Ordained by Steel
In times of yore, the rituals of this family, each of the Ascended now having their own, were one. They were a sacred trust, as they indeed are today. However what has changed is something of fundamental importance, something not just of meaning, but of tangible truth. For once, those so ordained were oathsworn to all, and to crusade at the whim of the clergies. Now they are equals and are oathsworn not just to temple or diety, but to the nation of that diety's origin, the homeland and its people. The faithful of steel no longer serve the whims of clergy and the politicking of bureaucrats wielding faith as a means of power, and with that, corruption of the faithful fell greatly. Now the steel serves the people, the holy texts, and the tenets of their faith. No mortal able to call for crusade, no authority able to call for holy war and unit the Orders of Steel under one banner. Now, to be Ordained of Steel is to not be a political warrior of faith, but a defender of the faithful, guardian of holy places, and a beacon against the darkness of the Void.
A change most welcome and even at its time near two thousand years ago, was long overdue indeed.
Magnus Orson II, Inquistor Captain explaining the history of the Orders of Steel to new devouts under his tutelage.
History
The Orders of Steel each have their own storied histories however they stem from one ancestor, for once the nine faiths of the Ascended were merely the church of Ascension. Though in that dark time one of their number, that of Talia, was seen as the enemy. A falsehood, a heresy and blasphemy most unforgiveable. Yet the Orders of Steel emerged out of that darkness and failure not broken, but reforged, and in keeping their connection to that past, they continued to Ordain themselves as was tradition, but altered the practice to fit their faiths and to better reflect their reborn purpose.
For you see once they were merely pawns, Steel to be wielded by old priests and priestess of a more political and zealous bent with dreams of power and influence. Now they answer only to the tenets of their faithful, to their own command structure, to the governence of their Ascended's homeland, and of course, should it ever come to pass, to the presence of Solarian, the Star-blade. They celebrate this change for though it might seem as if they have more authorities over them now, it actually has seen the story of these orders change from one of fear, over the decades and centuries, to one of respect and admiration. Certainly folks are still sometimes intimidated or concerned to see Templars of any sort where they live and work day to day but those fears are not so much about the Templars themselves as they are in regards to what their presence might mean.
Where once the oath of steel was but one, and was sworn to serve the 'Chosen of Cloth' the heads of the churches acting as a council whom 'spoke with the will of the Ascended' now these individual oaths are sworn to the ideals, to the tenets of the faith, to diety, country and most importantly to self and fellow. No longer just a tool wielded by others, they now are a force for change wielded by the ideals of their faith and the leadership of veterans of their own ilk. Where once but one oath existed, now nine distinct traditions and oaths stand, each its own path and group, for each of the Ascended.
As it always should have been.
For you see once they were merely pawns, Steel to be wielded by old priests and priestess of a more political and zealous bent with dreams of power and influence. Now they answer only to the tenets of their faithful, to their own command structure, to the governence of their Ascended's homeland, and of course, should it ever come to pass, to the presence of Solarian, the Star-blade. They celebrate this change for though it might seem as if they have more authorities over them now, it actually has seen the story of these orders change from one of fear, over the decades and centuries, to one of respect and admiration. Certainly folks are still sometimes intimidated or concerned to see Templars of any sort where they live and work day to day but those fears are not so much about the Templars themselves as they are in regards to what their presence might mean.
Where once the oath of steel was but one, and was sworn to serve the 'Chosen of Cloth' the heads of the churches acting as a council whom 'spoke with the will of the Ascended' now these individual oaths are sworn to the ideals, to the tenets of the faith, to diety, country and most importantly to self and fellow. No longer just a tool wielded by others, they now are a force for change wielded by the ideals of their faith and the leadership of veterans of their own ilk. Where once but one oath existed, now nine distinct traditions and oaths stand, each its own path and group, for each of the Ascended.
As it always should have been.
Execution
Though the modern day versions all go about it differently, to be Ordained by Steel does involve two facets called simply 'Tempering' and 'Proving'
In more ancient times the 'Tempering' was simply a set of rigorous physical abuses and tests one would be put through over many days and weeks. Should you be successful, that stage was passed. Then came the 'Proving' and this was a more difficult task. Slay your first mage. As one might imagine things have Drastically changed on this front.
Each religion still uses the terms 'Tempering' and 'Proving' for their two fold tests however they are much more ritualized, less illicit and heinous and unique to each religion. They are also closely guarded secrets amongst some of the Orders of Steel. The Tempering in particular is now often far more than just a few days or weeks of physical testing, but years of physical tests, theology study and martial training. It is a way of life, less a band of soldiers, and to become a Templar now is a commitment started surprisingly young, some accepting novitates (initiates, squires, whatever term you prefer) as young as 11 or 12 in humans, and comparable ages and maturities in other races. This is because it can take as much as a decade for someone to earn the right to attempt their Proving, for proper Tempering is a process that should not be rushed.
The Proving aspect is also different based on the religion, though some are nearly as simple as that ancient version. Others it is less so and less straight forward. For some its more philosophical, for others it is a truly laid out test. Each is different and to get deep into them would require deeper separate discussions.
In more ancient times the 'Tempering' was simply a set of rigorous physical abuses and tests one would be put through over many days and weeks. Should you be successful, that stage was passed. Then came the 'Proving' and this was a more difficult task. Slay your first mage. As one might imagine things have Drastically changed on this front.
Each religion still uses the terms 'Tempering' and 'Proving' for their two fold tests however they are much more ritualized, less illicit and heinous and unique to each religion. They are also closely guarded secrets amongst some of the Orders of Steel. The Tempering in particular is now often far more than just a few days or weeks of physical testing, but years of physical tests, theology study and martial training. It is a way of life, less a band of soldiers, and to become a Templar now is a commitment started surprisingly young, some accepting novitates (initiates, squires, whatever term you prefer) as young as 11 or 12 in humans, and comparable ages and maturities in other races. This is because it can take as much as a decade for someone to earn the right to attempt their Proving, for proper Tempering is a process that should not be rushed.
The Proving aspect is also different based on the religion, though some are nearly as simple as that ancient version. Others it is less so and less straight forward. For some its more philosophical, for others it is a truly laid out test. Each is different and to get deep into them would require deeper separate discussions.
Components and tools
These again deeply vary now between each faith, and in ancient times we are unsure exactly what tools or relics if any were used.
Participants
Where once it was the leadership of the clergy in whichever facet that would mean, now the clergy when they do appear in any way, it is more an honorific appearance at graduation/appointment ceremonies solely as simply a symbolic gesture. They do not wield any actual power of authority over the orders of Steel directly anymore. Where once Steel was subservient to Clergy, the two are now equals, with neither having power over the other.
On paper of course. In truth though unofficial, each faith has more or less established their leadership via placing someone from one or the other at the very top and then each of the two side, Clergy and Steel, have their own leadership besides. Either way, nowadays the Cloth, the Clergy, are merely decorative, where once they were key to these proceedings. Now it is those of Steel whom matter in these proceedings and in Ordaining a new member within their fold.
On paper of course. In truth though unofficial, each faith has more or less established their leadership via placing someone from one or the other at the very top and then each of the two side, Clergy and Steel, have their own leadership besides. Either way, nowadays the Cloth, the Clergy, are merely decorative, where once they were key to these proceedings. Now it is those of Steel whom matter in these proceedings and in Ordaining a new member within their fold.
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