Order of the Burning Pyre

[DiscoInferno]

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"In fire is purity, and from ashes rise new beginnings" - Creed of the Order of the Burning Pyre.  

Alignment: LN or LE
Race: Any, most likely human.
Class: Non-druid.
Deity: Kossuth

With it's renown for strict hierarchy, fierce ambition and perceived superiority, it is little wonder that the Church of Kossuth has maintained strong influence in Thay. The church of the fire god harbored many zealots among the Thayan, relentlessly demanding the strict obedience of those they considered beneath themselves.

The Order of the Burning Pyre is a militant group hailing from a reclusive temple in the Sunrise Mountains. Highly fanatical, they share the bigoted belief that Kossuth is the sole god worthy of worship, going as far as to refer to all others as false deities. The followers of the Order believe that the world is led to chaos through the worship of false gods, and that it is their duty to purify the heretical by fire and to bring forth an age of order under the burning gaze of the Lord of Fire. The Order trains its knights and priests to hunt the clergy of the Deceivers (a catch-all term used by the church to name gods who promote chaos and disloyalty) and is commonly known to burn them at the stake, reveling at the symbolic cleansing.

A strict hierarchy is followed within the Order and those at the top expect the undying loyalty of their subordinates. Disloyalty, disobedience and failure are considered treasonous to their cause and most long-standing members of the Order bear many burn marks and scars as reminders of this. Lower ranking members are chosen for promotion by their loyalty, performance and potential. The ranking hierarchy of the Order is:

Initiate: Pawns to the higher ranking members, unquestionable loyalty and obedience is expected. Most initiates, however, believe that themselves deserving of superior position and are eager to prove their loyalty and skill. Those who perform outstandingly are often promoted in due time.

Knight: Will directly convey orders to initiates. Knights are expected to ensure that the orders of higher-ranking members are carried out by their subordinates. They are expected to punish Initiates harshly for failure or disobedience. The ceremony for Knighthood involves the Initiate pledging the creed of the Order with their hands held over an open flame, and many will go as far as to dye their hair red. Upon the death of the current First-Knight, the Commander will select a distinguished knight for promotion.

First-Knight: Responds directly to the Commander. Is to select Initiates for Knighthood and to ensure that Knights are successfully fulfilling their objectives. Upon the death of the current Commander is the First-Knight promoted.

Commander: The leader. Defines the overall objectives and ambitions of the Order and conveys them to the Knight-Sergeant to assign. The Commander's word is considered final and swift punishment to be expected for disobeying.

((OOC: This faction will hold high possibility for both internal and external conflict. Once a group is established the Order will be played from Lower, believing it is their duty to end the current cult-war and bring the population forth into a new era of order under the Lord of Fire. Inbox, pm DiscoInferno on IRC or join #Kossuth if you are interested!))