There are three types of monastic orders in Shanidar. Contemplative orders draw away from the world to try to attain true innocence and purity. Active orders (also called mendicant orders) work among the populace for the good of the world. Military orders combine monastic life with that of a soldier. Military orders are concerned with fighting the wars of the Church, particularly the Crusades. Members of contemplative orders are called monks and nuns; members of mendicant orders are friars and sisters; members of military orders are called brothers. Within an order members refer to each other as brother or sister.
The following are large monastic orders with Abbeys and Convents all over the Empire. Independant abbeys and convents do exist.
Iedras, the All-Mother
Brothers of the Rising Sun - An order not truly contemplative nor mendicant, the Brothers of the Rising Sun are the administrative order of the Church. They run the major churches and cathedrals, as well as supplying most of the parish priests.
Consean, the Honorable and Chaste
Order of Simon - The Order of Simon is a contemplative order, most of whose members take the Triple Vows. They are a very reclusive order, but will not turn away penitents or petitioners.
Sisters of Lucille - The only order of nuns recognized by the Church, although many independant convents exist, not part of any larger order. The Sisters of Lucille are reknowned as healers.
Osthis, the Vigorous
Brothers of Virtue - A mendicant order, the Brothers of Virtue are the missionary arm of the Church. Within this role, the Black Cloaks (as they are often known) are a familiar sight throughout the Empire. The Brothers of Virtue are a rich and powerful order and have been given the task of the "Purification".
Knights of Virtue - The military counterpart to the Brothers of Virtue, these two orders collectively referred to, sometimes sarcastically, as "The Virtuous". While there are plenty of dedicated and truly virtuous Knights, it is well known that the upper echelons of this order are rife with corruption. The Knights were at the vangaurd of the Crusade and help the Brothers of Virtue in their campaign against heresy.
Baseo, Master of Innocent Pleasures
The Albertan Brethren - The Albertan brethren are a contemplative order devoted to Baseo. Although their members rarely leave their monasteries, they tend to build these abbeys near towns and often have an open relationship with the community. With their shaven heads and brown robes, Albertans are reknowned as funloving, helpful monks. Individual Albertan abbeys often specialize in the arts (illuminated texts, sculpture) or in brewing ales, wine and spirits.
The Healers - A mendicant order dedicated to healing, these friars are also known as Hospitallers. They use magic herbal and mundane methods of healing and are rarely bothered by anyone in the Empire.
Iedrahnc, Ruler of Forbidden Knowledge
The three orders devoted to Iedrahnc are the only religious orders that dare to manipulate the Essence and are collectively known as the "Dark Brothers". While they have great influence, their power has waned in the last century as they have had to censure many of their brethren and occasionally whole abbeys for spreading the Dualism heresy.
The Librarians - The closest thing to universities in the Empire are the Iedrahnc Libraries. Mainly situated in large cities, these abbeys maintain large collections of books and writings thought to be inappropriate to the people at large. Though a contemplative order, the Librarians are thought to be heavily involved in politics
Iedrahnc Sodality - Dedicated to stamping out the Cult of Derimidos, the Demonslayers, as they fashion themselves, can be easily noticed in a crowd by the fact that no-one wants to come withing six feet of them. Whispers of Demonslayers being consumed by their experiments compete with rumors of what those experiments might entail. The Iedrahnc Sodality and the Fist of Iedrahnc (see below) are the only acceptible places for an Essence magician to exist, within the Church.
Fist of Iedrahnc - Smallest of the three military orders, the Fist is unusual in that its paladins are as likely to wield the Essence as channel divine power. All Fists appear to wear a rigid leather breastplate (although some cover a steel breastplate, or chain) as, in the Crusades, they learned that it didn't take long for their opponents realized that they could cut down the essence wielders by targeting those in lighter armor.
Zute, Finder & Protector of Lost Children
Warders of the Wood - Generally found nestled in a glade in a woods, the Warders are a mendicant, almost military order, composed primarily of rangers. Often considered the most dependable and honest of the military orders, Warders pride themselves as knowing the woodland of the Empire as well as anyone.
Uillis, Builder and Defender
The Engineers - Consulted for any major building project, the friars and laybrothers of the Engineers know building like no others. All major churches and cathedrals have a Mason position manned by one of the Engineers.
Defenders - Smallest of the military orders, Defenders maintain the castles on the edge of the Holy Land built during the Crusades, as well as any other border castles. While considered more honest than the Knights of Virtue, the Defenders isolation has occasionally made them prey to heresies, especially Universality and Pharisianism.