Ordis

Overview

The Ordis are one of the six factions that follow The Covenant. They champion structure and organization, believing the world needs these foundations to regain its stability and unity of old, ultimately pushing back or banishing The Tumult.

Philosophy

Order Against Chaos

The emanations of Mana rising over the world are the quintessential embodiment of chaos—a source of trouble and discord that will continue to plague humanity and all of Creation as long as it is allowed to exist. The Ordis stands as a champion of order: for its members, everything must have its place and role; every being must be an essential link in a homogeneous and efficient whole, while flourishing in this function.

For the world to regain its stability and unity of old, it must once again be governed by immutable physical laws, without fearing the permanent inconsistency of The Tumult. For nature to regain its former cohesion, it must become the graceful melody it once was.

Justice as Foundation

To build a society embodying values of permanence and equity, the Ordis focuses its efforts on the notion of justice, whether purely judicial or social. Justice is, for the Ordis, the foundation upon which human society must be rebuilt. To constitute a solid base, it must be unwavering in its impartiality.

The framework of the social structure must be inflexible and resilient to solidify the entire edifice. That is why the Ordis takes special care in developing and maintaining its body of laws, The Codex.

Evolution and Adaptation

Influenced by the precepts of the Lyra, the Ordis knows that order must constantly evolve and adapt, like a reed bending to endure the hurricane. Structure must be both permanent and flexible to survive.

Memory and History

All structure would be in vain without the memory work championed by the Ordis. It is through knowledge of the past that present societies are strengthened; it is by recognizing their mistakes that human structures consolidate and fortify.

Many historians and philosophers sit within the Faction alongside conductors, architects, and magistrates. By studying events and trends, Ordis chroniclers manage to glimpse and understand how troubles and conflicts have arisen, what Asgartha has endured, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

By pushing their research further, they even begin to sense the possible cause of the Confluence. It is not inconceivable that humanity and its imperfections are at the origin of this cataclysm, and the Ordis will do everything to preserve the world from a new calamity.

Organization

Hierarchical Structure

The hierarchy of the Ordis is rigid and pyramidal, perfectly structured. At its head sits The Tetrarchy, a small council consisting of three dignitaries of the Faction plus a representative of the people called for four years regardless of social origin.

Together, they determine the major orientations for the upcoming quadrennium: major political, societal, or economic projects; actions or issues to be addressed. All recommendations go through popular vote, which either invalidates or concretizes them into official decrees.

Bureaucratic Process

Before being proposed for deliberation, recommendations go through a whole process of study, analysis, and reflection. Various departments delve into these issues, from clerk to legate, encompassing a whole host of bureaucrats within The Anthill.

This sprawling bureaucracy makes the Ordis a colossus of sometimes excruciating slowness, but it reflects the faction’s determination to weigh pros and cons. Once this cautious approach is surpassed, the Ordis becomes an unstoppable force of undeniable efficiency.

Intelligence Network

The Ordis compensates for bureaucratic slowness with an extensive network of informants. By compiling reports these informants send, the Ordis is capable of anticipating troubles and tensions years in advance, defusing them in the best possible manner.

Alteration Style: The Heka

The Ordis practices The Heka, an alteration style that relies on the evocation of concepts through the written word. The Alterers of the Faction, known as Scribes, are able to rewrite the laws of nature, whether temporarily or permanently, using Glyphs they apply to the world.

For them, words and language contain the very idea of the concept they represent. What they write comes to life.

Rites and Initiation

The Ordis Glyph

Upon incorporation into the Ordis, followers get tattooed with the Checking—a specific symbol in the shape of a small diamond reminiscent of The Monolith. By permanently applying this symbol, they affirm that:

• Their individuality fades in favor of the collective
• Personal interests will never outweigh those of the organization

Before being granted this honor, aspirants must demonstrate diligence, efficiency, integrity, and loyalty through long initiation consisting of examinations and intense periods of novitiate.

Coalescence and the Gestalt

The Glyph serves a utilitarian function: through it, Ordis followers can link their minds through Coalescence, whether to converse or see through another’s eyes (limited by distance). Connected minds must authorize this connection to prevent intrusion.

The Ordis readily sacrifices individual privacy for the advantages offered by this pooling of consciousness, which they call Coalescence. The network thus formed is called The Gestalt—a space where:

• Knowledge is constantly accessible
• Information exchange reaches unstoppable velocity
• Minds can pool to deploy Alteration abilities a single individual would struggle to implement

Through The Gestalt, Ordis followers are perpetually connected to others. They can transmit perceptions, knowledge, and emotions to reassure, support, encourage, or soothe. However, being cut off from the Gestalt constitutes a terrible tear, compounded by exacerbated longing.

Iconic Locations

The Monolith

The Monolith is a white bipyramid serving as the Bastion of the Ordis, located in Arkaster. It contains:

• The Sanctum: Upper section housing a labyrinthine library with all the knowledge of the world
• The Anthill: Lower section containing government offices, the Assembly, and the Tribunal

Sky Vessels

• Mandjet: The Day Barque, currently under repair in Sadracca
• Mesektet: The Night Barque, lost within The Tumult

These magnificent ships with edged profiles cruised the Asgarthan Protectorate to protect the peninsula, carrying Alterers and elite Tagmata troops. Both suffered damage during the last incursion of Cingula, a fierce Leviathan.

Current Objectives

The Gestalt Communication Network

As some Ordis prepare to accompany the Expeditionary Corps, they work alongside the Yzmir and Axiom in fabricating Espars—beacons allowing Ordis Alterers to continue communicating through The Gestalt with counterparts remaining in Asgartha. These antennas will enable transmission of discoveries and maintain connection with loved ones.

Ancient Civilizations Research

The Ordis coordinates with the Yzmir regarding research into the causes of the Confluence. While the Yzmir Initiates focus on magical phenomena, the Ordis primarily studies past civilizations whose actions may have led to the cataclysm.

Examination of relics, artifacts, and customs has offered an imperfect view of humanity’s past greatness. Some certainties have emerged: many mythical lands and nations existed before being erased by The Tumult, and some may have shone across the four corners of Creation. These insights fuel wild speculations and nurture the Ordis’ hope of building a unified humanity under one banner.