Brotherhood of the Flame
"The Maker believed in us, the people of this world.
He saw something in us that no other living creatures encompassed!
He gave us the Light!"
~ Abbot Achaner, 1254
The Brotherhood of the Flame is a monastic order following that what they claim is the ancient law and codex of the Church of The Maker, from before the Empire. They believe the Calrad Empire corrupted te texts of Makerism, so they could even use the local religion to support their so-called divine right to rule. Monasteries and abbeys following the Old Codex, as they called it, can be found all throughout Calradia, though in small number.
History of the Brotherhood
Foundation of the Brotherhood of the Flame, and how it became part of the Makerist Church
The Brotherhood of the Flame was founded during the fall of the Calrad Empire, by Makerist clergy from the empire and by Vlandian scholars. A flame is said to have appeared in the church during the prayer of these men, touching all their heart and filling them with wisdom and determination. Together these men build the first Abbey of the Flame, where the ancient laws and rules of man and the Maker were followed. Old manuscripts had been found, parts of the ancient code of Makerism, from before the Calrads arrived to found their empire. The Brotherhood of the Flame swore to uphold the Makerist ways of the ancient times, and to abide the laws and code from before the empire.
Several more small Abbeys were build in various settlements as the brotherhood grew slow but steady. Theodorus, the son of one of the Vlandian founders, started the translation movement, to translate the manuscripts from the ancient languages to the modern Calradic languages. As soon as they were translated the documents were copied and spread around to the different abbeys that followed the Old Codex, the Makerist laws and code from before the empire. It didn't took long after that for voices throughout the Patriarchal Makerist Church called to declare them heretics, for following the ancient Makerist laws. Others however supported them, as they could find nothing untrue in the ancient writings. The Patriarchal Makerist Church in the end ignored the Brotherhood of the Flame and the abbeys that keep the Old Codex, accepting them in their ranks and taking the abbeys under the jurisdiction of their local bishop.
Teachings and beliefs of the Brotherhood of the Flame
The Maker's Light
The Light of the Maker is in all humans, giAll humans have the Maker's Light within them, as he had given it to the enlightenment of humanity, in the last war with the Old Gods. Within the brotherhood, every abbey following the Old Codex has not an abbot, who only the bishop appoints, but a Warden of the Flame, chosen by his fellow brothers.
Equality
The Brotherhood of the Flame was founded by equals, and everyone in this monastic order is also equal to each other, and they view the outside world also as their equals, for the Maker has made men equals, male and female. Men should not make unequal that what the Maker has created equal. Nobility, royalty and rulers otherwise are equals too. They simply have a different job and life to fulfill, with different responsibilities; it is their job to command and therefore people's job to listen and obey, but they are not unequal. Females are equal to men, and thus allowed to join the Brotherhood too. The Maker has created humans to produce offspring, and so marriage for brothers and sisters is permitted, as long as both are a member of the Brotherhood of the Flame.
Hard work
The Brotherhood of the Flame believes that the Afterlife can only de deserved by working hard. The Maker has created the nature around them, and it is man's job to take care of it and to feed themselves and others. All brothers are required to be useful in the local community and help out with the daily problems. Those that do not want to work don't care about the Maker; they then ain't worthy to be called a Makerist. The brothers work hard, beside their studies for wisdom and knowledge; in this way the Brotherhood gives the right example, as all abbeys following the Old Codex take care of their own income and expenses, not depending on donations of the locals.
Combat
The Brotherhood of the Flame is not military orientated in any way, but it does not preach defenselessness. The Church of the Maker has been under attack all throughout her history, from both outside and from within, and everyone representing the Maker, bearing the Maker's Light, should be capable of not only defending their faith with facts and logic, but also by the sword and spear if needed. The Old Codes condemns useless violence and hatred, but self-defense and the purging of the unlawful and outlaws is not violence, it says. The brotherhood actively encourages brothers to be skilled in at least one type of weapon, and have some form of blade hidden under the robes at all times.
Power grabs
The Brotherhood of the Flame rejects the claims of any noble and royal to be a descendant of the four 'sons of the Maker'. When the Calrads arrived to found their empire, they altered the Makerist books, adding the sons to the Maker, then claiming to be descendants of those sons. With this they had given themselves the Maker-given right to rule over the people of Calradia. The Old Codex confirms that those who are honored as being the 'sons of the Maker' are actually some of the old Gods, who had been banished by the Maker to the Void. They have been reaching out and deceived the world, convincing them that they are the sons of the Maker, but they are not. The Brotherhood of the Flame rejects the heresies going around in Calradia, claiming that each of them, although having some truth in it, are just again attempts at grabbing power for the sake of it, and condemns them.
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Mass + All weapons should remain outside of the church. Also guards and nobles, for all are equal to the Maker. Being a noble does not give one the right to bear arms on sacred grounds. Only the brethren can bear arms. + The bell will sound two times before the mass. + The monk will be at the door, welcoming guests.
Become Makerist + If a non-Makerist wishes to become a Makerist, he should say the follow. After he has said these words, he should be considered a brother worthy to receive the Light of the Maker.
- "I believe in the Maker as my God and Protector, the giver of Life. I will follow Him with whole my life and being, and work hard to be worthy of the Afterlife."
Join the Brotherhood. + Shave all hair on the body. It is part of the farewell ritual. All new hair that will cover the body is the symbol of live within the Brotherhood. Can be done in private. + Vow to the Maker and Brotherhood to join them as new family, their new loyalty. Is done in public, with minimal three other Brother Monks present.
Funeral ritual + Bodies can either be burned or buried. The lesser known people often get burned because a grave in the graveyard is expensive. + The burning happens on Abbey grounds. The Monk will bless the deceased and light the wood heap.
• "The Maker is our lord of life, of light and of warmth. He that gives life and sustains it. Into his arms we wish thee well, to feed on his table and to be joyful in his presence. Your name and deeds will remain, but you.. rest in peace!"
+ Being burried on the graveyard of the Abbey would cost about 150 Florins, which pays for the labor and the right to remain burried there for eternally. Every other body burried extra into an already existing grave will cost 50 denars, however it is only common for couples to do this.
Coming of age + When kids get old enough, it is time for them to properly join society and start helping out in the community. This commonly happens at the age of 15 years old. + Kids that come of age have to go through a series of tasks to show they are ready to live as an adult. + The night before the ritual and feast they have to remain at the Abbey, keeping the fire burning. In the morning his second task will start, replenishing the now empty wood stocks. They will receive an axe and be told to bring as much wood as they can, within a set amount of time. Returning after the time runs out will fail the task. + The brought wood will be used to light a fire, around which the kid has to walk seven times while reciting the
+ The coming of age is a reason for a feast.
Wedding ritual
+ The ritual usually happens inside the Abbey.
+ The couple will come in together with the monk when all guests are seated.
+ Monk will give a basic speech about the importance of love and marriage to the community.
+ Monk will read what it means to be married forever.
• "Together in good and bad, etc"
+ Then the couple puts their hands on the Makerist lawbook and vows to each other and to the Maker that they belong to the other, forever. They say "Yes". + Torches will be used to symbolise the union. Both bride and groom will bring a burning torch. These torches will be used to light a 3rd torch that the Monk carries. The other two torches will be put out. This means the souls of these two people no longer are two, but they have become one for each other. + Time for feast. The couple leaves the church first, then the guests do. + When couple is married, they walk outside the church and guests will throw rice (Wheat Seeds) to the couple.
Punishments + Death punishments should be done by fire. The wrath of the Maker is eternal fire. Those who are deemed punishable by death should be burned as to show everyone that they go straight to the Void, the deepest part of the Abyss. + Minor punishments would be by leaving burning marks on body parts, like the forehead or cheeks, so they are visible to all.
For a marriage inside the Brotherhood, both have to be member already.
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