Alyite Order (Sisterhood of Alya)
The Alyite Sisterhood is an order of warrior women, battle mages and priestesses devoted to the warrior goddess Alya. The Order’s mission is to protect the weak and helpless, but their most important mission is to protect their world from otherworldly threats. Over the centuries the Sisterhood has developed into one of the world’s great cavalry armies, it’s warriors using superior tactics, training and discipline to make up for their lesser physical strength. The Sisterhood’s armed forces primarily employ horse archers and lancers. Additionally, they train some members as military engineers and special forces. The Sisterhood has traditionally financed itself through providing caravan guards, providing protection to friendly religious groups, bandit hunting, piracy suppression and through rents on the lands it holds. For the last hundred and fifty years it has held an extensive empire south of the Spine Mountains centered on its capital, Alyaathon. The empire is wealthy enough to finance the Sisterhood’s international activities, although they continue to earn money through traditional activities.
The Sisterhood and its empire is ruled by the Council of Nine. The leader of the Council is the Priestess Queen of the Empire, a non-hereditary leadership position. The other members of the Council are either High Priestesses or Marshals of the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood’s fortresses beyond the Empire are commanded by the either the Generals or Commanders of the Sisterhood depending on their importance.
Structure
The Sisterhood and its empire is ruled by the Council of Nine. The leader of the Council is the Priestess-Queen of the Empire, a non-hereditary leadership position. The other members of the Council are either High Priestesses or Marshals of the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood’s fortresses beyond the Empire are commanded by the either the generals or commanders of the Sisterhood depending on their importance.
Culture
The Sisterhood's members pride themselves on having a more sophisticated view of the world as a result of the extensive travel that members undertake as part of their duties. Officers are required to to be literate and literacy is common among the women who grow up in the order. Officers of the Order are expected to act and think independently since they must often oeprate far from their higher authorities.
Public Agenda
To protect the World from alien forces, protect affiliated sects, defend the Order's lands.
Assets
Numerous fortresses, chapter houses, the town of Pandra, the Empire of Lao, warships and a large professional military estalbishment.
Priesthood
Only women can join the faith and serve in its religious offices. Most priestesses come into the order in childhood and undergo extensive religious, military, legal and general education. Preistesses are expected to accompany the Alyite forces whereever they go to provide religious guidiance, support their sisters in combat and give medical aid to the wounded. The priestesses are ranked as priestess initiates, priestesses defenders, priestess guardians, high priestesses and Hands of the Goddess
Sects
The Order has a single unified leadership, but does have an effective geographic division. South of the Spine, the Order is centered the Empire Of Lao which it has ruled for around 120 years. This region is governed by the priestess Queen and the High Council. North of the Spine the Order is headquartered at the fortress of Pandra where the Marshall of the North and the Council of the North conduct the Order's affairs. The Marshall of the North is appointed by the High Council with the advice of the Council of the North. Traditionally the Marshall of the North had always been a native of the northern lands whereas the Council of Nine is a mixed body with the majority being southerners.
Type
Religious, Holy Order
Alternative Names
Sisterhood of Alya
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Alyite Sisters
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Divines
Related Traditions
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Related Items
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
Comments