Enderal:The Holy Order (Book)
The Holy Order, it protects and reigns, from the beginning of time to the present day, unyielding and unbreakable. At its apex, the sacred Light-Born Malphas. Since the beginning, the Order has been the driving force in Enderal, both in political and religious regard. Its roots go back to the creation of the country, when Vyn was still young and the Bygone Sea blue and pure. The eye, in which the snake resides, watches over everything and everyone. Its keepers in red, its arcanists in white clad, spread and uphold its doctrines throughout the land. As the highest institution in Enderal, the eternal, clear principles of the Path are its foundation, allocating every member of society a secure spot under Malphas' benevolent cloak.
Directly below divine Malphas is the post of Grandmaster, holding military decisional power of Enderal's troops. His influence spans across outposts on several continents. He, too, is revered, albeit not to such a high degree as Malphas in his divinity. As the post of seneschal, Malphas' deputy, the Grandmaster forms the Fourth and highest Signet of the Order. Below this pinnacle of power is the Third Signet, where the hierarchy splits into two branches: the military and the arcane, represented by the Signet Leader and the Archmagister respectively.
A new member of the Order begins their career as a novice. Generally, only pure-blooded Endraleans - usually nobles - can apply for an entrance exam for the novitiate. During the years following admission, they have to prove themselves as a novice to be allowed to ascend to the First Signet. In exceptional cases, examinees outside the Sublime Path with particular talents can be granted the novitiate and thus the chance to be admitted into the Order. For such a "chosen one" it is not easy to shine among novices of higher standing, but some have proven that it is possible to rise above one's humble beginnings and serve the Order. Every year a trial is held in which the resilience of the mind is put to the test. Only the most talented novices are allowed to participate, which is why some have to wait a very long time for this opportunity. Those who pass the trial move on from the novitiate to the First Signet, becoming true members of the Order.
The army and city guard are tightly interwoven with the hierarchy of the Order. Banner Masters of the Second Signet on the military path and commanders of the army are on the same executive tier. This way, it is guaranteed that full control of the troops remains within the Order.
Legal verdicts are passed by the Tribunal, a part of the Order made up of thirteen ambassadors. These ambassadors of the populace are elected every five years from every layer of society.
Although the clergy, led by the High Priest, does hold influence, it is not actually part of the Order. Like the troops, the clergy is instead subordinate to the Order. Thus, the Holy Order is the central organ of morality, faith and regulation in Enderal.
