~ Order of the Sun ~

[Ra the Sun Emissary]

THE 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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

DAWN RUNNERS ::

THE SEND ::

THE SCORCHED :: Flick, Thom

---

WHAT WE NEED
~ Members!

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

~ Crazy custom ideas, got any?

[Ra the Sun Emissary]

LIGHT NAMES
Anyone can add to or use these. These can be the actual name of your character, or their Order name.

Akhenaten- Spirit of Aten
Amaterasu/Amateru – Japanese goddess of the sun
Amun – Egyptian sun god
Aten/Aton – Aspect of Ra (sun god)
Beketaten- Handmaid of Aten
Candela – Unit of measure
Helios – Greek sun god
Luma - Brightness
Lumen – Unit of measure
Meketaten – Protected by Aten
Phoebus/Apollo – Roman sun god
Solveig – Norse name
Surya – Hindu sun god



ORDER ADOPTABLES
Anyone can add to or use these. Characters for the order can be temporary, played just for the duration of the plot if desired.

Name: Uriel
Species: Equine
Rank: Dragon's Throat Stallion
Gender: Stallion
Age: 7
Height: 15.2hh
Appearance: Pure white, with a short, cropped mane, thick yet short tail, and pale blue eyes. Has a palomino sock, and is the only discrepancy of white on his coat. Built like a quarter-horse. Stocky, muscular, and curvaceous.
Personality: Uriel is obsessive compulsive in the sense that he always must be clean. His mane and tail are orderly, and his coat is relatively spotless. He has an odd habit of licking people to determine whether their soul is "cleansed" or not.
History: Uriel was born and raised in Helovia, and was inducted into the order after about a year. All of his family were disowned, for they began to follow and recognize the sovereignty of other Gods.
Other: Has the magical ability to create little spheres of light that hover around him.
Contact Owner: Boom Boom

Name: Valo
Species: Equine
Rank: Dragon's Throat Mare
Gender: Mare
Age: 5
Height: 16.1hh
Appearance: Bright chestnut with a thick flaxen mane and pale face, Valo boasts teal eyes. She is built rather slim, lithe, and agile. A typical female beauty, with delicately lined features and softened eyes. There is, though, an odd glint to those eyes at times.
Personality: Valo has never shown much interest in males, though she has gotten quite a few suitors over the years. Instead, she lives a lot of her time inside her mind, praising the Sun God and communicating with her twin Olin, who died while they were still fillies. As a result, she tends to be described as "looney" or "morbid" and will often refer to the death of her company, as if it were normal discussion. However, she is a firm follower of the Order, sticking strictly to the worship of the Sun.
History: Valo was born to a popular mare with her sister Olin. The two grew very close, and together, they began to adjust to the war torn world of Helovia. One day, though, a particular battle struck her family, slaughtering everyone in the near vicinity, sparing only Valo because of her admirable eyes. A young filly still, she was left to care for herself. As a result, the mare has grown to be a strong, independent creature capable of overcoming many obstacles.
Other: Can communicate telepathically with her dead sister, Olin.
Contact Owner: Boom Boom

[Blu]

Name: Flick ~ short for Flicker, like that of a weak light or flame
Species: Unicorn
Rank: Dragon's Throat Scorched
Gender: Female
Age: 3 years
Height: 14.3
Appearance: Arabian build. Gray eyes. Sleek black coat. Black mane and tail with frosted look. Gray and black, shiny, spiral horn.Slight beard and leg feathering. Lion's tail. White, small flame 'star' and one hind pastern sock. Several scars and small burn marks on face, chest and legs. Crude sun branded onto right hip.
Personality: She is the personal servant of Ra, and will be instrumental in organizing the uprising against him and the Order of the Sun in the name of the God of the Moon. She is truly a kind and giving mare, often helping the other servants in the Throat and sharing their burdens. She is incredibly strong willed, but mostly in private, preferring to act demure and ashamed as she should in sight of the Order and the herd - she doesn't want them to realize her will and strength, lest they tighten their watch on her. Being Ra's personal servant she does have some more freedoms than others and uses them to her advantage, often tricking and wriggling her way out of trouble. She also knows a good deal of Ra's secrets, as she hears things and he sometimes speaks too much, coming to be familiar with her over time. From these secrets and what she's pieced together with the gaps, she knows that he loves someone very passionately, but they do not return the favor, though Flick is not sure who the mare is. She knows that Ra is lying about his magic and about his beliefs, but her word against his would likely get her killed so she holds her tongue and lets her ears gather as much as they can. Truly she pities Ra, and thinks his deeds are born of good intentions, but she cannot forgive the terrible things he has done and often her other emotions for him are drowned by the hate burning inside her. She retains a happy and optimistic attitude despite her predicament, often praying to the God of the Moon when she is in private to ask for strength and guidance, but mostly she relies on her own tact and guile.
History: Rescued by Ra from an attack by angry dragons, Flick though him a heroic individual and was indebted to him. She willfully followed him for a time, and though he never seemed at ease with her, though she never knew why (her dark color), it wasn't until they got to learn more of each other that he really turned on her. Upon finding her reverence of the God of the Moon and her magic, he became violent and abusive, often physically lashing out at her as well as verbally. She cowered at first, uncertain and wondering where she had gone wrong. When she could get little information from her and chose to leave, he barred her way time and time again. He starved her and kept her dehydrated, forcing her compliance. As they move into the Dragon's Throat and he gains more power she loses her opportunities to escape. Over time though, as she learns more of Ra and his religious group, Flick has begun to try escaping less and less. She still wants badly to leave him, but time has shown her that cooperating rather than resisting and playing to his wants, often gives her easier days and more information. She still despises him and yearns for freedom, but she is smart enough to recognize the position she is in is special and may offer her more revenge and usefulness in the long run.
Other: Scrying: DarkxWater magic - able to hear the conversations of others in a pool of water if they are also near water. It mostly doesn't matter how far away they are from her, just to the water regarding clarity, and how well she can think of whoever she wants to listen in on, as the magic doesn't work unless she is focusing. At times she can catch glimpses of them, but mostly only hearing.
Contact Owner: Blu



Name: Fleet
Species: Pegasus
Rank: Dragon's Throat Dawn Runner
Gender: Male
Age: 5 years
Height: 15
Appearance: quarter horse build. Orangey gold eyes with white flecks. Red roan coat with rabicano along the flanks. Mane and tail are the red of his body with some white strands and frosting. Wings are the red color on top with some white speckling, and all white underneath. Light feathering at fetlocks, like Hermes wing shoes. Tribal markings in white along face.
Personality: The fastest around, Fleet thinks himself too fast for danger to catch up to, so he's constantly pushing the line of what he can get away with and what he can accomplish. He's incredibly competitive and often does ridiculous and dangerous stunts to get attention. He dreams one day of flying to the sun, and often tries to beat the dawn light across the sky. Takes great joy in humiliating and breaking others, so enjoys stealing.
History: Born in a large pegasus herd where twins were commonplace and the rooks were overpopulated. He constantly had to compete with siblings and friends for food, water, shelter and attention. He grew up in a rough gang of pegasus fledgelings, to ensure safety, so he doesn't feel comfortable being alone and often looks to the support of a herd. Eventually his gang got into a fight with another, and after losing they were driven away. He flew for a while with his gang, but many went their own ways, leaving him with Helovia. Ra approached him early on and they traveled together, finally coming to the Dragon's Throat. Doesn't fully believe in the Order of the Sun, but would rather believe in it than nothing at all, so he follows along.
Other: Ignition: Fire magic - can set entirety of body on intense fire, though is not injured by it. The flame causes serious burns for any and everything that touches it.
Contact Owner: Blu