Order of the Black Saints
The Order of the Black Saints (Latin: Ordo Sancti Nigri) is a religious cult in the Hesperidesian Backlands of the Blackhelm Confederacy. Members of the group regularly practice self-flagellation, and they are considered to be an extremist organization by the Blackhelm Confederate government.
History
The Order of the Black Saints traces its spiritual origins back to the flaggent communities that came about during the Great Plague of Hesperidesia in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
The modern Order, however, traces its origins back to the 1897, when a group of 37 individuals led by former Imperial Exponential army centurion Severus Tenebrosus moved into the Hesperidesian Backlands. The group believed that the successes of the Healers' Movement during the Albandaean Crisis, and the subsequent abolition of the Hesperidesian Inquisition, were signs that the Catholic faithful in the Empire were not on the right path to God, and instead more extreme measures must be taken by believers.
Within a decade of their arrival in the Backlands, the Order of the Black Saints attracted a sizeable following of similarly disillusioned Hesperidesians, who joined their communities. Today, the majority of members of the Order are descendents from this original group, although small numbers of new converts - single digits, according to most sources - are believed to be attracted each year.
Beliefs
The Order of the Black Saints believe that the traditional form of Roman Catholicism practiced in the Blackhelm Confederacy is too lenient and that true salvation can only be achieved through extreme devotion and sacrifice. They believe that the only way to truly honor and please God is through acts of self-punishment. They also believe in the power of exorcism and that the only way to truly drive out evil spirits is through extreme methods, such as the use of fire.
Adherents to this group maintain a strong belief in the power of exorcism, and they are known to perform exorcisms on people who are believed to be possessed by evil spirits. Their exorcisms are known for being particularly violent and brutal, often involving the use of fire and other extreme methods in order to drive out the evil spirits. Members of the community are also expected to participate in regular, monthly exorcism rituals, which are intended to drive out evil spirits and to ensure the salvation of the community.
In addition to the monthly exorcisms, the daily routine of the members of the community revolves around religious rituals and practices. They start the day with prayer, followed by fasting and other forms of self-punishment throughout the day. They also practice mortification of the flesh, which can include things like self-whipping, sleep deprivation, and even self-mutilation. The Order's members are known for their dark hooded robes, which are worn as a symbol of their devotion and sacrifice. The Order's beliefs also include a strict code of conduct and a hierarchy based on initiation and seniority.
The group is also known for its strict endogamy, meaning that members are only allowed to marry within the community, in order to keep their bloodline pure. Children are also raised within the community and are taught the beliefs and practices of the Order from an early age.
The Order's communities are known for their secrecy and isolation, they are often located in remote areas, such as the dense jungle regions of the Blackhelm Confederacy. They do not welcome outsiders and members are discouraged from having contact with the outside world.
The Order also has a strong belief in the power of prophecy and that the Black Pope has the ability to see the future and to know the secrets of the universe. They also have a strong belief in the power of miracles and that the Black Pope is able to perform miracles and heal the sick.
Structure
The Order of the Black Saints is a secretive and exclusive organization, with a strict code of conduct and a hierarchy based on initiation and seniority. They are led by a High Priest, known as "The Black Pope" who is believed to have a direct connection to God and is said to be able to perform miracles. The High Priest is also said to be able to see the future, and to know the secrets of the universe.
It is estimated that there are anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 members of the Order of the Black Saints living in the Blackhelm Confederacy.