The Order of the Pure Radiance

A Faith Forged in Fire and Fear

"Only purity elevates us, and only the Radiance guides our steps."
— Credo of the Pure Radiance

Since its humble foundation in 511, the Order of the Pure Radiance has evolved from a marginal sect into a central pillar of human history, influencing social, political, and religious structures. Its origins lie in fear and mistrust of magic, exacerbated by the ravages of the War of the Gods. This movement thrived by exploiting the uncertainties of human peoples, leading to bloody crusades against non-human peoples and practitioners of magic.

History and Key Events

Origins and Foundation

At the beginning of the year 0, as human kingdoms sought to rebuild after the cataclysmic conflicts of The War of the Gods, a small sect called "The Sacred Torches" emerged in the central plains of Andoris. Its founder, the priest Erysal Dorn, preached that magic was a corruption of divine gifts and that humanity needed purification to reach its full potential. While his ideas were initially ignored, they resonated with those who had lost loved ones in the wars. The movement quickly became a force for the destitute and disillusioned. Over the centuries, this sect gained influence until, in 511, the once-rejected sect became an official religion and took the name of the Order of the Pure Radiance.

Expansion and Influence: The Purification Crusades

By 661, the Order had amassed enough followers to launch the first Purification Crusades. These campaigns aimed to eradicate magic users and subjugate non-human peoples perceived as "aberrations."The Templars of Radiance, a sacred militia dedicated to this cause, were created to lead these crusades. These campaigns were brutal: entire villages were destroyed, sacred forests were burned, and non-human populations were either deported or exterminated. However, the resistance of non-human peoples, along with dissenting human factions, led to the Insurrection in 715. This rebellion united elves, dwarves, theriants, and rebellious humans in a coalition against the Order, culminating in its defeat and the signing of the Treaty of Balance in 1003.

Decline and Resurgence

After their defeat at the beginning of the 11th century, the Order sank into obscurity, its members hunted or marginalized. However, several decades after the founding of Névrisea, a unified human kingdom, the Order resurfaced. The monarchs of Névrisea, seeking to strengthen their authority, adopted the Order’s teachings as the official doctrine. In the centuries that followed, the Order consolidated its power by imposing itself as the state religion. The preachers of the Pure Radiance ensured that every aspect of life in Névrisea, from education to war, was governed by their precepts.

The Order Today: A Dominant Theocracy

Today, the Order of the Pure Radiance is the ruling force in Névrisea. Its temples dominate the landscape, and its crosses mark the countryside as well as the cities. Magic is formally forbidden, and non-human peoples live in constant oppression. Despite the military and political advances of the Order, dissident movements still exist. Underground resistance groups, inspired by the memories of the Insurrection, are organizing to challenge the Order’s hegemony.

Doctrine and Beliefs

The ideology of the Order is based on three fundamental principles:

Purity: Rejecting any form of corruption, whether magical or moral.
Unity: Uniting humanity under a common faith.
Devotion: Sacrificing oneself for the Order and its dogmas.

The Pure Radiance is worshipped as a divine force, representing light and absolute truth. Followers believe that only humans are worthy of receiving this light, and that other races, though sometimes tolerated, are inherently inferior. Practitioners view magic as an abomination, a "gift" poisoned by the elemental gods to sow chaos. Any use of magic is punished by death, and magical artifacts are either destroyed or "purified" in sacred rites.

Organization and Structure

The Order is led by the Council of the Radiance, composed of the most influential religious dignitaries and military leaders. This council makes all major decisions concerning crusades, doctrines, and diplomatic relations. At the top of this hierarchy sits the Supreme Archon, a leader elected for life who combines spiritual and temporal powers. Members of the Order are divided into several categories:

Supreme Archon: The spiritual and political leader, considered the spokesperson for the divine Radiance.
The Templars of Radiance: Sacred warriors dedicated to fighting "heretics".
The Luminous Clergy: Responsible for preaching and religious education.
The Inquisitors: Investigators and executors of sentences against magic users and dissidents.

Each human kingdom of Névrisea is required to pay tribute to the Order in the form of resources or recruits for its armies and clergy.

Military Forces and Crusades

The armies of the Order of the Pure Radiance are among the most feared in Andoris. Although they sometimes lack tactical flexibility, they make up for it with their fanaticism and discipline. The Order’s crusades had a profound impact on Andoris, causing bloody wars but also consolidating its influence over the human kingdoms.

Impact and Legacy

While the Order succeeded in temporarily uniting the human kingdoms, its aggressive policies also led to deep fractures. The rise of dissident factions, such as Kaldura, illustrates the growing opposition to its dominance. In regions under its control, the Order imposes a rigid society where social roles are strictly defined. Although its followers praise its protection and unity, others criticize the loss of freedoms and the atrocities committed in the name of "purity". For non-human peoples, the Order of the Pure Radiance remains a symbol of oppression and brutality. But for its faithful, it remains the tangible manifestation of divine will. The future of this theocratic order remains uncertain, caught between glory and downfall.

Founding Date

511

Type

Religious, Holy Order

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