Order of the Third Eye

Lord Lykan’s rule over the ancient world has affected Mirror Domain’s culture for centuries. People know him as a historical figure. An ancient Kodin ruler who has long since been overthrown. Some people, however, see him as much more than that. The Order of the Third Eye sees Lykan for what he truly was: A God. As such, they saw his rule over ancient Vertgate and all of the rituals he carried out as the will of God. Ancient peoples were foolish to denounce him, and they believe that overthrowing Lykan was one of the biggest mistakes in all of history.

The Order believes they were called upon Lykan himself to carry out his will. Any Mortal born as a Kodin was created that way out of his image, and that it’s their goal in life to serve him. Their primary goal is to do what they believe he would do if he were still around. In doing so, they think they’ll revive him so he can rule over the Mortal realm once more. This includes, but is in no way limited to: Defacing churches, destroying religious symbols, spreading Red Magic, and manipulating people into joining his ranks.

Generally speaking, only Feline variant Kodin join the Order of the Third Eye. Canine and Vulpine variants are allowed, but they’re treated more as prisoners or slaves rather than trusted members. They’re often treated poorly, and sometimes they’re even killed off due to liability issues. No other species is permitted to join the Order. Any attempts to join will lead to certain death, as a non Kodin was not made in Lykan’s image. Therefore, they’re unworthy.

Most historians heavily misinterpret Lykan's actions. The majority of people believe his goal as ruler was genocide of the unworthy or changing the purity scale to suit his needs. In reality, his goal was simply to play his game until he won; taking control of every living being in Mirror Domain.

The Order understands his true motivations much more, but they’re still missing a few minor details. They believe his goal was nothing more than entertainment. Lykan wanted to play games. He wanted to manipulate people into bending to his will. Getting into their heads and making anyone and everyone fear him. As such, The Order treats their work as a game. The rules of the game? Carry out Lykans will without getting caught. It’s as simple as that

## **Initiation**

The cult’s initiation process is a ritual they call “The Scarring”. During this ritual, they use heavily concentrated Dark Magic to burn the cult’s crest into the new member. This crest can be anywhere on the body, although it’s most commonly on one's chest or back as that’s the largest area on the body.

They use Magic to accomplish this instead of a brand or a knife to ensure the wound will heavily scar. A Magical injury takes far longer to heal, and unless it’s treated with Magic it’ll usually scar very nicely. The scar must be as visible as possible, considering most Kodin are covered in fur.

Once the brand is in place, the next part of the ritual involves treating the wound. Many die during this stage, weather it be from infection, blood loss, or assimilation into DC’s Hivemind. Anyone who dies as a result of the Scarring is deemed unworthy. Their bodies will be mangled and defaced. They’re then put on public display, usually in or around a church, as an example of the cult’s power. Outsiders are unaware of this fact, which has led to heavy speculation as to why the Order of the Third Eye would kill off its own members.

Kodin that aren’t of the Feline variant will also go through the Scarring, but the mark they receive as a result is much different than the one true members of the cult receive. Their scar is always placed somewhere in the face, to ensure they’re unable to conceal it. It’s also burned a lot deeper into the skin, increasing the risk of death. A Canine or Vulpine must endure worse torment to prove their devotion.

The better the wound is cared for, the more “worthy” one is. Even if it doesn’t kill you, letting your scar get infected makes the others view you as weak willed or unworthy. It proves to them that you aren’t fully devoted to Lykan, and as such you may be a liability. The better you care for this wound, the higher up in the ranks you’re placed initially.

Battle scars are heavily valued and respected in the Order. One’s initial scar is proof of their devotion to the cult. Any injury gained as a result of joining Lykan’s ranks proves an individual's devotion to Lykan himself. It shows that they’re willing to follow Lykan even if it means putting their own life at risk. That being said, members of the cult aren’t reckless. If they can avoid getting injured they will. If they die, they can no longer carry out Lykan’s will.

Children are not permitted to go through the Scarring. Their bodies are not fully grown, meaning the distinctive crest they’d get through the ritual would be distorted as they grow. The Order does allow children to join, but they aren’t properly initiated until they reach adulthood. Typically they’re given a symbol to wear in place of the scar. That being said, the only children allowed to join the cult are children of cult members. The Order is smart enough to turn away random children for fear of being outed.

## **Sacrifices**

The Order doesn’t sacrifice innocent creatures. Generally speaking, they offer their own members who have either died or are going to die soon in what they call their “death ritual”. If someone dies during a mission, the rest of the cult will go to great lengths to retrieve their body in order to carry out this ritual, as it’s heavily valued.

The cult’s death ritual is seen as a necessity. They think that carrying it out ensures their souls will enter Lykan’s realm; allowing them to speed up his revival process. Their deaths bring much needed Magic into his realm, which in turn brings more Magic to his soul.

Upon death, a member's body is dressed in very elegant robes made of deep red silk. They’re also adorned with weapons, tools, cherished items, and other cult symbols. The belief is that the individual will take these items with them to Lykan's domain, allowing them to further their rituals upon their arrival.

Once the body has been properly dressed, higher members of the cult will infuse it with as much Dark Magic as it can possibly absorb. They won’t stop until the body exhibits a bright red glow; proof it’s soul has been taken to their Afterlife. Once the glow begins, the body is left alone until it’s subsided. Any interference with the body while it’s still glowing puts their soul at risk. When all is said and done, the cult will take the now long dead individual and dump their body into one of their many dumping grounds. It’s not known where these grounds are.

## **Gods and the Order**

DC has mixed feelings about the Order. On one hand, his influence over Mortals was so great it’s still impacting society centuries after he disappeared. It proves his game can never truly be lost, not as long and the Order of the Third Eye still stands. The fact that they’re so willing to follow a man they’ve never met before is amusing.

On the other hand, DC thinks this cult makes his game too easy. He likes to take his time gaining the trust of people who oppose him. Weaseling his way into the minds of political leaders or religious figures. This group of people willing to serve him so readily is an insult to his game. He didn’t “earn” their devotion. Therefore, their devotion is meaningless. Whenever a cult member is assimilated into the Hivemind, something that happens quite often, DC will imprison their body in his realm, leaving it to rot.

With all that said, DC takes great pleasure in messing with the cult. He finds it hilarious to see how they react to the smallest of things. This often involves making a useless Red Magic Relic, just to see what they’ll do with it. He also enjoys filling their hideouts and shrines with his signature red smoke, making them think he’s finally returning to the living world.

While he doesn’t feel like he’s earned their devotion, DC never does anything to break their trust in him. He feels that if they ever knew the truth behind his ancient followers, the fact that they were serving him against his will, they’d lose respect for him. They think his servants willingly followed him, not that they were turned into mindless drones under his control.

Over the years, hundreds of the Order’s members have wound up in the Afterlife. Someone’s soul will only be destroyed by DC’s Magic if they die while infected with Red Magic. Their body being infected with Red Magic after death has no effect on their souls, seeing as their soul has already left it. Because of this, many of the Order enter the Afterlife only to cause riots and get into trouble. Even though they regain memory of past lives, the most current one is what influences their personality and ideals the most. Some members get angry and deface things. Others try to convert souls into joining Lykan’s ranks and overthrowing Oasis. Some lose all faith in the cult, seeing as Oasis and Sandra are the only two Gods in the Afterlife, and neither of them talk about DC’s existence. At least, not in any context they’d understand.