Seraphites - In this story, they are headed by a figure known as the Eternal Matron.
Eternal Matron - She is the figurehead of the Seraphites. The Eternal Matron is chosen by prophecy or, most commonly, by the previous Matron. As she is chosen to speak for the now deceased Prophet, her words are the divine law and must be upheld, no matter the cost. Even Elders must adhere to the Eternal Matron’s words. Failure to do so will result in the gravest punishment.
It is the Matron’s duty to uphold the teachings of the Prophet and remind faithless souls that it is the sins of their ancestors that ruined the world. It is her role to save humanity from extinction-regardless of how much blood is spilled as the price.
As powerful as the Matron can be, she is not exempt from executions if chosen by her people, should they feel her time has come to step down.
Eternal Matron and her Maiden are connected, and the two cannot live without the other. It is the Eternal Matron’s responsibility that her Maiden fulfills her duties.
Without her Maiden, the Matron might be seen as weak willed. If she could not inspire her Maiden to carry the burden, then what can she do for her people? This will lead to the Matron’s death so a new, stronger one can take her place.
The Maiden - The Martyr of Haven. The Maiden holds great importance; above the Elders but below the Eternal Matron. It is she who is chosen to carry the sins of the Seraphites. Not all Seraphites enjoy the brutality of their ways; and thus the Maiden is born to ease their guilty minds. It is the Maiden’s undying devotion to the Matron that inspires the Seraphites to devote their bodies to the Prophet. The Maiden is said to have come from the Prophet’s love, whom after the Prophet’s execution, mutilated herself to inspire the disheartened Seraphites to kill those responsible.
The Maiden has no privileges, as a symbol that she is not above anyone but their equal. She can be picked off from the Seraphites as she will have deeper Glasgow scars and will never be left alone. It is common for Maidens to be completely under the influence of a drug her entire life so that she may properly serve her people without tarnishing her calm image.
The Maiden will bleed for the sins of her people. Self flogging used to be the main method but with the population of Haven growing by the day, the Maiden now has dedicated servants to bleed her.
