The Almoners are the enigmatic acolytes of the holy man Cephalus Silenus.  They dwell within the Grove of Nemetona, deep in the forests of Nessa, but they can be seen all over the Myr travelling from town to town, collecting alms which they take back to the Sacred Grove.  These alms are  taken to a place called the Field of Confession but little is known about that place or what happens to the alms.  

Some critics of Cephalus Silenus and his followers consider collection of alms to be an overt act of exploitation as the coins collected never end up in the hands of the poor.   But Silenus has argued that the collection of the coins has served a different purpose - to give a coin was to hand over one’s transgressions and not even Silenus' critics could not ignore the incredible feelings of release experienced by all who turned over a coin. There was not a single person who did not feel a weight lift from their shoulders as they placed their coin in the almoner’s box at the entrance to a church.

It is believed that over three hundred Almoners live with Silenus in the Nemetona and they come from all corners of the Myr.   To them, their role is a religious calling.  None who join Silenus' people ever leave and their devotion to their calling has been accompanied by long life and physical vitality.  

Despite their detractors, the Almoners are truehearted people who live to serve the needs of others. In their ceaseless journeys collecting alms, the Almoners watch over the innocent and the defenceless.  They are well-trained in the art of combat and whilst pacifist in nature are perfectly able of defending themselves against most aggressors.  They are also gifted in the art of healing, being well-practised in botany and pharmacology.

The Almoners tend to travel on foot, using a snorse to bear the weight of the gold they collect.  They usually travel in pairs and will spend much of the year travelling across the Myr.  They know of  routes through mountains and forests that have remained hidden to others for centuries.  One of these paths is known to them as the Thin Grey Line.  This sharp path through the Amaranthine Mountains gives them access to lands such as Khepera and Tuatha to the east, a journey that would take them weeks instead of days.

The Almoners dress in indigo robes that are laced with purple gems from the mines of Sarras.  Their robes are the only worldly possessions they have.  In the Sacred Grove, the Almoners live in a close community untouched by greed or power.