Tactical and Scouting Report - Order of the Blazing Sun

I have just returned from scouting the Blazing Sun in their warcamp.
With my reptilian form and the aid of Arawyn’s fauna (and a great deal of luck!), I was able to observe them for some time.

The cult seems divided amongst itself. About half of them appear eager and ready to fight—sharpening their weapons, preaching their words. The other half appear to be in some sort of trance, with blank stares and lost looks. The only things I heard these members say was amens and generic praises to Valos. Most interestingly: I did notice that one of these ‘lost’ members had a prominent scar across his temples when he removed his helmet. Theory: some sort of lobotomization or brainwashing? Puppetry? Physicians, please weigh in.

I was able to witness the induction of new members into this Order. It appears to be extreme cultlike or military-style indoctrination, designed to break these people down mentally and physically until they believe everything they are told. These members are told to work long hours at hard labor without water, food, or rest, and made to repeat prayers over and over again. These prayers seem to talk about placing the Order above “normal men” and exalt their leaders to be “Hands of Valos” (have any clergy or scholars heard this term before?) These people are told over and over that they are the “chosen of Valos”, until they believe this rhetoric. I saw one member try to question this brainwashing, and he was swiftly bullied by his peers into stepping back in line. Surprisingly (and scarily), he wasn’t bullied physically, but verbally manipulated into submission.
The amount of large scale emotional manipulation and sheer gaslighting that was present here made me have to hold back vomit. While these new members came willingly, it is clear from my observation that they have no idea what they are getting themselves into and are being brainwashed and manipulated by the leadership.

Important Tactical Information: I heard rumbles of people talking about weapons. Unknown what they were referring to. Heard someone mention “these weapons were similar to High Templar Hyram.” Members questioned what a person had to do to "receive such a high blessing to become one of these weapons.” They were told if Valos “deems your soul worthy then [they] shall be rewarded justly."
Turning people into weapons?? Need more information! Does that name ring a bell with anyone?
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS THE ORDER DOING TO THESE POOR PEOPLE
SO MUCH MANIPULATION
Could this be related to the trancelike people mentioned above?

Spotted 7 people in a more guarded area of the warcamp, but even birds could not approach without being shot at. Do not know who these people are or what they are doing. 3 others have recently joined them in the inner sanctum but these three have just been kneeling (probably praying).
Potentially the leaders? Unknown, not enough information.

I am relieved to report that I looked for and saw no light paladins amongst this order. I theorize everyone here draws their power from the same source.

While there are many different opinions on how best to handle this Order, please let this thread be a place to focus on tactical discussion and analysis.

We thank you Annora,
We are glad for you that no Paladins appear to be with them,

We are familiar with one method in witch one may be turned into a weapon,
We owned one that did this to themselves at one point,
If they happen to be doing this psionicly, we ask them to be ours to deal with.

As someone with this experience, I warn there may be no saving these thralls if their mind has been altered; for those who care for this self indulgent luxury.
To us they still chose to show of their own.

***Not Caelvan***

While I do not know if "Hands of Valos" mean the same as "Hand of Death" I know about the title "Hand" in my faith.

In the sands it is the Hands duty to enact the force behind the Voices(priests) and ensure the wheel of Fate turns. Due to this they are at least a Cleric, but more often Templars, as to have some knowledge of His teachings.

-Gal'Azin Merikh Tazam

Thank you, Annora. This is incredibly valuable information.

I am in general agreement with Merikh's assessment. "Weapon" and "Hand" used in this way have more traditionally referred to a person who has given themselves over wholeheartedly to a higher power and become something we would equate to a Templar or similar person, rather than a literal armament. It is not impossible that it is a literal statement, but I think it highly unlikely.

If half their number have truly had their minds altered to the point of compliance, it may be possible to hijack the rhetoric to turn them from whatever it is the leadership is intending to have them do (which is probably be cannon fodder).

Speech has patterns. Match the pattern, control the army.

Thank you Annora, I will collect this information for the paper. This is all very good to know.

I will say there were paladins when we fought them in the past, but if you could not detect them then we may be in luck.

-V.Wainwright

Annora,

This is invaluable information.
I am cooking up a strategy as we speak.
My one question. Are the more wayward of the flock easily distinguished from the higher ranking, officers and seasoned followers?

On my honor,