Order of the White Tree

Backstory

The Order of the White Tree is a religion that was organized by the Old Rancaguans. After the destruction of Old Rancagua, The Order of the White Tree was maintained by the exilee's of Old Rancagua and preached mainly in the Northern lands of Sirion. At one point, however, Judge Erik Eyolf of Sirion banned the entire Hierarchy of the Order of the White Tree, the power of which was held almost exclusively by a coalition of three families who were corrupted. This mass banning was met by both praise and speculation, depending on how the given person viewed the former hierarchy. With the major hierarchy gone, however, The Order of the White Tree was reborn in Csopa and was reconstructed with the help of Lord and former High Priest Tavius ut Daris.

With some new followers and a new hierarchy, the Order of the White Tree now exists, continuing to proclaim the goodness and righteousness of the religion's goddess; Ora, and the sacred nature of the White Tree.

Ora

Ora is the goddess of Her people, the goddess the Order of the White Tree worships. Ora guides Her people, which is all who choose to accept Her. Ora is a goddess that embodies peace, brotherhood, justice, and honor and wishes Her followers to do the same. To guide Her people, She not only has given the sacred symbol of the White Tree, but also communicates with the people through visions, priests, and more.

Ora's people

Ora's people are all who choose to accept Her. Although the majority of the faith resides in Nivemus, it is open to all. Ora's people seek brotherhood, so no person shall be turned away because of their realm association alone. Ora's people are also called to embody peace, justice, and honor, just as their goddess Ora does. Through this, the world can be made a better place, perhaps even a utopia if Ora's name is spread to all corners of the world.

Ora and Her people

Ora and Her people have a long history. Before anyone can remember, small groups of the tribes of the North believed in a goddess and grew White Tree's in the few places they would on the plains. Trees were a rarity on the Northern plains and badlands, which made the White Tree just that much more special. Ora saw the corrupted Church of Rancagua, and sprung into action, guiding Her people against them. These people were nobles of Old Rancagua, and they believed in Her, and became Her people. Her people extended Ora's word from the Omsk Peninsula, to Ashforth,from Oroya, to Csopa, and all lands in between.

Eventually, Old Rancagua became lax in their praise of her and became corrupt. Ora grew angry at this, and then let Old Rancagua's enemies destroy them and sent them into exile in Sirion. From there, the corrupted leaders of the Order of the White Tree continued in the Northern regions of Sirion. They continued to hold power over the Order until Judge Erik Eyolf saw Ora in a vision, calling him to banish the corrupted elders of the Order. He did, and after that, the old Order fell.

Out of the ashes, former High Priest Tavius ut Daris, former Baron of Csopa and current High Priest Obito Uzamaki, former noble of Sirion, recreated the Order. The Order preached some in the Northern lands of Sirion, but also began to return Ora's name to the lands of Old Rancagua. When the Sultanate was defeated and Nivemus created, the Order took up residence in Nivemus, which is, for the most part, where they reside today.

The White Tree

The White Tree is the symbol of the Order of the White Tree, Ora's symbol of enduring brotherhood that unites Her people, and the unique, extremely rare tree that is found in the temples of the Order. The 'parent' tree once existed in the holy city Oroya, but as the last city of Ora's people was being razed to the ground, the huge white tree was burned by the armies of the Sultanate. The priests of the Order escaped with a few seeds given from the tree, and planted them in the existing temples.

These sacred tree's remind us that the Order of the White Tree is a brotherhood which we should never forsake and always protect. Although open to interpretation, Sir Obito Uzamaki, Priest of the Order of the White Tree, describes the symbolism like this:

Roots: The representation of the roots of the tree is Ora and Her guidance. In Her guidance, the rest of the tree lives and prospers, and without Her guidance, the brotherhood will die.

Trunk: The representation of the trunk of the tree are the High Priest and Elder members of the Order. Through them, the branches live and grow.

Branches: The representation of the branches of the tree are the Nobles of the Order. The many branches protect the tree from harm through storms of trial.

Leaves: The representation of the leaves of the tree are the peasants who believe in Ora's name. They grow and prosper from the branches of the tree and serve the tree itself.

Sermons

Call To Return Ora's Name to Her Lands

Current Priests and Temples

Priests:

High Priest Obito Uzamaki, Noble of Nivemus

Temples:

Parm: Small Temple

Oroya: Small Temple

Ashforth: Primitive Temple

Salta: Primitive Temple

Csopa: Small Shack

Dale: Small Shack

Oberndorf: Small Shack

Pucallpa: Small Shack

Influenced Regions

Csopa(small shack)

Parm(small temple)

Salta(primitive temple)

Ashforth(primitive temple)

Oroya(primitive temple)

Oberndorf(small shack)

Dale(small shack)

Caqueta

Obando

Pedrera

Juazeiro

Pucallpa