to the Castle Falkenstein index
For each order (or method of working magic) we give a basic agenda or goal, a claimed origin, unusual requirements for membership, structure and offices, lore and its sources, notable secrets, the public view, income, locations, relations with other groups, and spells.
Sorcerers specializing in health and healing.
A group striving for female betterment and empowerment. Sometimes known as the Host of the Amazon Warrior's Shrine.
The Ancient Brotherhood of the Druidic Temple
Or more generally, the Druids (the full title is certainly not one that a druid would seriously use). This represents the remnants in Western Europe -- mostly France and Britain -- of various pre-Christian, pre-scholastic, Bronze Age magical/religious practices. Druids have much knowledge of, and some connections to, dwarves and the sidhe.
The Ancient Order of Cthonian Time
A very small group dedicated to extending their lives, or at least avoiding death.
The Brotherhood of Herne
Practitioners of the various pre-Christian, pre-scholastic magical and religious traditions among the Celts. Found in the British Isles and northwestern France.
The Cabinet of Cups and Wands
Theatrical sorcerers.
The Circle of Menippus
A small group, founded in the middle ages to protect Britain from the sidhe. They know a lot about faeries and matter beyond the Veil, and have support from the British government and the Church of England.
The Daughters of Lemuria
A mystical women's order; they mix sorcery, mysticism, and pseudo-scientific beliefs.
The Grand Chamber of the Eleusinian Mysteries
A relatively recently-founded group, made up of librarians and private detectives. In theory, policemen aren't allowed as members.
An order using vile necromantic magics, sought out only by those seeking personal power.
The Holy Order of Saint Boniface
A Catholic monastic order, dedicated to the healing arts -- and combating the evil uses of sorcery. Men only.
Supposedly dedicated to creating a utopian world society - their methods are covert and ruthless.
The Invisible College
A small, mysterious group, with access to powerful magics. None of their members are publicly identified, and only ignorance of their actual goals prevents most governments from working to stamp the group out immediately (if they could be found).
The League of Delights
In French, La Ligue de Délices. Composed of wealthy or decadent folk, this small European order presents itself as descended from the worshippers of Venus and the cult of Dionysius -- claims which are widely doubted. They are devoted to orgies, parties, and all manner of hedonistic pleasures.
The League of Isis
Dedicated to "women's magic", as seen among Europeans. Perceived as social reformers, and certainly acting in favor of women's rights and suffrage.
The League of Orpheus
Often accused of being necromancers, some European nations have found reasons to call upon this dark and secretive order when confronted with the restless dead, or with dire need of discovering facts from the dead.
Sometimes called the Sons of Mars, this order specializes in military magic.
The largest magical order in Europe and America, influential advocates for the use of magic in society. Some national lodges are men only, some have separate women's lodges, and some are open to all.
The Old Way
In English, this is sometimes called the Way of the Northmen. Like the druids in Britain and central Europe, it is the surviving remnant, in Scandinavia and Iceland, of pre-Christian, non-scholastic magic and religious practices. Rural folk in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland will know of this; there is no division between "believer" and "mage".
The Order of Cassandra
Nurses serving with (or alongside) military forces.
The Order of Hermes
Also known as the Hermetic Order. This small group claims ancient origins and vast powers; their collection of spells is certainly impressive. However old the group is, they have only been visibly active since the Baroque period.
The Order of Prospero
A small group, made up of explorers and travelers.
The Order of the Golden Mean
Working to meld science and magic.
The Path of the Spirit World
This is emphatically NOT an order, but rather a description of some elements found in common among several central African cultures. One example is the magical traditions of the Asante people.
The Servants of Thoth
Thoth was the ibis- or baboon-headed Egyptian deity credited with great wisdom -- inventing writing, all works of science, philosophy, and magic, and with mediating between good and evil. The order is composed of scholar-sorcerers and (non-sorcerer) librarians, but has a little-known tendency to use spying and covert operations in gathering information. Somewhat mercenary.
The Sisterhood of Sekhmet
A women's order, with an apparent dedication to ancient Egyptian magics (and culture).
The Sisters of Bayreuth
A revolutionary and artistic group, whose members are entirely women (mostly artists, actresses and well-to-do sponsors).
The Society of Kronos
A very small order, attempting to master travel through time.
The Society of Leopold
Dedicated to locating and destroying or neutralizing the restless dead. Founded 1716 -- one of the few magical groups with a well-documented history.
Formerly a crusading military order of the Catholic church, now a non-denominational foe of human sacrifice and necromancy by magicians or the fae. Men only.
A secretive order, scheming to rule the world through a combination of Egyptian mythology and technological supremacy. Men only.
The Theosophic Masters of the White Lodge
The White Lodge views technology, materialism and emotion as errors, and the spread of iron across the world -- especially railways -- as evil. One might think they would have no more influence than the Flat Earth Society, but none-the-less this group has powerful and unique magics.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.