Order of the Rose
The Order of the Rose was a sect of mages who separated from the Council of Magistry in 700 ND. While they weren’t all vyšnak practicers (blood magic), most members dabbled, and many of their leaders were powerful blood mages. Before the establishment of Kima as a united country, the Order was perhaps the most powerful criminal organization on the continent. In fact, the Order was part of the reason why the six regions united in the first place. Even they knew that an invasion by the eastern countries would spell the end of magic in Kima, and sought to protect it from that fate.
When Elric was established as High Commander of Kima following the war, his Mage Primus, Asa of Nimre, started a harsh campaign against vyšnak. He largely eradicated the Order of the Rose, sending most of its members to prison (where Elric later had them executed following Asa’s death). Few of them survived, fleeing to the wicked corners of the continent. Although the organization lost its functional power then, members who wielded its symbol, a bloody rose, still found doors opening to them at every turn. The people remembered, and they were afraid.
When Kane’s Revolution broke out, members of the Order saw their opportunity to infiltrate society once more. Veda and Sade, both members, joined with Kane’s forces and pioneered the Order’s return as puppet masters. Later, Asura, a notable mage from Elric’s court, would join as well. When Kane died and the rift between Ragna and Erin caused their forces to split, most members of the Order sided with Ragna. Asura was one of the few who did not, and his allegiance was always kept secret from the other mages in Erin’s army. Because of Asura, Erin’s side lost the war, leading to Ragna crowning herself Empress.
Now, the Order is nearly back to its former numbers. With Sade as Mage Primus, the most powerful ranking mage in Kima’s government, vyšnak is no longer outlawed as it once was. The Order is stronger than it has ever been.
