Power Factions: The Order of the Vine
THE ORDER of the VINE
The Order of the Vine is a loosely related grouping of nature-worshiping Pagans. The Pagans represent the forces of nature and retrogression in the City and the wilds beyond. As nature worshipers, Pagans generally live in the deep forests away from the City since they shun any form of technology or structured society. They live in harmony with the wild, though some say they even cavort with the supernatural creatures spawned by their Trickster god. Their god is known by many names, even among Pagans and strives to seize man’s control of the land and return all manner of life to its pre-civilized beginnings. The Trickster is a deity of chaos, nature, elements, dreams and fear.
Pagans despise the ordinary people of the City, though none more so than the Hammerites. The diametric tenets of these Orders are obvious and their animosity for each other is legendary. Pagans are bestial warriors, sublime spellcasters and experts at stealth and subterfuge in their ongoing campaign to undermine and subvert the City. At any moment there are a number of small pockets of Pagans within the City, sabotaging everything from the sewer systems to the construction of new buildings to the line of wash you just hung to dry. Though these groups are generally small and disorganized, on rare occasions larger forces of Pagans enter the City unseen and enact a rampage of destructive vandalism. While their actions are deliberately disruptive and their methods are seldom subtle, the Pagans do not generally focus on life threatening activities where common folk are concerned. However, as they view occupants of the City and its civilized surroundings as trespassers in their natural world, they care little if someone does suffer by their doing.
Pagans have no hierarchy or established line of command, nor do they believe in the importance of social status. Most often Pagans will refer to individuals simply by their Pagan name, though occasionally a priest or priestess will become notable enough within the religion to be identified by a past action or characteristic. These titles are not representative of any ranking or order among the religion, but simply personal monikers. While they are considered by many to be completely insane, Pagans are in fact simply following what they believe is the chaotic nature of their god. This makes their activities exceedingly difficult to predict, much to the chagrin of the Hammerite Church.
Though fully aware of all the modern advancements which provide the comforts and security those in the City enjoy, Pagans instead make a conscious choice to shun them and instead live in virtual Stone Age conditions. In the wild, Pagans are masters of camouflage. Using bits of grass, leaves, moss and sticks they blend into the woodlands they favor almost perfectly. Tattoos are very common, as is body painting and body modification. Their decorative designs are often readily visible as the Pagans care little for clothing beyond that necessary for survival. Some travel stark naked, while others may don a minimum of garments for protection from the elements or in an attempt to infiltrate the City. What they do wear is either taken directly from the land as animal skins and furs or is stolen as they produce virtually nothing themselves. Items such as clothing that is stolen by the Pagans most often ends up partially destroyed and then pieced back together to form something different. Pagans are almost entirely uneducated and speak in a halting, Pidgin English though a handful can read and write.
Despite their refusal to make use of modern armor or weapons, nature has honed and hardened these people just as it does wild animals. They are savage, brutal and unrelenting in their desire to return the world to its dark past. Some Pagans have physical abnormalities such as a wrong number of fingers on one hand, odd looking teeth, differently colored eyes or even deformities that appear similar to primal features like horns or tails. These are just as likely to have been misinterpreted pieces of their disguises. Whether their Trickster god bestows such features or not is debatable and the Pagans will gladly mislead or confuse any who ask.
Folk of the City know little about the Pagans due to the Order’s subversive agendas and animistic lifestyle. Considered by most to be only a step above the animals with which they associate, much of the City underestimates their cunning intelligence and vicious tenacity. This lack of direct knowledge is also used by the Pagans to spread fear and misinformation. Common perceptions of Pagans by City dwellers include the ability to speak with animals and the practice of human sacrifice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:22, Wed 23 Oct 2019.