Sisters of Life
The modern day Order of the Sisters of Life was founded in 627 by Poline Larieva, a Chalan priestess. She modeled the order after an ancient Enshallen monastery of the same name. Poline wanted an organization that dedicated itself to the highest standards of both Rama and Chala.
The principles of the Sisters of Life are charity to the poor, care of the sick and elderly, education for all who seek it and the preservation of knowledge. Most chapter houses of the Sister’s focus primarily on the first two principles, and leave the other two to the realm of the larger houses in the bigger cities.
The history of the Sister’s of Life has not been an easy one. While their presence in many realms was a stabilizing influence, there have been times when the order barely survived. During the reign of the Second Dark Emperor, the Sister’s of Life were hunted down and slain by Maddas’ men as readily as the Priests of Rama were. By the time the Companions of Light led the overthrow of the Dark Emperor, there were only two sisters remaining - Sister Helena of Tremerton, and Sister Annabelle of Taran.
Kristof brought Sister Annabelle to the Companions for protection, after she sought his protection. She was directly responsible for the education of the High King Andrell in the tumultuous years before his ascension to the throne. Many credit her for introducing him to his beloved, Melina.
Once Andrell ascended the throne, Annabelle began the rebuilding of the order, starting with a new, large chapter house in Nushalla. While returning the Sisters to their former glory wasn't an easy task, it was made easier with the protection of the newly formed Order of the Dragon's Flame. That protection made recruiting new members easier, though she still couldn't recruit and train suitable members fast enough to meet all the need.
Annabelle not only restored the Sisters of Life to their former glory, she was also the driving force behind one of their highest achievements, the Ivory Towers. Officially known as Chala's Home for Rama's Lost Children, these orphanages are more popularly referred to as the Ivory Towers. That is because the first two were founded in former Night Guard watch towers the Sisters had whitewashed.
There are Ivory Tower orphanages in almost every realm in Iskitaan, even the normally difficult nation of Debarra. While not all of them are in actual towers, they are all whitewashed. Many of the newer buildings that have been built specifically for the Sisters in the last seventy years do incorporate a white tower somewhere in their plan.