Holy Fleet of Aureolus

The official flag of the Holy Fleet, featuring the Aureolite Rose

**Overview**StorefrontCharacters

A sect of Rhyanist merchant-warriors hailing from the Aoshtai Galaxy, the Order of Aureolus exists nearly entirely in the form of the Holy Fleet of Aureolus, which constantly travels through the nations of the galaxy and living through continuous trade and the grace of receiving nations. A combination of hired crew/travelers and low-ranking Aureolite members maintain and operate the fleet, with many seeking passage to distant locations in exchange for hard, honest work as a recruited crewman of the Fleet, with some even being converted to the Aureolite Order and serving indefinitely.

The Fleet itself also serves as a roving storefront and freight-convoy, trading goods throughout the galaxy and offering an equally diverse selection aboard its public commerce-vessel, simply known as the *Aureolus.* The Fleet permits foreign parties to operate storefronts aboard its vessels while present within their space, though enforces such operations carefully to prevent foul play that would tarnish the reputation of the Holy Fleet and/or bring legal trouble from the hosting nation upon it. Disreputable groups/individuals may also be barred from access at the Order's discretion.

## Religion

The Aureolite Church is a generally tolerant and syncretic form of Rhyanism, largely focused on the veneration of Aureolus, a member of the wider Rhyanist Pantheon associated as a patron of the prosperity of interstellar trade and of spacefarers. The greatest ideals of the Order regard the crucial unifying role of interstellar trade and travel in making the wider galaxy both more prosperous and harmonious, and the rigors of the individuals who spend great portions of their lives voidborne as part of this process.

As such, they take a looser and more tolerant view regarding more core Rhyanist tenets, leaving them up to the needs of the individual and their loved ones, only becoming more rigid in the unique tenets of Aureolus himself. Naturally, leaders of other sects may disagree with the Order, though the Aureolite Clergy makes a point of avoiding such tensions. Reformed Rhyanism is a notable case, however, as its hierarchical and fanatic nature resulted in the Holy Fleet taking an exile from the Aoshanti Concourse during the full reign of the Ascendancy, and even now the Aureolists make a point of avoiding the new Empire.

Anyone may identify as an Aureolite/Aureolist, though its texts strongly encourage that proper devotion to the sect involves becoming a contributing member of the Holy Fleet for some period of one's life, if possible. Members are free to disembark at any time, either with the reasonable expectation that they will make their way back to it at some point for another tour of duty aboard, or more permanently if they wish to leave. Purposes of individual custom, family, and education are common reasons for leaves of absence from the fleet. The Clergy maintains a policy that those who disidentify and depart are not to be held in any contempt, unless their departure was as a result of hostile activity.

### History

Though the history of its original formation is largely lost, it is known to have been during the reign of the old Aoshanti Empire, and became very successful both in the operations of its several Holy Fleets and influence in society as a subclass of more loosely affiliated merchants/warriors. The core of its tenets, culture and heraldry was born in this era.

Aureolite traditions and legends speak of the last Old Fleet's fall, a great and terrible attack by the pillaging forces of the Arrivant Dominion seeking the great wealth and relics accumulated over the years. Ambushed as the fleet sought to answer the aid of an embattled Aoshanti world, countless deadly Tesar ships surrounded the Holy Fleet and doomed its hopes of survival.

Fighting for their very survival, the Aureolite clergy called upon the mercy of Aureolus himself. Following this, the fury of the defending Knighthood inflicted grievous losses on the floods of Tesar ships and boarding parties, many heroes among them being christened on that day, allowing several crucial ships to escape, and later find refuge on surviving Aoshanti worlds. Despite this, the dangers of the coming Dark Age would not allow the order to reform properly until millennia later.

The existence of the sect was barely preserved throught the Post-Ruinam dark ages, largely through the preservation of their texts, stories and cultural artifacts, though actual practicing members became extremely rare and scattered throughout other Aoshanti societies, and many of these original texts were held by other Rhyanist churches for much of this time.

It was only during the decades preceding the First Concourse War that successful efforts to reform the Order proper bore fruit, with a great number of merchants from the Aoshanti Concourse and Lindinis in particular becoming converts, using their wealth to fund the first flight of what would go on to become the Holy Fleet of now.

In the modern era, the Order exists in a largely stable and successful state, though still pale in comparison to the legends of their previous heights. Bearing stable senior leadership and a healthy Knighthood, it is expected to stand as a fixture of galactic society once more. However, many relics and artifacts of the original Order are still lost and scattered throughout the galaxy, including their lost founding home of Merceuria. Many cohorts of young Knights have taken to expeditions and quests in order to seek out such items, pursuing leads as they appear throughout the Holy Fleet's travels.

## Knights of Aureolus

> "*Grace and blessings of the stars upon you.*"
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The Holy Fleet and its passengers are defended and policed by a large subsection of Knights within the Order, diversely skilled Aoshanti warriors well-adapted to operating in a shipborne environment. They are easily distingushed by their copper-bronze vacsuit armor, decorated with primarily turquoise and white cloths, and hardlight blades of similar decoration.

### Recruitment and Training

Knights are sourced from the devout Aoshanti of the Order, expected to be of good repute and fitness, either approached by the Knighthood with the offer or of one's own initiative. Apprentice knights are assigned to the Banneret of a knightly cohort, expected to train them in both the religious and practical duties required of the position. The overseeing Banneret and their company teach the apprentice both the general standards of the Knighthood as well as in any particular qualities/skills the cohort may specialize in. This training period lasts a varying number of years depending on how quickly a new recruit learns, and those who do not take up the mantle well are typically honorably discharged back into the common workforce of the Fleet.

### Equipment

Though their equipment varies in quality and is often sourced from across the galaxy, it is frequently customized to suit the Knights' standards, including cosmetic redesigns. Even relatively uncomplicated weapons are often reshelled with organic, elegant wood-metal finishes. As standard, each knight must carry and be skilled in at least one appropriately knightly blade, with other proficiencies often being at the discretion of individuals and what apprentice Knights are passed on from their masters.

Notably, as a martial order operating almost entirely in space, the armor used by the Knighthood is highly distinct. Though following the patterns of platemail armor still prominent in the Aoshanti Concourse, it is typically colored an imposing bronze, and is notably bulkier. This is a result of the Knights' constant operation in space, necessitating them always be capable of spacefaring operation. As such a slim vac-suit is a completely integrated layer of the armor, with the accompanying life support systems being housed in an armored ridge on the upper back which then connects to the helmet. Said helmets also include particularly large, sealed visors as part of the design, and seamlessly connect to the lower half of the vacsuit body glove.

### The Training Grounds

An expansive indoor training arena is present aboard the Fleet, used by the Knighthood to train in both gravity and zero-G environments. The sparring of Knights and training of martial proficiencies are near-continuous here, both to train new Apprentices and to keep the skills of veterans sharp. On occasion, however, this training ground is made available to the public, where the fearsome Master of the Grounds will pit paying visitors against the grueling obstacle courses and tests of physical prowess that lie within.

Friendly visitors or those specifically looking to learn the combat/weapon proficiencies of the Knights themselves are particularly welcome, and may even be assisted by senior Knights. However, disreputable individuals may instead find themselves either denied access or subjected to especially difficult challenges to test their worth.

## Course and Current Location

**CURRENT LOCATION: BLARG**
**EN ROUTE TO: NOT MOVING**

The Holy Fleet makes a point of visiting as many nations as it can, but typically cycles through the most major nations as its own economics require. They naturally avoid warzones/areas of expected conflict, and always are sure to obtain the permission of the local governing body for the privilege to operate within their space for the desired period.

## Reputation Effects

**Benefits**
* All prior benefits, but with expanded access to important individuals/services
* Access to the Training Grounds
* Knights may be more amenable to sparring with you
* Easier/cheaper to apply for passenger status

**Requirements**
* Gaining the trust of a Knight of Banneret rank or higher, or equivalent clergy rank.
* Alternatively, being an important representative of a friendly government
* Alternatively, being a significant financial sponsor of the Holy Fleet

**Benefits**
* General access to the Holy Fleet's public storefront and service vessels
* Protected as a visitor of the Fleet
* May speak to lower level representatives of the clergy to express interest in the Aureolist faith
* May apply to work as a low-level crew member of the Fleet or a paid passenger

**Drawbacks**
* Knights will be notified of your status and keep closer watch on you.
* Knights may deny you access to the Training Grounds.
* The Training Grounds will be harder and more expensive to use.
* You may be denied access to sale/purchase of special or dangerous goods.
* You will most likely be denied any form of long-term passage aboard the fleet.

**Drawbacks**
* You will be forbidden from visiting the Holy Fleet.
* Being found on the fleet anyways will result in eviction by force.
* Knights may take other hostile actions against you.

## Relations

The Holy Fleet itself maintains a general policy of neutrality and friendship across nations and cultures, both as part of its religious tenets and in the interest of preserving its privileges to do business in as many nations as possible. It does its best to entreat itself to the controlling power of its current location, even deferring law enforcement of visitors when necessary. Additionally, it maintains a high standard of ethics in its business and trade, and generally avoiding the circumvention of local laws and restrictions in its offered goods.