The Valiant Brotherhood of True Faith

The Valiant Brotherhood of True Fait is a military order, founded in year 657, in support of the True Faith church. It was first established in Myreen, with the donation from king Octalion, a fervent convert who also published an edict to declare True Faith the only religion allowed in Myreen. It was the first time in the recorded history that such a proclamation had been made in any of the coutries west of Yuulón Mountains. As such, it created a considerable outrage among the citizens, and the Brotherhood was founded in order to suppress any opposition.
The order went through a process evolution of the years. Initially, despite the intention behind it, the men who enlisted were only True Believers and did their best to fulfil their mission accordign to a Code of Ethics, written by Terulian, a well-respected priest-scholar. However, a process of degradation started since the First War of Succession, when members of one of the warring families gained a considerable influence over the Brotherhood. They had managed to install one of them as the Head Superior of Brotherhood. Cormast was a cruel man, who stopped at nothing to achieve the political goals. He didn't care about enlisting only valiant men, and often chose men without any scruples, to support his plans. The morale amongst others fell low as a consequence, although many idealistic young men still joined their ranks. People started whispering however of the Bloody Brotherhood, a monicker which stuck with them, although was never spoken too loud.
Since True Faith was always opposed to the power Mages wielded in the world, Brotherhood played a significant role in the persecution of the witches that happened in the 8th century. Even though by that time magic had been significantly weakened, this didn't stop True Faith from using it as an argument against the believers of Old Ways.
In year 754 they attacked Gathering, under a suspicion of them collaborating with Empire and supposedly serving Elaria through this action. The king was not pleased, but the war with Empire made it impossible to take any action against the Brotherhood.
When the new king Yoel was crowned, as part of the agreement with True Faith, he managed to send a lot of their troops to the war and their powers were significantly dimished. The following year Morgan managed to inflict several losses on their headquarters in Alantris.
Right now, the only force opposing True Faith remains the Empire.