Orders of the Church

ORB is served by a wide variety of holy men, and nearly each specific function within the church has its' own Holy Order. The orders are further broken down into groups, with the Devout Orders tending to the needs of the people, keeping records, and governing the land. His preachers tend to be popular and persuasive, running their church and governing with a light touch. Nonetheless, there are some within the Devout Orders who take a more 'fire and brimstone' approach to their preaching. Each side has its adherents, and ORB does not seem to favor one or the other.

The Sacred Orders of ORB are composed of three, military orders, which, in effect, compose a large standing army ready to fight and die for their god at a moment's notice. The Sacred Orders also hold most of the political power in the land, and three of the members of the Council of Five are from these organizations.

Finally, the Divine Orders are small, elite groups, highly trained in whatever they do - whether it be hunting the walking dead, or taking care of the records of an entire world. Most members of these orders started their career in the Sacred Orders, and advanced into the Divine for one reason or another.

Note that, although all of the Holy Orders serve the same god, they are all answerable to different authorities within the Church, and are often at odds (particularly the Fist of Reverence and the Sword of Malicean). Note also that every member of the Devout Orders and most of the Divine orders, as well as the Celebrants of Harmony, are considered fully qualified priests, able to perform weddings and funerals, lead prayers, and pass judgment over minor crimes and civil disputes.

The Sacred Orders

These three orders are the basis of the Church of ORB, and the foundation upon which its power is built.

• The Order of the Sword of Malicean (Paladins)
• The Order of the Shield of Revelation (Clerics)
• The Order of the Fist of Reverence (Monks)

The Divine Orders

Composed of a group of small, elite orders within the Church, these are where the very powerful and advanced priests usually wind up. Note that these orders usually allow joint membership in other Orders or Guilds, unless otherwise noted.

• The Order of the Eye of ORB (Inquisitors)
• The Order of the Light of ORB (Hunters of the Dead, Sacred Exorcists)
• The Order of the Holy Compass (Mage Hunters)
• The Order of the Mind of the Prophet (Loremasters, Contemplatives, Librarians)
• The Order of the Voice of Harmony (Divine Voice)
• The Order of the Knights of the Sun (Consecrated Harrier, Divine Crusader, Holy Archer)
• The Order of the Drunken Masters (Drunken Masters)

The Devout Orders

The Devout Orders contain the actual majority of those whom ORB has called to service. They are, however, the least powerful, both spiritually and politically.

• The Order of the Celebrants of Glory (Adepts)
• The Order of the Remembrance of Joy (Bureaucrats)
• The Congregants (Members of the Church of ORB)