The Stillwhite Order
The Stillwhite Order resides in the most frozen wastelands of Vastiaria, where they seek to enmesh themselves in the cold. Their founder, Lana Morgan, preaches that the cold reveal the perfect patterns of reality, whereas heat dissolves it. Thus, by isolating themselves and contemplating reality in the stillness of the glacial lands, they can perfect their thoughts and come to understand the true nature of reality. Though some mock their philosophy and beliefs, there can be no doubt that even in their short existence, they have become feared masters of frost magic.
Structure
Adept: Newly inducted members often serve in a menial capacity, until they prove themselves worthy to apprentice under a higher ranking member, which will see them rise to one of the other positions.
Cryomancer: Members with talent for arcane magic learn to focus to ice magic.
Druids: Members with a primal bent contemplate the natural perfection of the cold and assist the other members in adapting to it.
Masters: The highest ranking members of the order, whose contemplations dictate the order's rules and goals.
Culture
The Stillwhite Order advocates for a contemplative, detached existence. By embracing the cold, subduing one's emotions and stilling one's mind, one achieves insight. As water crystalises into perferct patterns of snow, so too do thoughts metamorphosize into higher knowledge. Distractions are to be quelled, letting only crisp quiet remain, allowing the mind to reach a higher state.
The Stillwhite Order also advocates moral detachment. Concerns of good and evil are products of emotions and thus of chaos. Logic is the way to truth and thus any action should be judged in regards to its efficiency and practicality, andn ot whether it is good or bad.
They also believe that civilization, as most understand it, is a blighted, diseased, chaotic pest. People should gather in small, contemplative groups and embrace the peace it brings, not mob together in large, sprawling masses, which only encourages confusion, chaos and noisy distractions.
Public Agenda
The Stillwhite Order claims to embody the perfection found in the cold. They don't much advertise, but word of mouth has led many a seeker of knowledge to join them.
Assets
The Stillwhite Order have carved out a sanctuary in the coldest region of Vastiaria, close to the very edge of the sphere, were tears in the mist let in howling gales of arcane magic. Far away from the bothersome warmth, they are hard to reach.
Over the years, their contemplative research has unlocked many mysteries and their knowledge of ice magic is already widely renowned.
History
In 2974, Lana Morgan founded the The Enlightened Order of Stillwhite. Having found life in civilization to be chaotic and devoid of meaning, Lana sought answers to existence in the frozen wastes. The order was founded to help draw in and organize like-minded individuals.
Demography and Population
The majority of the Stillwhite are humans, though a number of elves and fairies have also found themselves in agreement of their philosophy.
Military
When called to arms, all members are capable of fighting.
Technological Level
The Stillwhite use magic for the most part, making them less reliant on trade.
Religion
The Stillwhite revere the concept of ice and the calm stilness it brings. A number of related deities also receives prayer, including the deity Frigga, who is venerated in her aspect as godess of ice and water.
Foreign Relations
The slow growth of the relatively nearby Rostordia vexes the Stillwhites, as the hardy people are slowly bringing the taint of civilization closer ot their very doorstep. The masters frequently discuss how further encroachment can be curtailed or discouraged.
Education
Their scholarly focus leads to an appreciation of education. It is the responsibility of those who take in apprentices to teach them everything they need to know.
Infrastructure
A number of semi-magical systems helps with comforts, such as keeping indoor locations tolerable for beings such as humans. A network of froze channelse lets near frigid water transport waste material away.
Mythology & Lore
The Stillwhite have come to a belief that originally, existence was one frozen perfection. It shattered with the arrival of heat, splitering into the spheres as they are now known. That is why as things get frozen, they come closer to a perfect, primordial state of immaculate order.
Divine Origins
The belief comes mostly from Lana Morgan, a combination of her theological studies and personal musings as she's searched for meaning in existence. Over time, this belief has only been added to by various masters, as they have contemplated the nature of reality.
Cosmological Views
The Stillwhite believe that heat and cold are teh fundamental forces of the universe. Cold brings things closer to their orignal, perfect incarnation, whereas heat brings things closer to chaos, disorder and ultimately destruction. Cold preserves, heat devours. That they themselves require a measure of heat to exist merely proves their own flawed existence, marred by warmth.
Tenets of Faith
To gain turht, one must achieve calm, both of self and surroundings. Emotions are embers, stoking chaos and confusion. Thoughts are ice, coldly revealing the perfect patterns of reality.
All is still in the cold.
Founding Date
2974 AIT
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Alternative Names
The Enlightened Order of Stillwhite(Very formal)
Training Level
Trained
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Demonym
Stillwhite
Government System
Meritocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Barter system
Currency
If the Stillwhite Order has need to trade, they barter in secrets, knowledge and magical items.
Legislative Body
The masters collectively decide how the order is to be governed, with Lana Morgan having the final say.
Judicial Body
It is the masters responsibility to determine the effective intepretation on any agreed upon rule.
Executive Body
Enforcement goes trhough the hiarchy. Adepts are the responsibility of the common members, who in turn are policed by the masters.
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