#machine magic

Founded with the rise of the immutable machines, the Order of the Sacred Gear hold the holy machines high as saviors of the world from the evils of magic. Their logic follows that the machines, powered by steam and science rather than magic, had less risk of body and soul involved than the both traditional magic, which took decades to learn and centuries to master, and the rune magic, which destroyed all it touched. 

Their crest is a six-toothed golden gear emblazoned on blood red cloth, and naturally their holy symbol is the very same gear plated in gold. Acolytes wear tight, stark white leather vestments, and as one rises through the ranks they earn the right to wear looser cloth clothes. The idea behind this is one born from both safety and worship. Loose clothes have a greater chance of being caught in the machines they maintain, but the higher ranking members of the Order have both the skill to avoid this and are believed to be blessed by the machines to not have this happen. Which is actually more relevant is up for debate.

Of special mention are the Knights of the Sacred Gear. Referred to as the “Cogs” by the common folk, they impose the will of the Order onto the people in the towns they govern. Armed with the latest developments in mechanical weaponry, and clad in gold-trimmed armor, great swashes of red cloth, and magnificent red capes flying the Sacred Gear, they storm the battlefield atop iron horses.