The Order of the Sky Organization in Gedrian

History

The Order of the Sky is an ancient organization that has existed since magic was first gifted to mortal beings. The first high priest and priestess was a dwarven archmage named Akus Stormgranite and his wife Fozebena.

Mythology & Lore

The Order of the Sky believes in the myth that Brian the Great Dragon, son of Gedriana the Queen of the Wyrms, created the world from the fire of his tongue and the sweep of his enormous and spiky tail.

Tenets of Faith

The Commandments of the Order 1. Magic is holy and the misuse of it shall be punishable by excommunication. 2. Revere the Sky and its expansion the Sea. 3. Revere the dwellers of the Sky and its expansion the Sea. 4. Acknowledge our wrongdoings and know that judgement shall come.

Ethics

The act of obtaining magic without the divine influence of a dragon or a starborn is seen as the most sacrilegious act that any mortal can do. Pretty much this means that they condemn people who learn magic without their approval, which has led to a decrease in their popularity because more and more people are learning magic in a way that they consider to be heresy.

Worship

Worship is conducted daily through meditation, prayer, charity to the power, and sacrifices of incense. Each year an enclave is held in a ruined temple in Belzar, the mythical home of the dragons.

Granted Divine Powers

Some of the priests are able to use magic (see Magic in Gedrian), which they explain as a gift from the dragons or the starborn. Those who don't receive such powers are considered unworthy and most work to become worthy of such honor.

Political Influence & Intrigue

Belzar is the only kingdom of the former Empire of Gedrian that allows the activity of the Order of the Sky. In Morgrond, Ornell, Yärdnor, and Northod the order has been outlawed and any of its members will be executed for treason on sight. This is because unlike Belzar, who thought that Brian the Great Dragon destructive rage was just judgement, while everyone else thought that he was a monster.

Sects

The Dragonguard is a more militaristic, radical, and dogmatic form of the Order of the Sky, who is generally more lenient with the irreligious heathens that compromise much of the population. They specialize in protecting the Dragon Crater in northern Belzar and for that many are gracious, but otherwise they are treated with caution. Waterdawn is a term that defines followers that identify more with the sea than the sky. People who follow this sect tend to revere the sea serpents then their cousins in the air. The main members of this sect tend to be Sea Dragonborn, Sea Dwarves, or Sea Elves, though occasionally humans and orcs join their ranks. Also, the Waterdawn have no problems with ordinary people learning magic as they sea magic as a gift for everyone.