An Introduction

The Ahibanu
The Snake Ladies

The Ahibanu themselves are composed three principle classes: neophytes are fresh recruits and are either learning the theory or practice of magic, depending on their own inborn talents. Initiates are the mid-level disciples; those born without magic are granted it at this stage. Lastly there are the full Sisters, the Daughters of Anahita, who run the temple and serve the goddess indirectly through Seht. The Ahibanu are primarily made up of, and entirely dominated by, women. Magic runs most strongly in women; the Mahdi (male magicians) are kept tightly controlled and never allowed to rise above the level of neophyte; those males granted magic are tutored privately, if at all.

Joining the Ahibanu
A woman can become part of the Ahibanu in a variety of ways: most commonly, a Sister will seek her out, but she also may be brought to the temple by someone else or she may come to the temple on her own, however voluntarily joining the Ahibanu is rare.

Within the temple, there are Sisters (primarily those with the spirit affinity) who constantly seek those born with Seht's blessing and those capable of accepting it later in life. Once discovered, these potentials are compelled to accompany the Sister who has come for them back to the temple.

At other times,

Once there, the new arrival stays in the temple's guest quarters (or the holding cells if they are troublesome) for a time until she is prepared to take her vows to the Anahita and Seht.