Glossary

New Covenant Militia Ranks

Catechumen (cat‑eh‑KYOO‑men)

The entry‑level rank of the militia. Boys begin service as Catechumens at age thirteen, receiving foundational instruction in discipline, weapons handling, physical conditioning, and basic Doctrine.

Acolyte

The second rank of the militia. Acolytes are advanced trainees who have completed basic instruction and begun specialized drills in tactics, survival, and militia procedures for their assigned section.

Legionary

The third rank of the militia and the core enlisted force. Legionaries conduct routine patrols, drills, and defensive operations, and are expected to maintain full combat readiness.

Guardian

The fourth rank of the militia. Guardians supervise squads of 4-6 Legionaries, lead patrols, and ensure the tactical and disciplinary readiness of their units.

Watchman

The fifth and highest enlisted rank. Watchmen oversee 6-10 Guardians, enforce discipline among enlisted personnel, and report directly to the officer corps.

Messenger

The first officer rank. Messengers manage 3-5 Watchmen, coordinate the execution of orders, and ensure communication between enlisted units and higher command.

Shepherd

The second officer rank. Shepherds oversee 2-3 Messengers and are responsible for operational planning, logistics, and maintaining cohesion across multiple units.

Captain

The third officer rank. Captains command 3 Shepherds and supervise large operational groups, including multi‑squad deployments and coordinated missions.

Overseer

The fourth officer rank. Overseers direct major militia sections such as Border Patrol, Virtue Squads, Training, Intelligence, and Medical. They are responsible for policy implementation and section‑level strategy.

Bishop

The fifth officer rank. Bishops advise the Grand General, interpret Doctrine for military application, and serve as the primary liaison between the militia and the clergy.

Grand General

A hereditary position and one of the Big Three. The Grand General holds supreme authority over all militia operations, strategy, and internal governance.

New Covenant Terms

Alien

Beings believed by the colony to have been created by Satan to destroy humanity. Said to have arrived on Earth in 2092 and portrayed as the antithesis of God’s angels.

Border Patrol

A militia section responsible for guarding the colony’s perimeter. Border Patrol units monitor for alien activity, enforce boundary laws, and mobilize in the event of an invasion.

Contractor

Profession that oversees the writing of contracts.

Doctrine

The colony’s expanded interpretation of Biblical law. Doctrine governs daily life, social structure, acceptable belief, and moral conduct.

Executive Governor

One of the Big Three. Oversees administrative functions of the colony and conveys civilian concerns to leadership. Elected by eligible male voters: men over thirteen who have served at least one day in the militia and have no criminal convictions. Serves a five‑year term.

Gender Law

A set of regulations dictating the dress, behavior, and roles of men and women. Violations are considered Doctrine offenses and are subject to punishment.

High Preacher

One of the Big Three. The highest religious authority in the colony, elected from within the clergy. Responsible for interpreting Doctrine and overseeing all religious instruction.

Militia

The colony’s compulsory military organization. All boys serve from ages thirteen to eighteen. Men not accepted into a Profession remain enlisted for life. The militia maintains internal order and defends against perceived alien threats.

Militia Section

Branch of service. Sections include Training, Border Patrol, Virtue Squads, Intel, and Medical.

Profession

A lifelong career path. At age eighteen, men apply to several organized Professions; acceptance grants status, training, and defined duties. Rejection results in permanent enlisted militia service. Professions include militia officer, contractor, farmer, salesman, and clergy.

Profession Counsil

Each profession has an independent Profession Counsil. Councilmen vote on applications and ensure compliance with bylaws.

Set Aside

A legal annulment in which a man leaves his wife and takes another. Typically granted for infertility or for the wife’s violations of Doctrine.

Soul Cleansing

Public confession and punishment before the church congregation for Doctrine violations identified by the Virtue Squads.

The Big Three

The colony’s ruling triumvirate: the Grand General, the High Preacher, and the Executive Governor.

The Other Side

The world beyond the colony’s borders. Taught to be a wasteland of sin, corruption, and alien infestation.

Unbelief

The refusal to accept the Bible or Doctrine as truth. Considered a capital crime.

Virtue Squad

Internal patrol units that enforce Doctrine. They investigate and punish offenses such as working on the Sabbath, skipping church, unbelief, women earning income, homelessness, and gender violations.

This is a living document that will update as the story progresses.