Order of the Scarlet Veil
A Hieretical Clerical Order of the Eternal Flame

[Politics]

Sometimes, the best way to use any information in your campaign is as background. A detailed accounting of how it's presence has affected the current affairs in Tharda, Rethem and Kanday (to a limited degree), as well as their stands on the Northern Barbarians and the Agrik church (and all of its divisions), and their beliefs on other religions. The Order, until now, has preferred to remain in the background - as a shadowy motivation and a random instrument of Chaos. With the new Oracle, that has changed.

Tharda

Thardic politics are highly detailed and inbreed. No one survives them without well placed allies and friends with whom favors, and tribute, are regularly exchanged. Religion and religious loyalties, while a good foundation for a friendship, promise nothing. The Order has made several powerful friends in both the Thardic senate and with the Rethem throne.

In the Thardic Senate, the Order has two vocal allies. The first is Jalien the III - grandson to Jalien I, whose family still resides in a villa near Fobin and the Order's compound. Jalien delivers regular reports on the Order's activities and usually has a Warriors of the Bloody Mace of the Order, or two, in tow. The Warriors of the Bloody Maces act as glorified messengers between the Order and the Senate.

The Senate would rather the Order set up their headquarters in Coranan, or Shiranan - so that the Oracle could be nearby to answer for her actions; but the Oracle always declines the offer to move her base of operations - saying her current residence is on historically holy ground. Until she receives a sign from the Reasonless Reaper to move the Order, it will remain in Fobin.

The second is Jonsean, grandson of Mikjon Publis the noble sponsor of the Order. By inheritance, the fortifications and some of the lands of the Order belong to him. A master orator he is often the most vocal when defending the Order. None of his family has ever asked for a prophecy - but they have received one. Jonsean seems to enjoy championing the Order in the Senate, and is often the butt of popular humor whenever he arrives in the Senate with some cut, or bruises. He is then accused of participating in the Order's famed Ritual of Mating. He takes it all in good humor, and his sharp wit allows him to turn the joke around.

The Order of the Scarlet Veil offer themselves willingly as neutral judges, or litigants to help one side in a dispute. The price for these services varies greatly - and no explanation for the price (or lack of one) is ever given. While not as vocal, nor as elegant as some of the best litigants in the Thardic Courts, they can hold their own. The Thardic Senate recognized the Order of the Scarlet Veil as official Punishers (hangmen, torturers, etc.) in the fall of 719TR, but their services have never been called upon outside of Fobin.

It is commonly believed that, since at least 632, when the two Republics joined to form what is now known as the Thardic League, the Order has had some influence on Thardic politics. Yet the Order has always remained cautious in who they've assisted and how. Some politicians claim they have received prophecies from the order and never opened them. Others claimed to have received blank scrolls from the Order's messengers.

The Order understands this distancing maneuver in religious terms more than political. The Order is against the worship of Halea - a common religion amongst both politicians and merchants. Since they have yet to be accepted by the Agrik hierarchy, close association with Agrik faithful might be seen as the faithful backing a schism. Which is both religiously and politically dangerous.

The current Thardic senate is divided into five overlapping factions. The consolidation faction is, surprisingly, the most pro-Order faction, and yet there are no known personal sponsors of the Order from this faction. Rather they support the Order's attempts at removing banditry along the highways and their willingness to fight against the Gozyda and the Tailwyne barbarian tribes.

The expansionist faction disbelieves the few rumors concerning the Warriors of the Bloody Maces of the Order, and their prowess in battle. This faction does, however, agree that some kind of draft be legislated towards them when (not ``if`` mind, but when) Tharda begins again to expand.

The imperialist faction doesn't care what the Order does so long as it abides by the senatorial rulings. They are the most vocal about having the Oracle move to Coranan where the senate can keep an eye on their Order. Recently, the Oracle wrote a letter once again tanking the faction for their promises of funds and support, but refusing the offer to move. The letter, while gracious and flattering, sparked several long diatribes in the senate - all of which were aimed at trying to force the Order to move to Coranan. The debate remains unsettled.

The monarchist faction has no official position about the Order. They share the expansionist's belief that the Order, while possibly good against bandits on an open highway would be useless in war.

The reform faction, however, is completely against the Order, believing their existence outside the Agrik hierarchy and outside the Senate's own control. They take every available opportunity to degrade or discredit the Order in the hopes they can force its disbandment. So far, their actions have only been political and none have had much discernible effect. Their animosity towards the Order is often seen as the real reason why the Order is so reluctant to be housed in Coranan.

The Order's compound is used, according to rumors, as a meeting place between certain representatives of the Thardic Senate and the Agrik Order of the Cohorts of Gashang. The topic of discussion, Themeson keep, is one of great interest to the senate. Originally belonging to Tharda, the keep is currently under Rethem's control via the order of the Cohorts of Gashang. This religious order is not in good favor with Chafin III, king of Rethem, and is currently seeking a better ally. These negotiations are also attended by representatives of the Order of Eight Demons from Shirinan. The grandmaster of the order, Merel of Kantor, is the driving force behind these negotiations.

The Thardic religious tolerance of Larani and Agrik religions is relatively low. Larani is seen as the goddess of Kanday, Agrik is the god of Rethem and either country is an ally to Tharda. Followers of Agrik and Larnai are seen as being anti-republican, or as cohorts of the enemy. But these two religions are quite popular along the Thardic southernmost borders.

Rethem

Arech, Chafin II's cousin received a warning from the Order a week before the death of Chafin II in 715TR. While no one is sure exactly what the prophecy told him - he alone survived the bloody struggle that purged Rethem's royalty in a battle for the throne. Of the family - only Arech's second cousins Saval and Hesela escaped and received sanctuary from the Earl Lynnaeus of Tormau.

Arech crowned himself Chafin III and ordered the Order to send him their next prophecy and with it a female tribute in the form of six Warriors of the Bloody Maces to prove their loyalty to the throne. The Oracle sent him nothing and forbade the Order to ever deal with the throne of Rethem again.

That spring, the Oracle's prophecy was not read aloud. Instead it was delivered to the Earl of Tormau unopened and unread. Not even the Order has a written copy of the prophecy. The Earl of Tormau and Chafin III are known enemies - and the Earl's claims that Chafin III plots to take away the Earl's lands have not fallen on deaf ears. The nobles of Rethem are said to be taking sides. The threat of civil war over this is very real. In addition, should the Earl win, and place the 11 year-old Saval onto the Rethem thrown he would effectively rule the country until the child reached his age of majority.

The Earl of Techen visited the Order's compound twice. The first time was to receive a prophecy in private, and the second time was to deliver his youngest daughter into the order. Rumor has it her initiation into the order was the price of the prophecy. The Earl of Techen has promised to remain neutral in affairs between Rethem's thrown and the Earl of Tormau.

The Earl of Techen is no friend to Chafin III himself. While a ward of the throne, he is sure Chafin I and II over exploited the lands of his father. The additional fact that Chafin III married the Earl's least favorite aunt does not help the situation.

The Order has yet to officially acknowledge the Order of the Copper Hook, another Agrik fighting order. The Order and the Copper Hook have met on the battlefield in challenges numerous times - with mixed results. The Order treats the Copper Hook as the village idiot of the Agrik society.

While both the Rethem and Kanday Governments see the skirmishes between the Copper Hook (Agrik fighting order) and the Checkered Shield (Laranian Fighting Order) as religious; the Order sees these battles as politically motivated and does not wish to become involved. The Order knows that the Earl of Tormau is helping both sides - and has always been careful to never reveal this secret through their prophecies. It is, perhaps, because of this that the Order does not wish to deal directly with the Rethem throne.

In 708 the Agrik Order of the Red Shadows of Herpa seized Themeson Keep from Thardic forces. Chafin III denies responsibility for the act as it was done by an Agrik order and is, therefore a religious matter. The Order has been pressured to act as intermediaries in this discussions but they have been careful not to take sides saying they are a religious order, and this is a political struggle. It does not help their case that Chafin III actively disagrees with their assessment of the situation. The Order, in its turn, is pressing the Earl of Techen be the intermediary, but he has yet to be offered, or accept such an appointment from the Rethem throne.

Chafin III would like to wash his hands of all the Agrik orders political/religious intrigue. Especially since the Red Shadows of Herpa split in 714TR creating the Cohorts of Gashang. There is much animosity between this new order, and its parent.

Usually the nobles around the Rethem Throne are the ones to contract for a prophecy - and they usually request answers to very specific questions. While the Order has no direct allies in Rethem, they are friends with the Order of Herpa the Mace, and the Order of the Copper Hook. Both Orders see a friendship with the Order of the Scarlet Veilas useful. Rumors say that unofficial visits by other Agrik priesthoods are becoming more and more common - to the point that the guest house is never empty. These honored guests seem only to be visiting, partaking in the general ceremonies, and watching the oracles. Any local will tell you something is about to happen.

What the current oracle has done to warrant such attention is unknown, but she must have done something. Occasionally groups of Warriors of the Bloody Mace will ride out of the compound, heading towards Rethem, and be gone for several days. They always return with bags of correspondence and maps.

Kanday

The Order is not interested in a relationship of any sort with Kanday primarily due to its Laranian affiliations. While many similarities are drawn by some between the Order of the Checkered Shield and the Order of the Scarlet Veil, the Order of the Scarlet Veil fears that association with any Laranian order would hinder their chances at recognition and acceptance by the Agrik brotherhood of religions. Rumor has it that the Order has sent messengers and the occasional private oracle to the Laranian order.

Rumor has it that Andasin IV, the current ruler of Kanday, is very eager for peace. The Order has sent two messengers to Kanday and neither has ever returned. The Order does not know their fate. The Laranian Order of the Checkered Shield is neither friend nor ally to the Order. Members of the Checkered Shield actively avoid the area of Fobin whenever possible. As a favor in return the Order will allow the Checkered Shield safe passage when traveling openly on Thardic roads. The Order treats the Checkered Shield as the protectors of Peoni, and as such have no animosity towards them directly. In this case, the grace of the mother, is visited upon the daughter.

The Northern Tribes

The northern tribes in Rethem and Tharda are equally of no concern, unless they can be used as a bargaining chip in some future political deal. The Order has yet to offer public support to the idea of a jihad against the tribes, but such an announcement is expected at the next major Agrik festival. The Order hopes such support will strengthen their ties with other Agrik fighting orders.

The Order does not directly oppose the Agrik fighting Order's stance towards a holy crusade against the northern tribes in general. But neither are they vocal supports of the idea. Several Warriors of the Bloody Maces have gone north to bring their religion to the barbarian s by the sword - but none have gone there by order of the Followers of the Daughters of the Holy Fire. The Order is more concerned with the protection of the Fobin area, as if under constant threat of war, they practice, stock up and wait.

The Agrikan Church

The Hierarchy of the Eternal Flame has many faces. The Pontiff, and his court have not yet acknowledged the existence of the Order of the Scarlet Veil.

Order of the Eight Demons

Merle of Kantar is their Senesharil and the motivator of the talks between the Cohorts of Gashang and representatives of the Thardic Senate. This order has visited the Compound of the Order several times. While none have officially voiced an opinion on the Order - it is a well known secret that Merle of Kantar likes this Order for its militant capabilities. The Order is not as interested in torture as is the Order of the Eight Demons - but the Order of the Eight Demons is always invited when a rapist is caught and brought back to the compound.

The Cohorts of Gashang

The sponsoring priestly order - another all woman group, considers the Order to be their sister order, and have offered to accept the clerical half if the militant half were disbanded. The Oracle declined this generous offer, not wanting to loose the Warriors of the Bloody Maces. The Order has kept close ties with the Cohorts of Gashang and in return the Cohort has promised to support the Order's bid for acceptance by the Agrikan church. The Cohorts of Gashang are a rather weak ally as they have no power nor allies in the Agrikan church.

Order of the Fuming Gate

This small order has no public opinion of the Order; and has never formally met the Order. An easy enough situation since they are only found in Golatha and what few emissaries the Order has sent to that city have had other tasks.

Company of the Copper Hook

The Order has yet to officially acknowledge the Order of the Copper Hook, another Agrik fighting order. The Order and the Copper Hook have met on the battlefield in challenges numerous times - with mixed results. The Order treats the Copper Hook as the village idiot of the Agrik society. The growing distrust between these two fractions has turned violent many times.

Order of Herpa the Red Mace

The Order has had no direct contact with this order - but rumor has it that a terani that was blinded by his attempt at receiving an Oracle was actually a member of the Red Mace. If this is so, the Order has gained a powerful ally.

Red Shadows of Herpa

The Order's dealings with this order has mostly come from the wandering terani who have joined forces in an attempt to exterminate the kubora tribesman of Peran. The terani of the Red Shadows who have fought with Warriors of the Bloody Maces of the Order speak well of the Order and have offered to publicly support them at the next Vicena. The Red Shadows might change its attitude if it knew that the Warriors of the Bloody Maces often kidnapped the tribe's children, not for ritual sacrifice at the compound, nor to sell them into slavery, but to train them as future members of the Order.

Order of the Kukshin

The Order has often acted to assist the Kukshin's tiny chapter house in Quimen. Even though the Order is currently in the disfavor of the Rethem thrown. Members of the Order of the Crimson Dancer (terani for the Order of the Kukshin) can, occasionally be found with members of the Order. The Oracle may be siding with the Order of the Kukshin, when it refuses oracles to the Rethem thrown. Whatever the reason, the Order is the last contact the Kukshin have with the Agrikan church of H’rn.

Order of Mamaka - the Master of Steel

The Primate of Hârn has yet to make an official comment about the Order of the Scarlet Veil. Ther terani both like, and support the terhani of the Order of the Scarlet Veil. They are treatd as Ulankh. The teranhi have fought side by side in crusades againt the Kuboran tribes of Peran. Rumor has it that members of the Order of the Scarlet Veil were present in 690 when the Order of Mamaka was granted/siezed lands in Bedenes.

This page was last updated on 30 June, 2000
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