The Hierarchy of Evil
Burn the corruption and the taint of evil from all Eberron. Other gods have begun the creation, but it is the Silver Flame, by searing wickedness and darkness from their imperfect world, that must complete it.
The Purified believe in a hierarchy of evil. All wickedness must eventually be purged, but some are of more immediate import and is more heavily damaging to the world itself, than other sources of wickedness. Not that the Church feels any evil is acceptable or less important: this is strictly an issue of prioritization. In simple terms, the hierarchy of evil is as follows.
- Entities of alien evil. These include evil outsiders and many aberrations. Being not merely creatures of innate malevolence, but also foreign to Eberron, these entities cause the most harm to the physical and spiritual health of the world.
- Entities of unnatural evil. These include undead and lycanthropes, creatures that were native to Eberron but corrupted into something hideous.
- Entities of innate evil. These include most creatures that are malevolent as a group, such as medusas, yuan-ti, and hags, but are not unnatural.
- Those who choose evil. This includes all evil humanoids, warforged, and the like. Though the cliche of the Purified shows no mercy to evildoers, most real followers of the Flame seek to save these people, not destroy them. Human evil should be fought with compassion, diplomacy, and leading by example. Whenever possible, people should be shown the error of their ways and have the chance to correct their behavior. If this is not possible, the sword might be the only answer: it should never be the first choice, however.
- The evil within. Even the most devout follower of the Silver Flame holds sin in his heart. The Purified believe that once all other evil is destroyed, mortals must purge the very desire for it from their souls. Only then will the demon be expelled from the Silver Flame, and final traces of evil vanish form the world.
