Order of the White Flower

A powerful neutral organization that is known as the "Order of the White Lotus" within Celestia, holding branches across multiple continents. They specialize in the study of the world, alchemy, and the Ethereal Plane. Unlike others that dedicate themselves to magic and power, the Order joins no sides. Offering education to those it deems worthy while focusing on understanding the universe as a whole. Members of its order notably have only three ranks, and simply being a member earns one respect no matter where they may go.
They are most noticed by their pure black robes or clothing of some sort, holding a single white flower at the center of the shoulder blades, marking them as members of the order. They are also provided an enchanted jade talisman once they join the organization which grants them proof of their status.

Membership

Unlike the Wayfarer's whom are happy to offer anyone a chance, the White Flower holds no such ideas. Though they believe that anyone can become great regardless of background, they require only the best of the best. Becoming a full member requires that one pass a test held once every ten years at various locations in the world that act as major branches. Encouraging members to spend all this time bettering themselves and learning, in whatever way they may.
This is also a method to force the normally scholarly, quiet, secluded types that wish to join to travel. Exploring the world and making their way to the various branches. The test covers numerous advanced subjects such as mathematics, philosophy, psychology, alchemy, cosmology, astronomy, and more. Members are required to at least achieve average scores on every section of this test in order to be considered for membership.
After this point those that manage this are brought in to be interviewed by a board of six full members of various status and specialties. This interview is also a test, as it is encouraged to be a debate. One to prove their own ideas, and hold a conversation between their peers in order to judge their patience and character as well as open-mindedness to teach as well as learn from others that are not simply "above" them.
Should at least four of the members give their approval, the subject is granted their jade pendant and basic uniform. Welcome as full members into the order where they are provided free personal housing and meals, and access to the branches library and laboratories for free. They are also then pushed to choose a specialty, and secondary focus and assigned to a partner. Though this may become a mentor-like relationship, it is reinforced that the new pair are partners, and peers. Neither above the other.
Attempts at abuse of this non-existent seniority end in loss of membership and scorn placed on their names throughout many circles. Similarly, attempts at using money, political status, or individual might to solve problems or control others end in the same, and often worse punishment including imprisonment.
Once a member has proven themselves to their peers, they may opt to become professors. These are individuals that are in charge of public and private lessons taught in the branches and are offered a standard Salary in return for loss of much individual research time. This is not a requirement, however, and in fact few accept this "rank" even if it is often well respected. Instead most members focus on teaching classes only when they feel like it, and use their individual research in order to push the bounds of understanding in their field.
Every five years from an individual member's day of joining the Order, they are required to come forward with their achievements, discoveries, research and theories that they have managed in this time. It is brought forward to a circle of fifty randomly chosen peers and given scores from 1 to 100 by each after the presentation, debate, and general conversation. Based on these scores the members are then given additional pay and support.
No matter how limited the results of a member's study may be, they will never lose their membership unless it is due to abuse of power or other crimes. As the core of the order is that even if all results may show something is pointless: nothing truly is.

Head of the Order

The only true position of "Seniority" within the order, is its Head. This position comes with no true power over the order, aside from the respect the member has earned in order to acquire it. It also provides the most additional funding and access to what is generally classified research materials to the member that only they may decide whom else gains access to such. They are effectively the key holders of forbidden knowledge within the Order, and must always supervise anyone they allow access to such information.
To become the Head of the Order is dependent on the member's proof of achievements, knowledge, breakthroughs and products. If they can acquire enough respect in the order that every fifty years then their name may be placed into the poll for becoming the newest head of the order. One may never place their own name into the tally, and the two individuals with the most votes are then placed into a room with all the others that received any form of vote at all. Here the two are to debate whom between the two should hold the position, and the others will act as witnesses.
This debate has been known to go on for months in the past until the new Head is chosen by one of the two giving up, and admitting defeat.