:: Order of the Sun ::

"Out of darkness rises light, live to fight another fight. Our deeds, so pure, are never done. Darkness gone, we are the Sun."

The Order of the Sun is a religious fraction within Helovia, dedicated to the God of the Sun. They believe that the Sun is the only god, and that worship of the God of the Moon and the God of the Earth is blasphemous. They are stationed in the Dragon's Throat herd and rule with strict adherence to the code of the Sun. They intend to spread the law and worship of the Sun God across all of Helovia.

Serving the Sun in the day, the order meets to give prayer and sermon. In the night hours they meet with members that live in other herds, for the Order is a belief and does not required all its disciples to live in the Dragon's Throat. The Order of the Sun seeks to fill the night with the light of the Sun and the rule of the day. They prophesize that the moon will eventually be consumed by the Sun, and that it is their duty to forsee this fateful day's occurrence.

The Sun's Order hopes to convert others to their cause, and eventually vanquish all belief and worship in the God of the Moon and the God of the Earth. This begins with diplomatic and cautious approaches towards those that already seem to be firm believers in the God of the Sun. They need to amass their cult into large numbers, but once grown stronger they become bold, openly making claims and harassing non-believers. As time ever spins away their desperation to have the prophecy reached drives them to violence, subjecting the unwilling to forcefully accept their religion or face death.


THE ORDER
The Order of the Sun follows an organized hierarchy, following a leader, chosen by the Sun to speak in its place.

THE RAY :: The leader of the entire organization. This figurehead is said to be the chosen one, hearing the God of the Sun's voice and dreaming the prophecies which lead the Sun's Order's decisions. The decree of The Ray is final and followed without hesitation or rebuke (at least openly), for to react otherwise is to risk the wrath of the God of the Sun. It is said one must never make eye contact with The Ray, for the chosen one's eyes glow with as much intensity as the Sun's.

THE FLAME :: The Flame is second in command of the Order of the Sun, serving directly under The Ray as a most trusted adviser. The Flame is frequently positioned at the Veins of the Gods to speak the word of the Sun and promote prayer and asking to the Sun God's shrine. As the Order of the Sun progresses, The Flame will become more hostile at the Veins of the Gods, hassling away those that would ask of the God of the Moon and the God of the Earth, permitting only worship to the shrine of the Sun God.

THE BEAMS :: The most trusted and typically long-term members of the Order of the Sun, The Beams are in high command. They convene frequently with The Ray, updating him on any news and movement within Helovia. There should at least one Beam located in every herd region of Helovia, so that they can serve as the eyes and ears for how converting is going within that region.

THE LIGHT :: Is a name for all other members of the Order of the Sun, projecting the belief that it is the numbers of the society and their faith in the Sun that provides the almighty light. Members are expected to respond to the secret meetings and whenever possible, attempt to convert characters to the Sun's Order.

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THE SEND :: Members of the Order of the Sun that mainly serve it on the battlefield.

DAWN RUNNERS :: Members of the Order of the sun that mainly serve it through stealing and spying.

THE SCORCHED :: Those who serve members of the Order of the Sun. The lowest rank, saved for those with dark coats or worship of the God of the Moon.

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The Order of the Sun is considered a secret rank, and as such comes with an automatic rank ability. Any member of the Sun's Order is able to turn their mane and tail into flame. This fire will not burn another member of the Sun's Order, or anyone the character doesn't wish it to.


CUSTOMS
The Order of the Sun has strict traditions and customs they follow, as ordained by the law of the Sun.

~ Only magic abilities provided by the God of the Sun are pure, any others are seen as dirty and malicious. Such accepted abilities include those with Light or Fire qualities, a pure ability preferred over a hybrid one. Any members with other magical abilities are accepted, but are given a suspicious watch.

~ Upon joining the Order of the Sun, a new name is taken, one related to Sun, light or fire. This is seen as the true or blessed name of a character, and is used whenever addressed by another member of the Order.

~ The day, especially the noon when the Sun is highest, is the holy time. Foal conception is blessed in this time, as is the food of the land. Eat and be merry, for this is the time of the Sun.

~ Prayers should be made often to encourage the rising of the Sun and hope for good fortune to come with it. It should always be said in the direction of the Sun save for during noontime, at which point the Sun's glory is all around us, and no prayers should be spoken.

~ The night is considered unholy, so a source of light should always be carried at this time to ward away the evil of the moon. A child must never be conceived in the night, for it will be with the moon's mark and grow to destroy the Sun. Such a night-foal must be killed immediately, and its parents shamed.

~ Stray from any shadow and urinate on such spots. The golden color of urine is like that of the Sun and will purify the dark-blot of the shadow on the land.

~ The crossing of a shadow across one's form is considered an omen of misfortune, and all other order members near should pray for he or she who has been victim to this foul fate.

~ All reflections of the Sun should be avoided, as they are tricks of the earth god, the surveyor of water. Only the Sun in the heavens is the true light, all other depictions are blasphemous imitations.

~ When gathered, it must always be in a circle, for this embodies the shape of the Sun.

~ When sleeping, it should be facing the way the Sun will rise, so that you will awaken to its glory as a way of cleansing yourself from the sins of the night.

~ As payment for sins, the customary punishment is allowing the mane to burn the neck as a way of feeling the Sun's own lashes.

~ As payment for sins, the customary punishment is allowing the mane to burn the neck as a way of feeling the Sun's own lashes.

~ Darker colored coats of horses, or markings resembling the moon or stars are signs of the moon's disciples. Such individuals are inferior and deserve to live in servitude of the Sun for their crimes against it. Be cautious, for often these individuals will speak innocence or confusion, but they lie and trick for their freedom.


~ The Sun should always be capitalized, as it is the almighty one god.

Have any more ideas for customs? Let us know we'd love to have them :)


MEMBERS
To join the Order of the Sun simply post on this thread. We are currently looking for characters for the higher positions as well, just let us know if you'd like one of those, but we do ask for an active and dedicated character, as this will hopefully become a large plot.

THE RAY :: Ra

THE FLAME :: Alustriel

THE BEAMS :: Vayu

THE LIGHT :: Mesir, Zora

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DAWN RUNNERS ::

THE SEND ::

THE SCORCHED :: Flick, Thom

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WHAT WE NEED
~ Members!

~ Adoptable characters for this plot. Anyone can make some just post 'em here!

~ Crazy custom ideas, got any?