Guardians of the Veil do not really trust writing. While they do produce their own occult manuals and books of strategy, they are keenly aware that the act of writing is the sharing of a secret. Writing gives knowledge a life outside of the minds of lorekeepers, so writing is a dangerous tool. Since so many mages report that they Awakened with an act of dream-writing on their Path’s Watchtower, more metaphysically minded Guardians wonder what mages actually communicate to the Watchtower — and to the Supernal Realms above — during this singular act of inspiration. Do the masters of the Realms Supernal learn the deepest secrets of mages? The Exarchs do not appear to know the words on the Watchtowers, but Exarchs move so subtly that a paranoid sorcerer might argue otherwise.
Therefore, the order’s Law of the Mask is an oral tradition. Senior members tell novices the ways of the order through poems, stories and songs. There are no mandatory tales, but teachers are expected to cover every necessary procedure and precept. While members are free to make up their own elements, most Guardians use narratives passed on from their own teachers. It is considered a high honor for a mage’s oral teachings to join the stories of generations.
Parables and Koans
Oral Histories and Prophecies
The Culture of Secrecy
Anonymity and Reticence
Habitual Surveillance
Levels of Trust
