In the setting of Dear Brother, some of the ranks within the Dark Brotherhood have been altered or are wholly new. Below, you will find explanations for those who do not carry out Sacraments. Inactive Duty Siblings mostly remain in the Sanctuary to learn doctrine or provide support to their Active Duty Siblings.
Crowcaller
A Crowcaller is a specialized role responsible for hatching*, training, and caring for the Deep Eyed Crows. Crowcallers are spiritually-sensitive and able to interpret the needs of Void-blessed creatures. They must possess some level of Conjuration training, as they also craft “Crowstones” for their local Speaker and Silencer. These fragile runestones are carefully carved into shale and carried by traveling Claws - rather than keeping a crow on their person throughout their journey, they break a stone to instantly summon one to their position as needed.
In special cases, Crowcallers may be asked to manage alternate courier arrangements.
*No one is entirely sure where the eggs come from.
Providers, Menders, & Healers
These roles actually make up the majority of a typical Sanctuary. Sometimes, these are Siblings whose expertise is something other than combat; other times, these may be Siblings who cannot complete Sacraments for various reasons. Regardless, they are full members of a Sanctuary and Family: they are still given basic defensive training and taught to uphold the Tenets just as those who carry out Sacraments are. A Sanctuary could not function without these necessary Siblings supporting its very foundation.
Providers handle the Sanctuary’s meal-prep and supplies of clean water. Menders are the Sanctuary’s craftspeople, managing the creation and upkeep of weaponry, armor, and art. Healers tend to the physical well-being of others within the Sanctuary, whether that be through the magicka of alchemy and Restoration or through physical means of doctoring.
It's common for these Siblings to hold undercover positions in nearby towns. For example, a Mender might work in a town's forge or tannery, granting them further access to tools and supplies which any given Sanctuary needs but might not have.
Initiate
This is a newly-arrived member of the Family who has proven their commitment to joining. However, they are not yet full members, and are thus disallowed freedom of movement before baptism. To put it bluntly, the Initiate role is used entirely for brainwashing: they are isolated from laity and opposing viewpoints, provided support only through other Family members, and fed a strict diet of Brotherhood doctrine.
If an Initiate resists strongly during this stage, they are killed. The killing of an Initiate is regarded as a failing on the part of the teachers rather than the Initiate themself. Following an incident like this, Family is encouraged to mourn the death as they would for any Sibling and to use it as motivation in future cases.
After an Initiate undergoes their Woeful Baptism, they are welcomed into the Family as an Unblooded Murderer. The quality of their first Sacrament will determine whether they continue training as an Active Duty rank, return to an Inactive Duty role, or a secret third thing (die).
