Voco

First Appearance and Context

Voco is described within the mathic world as a named rite used when outside authority seeks mathic expertise. In a witnessed instance at the Concent of Saunt Edhar, distinctive bell changes—different from those used for Eliger—summoned the community to the Mynster. The Primate formally convened the assembly and read a traditional formula before calling a specific avout by name and chapter. The named avout answered in a set litany, and the Centenarian cohort sang a rare hymn of mourning and farewell.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Nature of the rite: Voco is an Aut by which an individual Avout is formally called out from a math to carry out praxic work requested by the Saecular Power.
• Conduct of the aut: Distinctive bell changes summon all avout; there is no prior notice of whose name will be called. The Primate delivers the call, and the named person answers in a brief litany.
• Farewell: The community treats it as a mourning‑and‑farewell moment; in the observed case, a five‑part hymn of mourning and farewell was sung as the Evoked stood before the chancel in the Mynster.
• Departure and escort: The departure follows immediately. In one observed instance, representatives of the Inquisition escorted the Evoked from the Mynster to depart extramuros.
• Perceptions and beliefs: Some avout hold that the Ita convey or receive directives related to such actions; this is recorded as community belief or inference rather than confirmed practice.

Relationships

• Saecular Power: External authority that can request and receive avout expertise via Voco.
• Primate and hierarchs: The Primate officiates the call; hierarchs coordinate the service.
• Inquisition: Officials may attend and provide escort for the Evoked’s immediate departure.
• Avout and orders: Voco removes a member from their chapter for outside service, and those remaining mourn the loss as final.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Terminology: The occurrence is called an “Evocation,” and the person is said to be “Evoked.”
• Rarity and tone: Within living memory it is rare; hymnals must be located and parts re‑found when needed. The mood is solemn and final from the community’s point of view.
• Form and setting: Marked by bells, formal words, and a response in litany; conducted in the community’s central hall, the Mynster.

Current Status/Location

Voco is an active, standing rite. A recent instance at Saunt Edhar proceeded as described above and concluded with the Evoked departing under escort, after which ordinary observances resumed within the concent.