Order of Ancients
Overview
The Order of Ancients is the sacred and arcane faith dedicated to Baphomet, a divine being born from the powerful union of Adamas and Baladax. Within this faith, Baphomet is worshipped as the master of magic, the sacred force of life, and the primordial wisdom of dragons. The Order reveres the dragon not just as a beast of legend, but as a living vessel of divine knowledge and ancient memory, entrusted by Baphomet to walk among mortals.
The Order does not seek conquest, but transcendence—a lifelong devotion to the study of the arcane, the understanding of natural law, and the balance between creation and destruction. They believe that true power lies not in domination, but in self-mastery, and that through knowledge, reverence for dragons, and spiritual balance, one can draw closer to the divine.
Rooted deeply in the elite Almidar or High Elves , the Order of Ancients is as much a cultural identity as it is a religion, shaping their cities, traditions, and arcane hierarchies. It is both mystical and academic, sacred and scholarly.
Structure & Hierarchy
The Order of Ancients operates with a scholastic yet mystical hierarchy. Titles within the Order are bestowed through a combination of magical mastery, divine communion, and dragon recognition.
- Archon of the Arcane – The highest-ranking spiritual leader, believed to have communed with Baphomet directly.
- Arcane Singers – Loremasters, historians, and enchanters who preserve sacred magical traditions through song, poetry, and spell craft.
- Living Magic Acolytes – Students of the arcane who dedicate their lives to mastering the magical arts and understanding the life cycles as dictated by Baphomet’s teachings.
- Scale-Blessed – An honorary title given to mortals who are born under divine omens, often marked by the appearance of a silver or golden feather, or a vision of dragons in dreams.
Holidays
- The Day of Dragons – Celebrated during the first spring full moon. Dragon-kind and mortals gather to offer sacred spells, songs, and offerings to Baphomet. It's said that on this night, dragons and mages receive visions of past lives and future destinies.
- The Spiral Bloom – A summer solstice ritual symbolizing transformation, where followers burn away something old to make room for new growth.
- The Night of Feathered Fire – Held on the anniversary of the first Almidar demi-god’s birth, honoring the divine lineage between Baphomet and his chosen children.
Political & Cultural Influence
The Order of Ancients is deeply enmeshed in Almidar culture, forming the backbone of their magical, governmental, and philosophical systems. Theocracy and arcane aristocracy often intertwine, with many leaders being former or Living Magic Acolytes.
Political Influence:
- Holds immense sway over arcane law and magical governance in Almidar cities
- Functions as a magical regulatory body, determining what types of spellwork are sacred, restricted, or forbidden
- Occasionally intervenes in other realms when magical blasphemy or imbalance threatens the world’s arcane stability
Cultural Influence:
- Shapes everything from architecture to literature, education, and even marriage rituals
- Plays a pivotal role in Almidar rites of passage, with most children undergoing a ritual blessing from the Order at adolescence
Outside Almidar lands, the Order is viewed with a mix of awe and suspicion. To many, their dragon-worship and magical dominance seem arcane and aloof. Yet wherever magic is studied or respected, the name of Baphomet—and his Order—commands reverence.
