Order of Ma'Shas
The Order of Ma'Shas is a Kamism-affiliated organization almost exclusively operant inside the continent of D'hennex. It is the sister Order of the Order of Leth-Kemii. While the two Orders have memberships that span the society from the lowest peasant devotee to the noblest, wealthiest pontiffs, the heads of Ma'Shas and Leth-Kemii exclusively orchestrate and administrate the Kamist church in the southern continent. Of the two, the Order of Ma'Shas is more militant and aggressive than its sister.
Principles
Brothers of Ma'Shas value, above all else, the preservation of life and the human spirit, which they view as gifts from the Kami himself. They are a crusading order, travelling abroad to spread word of the Kami and seeking to destroy abhorrations to its teachings, such as the Undead and artificially intelligent machines.
Higher-ranked members of the Ma'Shas tend to take up more military occupations, a vast majority of them specializing in the manipulation and use of the Bladefocus, and commanding a metaphysical force that transcends the boundaries of Ki and Psionics, known as the Focus. Experience and skill in the field of battle frequently dictates promotions within the Order. Thus, the top-tier members of the Order of Ma'Shas, who take part in ruling church matters, are usually warlords and generals, in their own right.
Ma'Shas delegates loathe wars between Humans, however, as these are lose/lose situations every time. They tend to avoid becoming involved in their back and forth, and can often instead be seen as messengers of peace between warring countries, attempting to settle down volatile situations. The Ma'Shas are great advocates for Human unity. While they are not bigoted against aliens, when Earth suffers extraterrestrial attacks, these monks will not hesitate to join their racial brothers in arms and be on the foremost lines of battle.
The Bladefocus
Upon securing the rank of Warrior Knight, Ma'Shas monks are gifted their own Bladefocus. The Bladefoci are devices made of purified, blessed, and gilded steel about the size of an unguarded large sword's hilt. These lightweight objects, in the hand of a trained monk, can effortlessly emit a burning blade of Ki. This blade can cut in any direction, and through almost any material or impediment, depending on the spiritual strength of its wielder. Ma'Shas Knights train ceaselessly in the operation of these weapons, quickly becoming uncanny swordsmen who can repel lightning-fast energy projectiles back at their owners, and attack with inconceivable accuracy.
Knights eventually learn how to construct their own Bladefoci, in the event that they lose their own. Even so, each Ma'Shas guards his or her weapon as though it were a beloved son or daughter, regardless of their skill.
The Focus
The Focus is a mysterious pool of ascendance which both Ma'Shas and Leth-Kemii draw from, but in different ways. The Focus is said to be invisible and undetectable, and connects all things living.
Throughout its ranks, the Ma'Shas Order is taught about the existence of the Focus. After achieving the rank of Warrior Knight, they are taught how to actually contact it and bring it into one's own being. As they grow more proficient and at one with the Focus, they gain nearly clairvoyant vision of combat, acting on events they feel before they even occur. Experienced masters can concentrate the Will of the Focus into powerful bolts of energy which can be especially disruptive against all manner of resisting energies, yet nearly harmless when used directly against living things.
It is said that those with complete mastery over the Focus needn't fear death, for their unbound soul can use it as a channel between planes, visiting people in the mortal world for brief periods. Even then it is used sparingly, however, for every Ma'Shas at that level has great respect for the cycle of life and death, and is likely, in the Afterlife, loyally serving the deities of that realm where they see fit.
