Maester

In History: The term Master originally was used to denote anyone who had people working under him, especially servants or slaves. It therefor lead to a title for any skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity, the implication being that one who had reached peak skill at a task would ultimately have apprentices under him doing the majority of the work, while the Master oversaw and taught. The term comes from Old English mæg(i)ster (later reinforced by Old French maistre ), from Latin magister ; probably related to magis ‘more’ (i.e., ‘more important’).

In Fantasy: In George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire a Maester is a member of the order of scholars, healers, postmen, and scientists who are trained at a school called the Citadel. They are sometimes called "the knights of the mind." Masters begin their training as novices in the Citadel. Once they forge their first link, they are known as Acolytes. When an Acolyte has earned enough links to form a chain around his neck, he is considered worthy of advancement to the title Maester. The night before the acolytes swear their vows to become maesters, they must stand a vigil in a vault with a black Glass candle. He is allowed no lantern or any other source of light. Unless he can light the candle, he will spend the night in total darkness.

In Belegarth: A Maestership is the equivalence of a Knighthood with a greater focus on the Arts and Sciences, rather than combat. The role of Maester came from a need for an equivalency to Knighthood for non-combatants, and specifically those who physically could not fight, due to health or handicap. A Maester is required to have just as much, if not more proficiency and knowledge of all the subjects that a Knight would. A Maester differs from a [Seneschal] or an [Artificer] in that they are required to have shown mastery of both arts and sciences and leadership and administrative skills. As well, a Maester must still show proficiency in the martial arts of Belegarth, however, instead of this being displayed in pure skill, it should be displayed in other forms, such as ability to teach, knowledge of various training exercises (or scenarios), as well as ability to lead troops on the field. Skill in any weapon that the Maester can wield is encouraged, even if it is not directly in a combat scenario (i.e. archery or javelin target practice).

Upon completion of their training, an Acolyte must complete a ‘trial’ in the form of a Maester’s Thesis or dissertation. The Acolyte must choose a research topic that will seek to increase the knowledge of Belegarth, LARP, or pre-industrial martial arts. The research and writing involved in the thesis is to be the mental equivalent of a knight’s endurance trial (if you aren’t crying or puking, you’re not working hard enough). After the thesis is submitted, a council of ‘experts’ (preferably Maesters, but Knight’s may be used, as well as anyone the council feels is a necessary expert in the field), will review the thesis, and then bring the Acolyte forward to defend his or her thesis. The council will then decide if the Acolyte is worthy of the title of Maester, and if so, the newly appointed Maester will earn the right to wear a Maester’s chord around their neck. The Maester will then be allowed their own heraldry.

Acolyte

In History: An acolyte can be anyone who performs ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles, or one who has been inducted into a particular liturgical ministry, even when not performing those duties. The word acolyte is derived from the Greek word ἀκόλουθος (akolouthos), meaning an attendant, via Late Latin acolythus.

In Fantasy: In George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire an Acolyte is a student of the Citadel who has formed a link, but not enough to yet have a chain. Once he has earned enough links to form a chain around his neck, he is considered worthy of advancement to the title Maester. The night before the acolytes swear their vows to become maesters, they must stand a vigil in a vault with a black Glass candle. He is allowed no lantern or any other source of light. Unless he can light the candle, he will spend the night in total darkness.

In Belegarth: An Acolyte is the equivalent of a Squire, and is obligated in all the same duties, except swordplay. While an Acolyte is required to educate themselves in the martial arts, and should have proficiency in the use of weapons, it is not a requirement. An Acolyte may have a Novice to assist them (the equivalent of a Retainer), though the Novice’s duty is primarily to their Maester. Upon completion of their training, an Acolyte must complete a ‘trial’ in the form of a Maester’s Thesis or dissertation. The Acolyte must choose a research topic that will seek to increase the knowledge of Belegarth, LARP, or pre-industrial martial arts. The research and writing involved in the thesis is to be the mental equivalent of a knight’s endurance trial (if you aren’t crying or puking, you’re not working hard enough). After the thesis is submitted, a council of ‘experts’ (preferably Maesters, but Knight’s may be used, as well as anyone the council feels is a necessary expert in the field), will review the thesis, and then bring the Acolyte forward to defend his or her thesis. An Acolyte is identified by wearing their Maester’s symbol on a scroll (instead of the pentagonal shield of a knight).