City Dweller Sverdvolk Cults
The Sverdvolk are a secret society on the order of the Society of Righteous Fists (also known as the "Boxers") in China or the Thugee in India. Like the those Earth-bound organizations, their secret lies in their membership rather than their existence. Alas, also like those Earthly groups, the Sverdvolk are rabidly reactionary, opposing not only the various colonial influences, but the very presence of Earthmen on the Red Planet.
The Sverdvolk are said to refer to themselves as the First Born, apparently in reference to the belief that their lineage is the oldest of the Grandchildren of Belsiash. Sverdvolk doctrine seems to lean heavily on traditional ways even more so than the ordinary, hide-bound City Dwellers. This focus is especially seen in the Sverdvolk devotion to traditional forms of combat. When cultists have gathered for war, they have armed themselves with hand-to-hand weapons. While such armament might seem laughable to a civilized man armed with a modern rifle, the courage and determination shown by the Sverdvolk easily rivals that of the Ansar or the Zulu.
It is difficult to obtain details about Sverdvolk hierarchy, a situation not made any easier by numerous charlatans and "false prophets" who trade on the respect and fear engendered by true Sverdvolk cultists. One thing is clear, ordinary City Dwellers as well as cult devotees revere the martial adepts known as Sverdlinkers, the Masters of the Sword Path. Many tales are told of the great skill and mystical abilities of the Sverdlinkers. They are said to be masters of the Pa, an invisible energy that permeates the universe and can be channeled to great effect by a true master. While a Sverdlinker's skill with a blade, especially with the two-handed zwai-sverd, can be astonishing, stories of superhuman abilities can be nothing more than tales set about to enhance the prestige and mystery surrounding the Sverdlinkers.
-- Tarassi, Sverdlinker