Order of the Lady
The Order of the Lady is a religious organisation devoted to the worship of Helyana, the Sun Maiden.
The state religion of Ankaros, The Order of the Lady benefits from funding from the crown, as well as a favourable opinion from the majority of the populace.
Structure
The Order of the Lady is led by a High Lady, who is an earthly manifestation of Helyana.
Beneath her, ten Daughters of the Lady spread the word of the Lady across Arkanos, heading up major temples and enclaves across the land.
Each temple has a number of Shards of the Lady who tend the faithful, carry out ecclesiastic and menial duties, and live a sheltered life within the walls of their temple.
Public Agenda
The Order of the Lady has two public agendas: to spread the word of Helyana to the darkest corners of Arkanos, and to foster an ethos of love and kindness between all races and peoples.
Assets
Thanks to charitable donations from the faithful and a substantial stipend from the Crown, the Order of the Lady's wealth is vast.
The majority of this is secured within the Vault of Dawn in Helyanna's Rise in Gyral's Hold, but each temple across Arkanos has a significant portion of this wealth within each of their crypts.
History
Scholars agree that worship of Helyana has existed in Arkanos since the First Days.
Worship was formalised into the Order of the Lady in 476 by order of Queen Isadora, and its tenets and structure have remained largely unchanged since then.
Mythology & Lore
Helyana was the first being to awaken from the endless Void.
A radiant elven female, life sprang wherever she cast her benevolent gaze.
She gazed upon a speck of dust floating in the cosmos, and it became Ylladril. She focused further, and lands took form, seas took shape, mountains rose, trees took root plants of all kind blanketed the land. Then, with one particularly dazzling smile, all the known peoples of Ylladril awoke beneath the life-giving warmth of her love.
Divine Origins
Evidence unearthed in ancient ruins suggest Helyana has been worshipped in some capacity since the dawn of time.
The Order of the Lady was formally established as a religion in 476, and though it has undergone a number of minor changes since then, its tenets have remained unchanged since then.
Tenets of Faith
The Order of the Lady is founded on the tenets of love, life and compassion.
It teaches forgiveness and kindness to all living beings, be they peaceful or otherwise. It encourages its followers to be charitable and look after the needs of others.
Its peaceful -- some might say pacifist -- nature has at times put the religion at odds with the desires of the Crown.
Worship
Worship of the Sun Maiden is orchestrated by the priestesses of the Order of the Lady.
Every rest day, a service is conducted in the temples across Arkanos, at midday. The resident Daughter of the Lady carries a gleaming orb representing the Sun Maiden, and blesses all assembled. Attendance is encouraged by all faithful citizens of Arkanos.
Worship of the Sun Maiden is encouraged within family homes also, and a well-thumbed book of the Lady's Blessings is a commonly-found item in many homes across Arkanos.
Granted Divine Powers
The High Lady and Daughters of the Lady are capable of substantial healing magics, including resurrection and restoration spells.
The Shards of the Lady are able to cure minor wounds and lay hands on those requiring less substantial aid.
Be the Light
Founding Date
476
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Order of the Sun Maiden
Leader
Deities
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Plots
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