The Path of Light

Rare in Khorvaire but prevalent among the Kalashtar, the Path of Light is equal parts philosophy and religion. Its adherents don’t worship a deity, but instead recognize a universal force of positive energy they call il-Yannah, “The Great Light.” Followers of the Path of Light strive for physical and mental perfection through meditation and communion with this Great Light. Such perfection is necessary, for followers of the Path of Light expect to do battle with evil forces—especially the sinister Dreaming Dark. A Lightspeaker seeks to change reality—in the big picture by ushering in an age of light, while on the small scale by excising negative influences and performing good works. While compassion is important, there are those among the followers of the Path of Light who believe in taking surgical action to eliminate sources of evil. Where followers of the Silver Flame believe that all mortals can be brought to the Flame, some who follow the Path of Light believe that it’s more expedient to eliminate an infection and to allow a soul to find the light in its next incarnation. The central teachings of the Path of Light are:

We live in an age of darkness. We must find the path that leads to the light.
Act with compassion and courage. Each noble act is a step on the path.
Seek excellence in both mind and body, for a great war against the dark is brewing.
Do not look to deities for divinity. Divinity is within the grasp of mortals if they but touch the Great Light.
Use your honed skills to discover and vanquish evil beings.

Worship

Practice of the Path of Light means living every day by its core doctrines. In this, at least, the Path of Light and the Path of Inspiration agree: True belief requires little in the way of ceremony, but simply adherence to one’s core morality.

As the Dream of the Age shapes the world, the world can shape the Dream in turn.

Lightspeakers do not pray, but they do recite mantras intended to focus them spiritually, mentally, and physically before they participate in a rite or undertake a strenuous task. Living a life in accordance with the Path of Light is a constant rite of faith. Still, Lightspeakers do have a few specific rites that they practice on occasion, such as communal prayers and meditations.

Divine Symbols

The Light Made Manifest: The symbol of the Path of Light, a glowing, roughly triangular crystal, represents both the light of il-Yannah and the psionic powers of the kalashtar. Of equal importance, however, is the fact that it can be represented by a simple sketch of an uneven inverted triangle, something easily overlooked or hidden in a more complex drawing. This sort of camouflage allows Lightspeakers within Riedra to hide their true allegiance from servants of the Dreaming Dark.