Creagan Teth (Kree-ah-gahn Tĕth)

Creagan Teth

A religious group dedicated to the greater good *(by any means necessary) following Dia Draíochtúil the CN Goddess of Lava/Magma. (Neutral since greater good and any means necessary totally cancel each other out. I guess with chaotic, it could be CG.)

Names of the Priory

Creagan Teth is also known colloquially as "The Priory of the Hot Rocks." A name that is almost always used in a jovial, lighthearted manner. That nickname was partly derived from the hill upon which the Priory is located, but primarily from the most common thing created and sold by merchant members of the order.
Year round the ground and the rocks upon the mount are quite warm; often to the point of being hot. This is most apparent during winter when the surrounding land is laden with snow; for no snow ever sticks upon the slopes of the mount.
At some point merchants from Creagan Teth started selling a unique item known to most as a "Hot Rock". The hot rock is a common low magic item in the shape of a small rock. This 3-inch chuck of some type of igneous rock generates enough dry heat to keep the temperature within 15 feet of it at 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

Ages ago, before acquisition of the land on and around the hill, the mount was known only as Bolkan. Since Creagan Teth moved in and started building some centuries ago the name changed. What was once Bolkan is known these days as Mount Creagan Teth, Mount Creagan, or Mount Teth depending on what part of the continent one is from.

The Main Priory

The massive obsidian tower of Túr Na Creige Scath enshrouds the entirety of the summit. Few are allowed in many areas of the tower.
From each corner of the tower the main buildings of the Priory begin to wind down the side of the hill. Each a long building with subtle twists and turns as it cascades down the hillside before splitting off near the base of the hill as if the delta of a river.
Each building is made from the stones of the mountain upon which they rest; The roofs tiled with a tessellation of reds, oranges, and yellows that echo the brick paths winding through the Priory below.
If one were to look toward the mount, unless quite close, it would appear as if there was smoke rising from the top of the mount and lava constantly flowing down the sides, all instead of being covered by buildings.

The Outer Priory

As they focus on the greater good, Creagan Teth has acquired swaths of land surrounding the mountain. Over time, as more people came to live under the protection of the Priory, they built houses, shops, and farms upon the land they had come to have.
As word travelled of their acceptance of all, acceptance without the requirement of belief, their humble Priory flourished. In what seemed like no time at all, the Priory evolved from a meek Priory to a flourishing city. The city of Chathair Na Luiathre thrived as people came from far and wide.
Streets made of yellow, orange, and fiery red bricks that glow and give off heat are lined with a thin line of obsidian as black as pitch. The substantial spacing between each building mirrors that of the noble quarters within the greatest of cities.
Every inch of unoccupied land is blanketed by myriads of dark carnival dahlia, fire flash spray roses, Lucifer canna lilies, circus roses, flame lilies, and pansy swiss giant flames. These flowers constantly light the mount and its countryside afire as they cover the city, hugging the streets and every building. Buildings made of materials ranging from Kafka granite to smokey quartz and fire agate. Each with a roof of dark green tiles. The "poorest" of which are made of fuchsite; The richest shimmer of chrome tourmaline, chrome diopside, and even the odd emerald.

City Size and Walls

The entirety of the city from wall to wall covers 10 square miles. The city proper, complete with suburbs, boasts a massive three square miles. The inner city finds itself surrounded by an ornate obsidian and black wrought iron fence decorated with symbols of Creagan Teth and their lord, Dia Draíochtúil.
Between the fence and the outer walls lay an ocean of flowers for the next mile before farms of various types coat the land. The outer walls stand at 50 feet tall andare made of various stones ranging from onyx and emerald to fire agate and smoky quartz before being topped with the darkest of obsidian. Gates made of a variety of stone always stand open, except for in the most fire of circumstances.
The population within the walls consists of at least 29,500 people. 12,000 of which belong to the Priory itself. Yet, that is not the extent of Creagan Teth as their order stretches across the continents. Who knows just how many people of the order there are.

Ranks Of The Priory

The ranks of the Priory are carefully structured so that some are unknown to any, but the highest ranking members. Entering the order grants you the first rank and the title associated with it. The ranks are as follow:

Lower Ranks:

Sand (The Coirnin):

The first rank of the order, promptly named for the fact that the members of Creagan Teth are as many as the grain of sands upon the earth. Every single member starts as sand to remind us that we are, but one small part of a greater whole. All working as one for the greater good, bestowing true beauty to the world in the process.

Pebbles (The Méaróch):

After some time spent learning under higher members of the order, one may achieve the rank of the Méaróch. Much like a pebble, these members truly build the foundation of Creagan Teth. While each individually is beautiful and unique, together they prevent the erosion of good from the world.

Stones (The Cloch):

Building upon the learning of the Méaróch are the Cloch. These members have started to come into their own. They stand out amongst the pebbles in their foundation within the order; Always spreading confidence or love wherever they go.

Rocks (The Crann Taca)

Becoming a Crann Taca is a choice to any stone that wants it. Those who want may want to dedicate themselves to the order in some way. Upon becoming a Crann Taca, one who is solid in their dedication, they find a master amongst one of the houses amongst the order. Once accepted by a master of their chosen house, they pledge their oath and start their apprenticeship.

Boulders (The Ulbach)

After a time learning under a master as a Crann Taca, the master may choose to bestow the rank of Ulbach. They are the strongest in faith or dedication to the order amongst the Crann Taca. One need not be an Ulbach to become a Meigilit, but it surely helps. However, to become a Cleric or Paladin of the order, you must achieve the rank of Boulder.

Monoliths (The Meigilitei)

The Meigilitei are the pillars of the community. An Ulbach or Crann Taca are bestowed the rank of the Meigilit upon completion of their apprenticeship and gaining the recognition and recommendation of at least three masters within their house and two without. Although not masters themselves, there is a near certainty that that position will one day be achieved. It is upon becoming one of the Meigilitei that one may start taking on their own apprentices. Even if they may still work under or with a master themselves.

Volcanoes (The Bolkan)

Upon becoming a master in their own right, after having amassed a large amount of achievements, a Meigilit might be recognized as by members of the upper ranks. This can lead to becoming one of the Bolkan.

Upper ranks:

Molten rock, Magma, and Lava are all on the same level when it comes to ranking within the Priory. Each member is hand selected by the Creag Obideach from the Bolkan for their new position. However, each group functions are different and they each have their own hierarchy.

Molten Rock (The Creag Leáite):

The Creag Leáite are the ones who lay below the surface. They take care of the things behind the scene. Especially those that require discretion. They clean up any messes made in the pursuit for the greater good. Like molten rock, they remain unseen and unknown until it is too late. Almost all members of the Leáite are even unknown to the members of the Dhramach and the Latach.

Magma (The Creag Dhramach):

The Creag Dhramach are leaders within the community. Everyone living within the city of Chathair Na Luiathre and the priory itself knows the name and face of the Dhramach. They are the ones who maintain and work on anything and everything that pertains to the inner workings of Creagen Teth and the priory. They tend to be well established masters of their trade or house, often times bordering on grand mastery. Some having even achieved the much coveted in all of the known world recognition of being a Grand Master.

Lava (The Creag Latach):

The Creag Latach are few and far between. Perhaps this is because so many lower ranks spread the word themselves. Maybe it's because once someone has lived in and among the Priory for long enough it just gets hard to leave. Who knows really. Yet, the renown of even the lowest of the Latach stretch further than any Dhramach. For it is the Latach that  make their way throughout the world, spreading the word of the Creagan Teth as if lava down a mountainside. Reporting back their findings of the world, acting as an ambassador, or whatever else the Creagan Teth may need. They manage all external matters of the Creagan Teth.

Obsidian (The Creag Obideach)

The Creag Obideach Is the absolute upper epsilon of the Creagan Teth. It consists of only 4 members at it largest. However, it usually only consists of the leaders of the Leáite, Dhramach, and the Latach. The fourth member only comes in foreboding times. Times in which Dia Draíochtúil deems it necessary to appoint a prophet to lead the Teth through trying times. Their word being the word of the goddes herself, using the other members as esteemed and respected advisors, confidants. Many prophets have viewed all members of the Obideach as equals, others have led with an iron fist.

Major Decision-Making:

Twice a year, the upper ranks meet. During that time major events are talking about and decisions are voted on. This can range from the bestowal of Bolkan to any outstanding Meigilitei to future events to alliances and missions to even voting for the next. This in itself can be a process that lasts two meetings or more. Since many of these require a 70% majority to be passed. 
For the bestowal of Bolkan, many times a name is brought up and the upper ranks keep an eye on them before determining which way they may vote. 
Making it even more difficult is the fact that only one of the Creag Leáite is well known to all but the highest ranked members. Therefore, they are the only one who joins the meetings. He then takes the information to a meeting just with the Leáite before bringing their answers and responses back to main group. This process can make these meetings last for a week or more.

Houses of the Order:

These are the different houses of the order under which one can choose to apprentice. Each house is subdivided into different parts.
Agriculture Alchemy Animal Husbandry Apothecary Arcana Baking Blacksmithing Building Cooking Cosmos Divinity Engineering Herbalism & Herbology Law Magics Medicine Mercantilism Sciences

And many others

Type

Religious, Other