Fraa Mentaxenes

First Appearance and Context

At the Concent of Saunt Edhar, Mentaxenes is seen during the daily observance of Provener, opening the small door set into the Tenners’ screen so the cohort can enter the chancel of the Mynster. He is presented as very old and performing this task as a routine.

Roles/Actions and Affiliations

• Elder Avout with a practical, ceremonial role as doorkeeper for the Tenners around Provener.
• In regular practice, after the clock‑winding in the chancel, he opens the door for the departing winder.
• During Apert, while tables were being set up in the meadow for a communal meal, he assisted by translating a fragile instruction leaf attributed to Fraa Bolo when asked.
• Served in the Mynster during a rare Voco, closing the screen door as the Evoked departed to the Sæcular Power.

Relationships

• Interacts helpfully with working avout during preparations, taking on requested tasks; no specific ongoing relationships are stated.

Descriptions/Characteristics

• Very elderly; described as shuffling when idle yet proud not to ask for a task.
• Readily engaged when given a clear purpose; shows fluency with archaic terminology in old notes.
• In crowded meal lines he can be brusque, nudging a peer forward with his bowl to speed service.
• Diffuse canopy lighting at a communal supper was said to make even him look healthy, suggesting his usual pallor and frailty of appearance.

Current Status/Location

Active within the Concent of Saunt Edhar; continues daily door‑keeping around Provener and participates in communal preparations during Apert.