The Fyrelorn Order (/fɑɪrˈlɔːrn/)

The Fyrelorn is a shadowy and ominous military order that arose in the wake of the Terminal Catastrophe, a calamitous event that drastically shaped the remnants of the Sarentek Confederation and triggered widespread suspicion and abhorrence towards magic. Members of the Fyrelorn, often referred to as Pyreseekers, clad themselves in somber, ashen-hued armors. Their austere appearance is emblematic of their disdain for magic and their solemn oath to eradicate its use. They wield weapons specially forged to disrupt and nullify magical energies, and their ranks are filled with skilled warriors and inquisitors trained in anti-magic combat techniques.
The Fyrelorn operates across numerous post-Sarentek nation-states but is not beholden to any government. They answer only to their own secretive hierarchy, led by the Ashen Conclave, a council of high-ranking officers who are believed to have experienced firsthand the horrors of the Terminal Catastrophe.
Their methods and practices differ based on regional sentiments towards magic. In areas where the use of divine magic is tolerated, the Fyrelorn grudgingly respects such traditions, though they keep a close and suspicious watch on practitioners. However, in regions where all magic is reviled, they are relentless and unforgiving, hunting down any and all who dabble in the arcane arts. In communities where magic use is a taboo rather than a crime, the Fyrelorn often resort to intimidation, social pressure, and the spreading of fearful tales about the dangers of magic. They may, at times, indulge in acts of mischief or sabotage to undermine practitioners. In more stringent regions, they are known to act as an unyielding inquisitorial force, seeking out and persecuting anyone suspected of wielding magical powers, and imprisoning proven mages for "rehabilitation".

History

The Fyrelorn was established in 13 CE by the Sarentek Confederation, as a reaction to the Terminal Catastrophe. The catastrophe, which was linked to the use of Promethean magic, caused widespread destruction and loss of life. In response, the Sarentek Confederation, already in a state of decline, issued a global ban on magic, believing it to be a scourge that had to be eradicated for the safety of all. This led to the formation of the Fyrelorn as a military order tasked with hunting down and neutralizing magic users. The initial days of the Fyrelorn were characterized by support and cooperation from a populace still reeling from the horrors of the Terminal Catastrophe. However, as the years turned into decades, and the Sarentek Confederation crumbled on 26th of Purplebloom, 56 CE, the Fyrelorn managed to remain intact, drawing upon a dedicated and zealous membership that believed in the righteousness of their cause.
As time passed, the memory of the Terminal Catastrophe was fading, but the Fyrelorn's fervor did not. On the contrary, their zeal increased as they interpreted the fading memory of the catastrophe as a danger of history repeating itself. They believed it was their sacred duty to ensure the calamity would never be forgotten and that magic should be suppressed at all costs. Through the centuries, the Fyrelorn evolved into a formidable paramilitary force, with a complex hierarchy and a highly organized structure. They established numerous fortresses and training centers, and their influence began to seep into the political realm. Using a combination of martial strength, political manipulation, and religious fervor, they maintained a powerful grip on the societies they operated in.
In recent times, now over 300 years since the founding of the Fyrelorn, the order has experienced a resurgence. With monster kingdoms rising in the west, the Fyrelorn has been propagating the narrative that these threats are direct consequences of magic use. They have been successful in whipping up widespread fear and gaining support for their cause. They’ve also begun expanding their operations beyond the borders of the former Sarentek Confederation.
While some nations have evolved in their stance on magic, becoming more permissive, the political and military might of the Fyrelorn makes them wary of open opposition. The Fyrelorn’s deeply rooted influence in various institutions, as well as their ability to mobilize public sentiment against magic, makes them a formidable force that few dare challenge directly.

Questing

Questing is a practice employed by Pyreseekers. They are notorious for their zeal and uncompromising nature in seeking out spellcasters. They usually travel in small bands and are easily recognizable by their dark, ornate armor adorned with symbols representing the suppression of magic, and by the grim, cold demeanor they carry. When a group of Pyreseekers enters a town or village, an atmosphere of trepidation envelops the community. The Pyreseekers conduct thorough sweeps of the area, scrutinizing every inhabitant with a suspicious gaze. The populace is often herded into a common area such as the town square, where the Pyreseekers employ a range of crium-based devices to test for arcane potential.
One of these devices is the Aura Revealer. This device emits a pulse of crium energy which reacts with any latent magical energies within an individual. If an individual’s body reacts to the pulse, it reveals that they possess magical ability, often manifested by a visible aura or other tell-tale signs. Another device, called the Aetheric Resonator, is employed to detect those who have actively used magic. The device sends out waves of energy that resonate with lingering magical traces within an individual. This test is more specific and used to pinpoint practiced spellcasters.
Tragically, many of those identified as having magical abilities are unaware of their potential and are ordinary people leading mundane lives. In some cases, they might have a distant ancestor who was a spellcaster, or were unknowingly exposed to magical energies at some point in their lives. The Pyreseekers make no distinction, and anyone showing signs of arcane potential is taken into custody. The captured individuals are then taken to one of the Fyrelorn's fortresses for rehabilitation. Families are torn apart, and communities are often left reeling from the impact. The tales of those who have undergone rehabilitation and survived to return are few, but those that do circulate speak of broken individuals, shadows of their former selves.
As the stories of the Pyreseekers’ questing spread, many communities live in fear of their arrival, and some individuals with arcane abilities go to great lengths to hide or suppress their powers. Additionally, resentment and anger toward the Fyrelorn's draconian measures have spurred some groups to consider resisting or forming protective networks for magic users.

Rehabilitation

The Fyrelorn’s "rehabilitation techniques" are widely feared among magic users and are shrouded in an aura of grim foreboding. These techniques primarily employ the use of archaic Sarentek technology, remnants from a bygone age, the understanding of which has been largely lost. The devices are housed in the Fyrelorn's fortresses, often situated in remote and desolate areas. One of the central pieces of technology they employ is known as the Aetheric Silencer. For arcane spellcasters, who derive their power from the arcane energies that permeate the world, this device is calibrated to target and ravage the internal conduits through which they channel magical energies. Victims subjected to the Aetheric Silencer often describe an excruciating pain, as if their very essence is being torn asunder. This not only strips them of their magical abilities but also often leaves them physically and mentally weakened.
For those who derive their powers from divine sources, the Fyrelorn utilizes the Godlink Severer. This ominous device is believed to forcibly sever the ethereal connections between the divine spellcaster and their deity or source of power. Once subjected to this, the person becomes akin to an island cut off from the mainland, isolated and bereft of the divine energies they once wielded. There are stories of former clerics and paladins who, after undergoing this procedure, wander aimlessly, lost and hollow.
The most fearsome and controversial of their devices is the Mind Shatterer, employed predominantly on spellcasters whose powers are deeply intertwined with their will or personality, such as sorcerers. This device delves into the very psyche of the individual, destroying or altering key aspects of their personality to render them incapable of wielding magic. This often leaves the person as little more than a shell of their former self, devoid of emotion, creativity, or purpose.
As time wears on, the ancient technology the Fyrelorn employs is deteriorating. The intricate knowledge required to repair or maintain these devices has been lost to the ages. Consequently, the procedures have become increasingly unpredictable and perilous. It is not uncommon for a "rehabilitation" to result in the untimely death of the subject. The Fyrelorn, in their unwavering fanaticism, consider these casualties a necessary sacrifice in their mission, but among the populace, horror stories of their methods circulate in hushed whispers, further cloaking the order in an aura of dread and condemnation.

Opposition and Criticism

As the Fyrelorn become increasingly radical and ruthless in the pursuit of their mission, so too has criticism of the Order. Political and public criticism of the Fyrelorn's practices varies greatly among different nations and regions. In nations where magic is accepted or tolerated to some extent, politicians, scholars, and influential figures often criticize the Fyrelorn for their heavy-handed tactics and their blind pursuit to eradicate magic. They argue that magic, when properly understood and regulated, can be a force for good and can significantly contribute to the progress and well-being of society and denounce the use of cruel methods, intimidation and sabotage by the Order's membership, or even advocate for its disbandment. In nations where the Fyrelorn has considerable influence, criticism is much more subdued. Public criticism, in particular, is often silenced through intimidation and fear. People in these regions are often afraid to speak out against the Fyrelorn due to the Order's reputation for ruthlessness and the fear of being branded as sympathizers of magic.
However, in the political sphere within these nations, some pragmatic politicians and nobles express their concerns in private. They worry about the Fyrelorn’s unchecked power and its ability to act with impunity. Some of these political figures might engage in subtle maneuvers to limit the Fyrelorn's influence or push for a revision of laws pertaining to magic. An important aspect of the criticism is the involvement of religious authorities. In regions where divine magic is distinguished from arcane magic, religious leaders may either condemn the Fyrelorn's approach as too broad and unyielding or, conversely, support their mission while seeking exemptions for divine spellcasters.
Additionally, stories of innocent people being caught in the Fyrelorn's dragnet or victims whose lives have been destroyed by their "rehabilitation techniques" occasionally circulate, creating a groundswell of public sympathy and outrage. Criticism both in political circles and among the general populace is gradually growing. This criticism slowly chips away at the Fyrelorn's image of righteousness and begins to expose the dark and brutal nature of their operations.
While open resistance to the Fyrelorn is risky, a clandestine movement consisting of spellcasters, scholars, sympathizers, and victims of the Fyrelorn's heavy-handed tactics, known as the Ember's Rebellion, is beginning to circulate throughout scattered regions of influence of the Order. The coalition is not a monolithic organization, but rather a network of independent cells operating with a shared purpose of opposing the Fyrelorn’s agenda and protecting magic users. One prominent group within the Ember's Rebellion is the Runic Band, a faction consisting of magic practitioners skilled in stealth and illusion magic. They engage in sabotage and guerrilla tactics against the Fyrelorn, such as freeing captured spellcasters and spreading information about the history and true nature of magic. The Sages’ Quorum, another component of the coalition, is a scholarly assembly dedicated to preserving magical knowledge. They operate secret libraries and schools, and work towards educating the public about the benefits of magic and the historical significance of the The Terminal Catastrophe. Despite their best efforts, the Ember's Rebellion remains largely outmatched in terms of resources and influence compared to the Fyrelorn. Their operations are primarily focused on survival, enlightenment, and the occasional strike against Fyrelorn’s installations.
Internally, the Fyrelorn is not without its dissenters. Some members of the order, over time, begin questioning the heavy-handed and often brutal tactics employed against magic users. The Pyreseekers, especially those who were previously unaware of their magical aptitude and were conscripted into the order, sometimes find themselves empathizing with those they are supposed to persecute. Those within the Fyrelorn who are found to harbor doubts or dissent are subjected to severe penalties. They are often branded as apostates and subjected to a brutal inquisition. Captured dissenters within the order are put through intense indoctrination, or, if they are suspected of using or sympathizing with magic, they might undergo the same cruel "rehabilitation techniques" inflicted upon the captured spellcasters.
The few who manage to escape the clutches of the Fyrelorn often find solace and purpose among the Ember's Rebellion. These individuals, having witnessed the inner workings of the Fyrelorn, are valued for the insight and information they can provide.

Founding Date

13 CE

Type

Military Order