Esoteric Order

The Esoteric Order was a gathering of nobles who ruled Zul'Dare since the beginning of recorded history. Ruling through divine mandate bestowed by Muhar, they awaited what the prophecies termed the 'Awakening'. Until that time, the Esoteric Order maintained a magical and mystical isolation from the outside world, and outsiders were termed just such; 'Outsiders'. The culture of Zul'Dare was therefore consistently unchanged and outsiders had a hard time understanding the dialect of Common spoken upon the island, though the nobility could speak normal Common at ease when it was required of them.
==History==
===Origin===
Maintaining only token support of the Tirasian regime, the Esoteric Order kept the peace by pretending to obey orders from Boralus. In truth, however, the Tirasians barely knew the layout of the island, let alone the existence of the Esoteric Order itself.
The Order's members were robed at all times past a certain age. While in public this was passed off as a symbolic surrender of identity to the greater good and a religious tradition, in truth it was to disguise the half-troll heritage of the core families of the Order. The order had been founded by Muharist directed to the isle by the Prophet. They interbred with the troll tribe that was already on the island. Others came to island in time, and so the half-trolls kept their race a secret to ensure their safety.
To ensure the survival of their ways and the preservation of their religion, the Esoteric Order followed the Doctrine; the divine mandate they believed had been bestowed upon them by the gods themselves.
===Great War===
When Xalmor Windrunner came to Zul'Dare, it brought the Prophet's attention back to the island. He used Xalmor to spur the Esoteric Order into action. They launched their invasion fleet and for a time dominated the Baradin Bay. Stormwind broke their old on the region, and a defeated Ephraim Marsh slunk back to Zul'Dare, where the Esoteric Order was destroyed by a Malefactor-Maz'asi Rebellion coalition.
==The Dukes of Grinwillow==
The Order was lead by the four Dukes of Grinwillow: Duke Ephraim Marsh of the House of Marsh, Duke Ligdus Galmin of the House of Galmin, Duke Waite of the House of Waite, and Duke Elliot of the House of Elliot.
After receiving orders from The Prophet himself, Xalmor Windrunner was made Highlord of the Esoteric Order. The House of Galmin was ruled by Duke Ligdus Galmin until his betrayal caused Xalmor to replace him with Ianthe Marsh, his own second in command.
==Fleet==
For years the Esoteric Order built up a fleet in secret. Men'heva used this fleet to invade Boralus and to blockade Rhodos. Known ships include
* EOS Barsmouth
* EOS Dunwich
* EOS Ilyos
* EOS Miasma
* The Nidhogg (temporarily)
Category:Organizations
Category:Pagans