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Order of the Flaming Cypress


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“There, in the hills of Adria, the wild and untamed grassland, canopied by primordial trees and the beaming crescent above, portends an inescapable truth. Be it through ancient augur or the dreams of Saints, God implants upon all men a singular and inviolable understanding. Nothing remains in perpetuity, for there shall always stand an enemy to mankind’s persistence. Thus, in the short gift of this life, some amongst us must rise to serve the purpose of our preservation and temperance. Some must oppose the evils inherent to this imperfect world, so that one day these lands might stand to reflect the beauty of the very firmament above.”

- Ardashir, Knight Paramount of the Order

 

Spoiler

 

 


 

Index

I. Overview

II. History

III. Symbology 

IV. Ranks & Titles

 


 

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I. Overview

 

Cheshire Initialshe Order of the Flaming Cypress is a knightly order founded by Ardashir of Chaldees and headquartered within the city of Velec in the Duchy of Adria. The Order’s primary purpose is the protection of the downtrodden and innocent against unholy or flagitious forces in the lands of human-kind. Whether it be the hunting of monsters, witches or roadside brigands, they intend to spread zealous faith and security through their ascetic and disciplined methodology. Likened by some to warrior monks, the Flaming Cypress is distinguished from other Orders by virtue of their utilizing a unique approach to the traditions of knighthood through a dedication to intense ritualism and esoteric study in addition to purely martial skill.

 

Often draping their trappings in distinctive symbols and imagery associated with their Order, knights and squires of the Flaming Cypress are rarely seen in the traditional heavy plate associated with typical Knights. Instead, they are often outfitted in lighter and more hermetic attire that services their diversity of pursuits. Dedicated wholly to the principles and teachings of their organization, a typical Knight of the Order can be discerned as anything from an alchemist or philosopher to a physician and craftsman. Furthermore, neophytes and potential knights of the order are not required to bear any noble blood or lineage to be considered for oath, for the Order rejects all discrimination on the basis of origin or class. 

 

The vehemence of their rituals and tradition are displayed through the incorporation of southern and eastern customs into the structure and daily life of the Order. From Mihyaari to Oyashiman, their eclectic framework diversifies their goals of preserving the mundane and natural in the world for the security of descendant-kind. To them, that which seeks to undo the order and divine decree of the Heavens is an abject transgression that demands retribution. It is ever seeking new members to join into its flock, though the severity of its trials and lifestyle are far from accessible to all but the most devout aspirant. 

 

Whether a postulant squire youth or a warrior seeking oath, find the Knight Paramount within the bounds of the Adrian Duchy for information and membership in the Order.

 


 

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II. History

 

             Cheshire Initialseep within the forests beside the city of Velec, an itinerant of a bygone order found himself hunting amidst the brush. Game proved an unruly absence that day, and so he chose to sit upon a perched rock beneath the illumination of sun concentrated through the gaps between the branches. It was not far from his day-time resting place when the Duke of Adria, one Heinrik Sarkozic, was attacked by the haunted remnants of the drowned fisherman of the nearby river. Their flesh peeled at its seams and their forms were reduced to hunched, disfigured amalgams of rotting tissue that attacked the entourage indiscriminately. The once tranquil hunting party was suddenly ravaged as guard by guard were slaughtered or mauled by the attacks, forcing them to retreat in ascension of the hill that backed the riverside forest. Ardashir caught wind of the ruckus and ran toward the aid of the Duke. For some time he assisted in fending off the beasts until the arrival of his own companion allowed for a final death to be rendered unto the Vodniks. 

 

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[A woodcut depiction of the rescued hunting party of the Duke of Adria]

 

The attack was a violent and unanticipated brutality for the fledgling Duchy, but the Duke was ardently grateful. Ardashir declined any offered coin, instead requesting temporary housing within the nearby tavern and a gratuitous meal. Some weeks later he found himself summoned upon a dias during a held court, and was bestowed the honor of Knighthood. He was tasked with the creation of an order by the Duke, and despite the sudden and unanticipated nature of the proposition, accepted graciously.

 

Ardashir and many of the initial members of the Order belonged to an ancient Mihyaari guild known as the Banu Sayatin. Their ancient monster-hunting practices informed their skill in martial combat, as well as their ascetic lifestyle. Through this bestowed honor, the new Knight Paramount believed it fit that he would seek to intertwine his ancient beliefs and conventions into a new order that could serve Canondom. With that, the Order of the Flaming Cypress was born. Soon, squires and eager warriors flocked to the fledgeling order for recruitment and service, primed from across the realms to service a greater purpose.

 

Since its inception, the Order has taken on contract and quest alike – from seeking out witches, protecting human lands from great ancient monsters, and stopping banditry among the squalid outskirts of cities and townships. Many once felt the days of monsters and great terror were over, but reality assured such a fact to be far from any informed truth. The Order of the Flaming Cypress has endeavored to act as a paragon of mankind’s steadfast opposition to the forces of wicked and ignoble origin.

 

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[An Ayrian woodcut depicting Ardashir and two of his squires as they are lauded for their fine deeds in the streets of Velec]

 

In recent days, the Flaming Cypress has come to develop many popular rituals, trials, and acts that grant each of its members an individual importance and recognition for great deeds and service. Whether it be the bestowal of the moniker, the ascension of oath, or the bestowal of mask, each knight is afforded the opportunity to implant themselves into the annals of the Order’s burgeoning history. With this galvanizing prospect, words of great deeds and ambitious young minds has spread regarding the order, and only time can tell what tales and folklore about the Order will soon spew from the mouths of the elder spinsters of the countryside.

 


 

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III. Symbology

 

The Burning Cypress Tree

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The Cypress Tree appears all throughout the imagery of the Order of the Flaming Cypress, its manuscripts, missives and documentation. Ancient folklore speaks of a great southern cypress tree lighting afire with a similar flame to that of the Exalted Owyn, and burning with the vigor of God. It is likewise from the Cypress tree that the natural growing Haoma-Yasna is harvested and used for many rituals of the Flaming Cypress. For this omnipresence in both the cultural practices and the stone-laced lores of the order, its imagery has found domicile in many forms. Whether adorning heraldry, architecture, religious manuscripts or even clothing, it is a universal sign of divine goodwill and warmth. Often, too, it is depicted in conjunction with other imagery, such as the Great Crescent or Silver Mask. Most notably, the Order’s foundational heraldry bears a central depiction of it.

 

The Great Crescent

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The crescent, often stylized to have manlike features, is a personification of the moon that is usually depicted bearing an ugly, intentionally disturbing or at the very least uncanny expression. The moon is not revered as a divine celestial body, but rather a cradle of ill omen and wicked fate, for old traditions told that it is upon the moon that the lasting souls of dead men are drawn to be assigned unjust fates by the Aengul Aeriel, corrupting the nature of death itself. The moon draws upon the souls of the dead, and therefore, it is wicked, and it will always be wicked for as long as those souls are not subjected to the rightful laws of the earth and God. The Great Crescent, both with and without its unpleasant facial designs, can be seen printed on armaments or trinkets meant to both torment and ward away the undying, who are destined to be moon-bound if banished with enough strength. It is also used to signify the presence of everything cursed to be trapped upon the moon for harboring the essence of the Palebeasts, painted upon places like necromancer covens or upturned graveyards to convey such a point.

 

Flame Fundament

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The Flame Fundament is a representation of the divine nature of fire, symbolized by the burning torch and as upheld by the Exalcted Owyn. It is both the light and dark bestowed upon mankind by God, in the form of flame, elevated by wings that carry it between the firmament and the earth. This suggests the nature of Order, in that there are two halves to men that are sacred and shall decide the fate of their future. The fundament is more often depicted in glory than other symbols, alongside the Burning Cypress, to emphasize the significance of fire and Raum to the entire movement of the Mihyaari dynasties and the Banu Sayatin.

 

Brand of the Traitor

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The Brand of the Traitor is a mark of punishment burned into the flesh of betrayers of the Order of the Flaming Cypress, and draws inspiration from the Chi-Rahm symbol of the folkloric sword-demon Dagnir that inspires the desire to betray and kinslay within the hearts of all men who touch it. Furthermore is the blade seen piercing through the form of a dark moon, crested in representation of the Great Crescent, in significance of the blade being used to kill the entity which has the capacity to damn monsters and their ilk; thus inferring the bearer of the mark to have acted in their benefit in some way. Those who are branded as traitors are implanted with the brand upon the back of the neck or the palm, and are sent out into the world to live in constant fear of facing a punishment, for if one is ever to find them, they will be hunted and dealt retribution – often death. 

 


 

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IV. Ranks & Titles

 

A simple listing of the basic orders of the Order of the Flaming Cypress, for the purpose of public distinction. Many ranks exist in the Order not subject to this simplified hierarchy. This applies, however, primarily to the purpose of the Knighthood Ascension.

 

Knight Paramount

The Knight Paramount is the leader of the Order as declared by the previous Paramount or voted in by the inner circle of the Order. They are tasked with managing all pertinent affairs from recruitment to public directive and carry executive control over the Order.

 

Knight of the Fundament

Members of the inner circle of the Order of the Flaming Cypress, they are tasked with assisting the Knight Paramount in his administration of the Order. These are Senior Knights who have displayed themselves with exceptional zeal and are all often carriers of the Rite of Moniker. To this end, they are the highest regarded and are often the party from which the successor to Paramount are chosen.

 

Senior Knight / Fidai

These are Knights who have, through valorant display and long-time service, distinguished themselves from the commonality of the Order to ascend to a rank of higher pedigree.

 

Knight

One who has received an official knighthood by order of the Knight Paramount of the Order of the Flaming Cypress. These men have completed their trials, studies, and demonstrated their worth and capacity in operations across the Continent. Typically these are men trained from Squirehood, though there have been rare occurrences of Men-at-Arms ascending the ranks through exceptional deeds. 

 

Man-at-Arms

A general member of the Order of the Flaming Cypress who is neither a squire nor knighted. There is a vast diversity among this category of members who can take up roles anywhere from that of a physician to an ascetic monk.

 

Squire

A youth inducted into the Order and having completed their Oath with the intention of ascending the ranks to attain knighthood. Their trials are long-lasting and grueling, but ensure skilled warriors upon their completion. 

 

Neophyte

An aspirant to the Order who has not yet taken Oath. Oftentimes the Neophyte represents a trial period by which the eligibility of a potential member is determined by the Order’s administrative body.

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Father Harold skims over the document. "Hark! For my brothers have returned!" He looks in more closely for a second read. . "Hrrr, I suppose I was mistaken."

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"Ought to meet these fellows..." The Archduchess of the Petra remarked on her nightly perusing of missives gathered by mail.

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