The Aegrican Order (a-GREE-can)

"...and they stand in the doorway, lightning flashing behind them. Tall women with dark expressions of hatred. They will steal you away in the night and sacrifice you to the pagan gods!"

-an child trying to scare his younger siblings

The Aegrican Order has had to deal with a lot of negative flack for the last two thousand years and yet it still stands, whether or not in infamy, you decide. Founded back in the ancient times of Pentham, The Aegrican Order is an organization of women warrior monks who dedicate their lives to peace and protection. These women learn the ancient prayers passed down from the Time of Many Gods and perfect their fighting and martial skills. 
Founded on the principle that the ancient traditions should still be observed and to do the will of the one god Pentham, the Aegrican monks are seen as aggressive and non-partial, a reflection of their fairly poor social skills since they were raised on an island in a very demanding and almost military atmosphere.
Although originally peace-centric, the Aegrican Order's ideals have shifted from others focused to protecting their own interests. These interests include keeping an ever present watchful eye on the Northern Lodges, the elvish place of exile since the great Penthrian Wars. Always willing to boast of their victory over the mighty elves, the Aegricans constantly reference this as a warning to anyone whose plans ran perpendicular to theirs. The Aegrican Order, therefore, has become only more selfish, haughty, and disdainful of 'outsiders' as time goes on. 
The Aegrican Order has always, and probably will always be, limited to women. Normally taking in orphaned children found during missions, the young girls grow up in the tradition of the Aegricans and learn to call the Mother of the Order just that: mother. During these fundamental years, the girls bond with their peers causing a sisterhood to be formed, one so strong, very few others can rival it.

Type

Religious, Monastic Order