The Disciples of Virtue

The exact date of the formation of the Disciples of Virtue is not fully understood due to the loose organization and largely decentralized nature of the faction. Tradition among its Knighthood, however, has it that it has waxed and waned ever since humanity was aware enough to make its very first moral choices. The earliest papyrus scripts that could be recovered suggested that - as a formal group - the Disciples of Virtue existed as far back as the First Dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The Disciples of the period suffered persecution that eased as they began moving to the fringes of civilization, cultivating their values and sharing with wanderers who were interested.

There exist records of the Disciples aiding refugees displaced when the Persian Empire made its invasion of the Greek city-states. Several were even inducted into the ranks of the Disciples. During the Crusades and much of the Enlightenment Era, the faction was forced to dissolve to avoid persecution of the Catholic Church and later the Ottoman Empire - the Disciples lived on as independent tribes that held beliefs in common with each other.

Following the founding of the United States, the faction gained a resurgence as many of their descendants went to settle the new world. Living apart from, though not entirely separate from the rest of the country, the Disciples of Virtue found common ground with some denominations of Christianity. With the discovery of the Meta Gene, however, the faction - and especially its Knighthood - simultaneously found both a huge surge in allies as well as a great number of adversaries. Their tendency to accept even Meta into their ranks often means that there tends to be tension between themselves and the Heralds of Order.

In terms of organization, the Disciples of Virtue can be subdivided into four groups: the Disciples proper, the Knighthood, the Seraphic Court, and the Ascendants. The Disciples are the most numerous, consisting of millions upon millions of normal men and women that have devoted themselves to virtuous and selfless lives - from the police officer that keeps the peace to the doctor that works in the Emergency Room. Many may not even be aware that they are Disciples of Virtue.

The Knighthood is a collection of Disciples that have taken an oath to root out evil and defend the innocent. Despite the title as a “knighthood”, people of all talents and stripes can take the oath. This can be normal men and women, mages, freed undead, and even Meta. The Knighthood maintains a strict moral and ethical code, and has been known to cast out those who stray from their oath and tenets.

The Seraphic Court is the second-to-highest on the basis of rank. Consisting of beings celestial and supernatural, the Court effectively oversees the Knighthood. Most members are true immortals.

Finally, there are three Ascendants that act as the messengers between Compassion and the rest of the Disciples of Virtue. Truly angelic beings, these are the closest beings Compassion has to personal minions - all are autonomous, however. Compassion does not force her will or thoughts onto any of the Disciples of Virtue. The reason for this is well-thought out - as Compassion is merely a set of abstract concepts given form rather than a goddess, she is still corruptible and could be a negative influence if all her followers were connected to her.

This is why she elects to make only the most virtuous and rational beings to stand as her Ascendants and sit on the Seraphic Court - to keep her honest and aware of her duties. Most of the faction are thus autonomous beings through which Compassion has bonded with over time with trust and rapport.