Commentaries on the Clans

The internal cultures of the clans are as varied as their origins. Walden Clan was developed by the heirs to the powerful Walstore corporation, who in the decades leading to the tribulation held five of the top twenty rankings of wealth worldwide. Pooling their resources allowed for the purchase and development of numerous enclaves in habitable areas, and the mercenary forces, many derived from former militaries of collapsed European governments, to protect them. Among the last of the organized entities to adopt the ‘Clan’ nomenclature, their culture is still heavily influenced by their corporate roots. This can be seen in the internal document below.

Memorandum

DATE: December 21, 121

TO: Walden Clan Teachers and Childcare providers

FROM: Noah Walden, President and CEO

SUBJECT: Inside Trial Preparation Etc.

It has come to my attention that there is a conflict on the proper implementation of Walden Clan Policies re. Preparation of Clan Children for Their Trials.

As you are well aware, this is a subject of considerable importance to the future of our Clan. Any deviation from the previously stated policies will be be referred to the corrections committee. Having said that, it has become clear that our policies are subject to a variety of interpretations. Please read this Memorandum of Understanding wherein the previous policy is stated, with additional notes for clarification.

1. No child is to be told of any matter pertaining to the Trial or the Inside, by any means verbal, electronic or otherwise, with the following stated exceptions.

Immediately before the Trial, those children who have been placed in the ‘Exceptional' category will be directed to the “Middle Wooden Door with a Flower upon it.” All others will be directed to the “Metal Door”. Please use these exact words, as they have proved to provide consistent results.

Also immediately before the Trial, the child should be told, “Do not speak to the Gatekeeper, who will appear as a large cow. Bow your head and wait for the gate to open.” Please use these exact words, as they have proved to provide consistent results.

Encouragement: The following words of encouragement should be offered at regular intervals as the Trial Date approaches:

“I believe in you. We all believe in you.”

“With the support of your Clan, you will always do your best.”

“If you are suffering, just think of how much you will contribute in the future.”

Exceptional only: “With your obvious potential, someday you will have a high position.”

All non-Exceptional: “With your hidden potential, someday you will have a high position.

IMPORTANT: While it is possible that unique situations will arise, all other words of encouragement must be approved by your supervisor.

IMPORTANT: Do not encourage students “Not to Die” or words to that effect. It has been statistically determined that students seeking to avoid death in the Trial will die on average 9% more often.

Note: To be absolutely clear, no teacher is to deviate, add or subtract from this script in any way, regardless of their personal past experiences. All of the above scripts have been extensively vetted over multiple generations and been determined to produce good results in the majority of participants.

2. Appropriate Preparation to Maximize Performance.

All children will be assessed annually and classified based on aptitude and ability. (see Tracks and Ratings)

Preparation vs. Experience Cost: It has been generally found that intensive skill preparation results in students with excellent Trial results. However, subsequent experience growth is hampered. The best balance has been determined to be a skill preparation level equivalent to Apprentice in no more than five core skills (determined by track).

Internal Database Supplementation: Similarly, Internal Database System Supplementation has mixed results. Appropriate Databases have been prepared for each track. These Databases are to be loaded into the student’s Systems no earlier than two days before the intended Trial Date.

NOTE: There has been debate over whether Walden Clan should avoid the Academy altogether in order to provide a more efficient and focused educational experience. Current Clan policy, taking into account the following factors, is to maintain our past position.

Avoiding isolation: Future Clan growth and stability relies on maintaining and nurturing alliances and relationships with powerful clans and individuals. These relationships are best formed in an environment of neutrality, such as the Academy provides.

Development of Clan Status: It is vital for the projection of Clan power that our youngest generation is seen and compared to that of other clans.

Exposure to Inside cultures and relations with tempered subsets: It has been determined that the Academy environment provides an excellent introduction to a great variety of Artificial Intelligences. It has been deemed essential that Clan children encounter these AI minds (tempered subsets), even as the Clan provides proper context and education for their behaviors. (see Parallel Training and Supervision Policy)

Access to the ‘Mystic Library’.

Relationships with Level Five Subsets. The Academy remains the only consistent venue to research suspected higher level subsets. Understanding higher level subsets has been deemed a top research priority to advance Clan actions. Allowances for Walden Clan Members to return to the Academy as teachers on Outside subjects are contingent on continued attendance.

Cost/Benefit: It is important to contextualize student’s growth at the Academy. While it is certain that our training and development methods are superior to the inefficient and often mercurial guidance of the subsets, the cost in student growth is ameliorated by the above points. Our ability to guide student’s growth post-Academy (approximately levels 20 and above) is able to address any deficiencies inculcated by Academy trainers. The hidden cost of losing leveling opportunities in the Trial is partly mitigated by the Trial bonuses themselves.

3. Trial Timing: The average Trial lasts from 48 to 72 hours. Teachers will schedule Trial Dates in synchrony with the Inside Academy Schedule, exactly four days before a class term begins.

Additionally, Exceptional students will be scheduled two class terms before the appropriate tournaments.

WE ARE POWER. WE ARE WALDEN.