Mystical Orders

Mystical orders is a catch-all term for a group of disparate traditions which combine physical and mental cultivation with the manipulation of basal energy. This energy, when in motion, is refered to by many different names, including breath, vitalis, vilya, sava, or jin. Correctly cultivated and manipulated, it can be used to enhance mundane capabilities by changing the way that things move and interact on a wide variety of scales. Pactitioners of these traditions are often called mystics or monks.
The oldest, largest and most influential such group is the Dropos Sidere Myal (way of the iron mind,) a group responsible for creating hobgoblin culture in the face of slavery, and for holding that culture together in the face of freedom. ONce a clandestine group, the Monastery of the Iron Mind is a major civic and spiritual presence across the Kyuzh-magh, with many subordinate orders focused on different aspects of their overall role, and different uses of their vitalis.
Also ancient, but much smaller, the Draconic Mystery is a tradition which originated among the Dragonborn of Ladonia. The aim of the Mystery's practice is to use their sava to emulate the powers of the true dragons, which they view as a heritage which it is their birthright to unlock. Despite the best efforts of the Mystery's orthodox leadership, there are a number of non-Dragonborn who have studied its ways, forming splinter traditions.
The Genogi Basaras (breath blessed by the elements) is a tradition from the Genasi of Caino, which is closely tied to the Faith of Foundation. Genogic mystics seek to bind their own jin (not to be confused with gen) to the basal energy of the world, allowing them to manipulate all four cardinal elements. By tradition, genasi practitioners focus on the elements which do not match their gen.
The Octagonal Cloister is an organisation of mystics associated with the Church of the Eightfold Way. It aims to syncretise a broad variety of mystical disciplines, aspiring to the influence of the Sidere Myal rather than the focus of the Mystery or the Genogi Basaros. Each of the eight Cults of the Eightfold Church maintains its own chamber within the Cloister, and each chamber has its own focus.
The Tsichor Yssan (Dancers of the Serpent) are a mystic order within the Ophionic Empire. The original Snake-Dancers were killers serving the Cult of Sythis, while the other cults had their own mystics. Now closely associated with the Serpent Throne, and having absorbed its rivals from the cults of Stygis and Asphyx, the order provides the Emperor with spies, assassins, bodyguards and advisers.
Shak-Lau (way of the paw) is a non-hierarchical tradition practiced mostly by Pashak and a small number of gnolls. It is a loose network of practitioners, bound by quasi-familial bonds between masters and apprentices and between fellow students. Influential teachers may form local shak-lau schools to develop their own field of practice, and different schools may form rivalries, but these are rarely serious.
Son-Keya (cry of the sun) is an ancient Featherfolk tradition that maintains a position of respect in the High Eeries. The Priory of the Dance on Naugale is primarily the home of a contemplative religious order, but also houses the Motherhouse of the Son-Keya. The motherhouse maintains contact with daughterhouses across Aiaos via the Air Fleet, in exchange for which the fleet receives training for its officers in the order's unique aerial martial arts. Au-Keya (the silent cry) is a renegade offshoot practiced by the unva, which lacks the aerial aspects, favouring stealth and evasion. It is also known as Ee-Tal Un-Tal (fighting without fighting.)
Krick-tik (association of the staff) is a south Cainan order with a close focus on martial arts. As a cultural tradition developed among the emergent anurin states of the region, its practice is closely tied to Smoothfolk physiology, focusing on leaps and kicks. It also keeps a great deal of poison lore.