Followers of the Falling Fire
The Followers of the Falling Fire are a religious sect who believe the meteor signalled 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.
Type
Religious, Sect
Leader
Founders
Deities
Location
Notable Members
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