Order of the Lamp

**FORMATION**

The Order of the Lamp was formed in 2103 by Dimitri Molotov - aka “The Priest”. It is his claim he is 95 years old and had survived the Great War and the following years through Mothman eggs (raw) and sacrifice. His home and chapel are in the vicinity of Point Pleasant near a Great War era Mothman point of worship and sacrifice. He currently has a handful of devout followers and is seeking to spread the word of the Mothman throughout Appalachia

**WORSHIP**

There are few rules in The Order of the Lamp. A few primary tenets do apply:

* NOTHING is above The Mothman
* The Mothman wants his followers to seek “the holy lamp” (Nuclear Mushroom Clouds)
* Turning on “the lamp” appeases The Mothman, as Moths are drawn to light.
* The Scorched are the worst affront to Appalachia - the Holy land of The Mothman. If a Scorched Queen is spawned into the world, members of The Order of the Lamp should stop what they are doing immediately to purge the world of her influence.
* When The Wise Mothman is seeking Enlightenment, all followers should also assist that Mothman to reach his goal.

Other than that, each member should have their own place of Worship in their respective camps. Every member of the Order of the Lamp is free to worship the Mothman how they see fit, so long as the primary tenets are obeyed.

Admission to the group so far has been based on the follower’s belief the new member wants to worship and serve the Mothman in Appalachia. Whomever is the newest fully vetted member will partake and plan the initiation ceremony of the next member, which ends in the new member’s sacrifice. If the Mothman judges the follower to be worthy, the sacrificed new member will return to the altar.

**STRUCTURE**

Although the Priest will say all members are equal, the other members usually defer to the Priest on top level decisions or courses of action. The Priest believes there are three types of Mothman:

* Wise - lead by the Mothman Priest - these followers are the speaking type. They will try to talk through a situation
* Vengeful - lead by “the Right Hand of the Mothman Priest” - this is the militant arm of the Order of the Lamp. First to engage in a fight.
* Stalking - these followers would be thought of as recon units in a militaristic setting. Providing intel to the Wise Mothmen

At the end of the day though, all Mothmen followers are equals. Followers should ideally position their individual camps and chapels around areas that are significant to the Mothman and goals of the Order of the Lamp.

**STANDARD GEAR**

The old United States Marine Corps had a saying that every Marine is a Rifleman. If the Mothmen in the Order of the Lamp had a saying, it would be every Mothman is a Grenadier. Order of the Lamp followers tend to carry the following:

**WEAPONS**

* Nuka Grenades - which would explain why some Mothmen speak of Nuka Cola in reverent tones.
* Various projectile explosive systems. Big preference towards the 2 Shot Fat Man
* Cultist Blade or Dagger

**OTHER**

* Black Prospector Hat - standard gear for EVERY follower
* Ritual Mask and Shroud - for group meetings with other Mothman groups

**INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER GROUPS**

***New Responders:*** Interactions between the new Responders and Order of the Lamp have been filled with mistrust and communication issues from both sides. Order of the Lamp members have been known to use certain technologies for coercive means. In the same token, The New Responders, especially those who espouse the Brotherhood of Steel beliefs, have been nearly outright hostile to the Order of the Lamp members. Time will only tell if the 2 groups will fight with each other. Commander Conner Johns is working hard to limit a full scale fight.

***Vultures:*** the Priest has tried to interface with the raider gang known as The Vultures, only to have been beaten unconscious and robbed.

***Free States Militia:*** No contact has been made yet.

CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS