Solar Compendium: Earth

 Hex Philosophy

The metaphysics of the Hex are luminous in nature. It was discovered when the possession of certain photonic frequencies inhabit light signatures in an upwards and wayward motion perpendicular to the laws of science and change in activity, 'turbulence'  appears and an equilibrium of magical energy in relation to the growing awareness of the soul cultivates.  Thus, manipulators of the Hex can utilize their knowledge and connection to 'heal light' and bend it towards a redistribution of matter, energy and creation. To put into less esoteric terms, the properties of this light have a half-life decay of non-linear time and under measurement and observation, dissolve into a strata of basic magical constituents without further intervention- the Oohts referred to this a 'Base sickness' and compare it to entropy. They however observed under certain conditions, this 'sickness' could be delayed and deferred, with that clarity it became possible to harness these properties. Once this prerequisite was properly adjoined with certain instruments, the permissibility of further experiments showed these luminous particles could strengthen their 'turbulence' with the conditions that unite vectors of information, codified as the Lucifierous Lament. The Lament is a measurement of cumulative density that abstractions of quantum arrangement entangle to encapsulate self-perpetuating arrays of data, going up a cosmic scale. A singular cell contains 1894💫on the scale, an organic body typically 78 million 💫, a rock or crystal about 17 💫from molecule structure. About 186.5 x 10^20 photons of light possess a 💫 of 1. The most perplexing discovery of this process appears to be consciousness (In the context of neural activity or learning self-reflective machinery) itself multiplies the Lament by several factors, as first confirmed by ancient artificial Intelligence the Ooht's created. However the sheer quantity of this measurement💫does not correspond to a linear increase of turbulence within the Hex, nor its magical reality-interfacing properties being strengthened in numerality. Rather it extends its temporality, the centrifuge of cellular and organic activity maintains these photonic frequencies very briefly, in terms of barely microseconds, whereas (untrained) intellects can holds the field for numerous seconds—The record for an untrained application was 7 seconds, in which it was used to make a cup of dairy slightly sour. The Oohts framework would refer to this as 'Light Curation', literally curing light of Base Sickness.

 

Thus, the Hex has no material substance nor has any form or size as we define them- it is a pure abstract form and quantity that is measured in density in the dimensionless scale. In the process of harnessing and manipulating the Hex, the Lucifierous Lament has been measured as a measurement of entities that are capable of measuring the stability of the material creation. Thus, manipulating the Hex is a process where we harness what seems as magical energy or light, but its function is in an attempt to use it as a source of force to build an array of connections that act as multipliers for the Hex's stability. Six different photonic vectors have been discovered, with varying light spectral qualities. Information can be consciously represented as photons that have a very tiny frequency or wavelength, or in terms of the number of these photons created in a time frame in a way analogous to the concept of quantum particles. Since these frequencies or wavelengths have their own unique magical properties, by increasing the vector of light, the Hex becomes more stable, in the sense that if one light vector connects to another light vector, its frequency becomes a more consistent value and allows for a prolonged amplification of the light spectrum. This appears applicable to a fold of 1.61803398^6.

 

Because light frequencies can be amplified in parallel if they are aligned by some vector, the Lucifierous Lament runs into an epistemological limit to detect when a frequency becomes unstable and can be increased by a factor of the fold, which would allow for the amplification of one light vector to make it a multiple of an another light vector. The Oohts were aware of this technical problem, they were aware of the potential for this process and they had attempted to find a method to detect such a change in quality. While this phenomenon could not be detected because of its inherent instability, the Oohts attempted to circumvent the problem and create a method to harness a process where the Hex is stabilized in its ability to create multiple vectors of light in a parallel fold of two or three. Their methodology largely utilized intense scientific scrutiny and theoretical formulations, but for the most part they were unable to resolve the contradictions inherent to their thinking. What the Oohts did was to set up an instrument, they made a series of instruments known as the Maelstroms. These were machines designed to measure and harness the Lucifierous Lament and convert primitive fuels (cell-rich moss, crystals, swamp Arachnoid eggs fermented for decades from decay) into magical energy, resulting from the turbulence of light to process laminar power into Maelstrom instruments. They were met with limited success, atleast by modern standards. In relation to their time period, this breakthrough was nothing short of a paradigm shift, touching every aspect of their lives in the span of a single solar rotation. The Maelstrom however was an incomplete instrument. Because their primary goal was to generate a fold of 6 spectral strata, the instruments they attempted to create had a series of limitations. They created an upgraded device similar to the Maelstroms, called a Zorlagh, which was capable of detecting this instability of the Hex, and was designed to act as a stabilizing device for the harvesting of the Hex. However the Zorlagh was not perfect, it merely made the Oohts realize the depths of their ignorance and misunderstanding of the Hex, even upon bringing these new energies into their lives. The Oohts had cracked the secrets of nuclear fusion, and still the properties of the Hex alluded to them. It wasn't until generations later when they observed the Santri, in their nested idyllic habitats starting to change their artificial environments and develop unique capabilities that the true nature of the Hex would come to be re-questioned.

 

The Hex's relationship to the Lucifierous Lament is a phenomenon that takes us to a non-linear, non-local, and non-temporal relationship of a fundamental and yet unformed nature. We are talking about a phenomenon that involves the ability to fold the quantum world into a multidimensional and time-free relationship, where it can be manipulated. This, in turn, affects how we perceive the world. As this is applied to the natural world, we can no longer describe this as simply "Magic" or "quantum physics", the concept is much more than that. In the same way, for instance, that gravity cannot be quantified properly beyond the constraints of relativity (as in the case of a singularity) at a point, we cannot speak of how the Hex operates in terms of the Lament and the Lucifierous Lament. What axiom was put forth, which proved to be correct was that if the phenomenon that is the Hex could change how we perceive the world, how we perceive the world could interact and change the Hex. This was postulated as preposterous by the Oohts, even by those drawing the connections how this was shown in weird forms. One of the earliest experiments with the Santri, recontextualized as the 'Tale of the Jealous Wives' by the Prophet much later, tells of a scenario where Oohts offered Santri two pieces of paper and were told to write, thoughts that lead to action, and 'fake thoughts' that would not lead to action. Then to only submit one, to be read by another Santri and if they imagine they submit the correct paper could lead to action upon interview, they would be rewarded gluttonously. This belief system, while not asserted as true engineers a situation where the Santri was forced to make a metaphysical choice, and had to choose what the result means, the product of this was a measured result where they could observe a spilled out surplus of the Hexic fields. But so the annotation goes, the surplus was not dependent on whether or not they used magic, but whether the two Santri were evaluated on certain outcomes were bonded or closely approximate in their knowledge of one another. The operating logic, became knowledge of rules, connections and conceptual bonds could strengthen the Hex. The Santri, who studied this an era later would become obsessed with this concept, and sift through this idea that the forces that shape the Hex's reality are deeply serious nested 'relationships' which preserve the Hex from an otherwise nihilistic environment. The obsession with scientific measurement proved to be the setback of the Oohts. This concept is increasingly important, deviations of obliterated ignorance or isolation were what the Prophet called "Jealous Time'', restricting the shift to understand thoughts and the power of connective idealism, cultivating the Hex in reality, and how there is a force that structures your life and threw in all their belief and significance behind this system. "Everyone plays a part in the Hex, and everyone can. But many do not choose to." This incommensurable perspective put forth was not apprehended as a fiction or imagination, but communicated and endorsed that connective modes of being structured reality, feelings were externalized, knowledge runs into each other, were processed by a highly idealist force where those feelings and their perceptions of the world produced the world. In other words, the material world does exist, but the Hex operates as a higher source that allows the capability to rethink the world, subordinate to that understanding.

 

From these postulates of basic reasoning, a basic belief system came to be about how one should operate in the world and assume the subjectivity of others. Ultimately, your perception of the world is going to run into someone else's perception of the world, and friction will come to be there, which is seen as a melodrama of the material world. What results is a contest of wills and beliefs between oppositional forces, and how powerful are your beliefs in contest with the opposition you run into. Because the Hex is strengthened by familiarity, it came to be understood that your love for someone can overwhelm someone else, rather than following the drive to subordinate and dominate others. This ideal became the basis for their spiritual frenzy, the power of feeling and imagination and how it could determine reality, even as historically the Hexads have been undercutting this basis.

 Divine Machines

The Santri were also inspired by an idea that they called "The Divine Machine'', which they believed could have been a major catalyst in their technological advancement as a species. It was a project that would attempt to take a model of the universe and to turn it inside-out, where nothing could be stable, everything can be unstable, for the select purpose of putting the Hex as the broad structure of reality, rather than superimposed. They called their theoretical new reality the Perennial Archcycle, and Santri's obsession with this concept would lead to the eventual downfall of the Santri. For starters, it was an attempt to make this reality of the universe a perpetual motion machine where the Lament factor reached infinity, and the Hex lasts indefinitely, without photonic atrophy.  As we've seen in this document, the Oohts' concept was to view reality as a dynamic and constant phenomenon. They saw no stability and instead saw everything as an ephemeral creation. Because of their own experiences, a series of them were in conflict with this model of reality and these conflicts started to build. The Santri had no internal disputes, and rejected this ephemeral view. The concept of the Hex as eternal and absolute, was blindingly attractive to them. Although this viewpoint mostly  died with them, certain sects of the Nite Sisterhood found a prophesied, metaphoric version of this event as crucial to their dogma.

 

They also believed in another phenomenon that we can call the "Hexic Light Fields''. This refers to the energy that surrounds everything that is there. It is a fundamental part of the Hex. It gives the perception of the Hex in a fundamental way, and a connection to the higher order. If one is attuned to this phenomenon, one can feel the hex in their daily lives, if the Hex is strong. Some Santri would feel this "Hexic Light Field '' as a sensation in their heads, a feeling in their mind, or a subtle sensation all over the body. While others would be in a constant state of "Hexic Light Field'' awareness. While there is a fundamental reality that this phenomenon is true, there is no way to measure this in a quantifiable way, and this is one of the fundamental flaws in the Santri' understanding. What they were able to measure was that a person that experienced the sensation and became more adept at detecting and feeling it, also produced a stronger Hex. It also came to be that the higher the sensitivity, the greater the Hexic activity in their life. "A very sensitive person is like a light sensitive person". This is the only way to understand this phenomenon, as it is only through a person's sensitivity to this field that the Hex would manifest in the world. While it served as an idle curiosity among early Hexist scholars, views on Hexic Light Fields were largely pushed out, and became emblematic of a simpler time, and simpler view of the Hex. As the Hex itself is fundamentally not merely a completed nature as the Luminous Field, this became a major point of contention between the Hexists and the Santri-Ooht universe of the ancient Hex. It was viewed as interesting for its time, but largely fell into disinterest.

 

The Santri had a belief that the ones who felt that the Hex were the ones who felt it best, and felt it exclusively. This idea explains the person who feels the energy field of the hex produces a Hexic field and creates the hex, rather than the Hex existing independent of their own personal context. The people who felt that the Hex is an energy field that surrounds everything and serves those who tap into it. This is not the place to debate this, and how it affects the Santri, but it was a fundamental belief of theirs. The belief that if you do not feel the Hexic Light Field, the Hex is a phenomenon that does not extend to you. It has rejected you, so it goes. Quite conveniently for themselves, they believed this applied to their enemies and nonbelievers, often as a justification for murder and conquest, and that the Hex 'chose them' specifically. The Hex, able to overcome a materialist universe, would embed itself within networks of domination and subordination, preaching that you are an active participant within a system of forced conditions and that a faith in the Hex alone could liberate these physical conditions. One of the earliest sermons of the Prophet preached against any application of this thinking.

 

  Ward Academies

Warden children’s literature and picture books are known to be quite adorable, and ever popular in the imagination of young Hexists aren’t they?

 

A Ward student typically begins their training with informal lessons and tutoring between the ages of 6-18, an accurate estimation of their education includes basic forms of sequencing magic, history lessons and folding in playdates with other prospective future Wards. The facility centers for youth include demonstrative gardens, curated forests, Hexist museums, and local churches. A ward's basic education includes an understanding of basic magic fundamentals, as well as the fundamentals of many different magical disciplines including divination, alchemy, herbalism, and the use of other magical artifacts, as well as the more esoteric disciplines like conjurations. The wards from a very young age are also taught how to control their own destinies, and to some extent manage their relationships and understand the connections with their peers. Building a dialog with nature, their friends and engaging higher forms of knowledge are taught as their primary responsibilities.

 

Enrollment into formal Warden education involves an appointment, a written test and almost always begins with the Wards performing some simple magic while the teaching staff's attention is on them called an 'Overlap Performance'. Wardens discuss all potential entrees as a group with the Ward Weiss. After selection, the Wards are selected out of the hat, they are assigned to a specific type of element, one of the six. This Aspect is not fixed, and training students have the choice to reassign their element once a year by a written petition to choose their proper tract. The first 3 years of training will not emphasize these elements too heavily.

 

The training of a Ward continues throughout their whole lives, and takes place at a range of facilities throughout the world. Most Wards find themselves in formal schools for their training, but many choose to enroll in a variety of workshops or study to deepen their knowledge after their Emblem is earned. Many Wards go on to identify with and work for the church, and some even go into specialized education exclusively to do so.

 

A Ward's educational life when enrolled in an academy is typically characterized by a large number of social engagements. Classes are often held at other times than are required by law, allowing Wards to attend social engagements with friends from different ages and backgrounds. An Academy Ward's classes are typically held between the hours of 6am and 10pm, typically lasting 15-30 minutes with their teacher to advise their progress, confront them with questions and difficulties. There's usually 1 or 2 a week and the rest of the week is reserved for intense self-study and socialization. Projects and assignments are regularly assigned by the teacher and student respectively, although these will rarely be graded or evaluated in strict terms. Ward education takes 6 full years and classes to complete, each stage complies with new standards in the educational hierarchy. After a student completes 3 years and is considered a Candidate Warden, their basic magical education is generally complete. They can now enroll in a series of more specialized and/or advanced training to obtain additional skills and this will advance their education for the next 3 years. These options include but are not limited to:

 

●      Adversarial Training: Ward apprentices are trained to battle their opponents with a series of techniques designed to disrupt their magic, and eventually knock them out.

●       Artifact and Technology Handling: Wards are taught to manage and care for magical artifacts, equipment and tools. Students learn how to handle objects that are dangerous, destructive, or are too large to be contained by a normal person.

●       Communication: Wards learn how to communicate to people of different mindsets and temperaments.

●       Divination: Wards are taught how to use oracles, seers, and other forms of divination to study the unknown.

●       Empathic Training: Wards are trained to be able to use their empathic abilities to connect

●       Harmonious Training: Wards are taught how to use the magic of creation, and learn how to create things and heal people using the principles of Harmony.

●       Medicine: Wards are taught basic medical knowledge, and the use of medical tools and equipment. They are also taught how to create spells to assist in treatment and to heal sick or injured people.

●       Magic Theory: Wards are taught the basics of the Hex, learn intensely of the blessed magic tree, the six elements, and are trained in the history of magic.

●       Military Hex: Wards are taught the art of warfare, and are trained to use specialized forms of magic to influence and affect people to perform functions for them.

●       Observational Training: Wards are taught how to observe things around them, including how to study people, animals, plants, and the natural world.

●       Theological Education: Wards are taught how to understand religious and spiritual aspects of the Hex, specifically how to understand the elements and their powers. This branch is emphasized for Wardens intending to transition into the church.

 For the first 3 years, basic magic and 'Outer Knowledge' is emphasized, in the latter 3 specialization occurs and 'Inner Knowledge' becomes the primary focus, and the student's Element becomes crucial to their self-discovery. Wards are tested periodically to ensure that they are learning the skills necessary for each aspect of Hex Magic they take. As Wards advance in their Hexist training, their level of intensity within the aspect is correspondingly increased.

 The Six Elements

“A Warden's path is one of darkness and fire, a journey of mystery and wonder. It is a path so pure it has not been walked, yet so dark as to cause one's own undoing, a journey to kill the self and find one's center where nothing remains. It has no ending, but one that is yet to be set in motion. It is a path to the void and what comes from there. The Warden's journey is that of the unknown, a trip through shadows, yet when you face the shadow inside of you and prevail, you will know what it truly means to be free.”

-Rarilyn Springmond, Ward teacher, published Witchscape author and lover of the Hex 

The six Elements are vital to any wards understanding of the Hex. As a ward, you must master them in order to understand all other aspects of magic and how to navigate it. They describe the 6 spectral strata of the Hex, and how one wills the Hex naturally or magically to come intercede into reality. As a ward you are required to make an emotional decision for your Hexist Aspect that you would like to become and remain within. This element has the directive say in which teaching aspect is most suitable for the student, and generally assigned to work with the student's personality, thus this part of the training is crucial. They are:

 

Earth - Physical form, the material aspect of creation. The Earth Element deals with plants, herbs, soil, and the structure of matter. The Earth also encompasses aspects of the Hex for Wards who wish to dedicate themselves to botany and horticulture. The inner requisites of the Earth element involve education in ɥaǝɧaǝɥiǝɥiʉɧa, a form of ancient Hex Linguistics that stress the communication and signifiers of nature and scientific empiricism. Earth Students are expected to promote the ultimate nature of language, with a deep understanding of how the world utilizes it in creation.

 

Fire - The aspect of creation represented by Fire is heat, combustion, and the element of growth. Fire also encompasses aspects of the Hex for Wards who wish to dedicate themselves to alchemy and the use of elemental metals. Fire elemental students undergo heavy ritualistic Hex study derived from ancient Santri religion, and research the historical concept of Hexist absolutes, upper and lower planes, and the creation of the world. Additionally, the student must master the Hex's scientific, mystical, and mechanical workings, as well as be able to harness the elements in the context of creation itself.

 

Water - The physical form of creation, Water represents liquid, its elements are also aspects of the Hex. Wards who are taught with the Water element as their first Aspect should be careful to avoid contact with alcohol and other dangerous intoxicants. Wards who prefer an element that relates to the sea should consider choosing this as their first Aspect. In the Water branch, Wards are taught to understand the physical and spiritual aspects of the Hex, and to create magics that bring about change, growth, and flow. They embody the eternal, and are given the most heavy historical curriculum.

 

Thunder - The most social and critical aspect of the Hex for the structure of Oohtlet societies. The spirit that lies within is always that of the strict formation of an assessment that all socialites adopt. Thunder students are said to be the most difficult to enter the Pass, because the sheer amount of conversation they can endure often takes very long. Their ability to tap into the deeper contours of the mind and use glamorous, mental hexes and the manipulation of behavior and activity makes them exceptionally adept students. Those whose aspects are thunder are almost always primed to be born leaders, next to only Fire aspect and Light aspect trainees.

 

Light/Ether - The aspect of Hex magic represented by Light is space, and it is said to be the aspect that extends into the spiritual beyond the pale. Spirit is the material of the mind and its capacity to comprehend, or a sense of consciousness within relation to the Hex. Light represents pure energy and soul, it also encompasses the Hex for those who are interested in working in the art of divinity. Ether students must master the knowledge of the ancient Santri philosophies, but gain unique benefits in learning Hexism's philosophical and scientific aspects. Light element Wards undergo extensive study into the Hex's philosophical origins, along with its history, principles, and the creation of the Hex. Additionally, Light Wards who feel they have reached spiritual maturity and have grown beyond their age are allowed to take their Emblem even before completing the initial 6-year class regimen.

 

Void/Life - The aspect of Hex magic that represents the hidden, the inner recesses of magic. This aspect deals with hidden aspects of the Hex. Void Wards undergo intensive study into the Hex's relation with life and death, with the confines of magic within an absence. These elements encompass the concept of concealment, silence, and secret knowledge. These Element Wards are trained to master the Hex in an unspoken manner, utilizing their own unique sense of introspection, and a leeriness to the greater symbolic space that surrounds them.

“The Hexists do not worship the sun, the moons, the stars, the water or the air, because they are all parts of the whole that they believe exist within themselves. The Hexists do not worship wind, fire, earth or water, as the wind, fire, earth or water are all parts of the whole, each is nothing more than a facet of the infinite, eternal void that surrounds us.”

-Warden Textbook, 4th year basics

 Academy Testing

There are Six primary tests the prospective Wards must overcome, and by this point as a candidate 3 of them have been overcome.

1)The basic approval of their teachers to continue Candidate training goes through a 3-person vote, ascertains they have the mental and emotional maturity to continue training.

2)The display of basic magical competency, slightly more grounded than the Overlap Performance they took 3 years ago.

3)A self analysis, (Often done by either an interview or written essay) in which the student displays a foundational willingness to become a Warden and their eloquent reasons why. These are given all at the closure of year 3.

"Wards do not fear the dark. To live in fear is to turn a small part of your life into fear. Only when you turn a portion of your heart towards the light will the darkness be defeated."

-Ward Weiss Ethia Nitrial, opening year school lecture

The following tests are given one a year.

 

The tests typically require the student to find or create a form of 'natural' Hex magic, such as an animal, plant, creature, or other creature, and then 'work' the magic, such as to control the animal or change it to suit their needs. Throughout the year the student commits to interrogative private sessions called 'Passes' with their teacher (arbitrarily timed, usually 10-120 minutes, once or twice a week) that test their personal relation with the Hex. The Ward must be able to work on their own, independently, and make a conscious decision to commit and perform their magic. The tests are generally not dangerous, though can be difficult as they are designed to test the mental and physical stamina of the Ward, as well as their ability to work independently. This examination is given during year 4.

 

The fifth year test is a comprehensive one, and is designed to test the maturity of the prospective Warden. It is very different from the 4th year test, due to the performance of emotional vulnerability becoming crucial. This examination requires them to work with a group, and complete a mechanism of Hex-based symbolic ritual. This can be communal or sympathetic to the Academy, and must be agreed upon by all 6 students collectively. The only constraint is the students must show an understanding of the Hex generated in their group project. They have a very strict timeline to complete this test. This can be to construct a building, venerate a forest, host a festival or event, raise a magical creature, create a golem, perform a play, take a holy trip, the avenues the 5th year test can take are many. They are collaborated on by all 6 classmates and given approval by their teacher, who must also set the criteria in which success is measured. The challenge involved must always test the student's ability to work in groups, to plan ahead and coordinate resourcefulness. 5th year students do not engage in Passes, except for Light aspect students , and sometimes Light elementals even must give Pass sessions to their classmates when furthering their training.

In Between the 5th and 6th year, with the support of their teachers, students perform the Ritual of Initiation into Hexist Magic, formally solidifying their Hexist Path to that Aspect. The ritual usually lasts several hours, and is attended by various instructors, and representatives from all of the other aspects.

Graduation Exam

During the 6th year, students receive even less classes and instruction, usually meeting with their teachers once every 3-6 weeks and expected to keep busy with Hexist projects in the meanwhile. Wards are also expected to complete a series of trials during their Hexist training, often requiring them to face their fears and fears of others and their natural surroundings. They are typically designed to test their self-discipline, and their ability to overcome adversity. The Hexist Element Wards are all tested on their ability to use the Hex under great duress, and perform magic on their own without the assistance of another to work.

The final test at the end of a student's 6th year involves a 3 week survivalist quest in a designated testing dimension. This trip is not announced or explained, in fact the class of 6 are sent to this realm very suddenly and without notice while waiting to be tested. They are told that a being known as the Guardian intends to destroy the Celestial realm, and they need to journey to their power source and stop it. From there the six must make a trek over several mountain ranges, lakes and forests to successfully reach the Guardian. Several figures and entities will try to stop them with threats, riddles, roadblocks and delays, and challenges, none of the students will be made to be aware this is part of the test or that they’ll require all the knowledge they utilized throughout their 6 years up until now to make it through the path. One of the most important instructions from ‘Fey Mother’, a sacred guide is “Do not leave or stray from the path. If you leave the path, it will disappear and you shall never regain it again.” The students' teamwork is tested, and their survivalist skills, knowledge of magic and connection with nature are all examined. The students usually now realize that the journey through the mountains, and the time they spend in there, was the test, the trial and the preparation, they must use every resource to try and make it to the Guardian. They know that once they are inside their tower there will be nothing else, no other guide, no protection and no way out. They must enter and find a way to stop the Guardian, who waits inside. This journey through the forests and mountains can take anywhere from 3 days to several weeks- there is no intervention unless a student is seriously injured or left to their own devices without progress, in which the test is abandoned and marked for failure. The students often realize that they can’t rely on any teacher or guide from the Hex to help them with their quest and begin to assess each other’s skillsets. The path can vary greatly, there are many different creatures to help, or hinder the students along the way, from the various forms of flora, fauna and other natural elements. The students are given information in a secret handbook before starting out, and may be given secret hand written codes, numbers, symbols or glyphs to be used as a reference and a map. If students are found leaving the paths, or taking more than is required to progress, or not adhering to rules or codes of conduct, the students will be sent back to the test, or the dimension, and sent back again, until they get it right. It is common for there to be no one who completes the final journey, no one who completes the quest successfully, in which their examination as a Ward is withheld and they return having to retake the entire year’s course. A great deal of this part of the test is not revealed to the students and usually the students will only be told by their peers that they are now in the Hex and they have one more year to prepare, and telling other students what the final test entails is grounds for expulsion and removal of their candidacy as a Warden.

If they make it through, they have the satisfaction of having been tested, of having conquered their fears and the challenges they faced, and they are stronger for having experienced the worst. Some don’t survive, so it isn’t always an easy outcome. Casualties do occur.

“There’s no need to try and be clever, or sneaky, or whatever- this is the

way we’ll do it, because this is the way you must do it”

-Ward Yun Oliver

“I can’t even begin to list the number of times I asked myself if I would be able to come up with some interesting new way to test students. I think the best way I can describe my feelings is that it is like watching someone else walk on a tightrope and having to keep their balance.”

-Ward Miss Pergiole, concerned for her trainees

When the students reach the final gate of the mountain range, they will find a castle that hosts various monsters and magical creatures they will have to fight off. At the top, they will find themselves face to face with The Guardian, who will ask the first and most important question to a true Hexist once they walk thru the door: "What are you willing to sacrifice for the Hex? What is the Hex to you?"

A true Hexist will tell The Guardian their greatest desire, the will to sacrifice all else for what they desire, The Guardian will then ask the students, what sacrifice must be made in order to fulfill that desire.

The student will ideally answer: "That which is most dear to me."

“Who calls me forth? Whose bidding makes me rise?”

-The Guardian

These statements vary but the ambiguity of the statement – the Hex being both what is most dear to them, and what is also worth sacrificing result in the same correct conclusion. The Guardian will almost always follow the questions into a demand for a sacrifice, for the ‘Hex’ – and the students, who have had it drilled into their head that the Hex is the embodiment of their bonds and connections will explicitly understand what is truly at stake, and what is being threatened.

"My life." A true Hexist will then tell The Guardian, to what will they sacrifice to fulfill that sacrifice? The response must always exasperate the desire to put their classmates above their own individual stake.

The answer to this question is the most sacred part of the initiation. If a true Hexist makes a vow to The Hex in the form of an oath to commit to this response, then the vow is fulfilled by marking each of the students on the back of their hands with a sigil. That sigil is proof of their pass.

This is the end of the test, and the final trial. If the student passes this, they will live their life as a Ward. If the student fails, the test is considered void and they will be forced to retake their final year.

 This is the end of the test, and the final trial. If the student passes this, they will live their life as a Ward. All those that pass the test are initiated into The Wake as official Warden members. The test to the Warden was and still is very important to this day, and the Ward cannot divulge the details of the initiation. Even a failure to get the answer correct, or to give an incorrect answer of the ‘answer’ results in a yearly retry. These tests are an all-or-nothing examination for the class, if one student of the 6 fails the entire Hex class fails. The Guardian administrating the final test, is always their Warden Teacher watching from afar within the dimensional woods.

The Ward Weiss has the right of pass, where in some cases, if the students show exceptional promise or understanding in stellar situations, then sufficient exceptions can be made to accommodate them either another high stakes test or in the rarest cases, Wardship. A Warden is the most experienced, the most knowledgeable and the most trusted Hexist of the world. They are held up to the highest standards, expected to serve the Hex in the ways they're able to, to tap into their element and their strength in a way they can benefit the Hex in the most efficient, ethical and correct ways.