Work in Progress
This article is still a work in progress and changes are bound to happen.
Important Roleplay Info
This is a Secret Society, only those that are invited are supposed to know about it. Keep this in mind when roleplaying!
”The sea opened for us.
Or perhaps, it simply recognized us.” ~ Myrdin Windheim
Overview
The Order of Mytvran is a Secret Society founded by Myrdin Windheim in the aftermath of the Great Terror, the catastrophic event that forced all peoples of the (current) Weltheas to flee their homelands by sea. Although widely regarded by outsiders as a cult, its members reject this label.
The Order worships Mytvran, a mysterious creature often depicted as a colossal squid with a single vast eye.
Historical Origins
The Terror
During the Terror, when the northern homeland became uninhabitable, vast fleets of evacuation ships carried refugees into exile.
Myrdin Windheim was then a child when he fled aboard one those vessels alongside his parents. During the crossing, both parents perished. Accounts differ as to whether this was due to starvation, sickness, or an accident.
On the night of their deaths, Myrdin claimed to have witnessed an oracle rising from the black water, visible only to him. The entity spoke without words, opening its immense eye and imparting what Myrdin later described as “the shape of survival.”
This being was later named Mytvran.
Founding of the Order
Myrdin Windheim did not immediately preach his revelations.
For an undisclosed 1 amount of time, he lived quitely in the now growing Weltheas, observing the people around him. According to later writings within the Order, he searched for individuals who possessed what he called “drowned sight.”
These individuals often shared certain traits: unusual calmness under pressure, heightened awareness of their surroundings, and an ability to perceive patterns in chaos. Myrdin referred to such people as “the Drowned.”
Only those deemed sufficiently “drowned” are ever invited into the Order. Despite being invited, the real test was the evaluation before being initiated. Logically, initiation occurs in strict secrecy.
Myrdin later claimed the title within the Order as “The First Navigator”, claiming to be the “finder of a worthy crew”.
Theology
Mytvran, the Deep-Eyed God
Mytvran is revered as a god of depth and observation.
Mytvran is often depicted as a colossal squid with a single eye. This eye is believed to perceive both the physical world and the underlying hidden truths.
Unlike many religions and deities in Weltheas, Mytvran is not prayed to for mercy, protection, or intervention. Members of the Order believe Mytvran merely witnesses.
Mytvran is said to dwell beneath all waters, in a metaphysical abyss often referred to by members of the Order as the Endless Trench. This place is not considered an afterlife, but a state of total awareness.
Beliefs and practices
Initiation process
All members of the Order must be invited by an existing member.
Recruitment rarely happens quickly. A potential initiate may be quietly observed for months or even years before an invitation is extended. Those who show curiosity, calmness, or an ability to perceive patterns in chaos may be considered suitable.
If the observer believes the individual may be “drowned enough,” they will eventually receive a letter. The letter does not explicitly name the Order or describe what membership entails. Instead, it contains an invitation to a conversation or gathering at a specific time and place.
Those who ignore the letter are never contacted again.
Those who attend are gradually introduced to members of the Order and the philosophy surrounding Mytvran. If the individual shows genuine curiosity rather than fear or blind devotion, they may be offered initiation.
The initiation ritual itself takes place in secrecy.
The initiate, referred to during the ritual as “The Drowned”, is blindfolded before entering the ritual space. Members explain this as a symbolic act: the Drowned cannot yet see the deeper truths and must therefore be guided toward the light.
During the initiation ceremony, the Drowned is led through a sequence of rituals. The exact words and gestures of the ritual are not recorded.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the blindfold is removed. This act is known within the Order as “Opening the Eye.”
From that moment forward, the Drowned is considered capable of seeing.
Discussions
One of the central practices of the Order is structured discussion.
Members gather in small structured groups to speak openly about events in the world, recent changes, rumours, disasters, and political movements.
These discussions are not debates, nor sermons. Listening is considered just as important as speaking, and showing respect to the perspectives of others is regarded as a fundamental virtue within the Order.
Ritualistic elements are often present: symbols placed in the center of gatherings, shared silence before and after discussion, or the recitation of traditional phrases. The overall focus remains on collective interpretation instead of instruction.
No conclusions are formally recorded.
Significance of “33”
The number 33 holds symbolic importance within the Order. Despite this, not a single explanation is universally accepted.
Common interpretations include:
- The believed amount of days Myrdin spent in silence after witnessing Mytvran.
- A symbolic measure of depth, representing the point at which light no longer reaches
Meetings are sometimes held in cycles of thirty-three days, and certain rituals are repeated thirty-three times. Members are discouraged from assigning fixed meaning to the number, as giving it an interpretation is considered a form of blindness.
Ranks within the Order
Hierarchy within the Order is referred to as stations, resembling maritime traditions. However, these stations do not represent authority in the traditional sense.
Outside the Order, individuals may hold influence, wealth, or political power, but within the Ship all members are considered equal.
Stations instead describe responsibilities within the Order rather than rank. They indicate the role a member currently fulfills in maintaining the voyage of the faith.
List of Ranks
- The First Navigator
- The Founder of the Order. The First Navigator presides over gatherings within the Ship, guides rituals, and moderates discussions between members.
- The Warden
- The protector of the Ship. The Warden ensures the Ship remains undisturbed during gatherings and is responsible for welcoming those entering the Ship.
- The Navigator
- Members who have proven their dedication and insight to the Order. During initiations, the Navigators guide the blindfolded Drowned into the ritual chamber.
- The Seekers
- The majority of the Order’s members. Seekers participate in discussions, observe the world beyond the Order, and contribute their interpretations during gatherings.
- The Drowned
- A temporary designation given to individuals undergoing initiation. During the ritual they are blindfolded, symbolizing their inability to see the deeper truths of the world.
Secrecy
Secrecy is a foundational value of the Order of Mytvran.
To outsiders, members of the Order may appear secretive, distant, or even conspiratorial. The Order rarely confirms or denies rumours about its existence, and members do not publicly identify themselves.
Secrecy is not being maintained for the sake of power, but to reserve the preservation of honest discussions. Members believe that truth becomes distorted when exposed to public expectations, political pressure and religious values.
Gatherings of the Order take place in a ritual space known simply as the Ship. Within the Ship, all members are considered equals: titles, wealth, social standing, and political influence have no place within its walls. A merchant, labourer, or council member speaks with the same voice during discussions.
Outside the Ship, members return to their ordinary roles within society.
Although members may not reveal their affiliation with the Order to outsiders, there are certain subtle symbols and ways to recognise someone who is part of the Order. These signs can be phrases, markings, objects in their homes, … Members are thus expected to know about these signs.
It should be clear that membership in the Order is entirely voluntary. Any member is free to leave the Order at any time without punishment or pursuit. However, those who depart are expected to maintain silence regarding the rituals, practices, and internal discussions of the Order.
Footnotes
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It is believed that Myrdin waited 33 days in silence before preaching his revelations. ↩