The Conclaves of the Temple
The Temple of the Shattered Mother is directed by the Oracle-Avatar. With its size and numbers, it must be divided into three Conclaves for easier governance. Born from the Archon-Saints that assisted in the Temple’s founding, each Conclave has evolved its own culture and worldview while remaining subservient to the greater perspective of the Oracle-Avatar and the God-Empress that rules them all.
There was once a fourth Conclave, but their recent betrayal still rankles the Templars and the Oracle-Avatar. All who were once part of the Flame Conclave were integrated, slain, penanced (and then slain), or have been driven to ground.
Carmine Conclave
Carminians, Sanguinar, Rosettes
Overview
If the Talon Conclave is the fist of the Temple, then the Carmine Conclave is the Temple’s open hand. Carmine Templars are diplomats, traders, overseers, and spies. While their military might is not to be discounted, these Templars prefer willingness, coercion, and capitulation rather than outright conquest. They are more likely to be found anywhere across the World Beyond the Fall -- forging alliances, closing negotiations, and eliminating opposition.
Lore: Medium
Carmine Lore requires some reading into faith, history, and traditions. However, many of the concepts it presents are relatively common. The trope of a charming/annoying noble fop, duelist, or diplomat is familiar to many Players.
Aesthetic
The Carmine Conclave prefers outfits that are well-made, outfits that stand out, and outfits that are beautiful, in any order of importance. Most will choose to have a single accessory of carmine, scarlet, or similarly red hue to accentuate their attire. However, to chain a Carmine Templar to a single outfit is to accept one’s lower station in the Conclave. Even with instruments and weaponry, these individuals tend to prefer form over function, with their looks as devastating as their attacks.
Skull Conclave
Calvarians, Tougu, Baskets
Overview
Skull Templars are theocrats and ritualists, deeply ensconced in the rites and the faith of the Temple. They are all skilled and experienced in the use of magic, if not Arcanists themselves. They are the smallest of the Conclaves, though their influence dwarfs their brethren. Studious and insular, they do not often leave the bastions and strongholds of their Archfaction — though powerful magic may draw them to deadly places.
Lore: High
Playing a Calvarian requires reading in the faith, histories, and Priory details of the Archfaction. In addition, these characters are expected to adhere to certain standards if they are to remain in good standing.
Aesthetic
Moreso than their Templar brethren, Skull Templars tend to be ornamented with bones. Most wear animal bones, but it is an uncommon practice to wear the cherished remnants of auspicious and beloved relatives. Indeed, skull iconography is a frequent sight in their works and their garments. Beneath and among these macabre ornamentation, Skull Templars tend toward darker clothing, sometimes gilded with bronze or silver. Robes, cassocks, vestments, and similar clothing is preferred, though more martial Templars may eschew these for more militant attire such as battle skirts or armored overcoats.
Talon Conclave
Talonites, Talons, Nails
Overview
Talon Templars are known primarily as crusading zealots and defenders of their faith, invoking their Martyr-Saints while obliterating their foes. Clad in steel and in piety, they are the sword, the shield, and the rifle of the Templar Conclaves. Their primary enemies are the insidious and monstrous horrors of the World Beyond the Fall, but they take down human heathens and heretics with greater ease.
Lore: Medium
Talonite lore concerns itself with the traditions and details of a character’s Chapter and the Archfaction’s history and faith. Also required is knowledge of how to act, but the concept of a religious military character is a common enough trope to be familiar to many players.
Aesthetic
Most Talonites are armored with heavy or ultra-heavy armor, with scouts garbed in lighter and more flexible fare. This armor is usually adorned with badges of distinction, trophies of battle, or inscriptions of faith. However, they also tend toward furs and leathers, sometimes purposely stained or displaying battle damage. Their weapons are similarly ornamented. This is especially true for their “Talon Daggers”, ceremonial knives that each Talonite receives or makes as part of their rite of passage.