Followers of the Falling Fire

“One day soon, we will near the end of our world — an age where great heroes will be needed. These holy stones were heaven-sent so we might prepare our spirits to meet the all-consuming shadows. In our darkest moment, the Sacred Flame will set alight our blazing hearts as one.”

— Lucretia Mathias, Book One of the Testament of the Falling Fire

The Followers of the Falling Fire are a religious sect who believe the meteor signaled a celestial prophecy, and consider delerium a holy sacrament. Called to pilgrimage by the prescient testament of their leader, Lucretia Mathias, zealous masses of devout common-folk now journey to the crater’s edge to take their place in a divine plan.

Background

The Faith of the Sacred Flame has long looked to the stars for guidance. The flickering stars cast within the Astral Void symbolize how the faithful see their place in the cosmos: points of light holding darkness at bay. Scripture tells how a shooting star inspired Saint Tarna to seek redemption before a pair of angels. The story of a blackguard turned paladin who founded the Faith itself established an important message within the religion: that from the deepest darkness may arise the brightest light.

Lucretia Mathias was one such Flamekeeper who read omens in the night sky, and was regarded as one of the most learned and wise amongst the clergy. She channeled immense divine power, and invoked miracles that have not been witnessed in a generation. A decade before the meteor destroyed Drakkenheim, she beheld a vision of a falling star that would arrive on earth and signal a great upheaval for the faithful. Despite her reputation, her visions were dismissed as an apocalyptic fantasy and largely suppressed at the time.

Her visions proved true; right down to the hour. However, even Lucretia Mathias did not expect the actual destruction the meteor would cause, nor did she anticipate it would annihilate her birthplace, Drakkenheim. She spent several years afterwards contemplating the heavens and several strange stones recovered from the city. Her conclusion was dire indeed: the world stands on the precipice of darkness unending. Yet within delerium, she saw the spark of salvation. Though the stones are the stuff of chaos, black charcoal and midnight oil may fuel a great flame. Perhaps if taken up by righteous souls, the crystals might become an earthly vessel for the Sacred Flame itself. Rather than fall to all-consuming shadows, Lucretia Mathias prophesied a New Age of Heroes that could meet the coming night. She spoke widely about her beliefs and discoveries, and her fiery sermons galvanized a throng of loyal supporters who proselytized her new creed across Elyria, Westemär, and Caspia. As her support grew, she resolved to make a pilgrimage to the crater itself to confirm her revelations.

Meanwhile, the mainstream clergy reacted to delerium with disgust and horror. When Lucretia Mathias returned from her pilgrimage bearing a delerium crystal embedded in her own body, she was declared a heretic and excommunicated. However, she refused to be silenced. Escaping Elyria, she expanded her original writings and published them as the Testament of the Falling Fire. This religious essay proclaimed a radical new doctrine for the faith, and called upon all devout believers to make pilgrimage to the crater in Drakkenheim. Those who finish this arduous journey partake in a controversial rite known as the Sacrament of the Falling Fire.

Attire

The Followers of the Falling Fire give up most of their worldly possessions. Many are clad only in sackcloth jerkins or monastic robes, and often carry salvaged weapons adapted from everyday equipment and tools.

Strongholds

While the Falling Fire is now sending missionaries out all over the world, they have four important holdings in Drakkenheim.

Hendrix Farm. Pilgrims camp out here in Emberwood Village before embarking on the last stage of their journey to the crater.

Champion’s Gate. Not a stronghold in any true sense, the pilgrims use Champion’s Gate as a waypoint on their way to the crater’s edge or Saint Selina’s Monastery.

Chapel of Saint Gresha. Located on the edge of the crater, this is the place where Lucretia Mathias performs the Sacrament of the Falling Fire each day at dawn.

Saint Selina’s Monastery. Located in the Deep Haze, this is the sanctuary for members of the Falling Fire who have completed their pilgrimage and taken the Sacrament.

Objectives

• Transform Drakkenheim into a Holy Site
• Spread and defend their new faith
• Claim the lost relic of Saint Vitruvio

Key Characters

The vast majority of the Followers of the Falling Fire are commoners, mere pilgrims seeking salvation in the ruined city. Many bring children, infirm, or sick family members seeking miracle healing. Hundreds have arrived already, and thousands more are coming.

Lucretia Mathias

Lucretia Mathias is a willowy and wizened woman with piercing eyes and pursed lips. She is in her early nineties, and keeps her greying black hair in a coiled bun beneath a linen shawl. She wears simple grey robes, and clutches a heavy leather-bound tome. A glowing golden crystal dangles from a silver chain around her neck. Her garb lightly conceals the delerium shard embedded in her heart.

Nathaniel Flint

Nathaniel Flint is a human chaplain who completed the Sacrament of the Falling Fire. He is an animated and jovial man in his early thirties, with medium length curly brown hair, mutton chops, a bushy mustache, and a flushed face. He does not wear armour, and instead wears pilgrims’ robes with a roped belt and a tabard emblazoned with the sign of the Falling Fire. A scarfed hood conceals the delerium shard embedded in his chest.

Pilgrims of the Falling Fire

Here’s a few readymade NPCs who are travelling to Drakkenheim to complete their pilgrimage:

• Brother Abraham Schaefer - A faithful old preacher naïve to the horrors of Drakkenheim.
• George Hopper - A courageous fighter who dutifully protects other pilgrims.
• Anita Winters - A strong and sturdy warrior who had visions of the meteor. h Dekota Jones - A young explorer who questions everything.
• Cosmos - An optimistic tiefling who is obsessed with planar travel.
• Rufus Apollo - An old dwarven cleric who studies astrological signs and patterns.
• Ingrid and Mara Stumer - Sisters who followed dreams and visions to the city.
• Silvie Roseshot - A former Flamekeeper inspired by the Testament of the Falling Fire.
• Lucy Wainwright - A creative and intelligent woman with a child who came to the city for salvation.
• Jared Walsh - A young paladin who believes he will fulfil his oath by taking the Sacrament.