Brotherhood of the Claw

This particular order is an oddity, one the Theocracy would consider blasphemous. For you see, this is an order from the Northralkin Tribe-States, and it is entirely made up of were-bears.

The Northralkin value strength above all else, thanks to their climate and culture. And while others would revile and detest were-creatures, the Northralkin worship them. Though, it would depend on the creature.

They care little for most of the were-creatures, favoring the more prolific ones. Were-wolves tend to be iffy, depending on the individual affected by the disorder. But the were-bears are the most highly favored, even worshiped as guardians of the island. Some individuals even willingly allow themselves to be affected by the disorder to join the Brotherhood.

So great is the knowledge and power of the Brotherhood, that they even tamed the madness that comes with being a were-creature. Their chances of going into a rage is greatly diminished due to their conviction, and they even created bear totems that they keep on their person to contain their animalistic nature, allowing them to transform as they deem fit without any drawbacks.

The Brotherhood forsake civilization to live in the wilds like the animals they can transform into. However, there are stone circles decorated with blood runes and animal bones to mark locations they commonly commune. These sites are held as sacred locations to be held in high regard. Many visitors come to these sacred sites to pay respects to the Brotherhood and offer the were-bears various offerings as thanks for their protection.

Despite their preference to isolation, these were-creatures take their vows as defenders of Sysrathum seriously. Often times, they can be seen visiting villages and the longhouses of Chieftains to see if there is any trouble afoot. They may do tasks they deem worthy of them if someone asks them to take care of something.

They are also extremely xenophobic and bigoted. They only care about their fellow Northralkin and view outsiders as a plague that does nothing but harms Sysrathum. Thanks to this, they reject the pantheon of the Empire and worship the old gods, practicing the old religions of the island.

Their patron Goddess is named Kaerava, who is actually a variation of the Beastman Goddess, Kanova. The Northralkin adopted some of the gods from their former Beastmen masters, though not all of them. But their admiration for Kanova is equaled by the Beastmen and thus, the Brotherhood view the Great Mother Bear as their patron. And the Northralkin see her as the protector of their island.

While a member of the Brotherhood tends to be by themselves for most of their lives, they do meet up often at the stone circle sites to commune. It is during these times they accept offerings from the public, engage in ritual combat, induct new members they find worthy into their order, and even mate as were-creatures can pass on their disorder through a bloodline.

The last time all of the Brotherhood united to fight against a foe was during the invasion of the Theocracy. The lose of independence at the hand of the Theocracy and the slaughter of more than half of their order only increased the animosity the Brotherhood, and the Northralkin at large, felt for the Theocracy even more.