The Crimson Dancer
The Crimson Dancer is a fighting order sponsored by the clerical Order of Kukshin. It is the only female fighting order of the church of Agrik. Formerly based in Rethem, the order was banished as a "political liability" after Brenlyn Shernath, the young sister of Baliela, assassinated Queen Eriel of Kanday in 694. Baliela regards her sister, who was caught and executed, as a martyr and venerates her as a saint. There is a hostel of the order in Shiran, but the isolated Orbaalese keep of Quimen has been the order's headquarters since 701 when they deemed it wise to leave Rethem. The order draws most of its recruits from martially inclined women of Orbaal who are disenchanted with an otherwise subservient role in society.
Most members are stationed in and around Quimen but small chapterhouses and garrisons may also be found at Kukshin temples in Geldeheim and Thursa (in Orbaal) and at Beleka and Harling (in Ivinia). Members of the fighting order typically accompany travelling priestesses as well.
The order's Akarata is Baliela of Shernath. A strong and merciless woman, she is also the sister of Brenlyn of Shernath, the assassin of Queen Eriel of Kanday during Ezar's War. The order has one Tenaka, Tamyne of Chukris. Known as “the cruelest woman in Seldenbaal”, she oversees the Ivinian branch of the order from Beleka.
Illriggers of the Crimson Dancer are always female, and always misandrous. They usually take contracts with Prince Rashkahn (Sanguine Knights).