Editing Religions (section)

==Religious Orders==

Three large religious orders dominate the trade routes, tributary and client states of the Three Cities, and are pushing further afield. The Three orders are outside the concepts that define the Cities, and rather embrace the religious nature of all people. 
-- by stephen_dean

===The Seven Sisters===

Formed after the first shattering, this female only religious order, named after the seven aspects of the Moon, serve as oracles, healers and mystics, and worship the natural cycles of the tide, the reflective qualities of the night sky, and the wanderings of the Heavens. They oppose the forces of the void as a corruption of the shadow, and help usher the sick into the afterlife if they so choose. They also care for the disfigured and maimed, claiming that just as the Moon is eaten and born anew, so does each person go through 7 lifetimes, until being reborn to start the cycle anew. They were founded in The city of Mirrors, and spread outward into areas plagued by various evils. Their highest Oracles can weave fate itself to there will.

-- by stephen_dean

===The Silent Brotherhood===

A religious order formed in the aftermath of the first Shattering devoted to hunting down mirror-wraiths, Hollow Men, and other horrors, and which accepts only Men. The members take a vow of silence to never utter of the horrors they see, and have an elaborate sign-language and codex for communicating among one another. They also experience limited precognition, and sensitivity to false images or other mirror magic. The Order embraces poverty and service, and those who have commited a grave betrayal, or shown cowardice or committed sins can put on the grey robes of the Brothers and rid the world of that which should not be. They have chapters in most cities or a few brothers, and a large compound in a Valley deep in the Mountains. This Citadel holds the worst secrets and forbidden objects deep in its bowels, perpetually guarded, and the brothers never lack for recruits among the brave and forsaken peoples. The Brothers are respected and given lodging and resources for the valuable service they render.

-- by stephen_dean

===Wanderers of the Waste===

The Wanderers of the Waste are the Traders, Merchants and Explorers of the wider world, and travel far and wide to understand the mysteries of the past, the possibilities of the future, and the pleasures and profits of the present. These men and woman are unified by a common vision of a better, brighter and happier world and they aim to produce it. The merchants bring wonders and toys to as many villages, hovels and grand cities alike, and congregate in splendid festivals that feature illusions to awe the common people, forbidden delights for the more carnal minded, and spices and drugs from the world over. They descend upon small towns and other places in broad processions and are said to have an almost hypnotic effect when they arrive. The debaucheries and freedom experienced are soon forgotten, and all that is left is a bright memory of a glaring night of excess in a life of toil, making them, much beloved by the common folk. A typical member may be a bard, juggler or prostitute, or even a jolly baker or toy maker. The deeper one enters into the order however, more truths are revealed. The Order covers its more exotic activities with this public mask, which include delving deep into forbidden places for esoteric knowledge, and the higher members of the order are advanced adepts at Opaque magic. They rarely appear in the Twin Cities, rather wandering the vast world, spreading light and glamor.

-- by stephen_dean