Order of the Flame

The Order of the Flame is a Novaist holy order of knights founded in the Nation of Aurora Novum. The order was established to defend the Novian people and spread the word of Novaism, the dominant religion in Aurora Novum. The order is modeled after the Knights Templar and follows many of the same traditions and rituals.

History
The Order of the Flame was founded in the early days of Aurora Novum, at a time when the Novian people were facing threats from outside invaders and internal conflict. The order was established to provide a military force to protect the Novian people and defend the faith of Novaism. The order was initially composed of a small group of warriors who had pledged their lives to the defense of the Novian people and the spread of Novaism. They were led by a Grand Master, who was responsible for the overall direction of the order.

Over time, the order grew in strength and numbers, and soon became a powerful force in Aurora Novum. They were instrumental in repelling invaders and maintaining peace within the nation. They also played a key role in spreading the word of Novaism, building churches and monasteries, and training Novian monks and priests.

Battle of the Crimson Cross
The Battle of the Crimson Cross was a defining moment in the history of the Order of the Flame. It was a pivotal military engagement between the Order and a coalition of invading forces from neighbouring kingdoms. The invaders had been making constant raids on Novian settlements, and the Order was called upon to defend the Novian people and the faith of Novaism.

The battle was fought on a field near the city of Black Hollow, a sacred site of great significance to the Novian people. Grand Master Baked, who led the Order, knew that the odds were against them, as the invaders were vastly outnumbered. But he and his fellow knights were determined to defend their land and their faith, and they believed that Nova would bless them in battle.

The battle was fierce and bloody, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. But the Order, inspired by their faith and their belief in Novaism, fought with great courage and determination. They were able to hold off the invaders, and eventually drove them back.

As the battle raged on, the Grand Master and his knights felt a divine presence among them. They knew that Nova was with them, blessing them in battle. Suddenly, the eyes of the soldiers began to glow with a bright light, and they were bestowed with the wings of divine beings. They fought with renewed vigor and strength, and as the invaders were defeated, they knew that it was Nova who had given them victory.

The Order's victory at the Battle of the Crimson Cross was a turning point in the war, and it marked the first time that the Order had successfully defended the Novian people against a major invasion. News of the Order's heroism spread quickly, and it brought the Order great prestige and honor. The Novian people saw the Order as the divinely blessed protectors of the nation, and many young Novians began to join the order, inspired by the deeds of the brave knights who had defended their people and their faith at the Battle of the Crimson Cross.

Siege of the Sacred Temple
The Siege of the Sacred Temple was a significant event in the history of the Order of the Flame. It was a prolonged military campaign fought between the Order and a powerful enemy kingdom, which sought to conquer and control the sacred temple of Novaism, located in the city of Andoros.

The temple was considered the holiest site in Novaism and held great spiritual significance for the Novian people. The enemy kingdom saw its capture as a way to weaken the Novian people and gain control over their religious practices.

The Order, under the leadership of Grand Master Alexander, was tasked with defending the temple and protecting the Novian people. They were outnumbered and outmatched, but they were determined to defend their faith and their land.

The siege lasted for months, with the enemy kingdom bombarding the temple with heavy artillery and launching numerous ground assaults. The Order, with the help of Novian citizens, was able to hold off the enemy's attacks and maintain control of the temple.

As the siege dragged on, the Grand Master and his knights began to feel a divine presence among them. They knew that Nova was with them, blessing them in battle and giving them strength to defend the temple. They fought with renewed vigor and determination, and their eyes began to glow with a bright light. Some of the knights even claimed to have seen wings on their backs, as if they were divine beings sent to protect the temple.

The enemy kingdom, facing heavy losses and unable to breach the temple's defenses, eventually lifted the siege and retreated. The Order emerged victorious and the temple was saved from capture. This event solidified the Order's reputation as protectors of the Novian people and their faith, and it brought them great prestige and honour among the Novian people.

Organization
The Order of the Flame is led by a Grand Master, who is elected by the members of the order and then confirmed by Baked Croissant if not confirmed the process is restarted. The Grand Master is responsible for the overall direction of the order and is assisted by a council of senior knights. The order is divided into a number of chapters, each led by a commander who is responsible for the chapter's activities and reports to the Grand Master. The chapters are further divided into smaller units, each led by a knight who is responsible for the unit's training and operations.

Grand Master
The Grand Master is the leader of the order and is responsible for its overall direction and management. He is elected by the members of the order and then confirmed by Baked if not confirmed the process is restarted. Serves for life or until he resigns. The Grand Master has ultimate authority over the order and is responsible for its spiritual and temporal welfare.

Grand Prior
The Grand Prior is the second in command of the order and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the order. He is appointed by the Grand Master and serves at his pleasure. The Grand Prior is responsible for managing the order's finances, property, and personnel.

Commander
Commanders are responsible for leading the individual chapters of the order and for ensuring that the order's teachings and practices are upheld within their chapter. They are appointed by the Grand Master and serve at his pleasure. Commanders have authority over the members of their chapter and are responsible for their spiritual and temporal welfare.

Knights
Knights are the members of the order and are responsible for carrying out the order's mission and upholding its teachings. They take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and are expected to live according to the code of chivalry.

Squires
Squires are the novices of the order and are responsible for learning the ways of the order and its teachings. They are under the guidance of a knight and may be appointed to various roles within the order, such as being a page or a scribe.

Pages
Pages are the youngest members of the order and are responsible for learning the ways of the order and its teachings. They are under the guidance of a squire and may be appointed to various roles within the order, such as being a scribe or a messenger.

Activities
The Order of the Flame is primarily focused on the protection of the Novian people and the spread of Novaism. This includes defending Aurora Novum from external threats through military action as well as spreading the word of Novaism through missionary work and building churches and monasteries. The provision of aid and assistance to the Novian people in times of need is likewise a commonly activity. Members of the order are also expected to train Novian monks and priests and participate in annual ceremonies and traditions, such as the ceremony of the Novian Flame, to renew their oaths and commit themselves to the service of Novaism.

Rites of Passage
Before joining the Order of the Flame, candidates must take a sacred oath, pledging to uphold the teachings of Baked Croissant and to follow the path of righteousness as set forth by Novaism. They must also undergo a period of probation and a rite of passage known as the Novian Ordination.

Novian Ordination
The Novian Ordination is a sacred rite of passage for those who wish to join the Order of the Flame, a Novaist holy order of knights. It is a ceremonial initiation that marks the beginning of a candidate's journey to becoming a full-fledged knight of the order.

The ceremony begins with the candidate being brought before the Grand Master and the senior members of the order. The candidate is then required to recite the vows of the order, pledging to uphold the teachings of Baked Croissant, the prophet of Nova, and to follow the path of righteousness as set forth by Novaism. They also pledge to defend the faith of Novaism with their sword and shield, to protect the Novian people from all harm and persecution, and to be a servant of Novaism, obeying the commands of their superiors in the order and following the code of chivalry in all their actions.

Once the candidate has recited the vows, the Grand Master will then conduct the ritual of the Novian Flame. This ritual involves the lighting of a sacred fire, which is said to symbolize the eternal flame of Novaism. The candidate is then required to walk through the flames, symbolizing their commitment to the order and their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the glory of Nova and the salvation of the Novian people.

After the ritual of the Novian Flame, the candidate will be anointed with the sacred oils of Novaism. This is said to symbolize the candidate's purification and cleansing, and their readiness to become a knight of the order. The candidate will then be presented with a sword, which is said to symbolize the candidate's willingness to defend the Novian people and the faith of Novaism.

The ceremony concludes with the Grand Master conferring the title of "novice" on the candidate, officially inducting them into the order. The novice will then begin their training, learning the ways of the order and the skills necessary to become a knight. This includes training in swordsmanship, horseback riding, and other combat skills, as well as studying the sacred texts of Novaism and the teachings of Baked Croissant.

The Novian Ordination is a powerful and meaningful ceremony that marks the beginning of a candidate's journey to becoming a knight of the Order of the Flame. It is a solemn reminder of the candidate's commitment to the order, to the Novian people, and to the faith of Novaism, and it is a powerful symbol of the candidate's willingness to sacrifice themselves for the glory of Nova and the salvation of the Novian people.

Once initiated, candidates begin their training as a novice, learning the ways of the order and the skills necessary to become a knight. This includes training in swordsmanship, horseback riding, and other combat skills, as well as studying the sacred texts of Novaism and the teachings of Baked Croissant.

Novian Sword
As the novice progresses in their training, they will also participate in a number of traditions and rituals unique to the order. These include the ceremony of the Novian Flame, in which the novice is initiated into the sacred order of the flame, and the ritual of the Novian Sword, in which the novice is presented with their own sword and officially becomes a knight.

The ritual of the Novian Sword is a sacred ceremony within the Order of the Flame, a Novaist holy order of knights. This ritual marks the moment when a novice officially becomes a knight, and it is a rite of passage that is steeped in tradition and symbolism.

The ceremony begins with the novice, dressed in a white robe, standing before the Grand Master and the council of senior knights. The Grand Master speaks to the novice, reminding them of their oaths and the responsibilities they have taken upon themselves as a member of the order.

The novice then kneels before the Grand Master, who presents them with a sword. This sword is a symbol of the novice's commitment to the order, and it represents the strength, courage, and honor that are expected of all knights.

As the novice takes the sword, they recite the following words: "With this sword, I pledge my loyalty to the order and to the Novian people. I swear to defend the faith of Novaism with my sword and my shield, and to protect the Novian people from all harm and persecution."

Once the novice has recited these words, they stand and the Grand Master and the council of senior knights bestow their blessings upon the novice, calling upon Nova to guide and protect them as they undertake their duties as a knight.

Vows
"* I swear to uphold the teachings of Baked Croissant, the prophet of Nova, and to follow the path of righteousness as set forth by Novaism.
 * I swear to defend the faith of Novaism with my sword and my shield, and to protect the Novian people from all harm and persecution.
 * I swear to be a servant of Novaism, to obey the commands of my superiors in the order, and to follow the code of chivalry in all my actions.
 * I swear to be loyal to my fellow knights, to protect them as they protect me, and to stand with them in all things.
 * I swear to be a defender of the weak and the oppressed, to stand up for justice, and to fight against all forms of injustice and tyranny.
 * I swear to be a shining example of Novaism, to lead by example, and to inspire others to follow the path of Nova.
 * I swear to be a beacon of hope and light for the Novian people, to bring the message of Novaism to the lost and the lost souls, and to bring salvation to the unsaved.
 * I swear to be a warrior of faith, to fight against the forces of darkness and evil, to protect the innocent, and to defend the sanctity of the Novian people.
 * And I swear to die for Novaism if need be, for the glory of Nova and the salvation of the Novian people."

Novian Flame
The annual ceremony of the Novian Flame is one of the most important traditions of the Order of the Flame. It is a time when the knights of the order come together to renew their oaths, to remember their fallen brothers, and to honor the sacred fire of Novaism.

The ceremony begins with a procession of the knights, who march in full armor to the ceremony site, typically a cathedral or monastery. As they march, the knights sing hymns and chant prayers in honor of Novaism and the prophet Baked Croissant.

Once they arrive at the ceremony site, the knights form a circle around the altar, where the Novian Flame burns. The Grand Master of the order then leads the knights in a series of prayers, asking for Nova's blessings and guidance.

Next, the knights renew their oaths, pledging to uphold the teachings of Baked Croissant, to defend the Novian people, and to follow the path of righteousness as set forth by Novaism. As they recite their oaths, the knights place their swords on the altar, symbolically offering them to Nova.

After the oaths have been renewed, the Grand Master lights a candle from the Novian Flame, and passes the flame from knight to knight, until all the knights are holding a lit candle. The Grand Master then leads the knights in a final prayer, asking for Nova's protection and guidance in the coming year.

The ceremony concludes with the singing of the Novian anthem, followed by a banquet and celebration in honor of the order and its members. The annual ceremony of the Novian Flame is a powerful and moving event, and it is a reminder of the order's commitment to the Novian people and the faith of Novaism.

The annual ceremony is also a time of remembrance, to honor the fallen knights who have died in service of the order. During the ceremony, the names of the fallen are read aloud, and a moment of silence is held in their memory. The ceremony is also a time to remember the sacrifices of the Novian people, and to pledge to continue to protect and defend them in the coming year.

The ceremony of the Novian Flame is also a time of renewal and recommitment, as the knights reaffirm their oaths and their dedication to the order and the Novian people. The ceremony is also a time to renew the bonds of brotherhood and camaraderie among the knights, as they come together to celebrate the order's successes and to plan for the future.

Legacy
The Order of the Flame has played a significant role in the history of Aurora Novum, both in its military defence and the spread of Novaism. The order continues to exist in the modern era, remaining true to its founding principles of defending the Novian people and spreading the word of Novaism.

The Order of the Flame is also respected for their code of chivalry and their commitment to honour, loyalty, and justice. They are a symbol of hope and protection for the Novian people, and the legacy of their service will be remembered for