The Vulkryia Sisterhood

Structure

The Vulkryia Sisterhood is led by a High Matriarch, who has an inner circle of twelve trusted and high ranking Matriarchs. Under them are Sister Superiors, veteran sisters dedicated to helping train novices and to also lead them into battle. Then there is simply the Vulkryian Sister, the most common rank in the sisterhood and what can be considered a "mainline infantry". Then under them are Novices, the lowest of the sisters and those who are still in training to learn of the sisters ways and how to fight. Outside the general hierarchy but still under the command of the Matriarchs are the Ashen Ones, holy sorcerers blessed by Dieyr whose eyes have been burned by his light. Yet they can still see and now are some of the greatest fire mages in the world

Military

When the Valkryian Sisterhood marches out to war, they do so in thrice blessed armor and weaponry. Their favored weapon is that of warhammers, coming in one of two-handed forms, as this is the favored weapon of Dieyr. They also bear symbols or shields shaped in the image of a burning comet, in recognition of the comet that would burn their founder in the flames of redemption. It is said even a demon made of fire cannot withstand the flaming zeal a Valkryian Sister possesses

Foreign Relations

Many see the sisters as powerful but crazed warriors. Many peasants in Vebastonne tell their children of "flame eyed women who will burn their hair and eyes out" if they misbehave. Many are wary around a Vulkryian Sister for they are always quick to anger and quicker to deal out righteous violence. However they make for excellent warriors, and some parties of adventuerers seek the prowess of a Vulkryian Sister, if they can stomach the religious fanaticism. While holding faiths other then the holy word of Dieyr are seen as damned and depraved to a Vulkryian, sisters operating outside of the Burning Citadel simply learn to either convert them, ignore them, or swallow their pride and accept that sometimes foreign help is needed in order to spread the word of Dieyr as they go about doing jobs

Divine Origins

It is said the origins of the order lie in fire. Long ago during the Age of the Vikingir, during a raid in the Neundorf city of Wittenhofen, a vikingir woman named Una Hranidottir would be raiding with her fellow vikingir when she would come across a pathway up a mountain. Hearing that a long abandoned shrine was at the top of this pathway, she would rush up the pathway, bent on looting whatever gold lay up there. She would sing praises to the Wolf as she rushed up, even abandoning her fellow raiders to grab all the loot for herself, but would come across trials of fire. These trials would test her skill but she would eventually pass. However, as she reached the top, it is said a flaming comet would burn its way across the sky, and before her she would see the image of Dieyr appear, and consecrate her in the flames of redemption. She would be horrifically burned, but in those flames, she witnessed the folly of her craven ways, and saw the path now laid out to her. The woman who emerged form the flame was burned to the point that barely any skin left, but she would descend down the mountain in blinding speeds while ablaze. She would then slay what used to be her vikingir brethren and kin as they were loading up their longships with loot from the villages and churches they sacked. All would be slain, and flaming longships would slowly sail their way back to Aldinnheimr. Afterwards, Una would rename herself to Ulrica Twiceborn, and then form the Vulkryia Sisterhood located in the Burning Citadel atop the same mountain she was burned on. Since then, the Matriarchs of the Vulkryia Sisterhood keep her message of redemption in holy flame alive, and seek to convert those who would not see the folly of their so called gods. Those they can't convert they leave to their cursed existence, though their pension for divine cleansing leads many crusades to include the sisterhood, for their crazed and dogmatically militaristic ways make for very skilled warriors.

Cosmological Views

The Vulkryia Sisterhood is a firm believer of the original sin, for the world is inherently a sinful place. Only by embracing the purifying power of the flame can one hope to overcome the sins and vices of the world. This is why all sisters swear not only an oath of chastity, but also to give up many activities that could be considered sinful. They seek that through their devotion to Dieyr will bring about the cleansing flame that will burn the world and all of its sin

Tenets of Faith

• "Preach his name not once, not twice, but thrice a day"
• "Show your devotion to him through not just words, but deeds"
• "Reject all sinful deeds, and strive to be above such base and material things"
• "Work to convert those who do not see the true flaming path"
• "Destroy any and all who would harm Dieyr, and his mortal servants in any capacity"

Worship

Times of worship are strict, with a Morning pray, followed by a period of penance. Then there is combat training, followed by a midday prayer, which then finally leads to the midday meal, the first meal sisters eat that day. Then after the meal is the Sermon read by one of the Matriarchs, followed by more battle training. Then comes the evening prayer, followed by the evening meal, then one more combat training period, followed by a period of consecrating their weapons and armor. Then free time, though most sisters spend this free time praying or training some more. Finally, comes the rest period. This dogmatic schedule keeps up everyday, though when a sister ventures out either as part of a host of warriors or to crusade in other realms on their own, this schedule changes drastically (however it has been noted that only eating two meals a day and prayer times usually are kept no matter the location).
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Priesthood

Some nobles send off their belligerent or unsavory daughters to this order to simply get them out of the way, while others are women who feel the call of Dieyr. Regardless, all must be female, and all must pass the Trials of Flame that the founder once had to go through. These trials are laid out throughout the journey up the mountain, which can take days to ascend up. The trials are different for every sister, and are said to burn alive all who are unworthy. Those who make it out of the fires fall at the gate of the Burning Citadel, and are brought in to become novices of the order

Granted Divine Powers

It is said that the Vulkryian Sisterhood are imbued with the fiery rage of their god, and it is observed that their fires burn with an intensity no other flame produced by magic can compete with

Political Influence & Intrigue

A relatively smaller order then the many holy orders in the world, the Vulkryia Sisterhood experiences most of its political influence in the nearby villages closest to its mountain home, however, due to their martial prowess, whenever a crusade is called they are among the first sent summons by the King or Emperor declaring a crusade, and only if the sisters deem the cause worthy of Dieyr will they join the fray. Thanks to Dieyr's boundless rage, the answer is almost always yes.

"Through fire, atonement, through atonement, penance, through penance, fire"

Type

Religious, Holy Order

Alternative Names

The Sisters of Dieyr, Dieyrs Maidens

Training Level

Trained