During the early days of the Eskatonic Order, it was not entirely unusual for warriors who sought enlightenment to pledge themselves to an Eskatonic priest in return for tutelage.
During the early days of the Eskatonic Order, it was not entirely unusual for warriors who sought enlightenment to pledge themselves to an Eskatonic priest in return for tutelage. It was these loose and individual alliances that formed the roots of what would become the Adamantine Order.
There was no real connection between any of these questing individuals until the pogrom of the Eskatonic 'heretics' by the Church. Driven underground and heavily persecuted, the Order gradually came into being when these individual wisdom-seeking warriors began to meet and cooperate alongside their charges. By organising themselves, however loosely, they increased their chances of survival and could share what spiritual knowledge they had acquired. The Eskatonic leaders, amazed at the warriors' unyielding loyalty and devotion, as well as their staunch defense of the sect, named them the Adamantine Order in honour of their steadfast character.
Following the Pentateuch Concordat, the order had changed little, save that they could now pursue enlightenment and protect their charges with less fear of persecution.
With the official acceptance and recognition of the Eskatonic sect as part of the Universal Church, the order has attracted more members, although it is still extremely small by any standards.
As open as the Eskatonic order itself, it accepts noble, guild and yeoman members, but is still little more than a loose confederation of warriors pursuing the same duty. The organisation itself provides no stipend or training, but does hold a small hall on Pentateuch where members can meet, rest and exchange information.
All those who desire to join the order must swear an oath to the order and the particular priest they wish to serve, and are given a steel medallion that demonstrates their official status within the sect. Members wear black cloaks emblazoned with the Eskatonic symbol, and bear their steel medallions, but there are no other restrictions placed on their apparel. While they are recognised by the Eskatonic sect, and bear the Eskatonic Charter, this official status is barely acknowledged by the Orthodoxy, and thus by few noble houses.
Attached to an individual Eskatonic priest, these warriors seldom travel with others of their kind. Their priestly charge will often teach the individual warrior many techniques usually reserved for priests, including theurgy, although this can take a substantial amount of time.
As per their 'profession' plus:
Characteristics: Faith, Introvert
Natural Skills: Observe
Blessing: Curious (2 pts: +2 Extrovert when seeing something new)
Benefices: Refuge (6 pts), Eskatonic Charter (1 pt)
Somewhat similar to the Church Charter (see Players Companion pg. 45), this charter grants the character nominal recognition within the Eskatonic sect. It enables them to pray, study, and seek refuge within the Eskatonic sect, and grants a certain degree of immunity to persecution. However, it does not grant such benefits as regards other sects, nor does it include a Passage Contract or stipend.