#6
4th Jan 2019 at 12:39 AM
I have a monastery for the religion of Psuedotyr in the community (everyone lived on the same lot, but there was strict gender separation for the sleeping and bathing areas), as well as gender-separately training convents at the university. I hope this is close enough for inclusion in this thread.
Joining the System
There are only two ways to join the system. One is to willingly sign up. Nobody below university age was acceptable for this method, because teenagers and younger are considered to be unable to make the strict and binding vows expected. For that matter, all university students signing up for the convent are required to have passed at least one semester of study, and shown evidence of vocation, before being allowed to move into a training convent... ...and vows could not be taken until junior year. (No senior who had not taken their vows was permitted to remain at the university, but no student has ever "failed" at that particular hurdle.
The other option is to be adopted into the monastery. It's been rarer since the secular orphanage opened and got such a great reputation, but adoption and care for the adopted is considered an important rite in the life of the monastery. If a child is old enough to make the choice (child or above), and objects to living in the monastery, their choice is respected. Expectations for babies, toddlers and children are comparable to those of families elsewhere in SimHampton, but teenagers are expected to follow the monastery's special rules to an increasing extent, though this is flexible to the needs and abilities of each teen. A teen who cannot adapt to the life, or one who decides it's not a career choice they wish to make, are carefully integrated into the household of a family that is a better fit for them, or sent to university. There is no particular expectation that any adopted child will spend their entire lives cloistered, but it does happen occasionally. (More often, children who intend to become Cleric-Brothers or Cleric-Sisters spend some time in a regular dorm, if only to take advantage of their excellent educations).
It is illegal to send anyone to the monastery against their will (unless the adoption of a child who may be too young to fully understand what is happening and object simply because it's change counts). There is also zero repercussions for anyone having children out of wedlock in SimHampton. Besides, the monastery leaders would consider anyone motivated by shame to be deficient in self-esteem and thus in need of something short of binding vows (such as providing moral support, or small-group study).
Rhythms of daily ritual
Everyone wakes up at 7 am, unless they were awake earlier (often the case for children, and for those who enjoy their company). It is compulsory for adults to wash every morning, whether they need it or not, and showers are provided for this purpose. Elders are excused from washing at the ritual hour if they feel it will cause them discomfort or make them late for devotions, but are expected to wash at some point during the day. Children and young teens usually wash in the afternoon or evening, and don't necessarily wash every day.
After dressing appropriately (see "Attire"), everyone ensures the monastery is fit to receive visitors (even if the lead Cleric-Brother has not sanctioned any to visit on that particular day), then daily devotions are attended. This must start at 9 am sharp. The lead Cleric-Sister gives a sermon not less than 30 minutes in length. The record for a daily devotion (as distinct from a "special occasion devotion") is slightly over 3 hours. Savvy Cleric-Sisters include opportunities to sing, or occasionally for other members of the community to take the lectern, to aid attention.
Worshippers are allowed to read suitably edifying written works for the duration. Visitors are expected to attend the start of the devotion, but not necessarily to remain for the entire sermon. Children are expected to miss devotions unless they are actually interested in it and also willing to observe appropriate silence and stillness for the duration (also, often they are at school - homeschooling is restricted to teenagers who express a preference for wholly religious instruction). Teenagers are excused on a rota to ensure that the younger children are safe and happy; otherwise the adults and elders will take it in turns to mind the children. In the latter case, the lead Cleric-Sister is exempt from leading devotions if it is her turn; either a junior Cleric-Sister, or the lead Cleric-Brother, takes over the sermon duty in this case. Students are required to attend unless they are first-year students, even if this means missing classes or exams.
After daily devotions, everyone eats a meal. A Cleric-Brother cooks this, and it is required to be a simple meal. However, it generally is fancier than the fare @didyouevenmakeasound's nuns eat (see "Food"). Sims often linger here for quite some time after the meal is eaten, discussing monastery business. If it is a feast day, a special guest will be invited to listen to an afternoon sermon about the feast in question straight after this meal. Depending on the feast, the Cleric-Sister may give the lectern to any member of the faith community, or to the special guest.
After this, the work of the monastery can begin. Studying for the young, physical training for Cleric-Brothers, sermon preparation for Cleric-Sisters, and work to further the faith for all.
Visitors must leave after the evening meal (which may vary in timing according to the complexity of the meal). Relaxing is permitted then, but the monastery does not have electricity. Reading is considered a noble pursuit, as are community games such as Myshuno. Nobody is permitted to be in the common area after 10 pm, and only community members may be in the sleep or bathing areas.
Attire
Toddlers, children and first-year students always have at least one chothing option that is predominantly blue and suitable for appearances at special events. However, their other clothing is a free choice.
Teenagers and second-year students are expected to wear blue or predominantly blue clothing at all times, but this can be cut or styled however the teen/second-year student wishes. The loophole for a "cloistered" teen going to university is deliberate, so that someone who wishes to experiment with living a less strict lifestyle has a pre-scheduled opportunity to do so without anyone in the faith community needing to be the least bit surprised.
Third/fourth-year students, adults and elders carry the full expectations of attire, which are:
-Cleric-Brothers-
Blue or predominantly blue everyday clothing that is visibly practical for manual labour.
Shoulders and knees must be covered, except when doing fitness training or in the sleep/bathing chambers.
Formal suit must be blue and cover arms and legs.
No sheer or over-ornamented items.
Blue lipstick. No other makeup allowed except when doing fitness training or on guard duty, in which case a blue face mask may be worn to conceal identity.
Shaved or bald head. The only headgear permitted is for protective purposes (such as a hard hat if a Cleric-Brother is performing building repairs), and must be approved by the head Cleric-Brother before being worn.
Blue-jewelled ear studs and a simple watch permitted.
-Cleric-Sisters-
Blue or predominantly blue everyday outfit that covers the shoulders and knees. Revealing ankles is permitted but controversial.
Formal dress must be blue and cover elbows and knees. Again, revealing ankles is permitted but controversial.
Shoulders and knees must be covered, except when doing fitness training or in the sleep/bathing chambers.
No sheer or over-ornamented items.
Blue blush and eyeshadow required, blue lipstick permitted. No other makeup allowed.
Hair must be dyed completely blue. It should not be excessively restrained (practical fastenings permitted), gelled or manipulated in vain fashion, but may otherwise be cut to the Cleric-Sister's preference. Veils or modest headgear (the latter preferably blue) are recommended on formal occasions, but never obligatory.
Food
All novel dish propositions must be submitted to the proper religious authorities to assess whether the meal is compatible with the cloistered life before consumption. A standard recipe will be provided if the meal is permitted, along with suggestions for variations should the monastery/convent ever find itself short of a key ingredient.
-Formally permitted-
All juices made with only one fruit or vegetable, as well as the following mixed juices: orangeade, pepper punch and veggie cocktail
Cereal
Mac and Cheese
Chef Salad
Soup (any kind)
Muffins
Toaster Pastries
Lunch Meat Sandwich
Hot Dogs
Pancakes
Omelettes
Crepes Suzette
Cake (the one that can be baked or birthday cakes that can be bought)
-Allowed only on special occasions-
Baked Alaska - permitted on Christmas, Turner's Day and on any feast days celebrated on the last (D'End) or first (Turner) months of the year
Salmon - permitted on Fridays (feast day or not)
Chilli Con Carne - permitted on feast days in the third (Marich) or fourth (Appel) months of the year
Strawberry Lemonade - permitted on feast days on the eighth (Offmonth) and ninth (Setenbarr) months of the year
Crepes Suzette - permitted on feast days that are in none of the above categories
-Banned-
Encourages gluttony: Lobster thermidor, Rainbow cake, Bass with squash, Blackened Catfish, Stuffed Trout, grilled cheese sandwiches
Encorages laziness: Canned meals, jelly, takeaways of any description
Associated with romance: Beauty cocktail, Cheesecake
A rule that goes back donkey's years; takes too long to cook using traditional cooking methods: Roast meat, hamburgers, pureed boot
Not shareable: TV Dinner, Cup O'Ramen, any food from food stands
Too messy: Spaghetti, Berry pie
From a rival faith tradition: Santa cookies
Behaviour
All community members are required to be chaste. In particular, Cleric-Brothers and Cleric-Sisters should never have romantic interactions with each other, lest they tempt each other off the path of righteousness.
Rude and inconsiderate actions are forbidden.
Violence may not be used against any other member of the community, either in word or deed. These are to be reserved for trespassers and evildoers.
Nobody may use the fridge unless they are doing so as part of their assigned meal-cooking duty, or providing alms in the form of leftovers, or providing a bottle to a young community member.
No stealing food from other people's plates, even if they have granted permission.
No primping, for this encourages vanity.
Mirrors are only to be used when dressing in the morning, or to correct a breach of the attire rules.
One plate of food per meal, unless sick.
All assigned tasks must be completed.
No adult may go to bed during the hours of daylight (7 am - 7 pm). Elders are excused if they are tired. It is assumed that children may need sleep, or simply to rest, at any time. Teenagers are encouraged to avoid their beds during daylight hours.
Nobody may go into the opposite gender's sleep/bathing area.
Visitors go to the common area only and must be chaperoned.
No visiting community lots without permission from the head Cleric-Brother or Cleric-Sister.
Penance
A Sim who breaks the rules in a minor way may be forgiven, required to make amends on the spot, or to confess their faults publically at the next devotions (in increasing order of severity).
If none of these are sufficient to cover the offence, a Sim is required to perform penance. Unless they are sick, in which case it is assumed the illness caused the deviance and the Sim is simply sent to bed or fed Grandma's Comfort Soup.
The Sim must remove any and all makeup worn, paint a brightly-coloured non-blue face mask on themselves (creativity encouraged) and don non-blue clothing. Then, they must allow themselves to be locked out of the monastery building, in the outdoor preaching area. They must remain there until the penalty is considered complete. During this time, they are not to speak to any member of the community unless spoken to (and this is discouraged). Food is left for the penitent from each meal, lest they become hungry.
After penance is completed, the Sim must re-apply their usual makeup, complete a ritual bath and put their usual clothing back on before rejoining their fellows.
Refusal to perform penance when not sick, or Sims who do not learn their lesson after penance, are thrown out of the monastery or fed to the cowplant, depending on whether their actions are merely incompatible with the monastic life, or outright evil.