymph stage, he continues his methods far into adulthood should they take to it and want to continue. He runs classes every day, taking breaks on only Mondays or when called upon by other lodge members. 

Born of the Lodge of Umbreglade,
August 12th, 1613 || 412 Years
Caretaker - Bishop of the Guiding Light
Critical, Arrogant, Protective, Aggressive, Meticulous, Lawful

- - - - -

If asked her opinion, and you should always ask the opinion of someone like her, Briella would say that her lodge raises the finest future citizens of Cypress Springs. She cares not for the lodges she sees as lesser nor does she waste much effort on those raised from them. She detests Scout most of all and thinks the way they run their lodge creates "weak" nymphs.
Briella is a proud, assertive, and loyal cleric of the Guiding Light. She maintains a high standard for her appearance and expects the same of those raised in her lodge, they represent her of course and it should show. She rarely has a hair out of place and expects nothing but the best.
Her nymphs are accustomed to strict regiments. Their rooms must be kept in pristine condition, clutter and chaos have no place here. Their clothing must be clean and orderly, sloppy appearances reflect poorly on the wearer. They are expected to be studious, absorbing the history and knowledge that she recounts, as she recounts it. Many of the Tomes have been lost 250 years ago. It is unknown if her recounting is truly accurate after all this time, but no one dares question her nor speak out of line about her. Her word is law, as far as her lodge is concerned.
Older nymphs are expected to keep the younger ones in line, teaching them, or rather forcing them, to act as they should so the group doesn't get punished for their behavior. She is one of the only known caretakers to use corporal punishment. Her lodge is one of maintained control, discipline, and ferocity. Nymphs who are too weak to make it in her lodge are exiled and sent to another lodge. A nymph can't reflect poorly on her if they aren't a part of her lodge. Cutting away unsightly leaves lets the rose remain beautiful. 

Born of the Lodge of Oakren,
March 5th, 1764 || 261 Years
Caretaker - Elder of the Guiding Light
Excitable, Friendly, Outgoing, Contagious Positivity

- - - - -

Currently the youngest amongst the caretakers remaining in Cypress Springs. They were raised in one of the now long gone lodges. Sometimes feeling they have a lot to prove amongst their more experienced elders, they work hard to push away their self-doubts and imbue their lodge with a contagious sense of compassion and acceptance. Nymphs from their lodge are highly social and friendly, much like Scout themselves.
They prioritize teaching their nymphs self-worth, compassion, and sportsmanship. They enjoy creating little "badges" to celebrate small achievements from their nymphs. The badges they can earn get more and more elaborate as they grow older, providing entertainment and goals to achieve.
They partner with the other caretakers to arrange Field Days, where the Lodges compete against one another in small sports events or competitive games to win humble, but thoughtful prizes. Though other lodges may view Scout as lesser, they do their best to not let that negative energy tarnish their efforts and stain the young nymphs view on the world.

Born of the Wilds,
December 28th, 1524 || 501 Years
Caretaker

Recluse, Logical, Soft-spoken, Quiet, Protective, Forlorn

- - - - -

Lobo is an older caretaker, but still not much is known about his personal life to this day. He often keeps to himself when not at the lodge and can be found reading in a quiet spot or writing in his personal journals. On stormy days he can be seen looking up at the wall, often in quiet contemplation. Though he never reveals what he's thinking about when he does this.
His quiet, task driven nature and broad skillsets are often helpful to Baron Akistro and the Archbishop Elio with record keeping documents. When asked about his thoughts on Akistro or his rulings, he deflects and any opinion he states is too broad or vague to imply he is for or against anything.
His skills are broad as well as his teaching, with some calling this the neutral pick for lodges. The rules of his lodge are loose and he doesn't employ curfews like most others. Those who grow up here learn a wide range of standard knowledge without specialized focuses some of the other lodges offer.
He does take joy in recounting stories of old heroes, legends, monsters and magics to his nymphs, inspiring a sense of awe and adventure within them. Understanding how dangerous the Devouring Darkness can be is something that is drilled into the youngsters over and over until they are sick of hearing it. If they learn anything from his lodge, it will be to never underestimate it, never get lost in it, as once you do there is no way back. 

Born of the Lodge of Durellin,
September 20th, 1465  || 560 Years
Caretaker - Elder of the Guiding Light
Day Dreamer, Encouraging, Pacifist, Gossiper

- - - - -

If by herself she can be found with her eyes closed and humming music, her head swaying gently side to side. An avid daydreamer, she dreams of the old days, but often gets lost along the way when telling stories about how things used to be. The travelers, the music, the tea! So many options back in the day. Speaking of tea, she loves tea of the dramatic variety as well. A guilty pleasure as it were, gossiping about the goings on in Cypress Springs. It is its own form of entertainment.
She actually knows a lot more than she lets on, despite appearing to have her head in the clouds at times. She knows when youngsters in her lodge attempt to sneak out, but does she stop them? Sips tea ... curiosity must be fed, as long as they are safe about it. Sneaking out of the Lodge is one thing, out of the walls is another. She can be very stern with those who dream too lofty, being able to "paint a picture" with her words of the dangers that await them should they try it, even if they just take it as spooky stories from an old lady. She encourages the youngsters to dream big, but know their limits.
While her darling Koffler dazzles with woven word pictures and astounding canvases, Jane's specialties more align with using what is around you as creatively as you can. Teaching what plants and mushrooms can be used together to create pigments, dyes, and paints. How to harvest and process natural fibers from plants and moth cocoons to make fiber, yarn, and silk.  What plants work the best to make paper. Skills that are fun, creative, and useful in a variety of ways. She has hundreds of journals with detailed research and careful testing notes about the subjects. (Also maybe some notes on what plants and mushrooms make great tea and what makes very bad, terrible, AWFUL tea ... that may actually be poison instead. But, she won't divulge that information.)
The skills Jane teaches can work side by side with Koffler. While Jane teaches how to make a canvas, paper, and paints, it's Koffler who teaches how to take it to the next level and assemble it all into wonderful artworks. Jane goes on and on with admiration for Koffler, reciting that the only thing to not like about him is his taste in beverage, but she won't hold it against him. After all, they run the Lodge of Brew together.

Born of the Lodge of Mushboar,
December 28th, 1524 || 501 Years
Caretaker, Bishop of the Guiding Light
Boisterous, Eccentric, Confident, Righteous, Affectionate

- - - - -

Koffler is a dreamer and true artist at heart. Spending his free time roaming around the inner walls of Cypress Springs finding new and unique things to observe and admire even after all these years. When you take the time to truly look, see things from a new perspective, you never know what you might find. This provides him with deep inspiration, taking that energy back to the lodge to be the subjects of that week's artistic project for his nymphs. He often wishes he had four arms like an Arthramotti so he could create twice as many artworks as he can with only two.
He is completely smitten with his partner, Jane, and will move the sun and stars for her. His level of determination, admiration, and affections overflow and extend beyond just his partner, to the nymphs he helps raise. He is a doting fatherly type who will support and do whatever he can to help his nymphs achieve their goals, reach their dreams, complete their projects, or whatever their path heads towards.
To Koffler there are few greater joys in life than helping nymphs discover their creativity and imagination. Helping his nymphs bring their visions to life on paper, canvas, or mural is a moment of wonder every time. He exudes the same level of admiration and excitement for their first piece as he does for their hundredth piece. The journey is just as important as the destination.
You'll rarely find him missing a day at the lodge. When he does, nymphs may keep entertained by flipping through the many picture story books Koffler creates. With tales of adventure and history accompanied by this mesmerizing art, it makes learning fun for the younger motti.
Koffler knows who he is and what he likes. He's not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right. Violence is rarely the answer, words and wisdom should be chosen whenever possible. He is vehemently against trolling or bullying. He will do his best to mend broken hearts and build bridges to reconnect torn friendships. 

Born of the Lodge of Jekyll,
January 8th, 1329 || 696 Years
Caretaker - Bishop of the Guiding Light
Patient, Jovial, Observant, Adventurous, Adaptive
- - - - -

Nymphs from Rowan's lodge learn quickly how to respect and live off the water. Good things come to those who wait, so learning patience is a hard earned virtue. A day with no catch is still a day well spent, as you enjoy things more when you take things slow and enjoy your time no matter how you spend it. He will sometimes sit with his friend Lobo in near silence all day just enjoying the company.
Fishing for Rowan is a hobby and a critical life skill. Besides patience it teaches self reliance. If you can feed yourself, no matter how bad the rest of the day goes, you can go to bed with a full belly. Respecting the resources is very important, being greedy and catching way more than you need may fill your belly today, but you must also think about tomorrow. One should take care not to over fish so that the resource stays healthy and plentiful.
While teaching how to make your own boat is something only the older Nymphs or adult Motti learn; understanding how to be safe while on them, how to maintain it, and how each part functions is integral for anyone who spends any time on the water. Rowan warns of the dangers lurking below the water and requires them to use a buddy system for safety.
If bait doesn't seem to draw the fish in using a net or trap might work better! Rowan is well versed in selecting different plants that work well to turn into strong ropes that are resistant to the swampy waters. Learning how to harvest, dry, and process various plants into rope is a skill that takes a while to get right, but is very useful.
Should you have terrible luck with the fishing or just want some extra flair to throw in with your cooking, foraging is also an option. During the fitting seasons Rowan also shows the young nymphs how to identify wild plants, roots, and wild veggies that are edible. 

Born of the Lodge of Nelumbo,
April 20th, 1419 || 606 Years
Caretaker - Archbishop of the Guiding Light
Holy, Judgemental, Prideful, Strict, Stubborn
- - - - -

As an Archbishop, Elio is a prominent and well respected figure in Cypress Springs. Garnering a reputation as being a "chosen one" of the Guiding Light, a truly holy and blessed servant of Lepidlanvhi. She is a powerful cleric who emphasizes the importance of following Lepidlanvhi's values and traits, encouraging nymphs to live their lives as righteously as possible.
Her lodge is attached to the Eastern Temple and the Keystone Springs. Due to the location and her ranking, she designates how many keystones get distributed amongst the other remaining lodges to infuse and raise. She keeps a detailed record of each one dating back hundreds of years.
She maintains a constant state of grace, moving delicately with slow precise actions. Her garments are always in pristine condition, long flowing clothing in predominantly white or yellows. Often with accessories or notable detailing in sets of three as it is a blessed number of Lepidlanvhi. She too only bears three ferrowicks in accordance to this blessed number.
On the outside one would easily see Elio as someone to emulate. Their grace, their devotion, their wisdom, their kindness; all commendable attributes. Her daily preachings inspire those around her. Her care and support of the older generations present a humble nature. Like many of the older ones, she too lost many close to her in the attack 250 years ago.
Despite the gentle appearance and demeanor she carefully crafts, behind the walls of her lodge and out of view of others, she is viewed much differently by the nymphs she raises. She is severe and intense in her expectations. While she and Briella share similar and favored results, Elio prefers using different methods. Elio is not fond of corporal punishment like Briella, as she views it as ineffective. You can force the body to behave, but the mind will still be disobedient. To get true obedience and devotion you must reshape the mind to obey.
She uses psychological manipulation, gas-lighting, emotional black-mail, guilt-tripping, social comparisons, verbal shame / discipline in front of peers, and more. The mind has to want to change, even if it doesn't believe it. Breaking down their spirits until they are more pliable. Withholding food, locking them up in time out, writing phrases over and over, scrubbing the temple with inefficient tools, etc.
The nymphs fall into line pretty quickly in her lodge, with few nymphs hanging onto their rebellious nature for long. The best amongst them get special treatment, earning Elio's favor and love. Nymphs raised there often stick around into adulthood, helping with the temple itself. They may find that those who grew up in different lodges just don't understand or relate to them, so they stick around those who do. Be it because of how they were raised, their dedication to Lepidlanvhi, or their continued need for Elio's approval. Why they stick around is a question few think to ask and even fewer are willing to answer truthfully.