Order
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The following page contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.
"Private Note. It's undeniable that operations at Cascade are being monitored by external forces. This much the Cascade Executive committee have been permitted to know. Exactly who has been infiltrating our communications, and to what ends, remains unknown." - Dr. Derek Manse |
The Supreme Order of the Stone (from Latin "Supremus Ordo Petrae"), commonly shortened to simply "The Order", is a mysterious and religious militant group who serve as the main antagonists in Abiotic Factor. They are first encountered as enemies starting in Manufacturing West, but a lone Order soldier can be found dying in the Silo 3 control room in the Office Sector.
Organization
The Order seems primarily concerned with the containment of that which they deem "Chaos". Throughout the game various messages and recordings from Derek Manse indicate GATE was being observed for some time by the Order, aided by a spy within the GATE Facilities. They are implied to be a very ancient group, although their exact age and origins are unknown.
As revealed in the Abiotic Factor First Day Trailer, the Order has indicted GATE on numerous accounts, including supernatural studies such as "Geomancy", "Demonology", and the "Study of Inscrutable Artifacts", but also more mundane scientific acts such as "Advanced Robotics" and "Particle Acceleration". While the former may have been included due to the GATE Automated Security Sentience (G.A.S.S.) program, this indicates the Order is concerned not only with preventing paranormal studies but also any fields of science which they consider heretical.
While its not entirely clear the exact foundations of the Order's faith, there are hints that at least some of their traditions are rooted in Catholicism and Gnosticism. Their uniforms prominently feature gnostic symbols such as the Ankh, and soldiers can be heard speaking to themselves and each other in a hybrid form of Latin. In the compendium it's mentioned Legates, or Order Captains, are sometimes referred to as 'Perfecti' in reference to "their Cathar-derived traditions." The language spoken by the Order was once more classical in origin, but has evolved to become an "almost impenetrable language entirely [of] its own."
The Order's troops are trained to overcome their enemies both physically and spiritually. Their internal structure seems vindictive, forcing those accused of "spiritual failure" to serve as shock troops. These Exulum, or Breachers, wear barred helmets at all times to represent their status as a pariah and may only redeem themselves on the frontlines. Inquisitors, or Lab Rats, are seen as "corrupted" for their role in studying enemy technology and are deeply distrusted.
Story
The Order are responsible for the main storyline of the game, as their direct assault on GATE's various facilities led to the containment failure and general chaos around the facility. In particular the removal of the Dark Lens led to the destabilization of GATE's Perforation Network, allowing portals to appear and lead anywhere. Any scientists or other GATE staff encountered by the Order were to be killed on sight.
The Order attempted a raid on the GATE Crown Control Facility in the town of Flathill, and successfully took control of the facility before being attacked by the Composers and chased away.
In Cascade Laboratories, the Order took control of the Control Center and hijacked the facility turret systems, turning them against the scientists they were once meant to protect.
It appears the Order is still largely ignorant to how much of GATE's research functions and its importance. In Anteverse XI, or The Train, an Order Captain can be seen threatening the scientist in charge of keeping the train running and demanding to know the importance of the train's perpetual motion.
Ranks
Currently, there are six known ranks/variations that Order Troops serve.
Triarii
See Also: Grunt
The Triarii are the Order's main footsoldiers. They are always armed with either a 
Montese SMG or 
Security Pistol and can be found very early on in Manufacturing West. The Triarii receive years of training and are considered some of the Order's finest troops.
Medics
See Also: Medic
Medics function very similar to Order Grunts but exclusively carry the Montese SMG. They can revive their fellow soldiers when they are downed but otherwise behave identical to Grunts.
Medics do not currently have a compendium entry and, as such, do not have any additional lore or a codename.
Legate
See Also: Captain
Legates are the Order's top field commanders, said to command with extreme zealotry. They are always armed with a 
Talagi Magnum.
They are trained to operate under foreign and often extremely hostile conditions when the Order is unable to fully assess a situation before deployment. As such, they are given a large amount of independence on the battlefield.
Legates are also sometimes referred to as the 'Perfecti' by their fellow soldiers. More than two Legates are usually never seen in the same location, although they are often located nearby other lower ranking troops.
Inquisitor
See Also: Lab Rat
Inquisitors function as the Order's field experts and researchers, studying enemy technology and other anomalies. They always carry on them a 
Rat Scanner and wear a special 
Rat Suit which seems to either emit or be covered in green particles. They avoid combat usually, often running away from the player while dropping assorted scrap behind them.
Inqusitors are not trusted by their fellow members, seen as noble yet corrupted for carrying out their task. However, their role is essential for the Order to carry out its operations.
Exulum
See Also: Breacher
The Exulum are those deemed pariahs by the rest of the order, for either betraying their honor or exhibiting any spiritual failings. They always carry a 
Romag Shotgun and wear a distinctive barred helmet to reflect their disgraced position.
For their misdeeds the Exulum are punished, and sentenced to being frontline shock troops until they have redeemed themselves. They are known for being particularly ferocious, and refusing to accept further failure.
The Exulum do not begin appearing until the player enters Cascade Laboratories.
Sagittarii
See Also: Sniper
The Sagittarii (singular: Sagittari) are members of the most secret order within the Order itself. They carry high-damage sniper rifles and attack the player at long ranges. Their line of sight is always indicated by an orange laser sight, which can help the player avoid them.
They are stated to practice disciplinary schools that originate from ancient Roman archery schools in Parthia, from around the 2nd Century BCE. Their foundation is said to be in the aftermath of the Albigensian Crusade in the 12th Century. Little else is known of them.
Opprimo
See Also: Rook
The Opprimo are described as being the most savage of the Order's infantry - preferring close quarter combat over ranged weapons. Their creed states "like spiritual knowledge itself, the intimacy of combat demands an unmediated encounter with the enemy. Sharing blood is a sacred act."
They are specialists who are only encountered by the player during their assault on Voussoir.
Mountaineers
See Also: Mountaineer
Mountaineers do not currently have a compendium entry and, as such, do not have any additional lore or a codename.
Mountaineers are only encountered by the player during their assault on Voussoir.
Close-Quarters Combatants
See Also: Close-Quarters Combatant
Close-Quarters Combatants do not currently have a compendium entry and, as such, do not have any additional lore or a codename.
Close-Quarters Combatants are only encountered by the player during their assault on Voussoir.
Saboter
See Also: Sapper
Saboters are sent alongside heavy troopers for demolition jobs. They wear the Sapper Suit white variant of the Inquisitor armor. They are typically Inquisitors who have failed in the line of duty, though Inquisitors may also volunteer for the role.
High Inquisitor
See Also: Hasta Tria
High Inquisitors are high ranking members of the order, outranking field command in terms of authority, specializing in study of enemy technology, anomalies, and management. They wear a unique variant of the rat suit.
Interfector
Top of the line Order tactical members, a sisterhood said to be capable of razing the entirety of Cascade to the ground along with everyone inside.
Divinitors
Little is known about the Divinitors except their authority to excommunicate members of the Order as well as assign the position of Exulum, suggesting they hold authority over most if not all other Order ranks.
Praetors
The Praetors outrank the Divinitors and handle entire divisions of the Order during their assault plans.
The Tribunal
The apex of the Order hierarchy and leaders of the entire group. The group is suggested to have members who hold absolute authority over the entire organization.
Named Members
- High Inquisitor Hasta Tria (Investigator Spear Three)
- Inquisitor Sydyk (Investigator ???)
- Legate Cornix Tria (Officer Crow Three)
- Legate Messor Prima (Officer Reaper One)
- Legate Aquilae (Officer Eagles)
- Legate Aries (Officer Ram)
- Legate Samarkis (Officer ???)
- Praetor Nomon (Governor Name)
- Praetor Aggasi (Governor ???)
- Divinitor Altussi (Seer High-Pitched)