[center][u][b]The Mihra[/b][/u][/center]

[b]Origins[/b]
[indent]Few outside of the Mihra know where they came from so many years ago. Stories and legends exist of a gallant people who arrived on these shores in the darkest hours when it seemed evil need only cast the final blow. From the east, some stories claim, others that they came from the south - forced out of their own lands. The Mihra themselves are quiet on the matter, whether it is because too many years have passed and they too have forgotten, or because it is just one more tightly held secret, is unknown except to those at the highest levels. If they ever were a different people, they have long since assimilated into the various cultures found in Terlayne.[/indent]

[b]Structure[/b]
[list][*]Jhae'Mihra
[indent]The head of the Mihra, both spiritually and politically. The Jhae rarely travels outside of Ylavin, city of the Mihra. Few below the level of Nhae speak to or see the Jhae. [/indent][/*]
[*]Nhae'Mihra
[indent]The ruling council of the Mihra. Consisting of 7 members, they are second only to the Jhae. They serve as the Jhae's advisers, as well as his (or her) eyes and ears on matters of the realm. The Nhae are the intermediaries between the head of the order and all those below - within the religious order and without. These are the individuals that go to the Emperor or influential client-kings when called up on. The Ral and some Val'Mihra serve this group.[/indent][/*]
[*]Ral'Mihra
[indent]The Ral are individuals leading a specific study, or department, within the order. [/indent][/*]
[*]Val'Mihra
[indent] The largest population of the Mihra. These are fully initiated members of the order - whatever their specialization or lack there of. Most of the Mihra ranks will reach no further than this level, as such, an unofficial hierarchy exists within the rank. Most Val spent anywhere from 5 to 10 years as a Sul before being allowed to take their vows and enter into service of the various Rals. Most Val are not found in Ylavin, but spread across all of Terlayne.[/indent][/*]
[*]Sul'Mihra
[indent]The acolytes of the Mihra. Until they take their vows, they are known as the Sul and live heavily regulated lives. They come from all walks of life - street urchins to the daughters (and rarely, sons) of kings and emperors. It is rare for a Sul to leave the city unless it is to leave the Mihra - for good. Any who enter the order and leave before taking their vows are not allowed entry again. Once taking the vows, however, there is no turning back. [/indent][/*][/list]

[b]Beliefs[/b]
[indent]They are first and foremost, a religious organization. Though the manner of "worship" invades all aspects of daily life, regardless of status. It is well known that there is a Mihra in every court of the land, and oft said that it is the Mihra who make the decisions, not the rulers nor emperor. 

In short, the Mihra embrace and worship all that is Order and cast off all that is is not. There is not so much a "god" of Order, no personification or bodily image of what is worshiped. Instead, it is an all-encompassing way of life. To worship anything else, any of the old ways or gods, is heresy and met with swift punishment and cleansing by the Mihra. It has been many years since the last large purge - although from time to time a cult must be taken care of. The Mihra have a tome that includes every sin against order - and is added to as needed. Although this tome is not used as the law of the land per se, it's influence in the political and judicial sphere cannot be denied. All in all, there are roughly 10,000 sins included, all succinctly described and defined in whatever degree warranted. Punishment for those in the ranks of the Mihra are detailed as well. These sins break down into three main types - sins against humanity (IE. theft, murder, assault...), sins against authority (IE. rebellion, treason, smuggling...), and moral sins (IE. slavery, homosexuality, consumption of banned substances...). [/indent]

[b]Talents[/b]
[indent]The Mihra are the only group to teach and cultivate, the use of Talents - of magic.In fact, it is only within the confines of the Mihra that those who possess a Talent can live freely. Talents are rare among the population, but the Mihra seek them out with fervor. Those who think to escape their grasp either live a life of constant running or are killed - either by the Mihra or by scared townsfolk. Magic and talents are poorly understood outside of the Order, a fact that they do little to dissuade. It is better to have a people fearful of those who can manipulate the numerous facets of reality. It is rare to find a group willing to hide the apostates, unless they too are members of a cult. Most who have Talents then, find themselves at Ylavin long before adulthood. 

Talents typically present themselves around the age of 3, sometimes later, sometimes earlier depending on the Talent in question. Each person, at least as far back in recorded history as available, will have only one. Some range from the mundane - a perfect sense of direction, to the extreme - the manipulation of the mind or elements. Each person seems to be different in what they can do or how they do it. Much is not understood, even by the Mihra, as so much was lost following the events five centuries ago. What is known, or at least observed with great frequency, is that a Talent comes with a cost. The costs are as varied and unique as the Talents - some even deadly if the magic is misused. Study for those with Talents is far more rigorous than the talentless initiates, not only for the safety of that student, but for those around them as well.[/indent]