Aurypigment Order of Allied Magicians

The Aurypigment Order of Allied Magicians is a sorority of Lithomancers, mining companies, and artisans who produce or utilize the Heavy Metal mineral of Orpiment Arsenic. It is one of the largest and most mainstream Heavy Metal sororities, and the only one with a strong allyship to the Holy Union of the Cross-vein Ore.

Though they have divisions for research, production, as well as a functional clergy, AOAM is primarily focused on funding arts and entertainment. They are often hired to organize tournaments, festivals, plays, and other such performances. Solitary magicians are also often hired by wealthy households to announce messages, entertain guests, and perform divination.

The Cinematographer is the leader of the branch of the illusionists.

The Editor is the leader of the branch of oracles.

The Casting Director is in charge of the new recruits and neophytes.

Unit Production Manager handles treasury and logistics of the guild. 

It has its strongest presence in Rhudd, Ghealas, Wynterbloom, Sealtland, and Ankou. It is highly favoured among the Attercops, particularly Latrodectes, Dolomedes, and Solanine tribes, and has attracted a lot of Gannwyll Gwydd over the centuries as well. The AOAM, along with the Order of Fire and Brimstone, are the two closest allies of the Holy Order of the Cross-vein Ore, which gives them significant political and economic advantage.

Mythology & Lore

Khelekeras is worshipped under the epiehet Khelekeras Riganderon, which translates to Khelekeras, Queen of the Devils. She embodies the archetypes of the Witch, the Fate-Weaver, and the Vengeful Mother. The mythical cycle features the following:
Khelekeras - Primordial Nature Goddess
Goermagog - Primordial Human
Bel - Eldest son and Keeper of the Wyvern
Meld - Youngest son and Keeper of the Eagle

 In this tale, Khelekeras rules over Goermagog's lands and receives a prophecy that her sons will one day kill their father, bringing about the end of an Age. The brothers are confiscated right after birth so Khelekeras will not harm them, and Khelekeras sends every spider in the land to search for their whereabouts. To pass the time she weaves their burial shrouds and murmurs curses into each stitch to ensure they cannot be resurrected. Bel and Meld receive help from Kauecarnas' biggest enemy, the Wingmother who comes to them as a snake while they are in hiding. To Meld she gives the power of the eagle, and to Bel the power of the wyvern. Meld amasses an army and kills Goermagog after a long battle, taking three of his ribs and gifting them to the humans below. Kauecarnas is traumatized by the sight and goes mad, becoming the Source that magicians aim to tame or free from her confines. Bel becomes King of the Gods in the New Age, while Meld adopts three orphaned daughters. These three daughters eventually form their own dynasties.

Tenets of Faith

Their virtues are represented by the three rib bones which Coreneus gifts to mankind. They are sometimes also personified as household/tutelary deities in triplicate. These are mantras as well as laws by which the ethics of each member is judged. The Three Virtues of Khelekeras Riganderon:
Liberation (Free Thyself) - "The Queen has freed me."
Willpower (Hone Thyself) - "The Queen has resisted me."
Self-knowledge (Know Thyself) - "The Queen has found me."

Priesthood

While all magicians and artisans who advance far enough in the guilds will undergo a life-altering initiation into the mysteries, only a select few are ordained to conduct rituals on behalf of the sorority, initiate members, and act as religious officials within the guild. The clergy of AOAM are referred to as the Board of Censorship, which is audited by local elders within its dioscese. This is less effective in regions where their presence isn't as strong, and leading a Set (branch) can be extremely daunting. They are encouraged to do whatever it takes to maintain their status as Beneficial for Mankind, including accepting bribes and political assassinations, so long as they don't get caught. Operating by the mantra "dead men tell no tales", they will assassinate their own if it means preserving the greater collective. The leader of the order and opereating as the High Priest and President, is the Grand Mountebank but also known as "The Director". Beneath them, each district will have their own devolved leader known as Mountebanks, who are the executives of a large branch or a group of small branches.