There are many monastic orders, big and small. These are the four largest and most influential.
Clementines (Black). An old, declining order well-connected to powerful Church institutions in Greater Deseret. They run the Witchfinders, which seek out and expose heretics and punish witches. Relatedly, they maintain vaults where arcane dangers too difficult to destroy are guarded. Technically, they are on Crusade against the vampire-nation of Vim. They have a massive warship, Bulwark, and maintain even now a fortress in eastern Deseret that has never been breached by the invader. Named for Saint Clement, whose head was bisected by a headsman’s axe. As a demonstration of humility, Brothers Black shave the sides of their heads, leaving mohawks.
Etruscans (Ochre). A mature order competing to become the most influential. The scholarly order, whose brothers and sisters busy themselves with finding, maintaining, and copying old written works. Although all monastic orders vow to be poor, Etruscans are the most stringent about their oaths. Well known for organizing group prayers for worthy causes. Every Etruscan monastery prays in perpetuity for at least one hope for the world or noble person. They sponsor a knightly order, the Knights of the Sainted Etruscans. The knightly and monastic order are named for the sainted Etruscans, who came to faith, collectively performed miracles, and as a group were martyred by drowning. As a demonstration of humility, Brothers Ochre shave the top of their heads into tonsures.
Horabites (Brown). A mature order competing to become the most influential. The preaching order, whose brothers and sisters are bound as itinerant ministers, spreading the word and bolstering the faith. Maintains a Bank of the Faithful to lend to worthy causes with limited usury. They believe it is important to do common, humble work like brewing and masonry. As a result, they are well-known for the quality of their beer and for helping to build most major church projects in the last thirty years. They have a fleet of missionary merchant ships spread across the seven seas. As a demonstration of humility, Brothers Brown shave their hair into polka-dot patterns.
Margaretites (Blue). A new order known for the incorruptible zeal of it’s members. Distributes charity in places too dangerous or corrupt for the official channels to do so. They guard relics, many of which they have liberated from those who stole them years ago. They are deeply critical of the wider Church body, which they correctly denounce for it’s hypocrisy, corruption, and debauchery. They are on the verge of being outlawed by the authorities for being explicitly anti-invader.
