Orders and Societies Among the Followers of the Sol Invictus

Aravalians (The Preaching Order of St. Araval)
	Colors: brown and beige.
	Symbol: a simple wooded cup or an open book.
	Dress: simple homespun clerical robes of beige and brown.
A Religious order with branches in both Mithraea and the Marches. Open to men only, of all social classes. Founded by followers of a reform-minded Secular cleric who grew tired of the politicization and corruption of the Patriarchy during the period following the first great plagues. At that time, there was a boy-king on the throne and the Patriarch acted as regent. That Patriarch used his sway over the young king to dictate the boy's marriage to his niece. This led to a period of time where the Patriarchs repeatedly tried to manipulate or control the kings. They also attempted to gain control over land, and were very involved in politics. The Church's sudden concern with wealth and worldly power disturbed many parish priests and common folk. One who acted on his dismay was the simple frontier priest, Father Araval de Mons (so called because he hailed from the mountains of what would later become the Far Marches). Father Araval took to preaching against wealth and worldliness. He was accused of heresy and put on trial. However, on the eve of the trial, the Patriarch fell ill. He subsequently died, supposedly after a long fever during which it is said that he saw visions of fiery punishment. This was taken as a sign, and the man who succeeded him was a reformer who released Araval and convened a great council to investigate corruption among the wealthy princes of the Church.
Criteria for membership and rank: piety, knowledge of theology.

Brotherhood of Volund
	Colors: yellow, black and brown.
	Symbol: crossed hammer and tongs.
	Dress: none in particular, except that hi-ranking members will wear a yellow stole (decorated with the order's symbol and other tool images) at meetings and guild initiations.
A lay order of the Kingdom and Marches. Open to men only. This order is geared towards skilled craftsmen: smiths, wrights, farriers, ship-builders, architects, masons, etc. It traces its origins to a smith-figure, St. Volund (Wayland) who was crippled in combat with the forces of darkness but continued to serve Lugh and his host by forging great weapons for them. It is open to all skill-based craftsmen and is associated with guild membership. Though it exists in both countries it has its origins in places influenced by Sea-Raider traditions (like the S. Marches and the North West Mithraic Coasts) and is more politically powerful in the South. It is primarily honorary, like the Masons or Knights of Columbus are today.
Criteria for membership and rank: service to church, community and guild.

Collegium Cruentes
	Colors: red and white.
	Symbol: a red hand on a white field.
	Dress: full long robes (white w/red device and trim or the reverse) often hooded, over simple homespun clothing.
A lay and religious order of the Southern Marches. Open to both men and women. The members of this order come from a tradition that says that Lugh bled when wounded (because his form was truly human). Those who tended him and came into contact with his blood were said to have been given the gift of healing. Those who have the gift of True-healing are trained in this order, as are some Lay-healers and those who have no magical talent but wish to learn surgery, herb lore, and other healing arts. The members are not required to take religious vows but most do. They are tolerated in the Kingdom because of their valuable skills. Unknown to most, this order is a descendant of a very ancient society that predated the second cataclysm.
Criteria for Membership and Rank: skill in the healing arts, years of service.

Collegium Assulae
	Colors: green, gold and white.
	Symbol: a quartz crystal, point down over a gold disk.
	Dress: a green surcoat with device, worn over armor or customary clothes on formal occasions. On other occasions, they may wear a cloth armband with the symbol. They also have a small ritual scar (made from a few shallow cuts to resemble a crystal) on their right (sword) forearm.
A lay order of the Kingdom. Open to men only, both noble and middle-class. This order is based on a legend of Lugh's arrival. In the Kingdom, it is believed that when the days of cataclysm began, the Sol lnvictus poured his light into a great clear crystal of unsurpassed beauty and perfection. His light was dimmed by this great task for a time until his holy fire grew strong again (possibly there was an eclipse or dust thrown into the air by a volcanic eruption somewhere). The crystal grew bright with holy light and then at noon on midsummer's day it burst asunder, revealing the corporeal form of the god: Lugh (Mithras). It is said that those among the crowd who had gathered to watch the miracle who were devout people worthy of serving Lugh were marked by the shards that flew out. This order is fairly functional, dedicated to doing civilian good works and to supporting military actions (generally logistically and monetarily, not as warriors). It existed in a different form before the founding of the Kingdom and was probably responsible for organizing the surviving civilians of the region and ensuring the survival of as many as possible. This order often appeals to bureaucrats, accountants, secretaries and clerks, etc.
Criteria for membership and advancement: service to Church and Kingdom, Piety, Honorable conduct.

Equesae Calix
	Colors: white or silver and gray or light blue.
	Symbol: a white or silver chalice on a gray or blue field.
	Dress: blue or gray surcoat with device (in the field) or full clerical robes of light blue or gray (no additional device).
A religious order of the Kingdom. Open only to gentlemen (gentry, nobility, and some others). These are Church Knights, one of the two orders of paladins. They are not focused on hunting down heretics like the Vehemites, but rather on the physical defense of the Kingdom and its people as a whole. They may hunt 'monsters' as well as organizing and serving in forces for normal warfare. They are something like the Templars or Hospitalers of Earth, and some use magic. Their magics may be combat magics, inspiration magics, or sometimes healing magics. They own much land (monasteries and such) in the north, near the border with the plains and near-by mountains. The antecedents for this order existed before the second cataclysm, though it has been adapted to Kingdom doctrine. Most members take full religious vows of obedience and chastity. Poverty is not a requirement as a knight must be able to own and care for his horse and equipment. There is a secondary lay-order of men, often men at arms, who wish to take initial vows and retire to a more spiritual life after some years of lay military service. These men serve as general servants, valets, and men-at-arms for the noble members.
Criteria for membership and rank: noble birth, piety, chivalry and duty.

Fraternitas Aurore
	Colors: tan, pale green and gold or bronze (subdued).
	Symbol: the rising sun.
	Dress: monastic robes of pale yellow or green (tan for novices).
A lay and religious order with branches in both the Kingdom and the Marches. Open to men only, of any social class. The members are generally withdrawn from society to some degree. They take vows of celibacy and moderate poverty (communal ownership of worldly goods). They tend to be stronger in the Kingdom and have a larger membership there. While some travel, the majority spends most of their time in monasteries. They may be healers, teachers, warriors (rarely) or mystics. They are generally learned though fairly conservative men and are responsible for transcribing and preserving many old books, etc.
Criteria for membership and rank: piety and service to Church and community.

Fraternity of the Ash
	Colors: green.
	Symbol: Branching spear shaft.
	Dress: Green surcoat with device and silver or gold trim (gold signifying greater rank and honor).
An honorary lay order of the Kingdom. This order is open only to noble land-holders, exclusively men. This order is associated with the holding of a gift of land from the king. It was originally only applied to those very important vassals (duke-level) who were declared "Kings Wardens", and generally given lands on the various marches (borders) of the Kingdom. Now it has become traditional to grant membership to all major landholders. The titles of the order are technically not inherited, but instances where the inheriting son would not be awarded membership are almost unheard of. The basis for the order grew out of a tale holding that once Lugh threw his spear through a great demon, slaying it instantly. The spear traveled on and embedded itself deeply in the earth beyond the demon. When it did so it took root and sprouted branches. As this miracle took place the land, made barren by battle, became green again.
Criteria for membership and rank: noble landholder of substantial rank, service to the crown.

Order of St Brigit (Secundae)
	Colors: white, gold and earth tones.
	Symbol: a flame in a crystal chalice.
	Dress: white or tan under- and over-dresses and white sleeveless chasuble without device. Prioresses of the order wear a yellow-gold sleeveless chasuble.
A religious order of the Kingdom. Open only to women. Like Christian nuns on Earth, these women live mostly in seclusion from the world. They take vows of obedience and celibacy and renounce personal property. St. Brigit was (according to legend a noble and educated (if somewhat impetuous) girl. She recognized Lugh's divinity when he and his companions came in disguise to her father's keep. She offered them great hospitality and honor, and fell in love with Lugh's divine beauty. She left her home to follow the companions, confessed her love to Lugh and asked to be allowed to stay with him. He told her that he could in no way stay with her nor act as a mortal husband would to her, as his divine nature could not be limited to man's measure. She then asked him to grant her second request (the reason the sister's are called Secundae), that she be allowed to retreat from the world and devote her life to good works in Lugh's name, for if she could not have him she wished no one else. This request he granted. The order provides a place for women who can't or won't marry, or who are divorced, impoverished, etc. It also provides a way for a woman to get a good education and gain subtle but significant political power. Respected members of the order are often consulted by local nobles for their advice and learning, and can thus influence county-level politics, and sometimes more. They and the Order of St. Morgan do not have much appreciation for each other.
Criteria for membership and rank: appropriate (single, widowed, or divorced) marital status, piety, good works.

Order of the Red Hound (Order of St. Cullen):
	Colors: red and yellow.
	Symbol: a red hound running on a black or yellow field.
	Dress: a red or yellow surcoat with the device within a black circle on the chest. Some highlander members wear a red and yellow tartan rather than their clan patterns.
A militaristic lay order of the Kingdom and the Marches. Open to men of the nobility and gentry and their urban equivalents. It is a warrior order based on the legend of St. Cullen who united the Highland clans and led their warriors into battle at Lugh's side. Members may be men in active military service to the king and the great Magnates, or the leaders of local civilian militias. It is strongest in the Highlands, but also very popular anywhere a bit more rough and rugged: the Marches and the north and west border territories of the Kingdom. Young untried men may enter as associate members in the service of a full member until they distinguish themselves. The order maintains chapter-houses for retired members. In times of civil disorder or unrest in Mithraea, the Crown sometimes re-assigns members of the order to the western and southern borders of the country. Not only do they add to the defenses of those regions, but this minimizes the danger that the Highland clans could be if they united in displeasure over Crown policies. Because of their clan neutrality, the Order would be more capable of uniting the Highlanders than any other order. While the Kings sometimes feel this is a threat, they also realize that if the "End of Days" does arrive, they'll need the Order and the Clans on their side.
Criteria: service in battle to church and crown, bravery and daring in battle, good works.

Order of St. Morgan
	Colors: red or red-gold and black.
	Symbol: a black raven on a red field is still used occasionally, especially in the branches of the order located outside of Mithraea. In Mithraea and the Marches, the symbol is most often a black raven in front of a red-gold sun.
	Dress: black or dark gray surcoat in the field. Black chasuble with device over red-brown robes otherwise.
A religious order of the Kingdom and S. Marches. Open to both men and women. More than any of the other orders, this one is closely tied to older traditions that still live on in Galacia and the Fisher Coast. This order is made up predominantly of women (4/5ths), about half of whom actually take up arms. Even women for whom arms training is not a main focus (such as seers) are familiar enough with combat to defend themselves. The final fifth of the order consists of male warriors. All members with supervisor roles are women. Many of the members are Kingdom citizens of Gallic or Fisher decent. The order is popular in the Highlands and the north and western borders. It is tolerated in the more urban and 'civilized' regions of the Kingdom proper. While it is rare in the S. Marches, it is not disliked there.
Criteria for membership and rank: piety, devotion to the protection of the defenseless, martial prowess, a talent for clerical magics (usually seeing magics and inspirational magics, as well as self-enhancement for battle).

Regio Causarum Sancti
	Colors: gold and white.
	Symbol: fasces with a golden flame on either side of it on a white ground.
	Dress: the standard dress of the individual's initial Order, with the device of the Regio on the sleeve or a breast. People promoted to a position of leadership within the office will wear clerical robes of white with gold trim, and will wear the device of their home order on their sleeve or chest instead.
This is not an order, but an administrative office within the Orthodox Church that members of the Religious orders as well as Secular Clerics may be appointed to if they show the talent and interest (or have some political connections). This office investigates reports of miracles, saintly healings, and signs that the End of Days may be approaching. They do much of their work in Mithraea, but will travel outside of the country as well to investigate strange goings on. They are trained in investigative channeling magics (scrying, detection, and analysis) as well as logic and forensics. While there is no formal law that only men can be appointed, the office is almost entirely male. Women religious generally don't have the necessary freedom to travel.
Criteria for membership and rank: proven excellence in academic studies, both religious and secular, talent for investigative magics, service to and membership in a religious order of the Kingdom.

Quaesitoris Lux Vehemens (Vehemites, Hounds of God)
	Colors: black and brown.
	Symbol: black knife silhouetted in front of a sun-disk or a flame.
	Dress: black clerical robes with (tan for novices) topped with a dark brown, generally hooded chasuble (or brown surcoat if in the field). Members of the order who have ties to the extra-Mithraic branch reverse the brown and black in their garb, wearing black as the outermost layer of their garments rather than brown. The device is unchanged.
A religious order of the Kingdom, they have a small lay-branch as well. Open only to men. These are the witch-hunters of the church. Its members investigate those suspected of heresy or breaking church and state laws involving religious matters (sorcery for example). Few people know the extent or structure of the organization, which often relies on secrecy to do its work. Those who are involved in investigating sorcery are likely to use magic to defend themselves and capture suspects. This magic will be channeling in most cases (but see also the Ordo Catenis below). There is a branch of the Vehemites established in the patchwork of small countries East of the Marches. This branch has been drawing the more fanatical extreme members over the past few years as King Mark pushes the Church in Mithraea proper to reform and become more progressive. The legal powers of the order outside of Mithraea are questionable, but they generally don't let that stop them from accomplishing their mission.
Criteria for membership and rank: devotion to church and Patriarch, years of church service, political connections (more than birth station), evidence of good discipline and strength of will.

Ordo Catenis
	Colors: black and silver or gray.
	Symbol: a hammer wrapped in chains in front of the disk of the sun.
	Dress: they wear the garb of a Vehemite, but all black (gray for novices). They symbol of their order is displayed subtly as a clasp or pendant. They are generally armed at all times.
A religious order of the Kingdom, they are open to men only. Most of their members are from the upper classes; all are highly educated. The existence of this order is almost unknown to the general public. They were originally a branch of the Vehemites and still work closely with them. This order is carefully supervised at all times by the Patriarch. He uses the Vehemites for this task although technically both groups report directly to him. These clerics are witch-hunters like the Vehemites, but they use "Technical Magic" rather than or in addition to channeling. Essentially they use the enemy's weapon against them. Mithraics are suspicious of so-called Technical Magic, as it has no inherent moral nature. They believe that power corrupts and taint will eventually claim all mages who practice long enough, driving them mad. Thus the members of this Order are watched carefully for signs of taint, madness, greed, and so on. They are all skilled at both arms and magic, and are some of the most dangerous members of the Church in melee combat. The Order is very small, with less than 100 members overall. Their only Chapter House is in Kingston.
Criteria for rank and membership: extreme devotion to church, strong piety and sense of discipline and duty, the ability to pass rigorous tests of faith and magical skill.

Sorores Agnes
	Colors: lavender and gray.
	Symbol: the morning glory, a flower seen to symbolize purity and a love of light.
	Dress: undyed homespun dress and under-dress topped with hooded lavender robe (gray for novices).
This is a religious order of the Southern Marches. It is open only to women (of any class). In requirements and function it is much like the Order of St, Brigit, but the feel of the society is less pragmatic and more mystical. Most branches of the women are cloistered, but some have received permission form the Synod to found houses in more urban, less isolated areas. Here they often tend to the poor and sick. Even at the rural houses of the Sisters, aid is available to local men and women in need. The order is also a educational order, teaching children of the rural Marches their basic math and reading skills. They do not teach at higher levels, however. The order is based on the Marcher belief that Lugh actually became human and was born of a human (virgin) woman. This woman, Agnes, reputedly saw a vision at the divine crystal, and rather than Lugh being born of it, its light filled her and made her with child. Like in Medieval Christianity there is something of a cult surrounding the Mother of God in the Marches. Both men and women pray to her often to intercede for them with Lugh/the Sol Invictus. Some Gaels think that Agnes is a parallel to a goddess they worship, Danu or the Great Mother.
Criteria for membership and rank: piety, good works, and visionary experiences.

Spectrum Humanitas
	Colors: all the colors of the spectrum.
	Symbol: the colors of the spectrum radiating from a white sun.
	Dress: tassles of colored ribbons on the shoulders of a doublet, surcoat or shirt, colored streamers on lances and banners etc.
A lay order of the southern Marches. Open to men almost exclusively, there are a few circumstances in which women are admitted. Based on the concept that if Lugh embodied all the virtues and skills of all men, then an individual (by comparison) is like a single beam of colored light within the white light (Lugh). The goal of the order is to help men become the best they can and aspire toward the perfection of Lugh. It emphasizes martial skills, of course, as well as athletics, history and language and the arts. Before membership is granted the applicant must satisfy a full member as to his talents in each of these areas (or at least show that he is improving and striving for excellence in each!). If accepted, she may use the title "Dame."
Criteria for membership and rank: skill at combat, athletics, military and civil history, musical or another art, and theology. Good works and donations to the church and barony are also important. It is the combat requirements that generally preclude women, however if a woman becomes known for some brave deed (fighting off Northerners in the recent war, defending her house from wolves in the winter, etc., then she may be invited to apply to the order.

Order of St. Turpin
	Colors: sky blue and gold.
	Symbol: A shield upon which is shown crossed mace and sword, under the crown of Mithraea.
	Dress: a medium to dark blue or gold surcoat with device (in the field) or full clerical robes of medium or dark blue with the device worn as a small heraldic badge on the chest.
A Religious order of the Kingdom. Turpin, a lay deacon and warrior, was the inspiration for this order. This was during the Bad Days after the Cataclysm. There were poor communications and no resources to raise and army, so when the Sea Raiders attacked the town where Turpin lived, he challenged the leader to one-on-one combat to avoid an un- winnable battle. He won, and word got back to the capital. Turpin was asked to train others to fight. A simple man, he acquiesced. Eventually he pursued ordination and was made a priest. Later he was made a Bishop. At the end of his life, Turpin returned to the field and died fighting one last heroic battle. Over the years, this order became the Champions of the King, as they had once been for the borders of his kingdom. They have the honor of accepting any challenges made to the King. The Order of St. Turpin, like the Knights of the Chalice, is a paladin order. Most members are of the nobility or gentry, as with their brother order. The knights of the order are also likely to be skilled in combat, healing, or inspirational channeling magics. Unlike the Chalice Knights, members of the Order of St. Turpin still act specifically as the Champions and defenders of the King. Their oath places loyalty to the King as the Steward of Mithras higher than their loyalty to the Church hierarchy. This makes them potentially dangerous in the eyes of the Patriarchy. The order is quite small, with only one Chapter house, in Kingston.
Criteria for membership and rank: piety, martial prowess, and devotion to the crown or to the values the crown stands for.

Vox et Speculum (Vaterites)
	Colors: gray.
	Symbol: none. The order is iconoclastic.
	Dress: simple homespun garments and monastic robes.
A religious order of the Kingdom and Marches. Open only to men. It is descended from older 'pagan' traditions centered in Galacia before the Cataclysm (where their teachings still share much in common with the Bardic colleges). They take vows of Celibacy and poverty. Most of them wander, preaching and teaching, but there are regional houses where the administrators and leaders of the order reside, and where the order maintains extensive libraries. These wandering preachers often claim to be able to relate the words and wishes of the Sol Invictus through divination. They dislike the political focus of the more accepted orders and often say so. They also believe that the proper way to approach the polytheistic peoples of Galacia is to look for the common ground they share with the Mithraics and seek understanding of their beliefs. The Vaterites were among the first 'civilized' peoples to seek peaceful contact with the Plains Tribes and study their ways. Often they are accused of "going native." Because of their controversial views and mystic strangeness, they are considered on the border of heresy in the Kingdom and sometimes even the Marches. Some members actually do use seeing magic, others have skill in divination via cards or scrying glasses.
Criteria for membership and rank: scholarly talent, mystical calling, visionary experiences, talent for 'seeing'.

The Society of the Eclipse
	Colors: black
	Symbol: A sun being eclipsed in a darkened sky.
	Dress: all black clerical robes with a deep hood that completely covers the head and extends several inches out beyond the face. These are only worn to secret rituals. In their every-day lives, these men (and rarely women) generally disguised themselves as clergy of other orders. Some were also noble-born and used their rank to the Order's advantage.
Supposedly this heretical order was wiped out by a declaration of anathema and a brief crusade ~350 years ago. No one knows how far back the order existed, but Anathema has been declared against them 3 times, the earliest being roughly 300 A.C. During all those times inquisitors were given broad powers to eliminate the order and suppress their teachings, but in each case a few members survived to carry on the group's work. The Church currently suppresses even the knowledge of their existence wherever possible. They believed the battle against evil to be un-winnable. Humans are wicked and will eventually undo God's good works. Some members advocated changing sides and assisting the demons in destroying Praedia. Others simply advocated gaining (and enjoying) power while the world still exists. Either way, their plans were dangerous and insidious. They intentionally worked to infiltrate other religious orders and use knowledge of the Patriarch's plans against him. .
Criteria for membership and rank: selfishness, despair, lack of faith, skills and contacts useful to the Order.

Les Amants de Serpents (Snake Lovers, also Snake-Kissers)
	Colors: none
	Symbol: no formal symbiol
	Dress: None specific to the group as a whole. Individual congregations may have badges or other small tokens they wear to show their faith. Most of the men and some women will carry scars from snake bites
This is a derogatory term for some Marcher evangelical congregations. These congregations emphasize preaching and faith through personal conversion experiences. They decry many of the rituals of both the Traditional and Reform Churches as formulaic and pointless. They sometimes experience ecstatic trances at their services, performing such miracles as speaking in tongues and walking on hot coals. Both Churches are skeptical of these 'miracles' but sometimes genuine channeling magic (healing, for example) are documented. The name of these congregations comes from the practice the worshippers have of allowing venomous snakes, a symbol of evil, to bite them in order to prove they have the faith to overcome the poison. Most of these groups are rural, not urban. Their practices have not been declared heretical by the synod, which is leery of such declarations after having been the subject of one themselves before the war.
Criteria for membership and rank: faith, community acceptance.