“That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die.”
― Lovecraft, The Nameless City
The Orthodoxy is often seen as the most fanatical and militant of the Major Nightborn Factions, and its members would not have it any other way. They feel justified in this behavior, as their central dogma stems from fear of the truth behind the Origin of Vampires and the founding of the Nightborn Lineages.
The Nightborn did not always exist, there was a time before these bloodsuckers plagued the Earth. The way the Orthodoxy tells it, they are not nearly as bad as what used to be. In the time of pre-history, many calamities occurred dooming many bygone civilizations. Orthodoxy Sages claim these lost civilizations had sciences and magics which make modern technology seem primitive. Eldritch Horrors beyond understanding were the inciting actors in these series of apocalypses.
Nightborn were one of the echoes of this age of terror. They were a symptom of the devastation, and being first-hand witnesses to the destruction, the first Nightborn agreed to a set of agreements on how they would act with the intent to not repeat past mistakes.
The paramount rule is to Ward the Doom, which is often interpreted as a call to keep the past buried. Adventuring into Sites of Calamity is inviting a return of Otherworldly Horrors. For this reason, Orthodoxy Nightborn often seek to guard these areas, destroy recovered artifacts found there, and spread misinformation about History, including reinforcing what Mortals think happened.
Orthodoxy Nightborn see their strict ways as practical and in an effort to protect Nightborn and Mortals alike, even if that means killing those too close to the truth. This is not to say the Orthodoxy tries to stay ignorant themselves. After all, they need to know what they are trying to prevent in the first place. The Orthodoxy puts a lot of effort in studying Histories of the Occult and the Underworld. They also highly value and seek methods to better achieve their goals, even if this requires alliances or exchange of information.
The Orthodoxy’s relationship with the Establishment can be strained at times. The Establishment does not appreciate how often the Orthodoxy asks for resources and support on their efforts to Ward over Supernatural Sites or Raid a base of Hunters who are getting to close to Nightborn Origins. The Orthodoxy, in turn, is frustrated with The Establishment’s focus on Mortal Institutions and Social Control, pursuits they see as unimportant in comparison to incomprehensible doom.
The Libertines and the Orthodoxy are often polar opposites. The Libertines have little regard for the Ancient Ways. The way they seek it, the Horrors of the past were in the past, and Nightborn Society should move on. The Orthodoxy views the Libertines’ penchant for uninhibited experimentation, exploration, and debauchery to be reckless and heretical. This is not to say there is no cross-faction exchange, the Orthodoxy has made use of Libertine discoveries in their Eternal Vigil.
The Orthodoxy views Factionless as either lazy or simply uninitiated. If they see that a Nightborn has skill and potential, they may try to recruit them to the cause. The Orthodoxy does not handle Nightborn leaving their faction well. They have many secrets they feel only the Orthodoxy should know, so leaving the Faction may be a death sentence.
The Orthodoxy eye other Supernatural Creatures with suspicion Forbidden Sites are a serious concern for the Orthodoxy, so Territory conflicts are common. The Orthodoxy may strike deals with other Supernaturals that help them with their goals in the rare cases that motivations align. The Orthodoxy is the Nightborn faction most likely to go to all-out War with other Supernaturals and tend to be the experts in such matters, so much so, other Nightborn will seek out their support when attacked.
Mortals are seen as a resource at best and a nuisance at worst to the Orthodoxy. They see their work necessary to protect Nightborn Society, the Supernatural, and the Natural world alike; and that Mortals should be thankful for what they may never know.
In Nightborn’s New Orleans, the Orthodoxy’s power center is the French Quarter, particularly around Jackson Square. They take great joy in feeding on the pious and sinners alike, both local and tourist.
The Marra and Draugr are most often in the Orthodoxy faction, both Lineages concerned with guardianship and portents. Lamia and Dracul sometimes join their ranks, as these Lineages don’t shy from conflict. Bruxo and Ruthven are almost never part of the Orthodoxy, which they see as much too serious.
Members of the Orthodoxy often carry objects of silver. This both serves as a method to ward off or harm some other types of Supernatural Creatures, and as a way to hint their affiliation to other Nightborn.