Divine Enclave
The Divine Enclave, formerly under the oversight of High-Apostle Tulio prior to becoming a martyr upon being consumed by the Scourge, is compartmentalized into three main branches. The Luminary Scribes form the first, safeguarding the Church's knowledge, be it public or forbidden, and operating as an investigative
force within Luyarnha. The second, the Ministry of Light, encompasses all priests and evangelists tasked with the upliftment of the city's morale and aiding the morale of its afflicted denizens. And finally, the House of Blood delivers justice within the city's ramparts, unyielding like steel.
Sects
Luminary Scribes
Luminary Scribes are the pen of the Radiant Church—their tale as vibrant as the golden ink they use to inscribe the divine narratives. Nestled within the hallowed halls of the Luminary Repository, also called Grand Library, they embody a unique arm of the Divine Enclave, their sacred responsibilities shaping the course of faith in Luyarnha and beyond.Holy Scribes
Crafting the Radiant One's divine inspirations into hymnals, prayer books, and liturgical guides, the Luminary Scribes wear the mantle of creators of holy texts. Their noble duty breathes life into the divine teachings, shaping each text into a glowing beacon, each of which must be a testament of the Radiant One's glory to bolster the faith of His ardent devotees. The Scribes hold themselves to a high standard; failure to meet such a requirement means erasure of the text and the destruction of hours of combined labor. In addition to this sacred craft, the Scribes shoulder the pivotal responsibility of recording the visions of the Church's upper echelons. While many of these transcripts, potential prophecies held for posterity, may dissolve into the mists of uncertainty, some crystallize into reality, their manifestation holding the world in awe or terror. Intriguingly, amidst the meticulously ordered archives of the Grand Library, the manuscript of a vision pertaining to the Scourge has vanished into thin air. Surely, this must be a mere oversight in their usually impeccable organization. Stationed at the cusp of knowledge, the Luminary Scribes must remain ever vigilant to maintain the relevance of their sacred texts. As such, they mandate investigations and delegate their members to gather fresh insights. Of late, however, they find themselves grappling with alarming inconsistencies regarding the Scourge. Rumors within the Ruby District whisper of citizens bending the beasts to their will, an absurdity that stands against all known facts. Yet the truth remains unknown, as the team dispatched to gauge the situation has failed to return. The Scribes also serve as the compass guiding the Radiant Church’s leadership, their profound wisdom illuminating the path ahead. Their counsel, drawn from the infinite wells of knowledge of the Grand Library, sculpts the decisions of the church’s echelons, bringing clarity to their divine pursuits. This role was recently challenged when shadows of doubt were cast upon the head of the Luminary Scribes. Accusations of personal gain, of altering the rule of law to favor individual pockets over Luyarnha's common good, swirled in like wildfire. The subsequent investigation led to the incarceration of several implicated members, some with connections to the reviled fire dancers, leaving the Church to pray fervently that this blight of corruption had not tainted their ranks any further.Censors of Truth
Yet the Luminary Scribes are more than simple scribes. They stand as vigilant sentinels guarding the reservoir of knowledge, the custodians of the Luminary Repository situated within the heart of the Grand Cathedral District. As gatekeepers, they bear the onerous task of discerning the knowledge that filters into the public realm from that which must remain hidden from view. However, the echoes of their silent censorship do not pass unnoticed. The veil of secrecy tends to breed discontent, invoking discord and intrigue. As word of the Scribes' selective suppression seeps through the city's streets, the thirst for the forbidden knowledge festers. In the vacuum created by withheld information, wild conjectures and dark conspiracies flourish. A common belief is that the Scribes harbor information about the origin of the Scourge, a secret they refuse to unveil, fearing a societal backlash. The waters of discontent were further stirred when a dismissed member of the Scribes, in a drunken stupor, revealed that the Scourge was, in fact, a divine trial. He babbled that it was a test from the Radiant One, challenging His devout followers, a gift to separate the chaff from the wheat, the weak from the worthy. He claimed that this was the prophecy of prophet Luminara himself, a truth the Radiant Church was concealing. The church remained unmoved, offering no rebuttal, though some members humorously pointed out that this very man was expelled from the Luminary Scribes because he insisted that the orc high-apostle of the Divine Enclave was actually an elf sporting tusks, amongst other things. Despite the trials they face, the Luminary Scribes continue to uphold their belief in the necessity of information censorship for the sake of a unified future. They've learned from past missteps when undisclosed or manipulated information came back to torment them, leading to misguided public decisions. One disastrous incident occurred when a beam of moonlight, a radiance previously thought harmless, reduced a priest and his congregation to ashes. The faith in the Radiant One quivered that day, and it took a herculean effort from the Radiant Church to restore the shattered trust. Today, the decision to censor any information requires unanimous agreement from the Scribes' higher echelons. Only when this consent is achieved, meaning that not a single member vetoes the decision, does the information retreat into the secluded vaults, veiled from the public's gaze. This grave responsibility finds a tangible embodiment in the Forbidden Archives. This enigmatic section of the Library, ensconced in a Nightmare Realm, remains inaccessible save for a select few entrusted with its keys. Those chosen are expected to return within a day and have their memories of the trip erased by the high- apostle of the Divine Enclave. Failure to comply with this rule results in a swift execution and a ceremonial burning of the body to ash—a harsh, hidden practice deemed a necessary evil to safeguard perilous knowledge from falling into the wrong hands.Heretical Investigators
The Luminary Scribes wear many mantles, and among them is the mantle of heresy seekers. They are the Radiant Church’s own investigation force, responsible for finding out the truth at their behest. They perform the role of investigators for all manners of politic or populous instances, but the most common mission the Scribes are given is to uncover heretical texts and teachings that dare to contest the Radiant One's hallowed doctrines. They are the Church's bastion against the storm of false teachings, their discerning gaze separating truth from deceit. Where their investigators find heresy, the foreboding specter of the House of Blood—and their torturers—is never far behind. These investigators learned to merge seamlessly into the fabric of ordinary life, indistinguishable from the typical clergy, or if they desire, even common folk. Information about the existence of these covert heresy hunters somehow seeped into the public consciousness, a deliberate act on the Scribes' part. This divulgence, designed to send shivers down the spines of potential sinners, serves as a deterrent to those who might be tempted to disseminate heretical ideas within the confines of Luyarnha. Once heresy is detected, the ominous shadow of the House of Blood descends swiftly. Torturers and blades of radiance are dispatched, and the accused are taken into custody, awaiting interrogation within the cold, unyielding walls of the violent courtrooms. In the event of a wrongful accusation, severe sanctions are imposed upon the investigator involved, a practice aimed at discouraging the misuse of these powers. However, if guilt is ascertained, the accused might find themselves yearning for a quick and merciful end. The harshest punishment meted out by the House of Blood was given to a man who was found to be harboring beasts and deliberately unleashing them upon the population in an attempt to propagate the Scourge. Even as he proclaimed these beasts to be his children, his deeds' gruesome aftermath saw him subjected to the cruelest of holy punishments: his body was pinned and his innards gruesomely eviscerated.Ministry of Light
The Ministry of Light serves as a stalwart guardian of the people's faith, a luminous beacon in the darkness of uncertainty and despair.Holy Voice
Unyielding, the Ministry endures, their mission: to preserve the sacredness of faith and doctrinal purity amongst the citizenry, forming an unassailable bastion against the creeping dread wrought by the Scourge's devastating onslaught. The rising despair among the populace, born from the rampage of monstrous beasts, often ignites doubts about the purpose of existence. Amidst such desolation, the Ministry emerges as a beacon of hope, affirming the promise of salvation and the futility of surrender—giving up arms would only be giving victory to the enemy. The clerics of the Ministry disseminate this faith and hope through public sermons, ritualistic acts of faith, and miraculous displays of divine magic. The sacred script of the Ministry also outlines their role as mentors and recruiters of fresh clergy, the future stewards of the Radiant One's followers. Whether preparing them as warrior-protectors in the mold of the guardian clerics or as community leaders, they shape their charges with faith. One individual who teeters on the edge of such a divine destiny is a youthful noble of the esteemed Silverblood lineage. Torn between the worldly temptations of hedonism and the holy calling of his spiritual path, he grapples with his family's disdain for the Church and the divine pull within him. A life of debauchery is his current refuge from the internal conflict, yet a solitary push could lead him down one path or the other. As the people's emissaries, the Ministry embodies the Church's compassionate face, a tangible comfort amid the tumultuous trials. Offering spiritual counseling, they grant solace to the city's hurting souls, providing counsel and comfort to those caught in the web of personal loss, guilt, or Scourge-induced fear. It is they who extend a soothing hand to those tormented by terrifying nightmares or grappling with harsh realities, serving as guiding lights towards a better future. When the Scourge ravaged the Ruby District, shaking the people's faith, the Ministry stood resolute, a lighthouse amid the bloodshed, undertaking the colossal task of providing healing, performing miracles, and rekindling the wavering embers of hope. Their courage cost many their lives, yet their sacrifices ensured the survival of religious devotion within the district and its ongoing struggle—and some dare say that without it, the Ruby would have already fallen. Today, those who bravely venture into the district to distribute supplies are primarily Ministry members, practicing what they preach. Functioning as the dispatchers of holy missions, the Ministry breathes life into the Radiant One's divine will. They commission priests and evangelists, spreading His hallowed doctrine, offering spiritual guidance, and courageously standing against those who oppose the light. Alas, in recent times, missions beyond Luyarnha have all but ceased, the enforced lockdown stymying any semblance of travel. Yet this doesn't imply an absence of necessary work within Luyarnha. Indeed, any devoted hunter may approach the Ministry seeking work that contributes to the city's survival, and for their efforts, they are duly rewarded. However, not all return from these daunting missions waged against the Scourge, such is the terrible price of their valor.Holy Hands
The legacy of the Ministry encompasses a role of incredible importance to Luyarnha—that of officiators of sacred rites. They are the architects of sanctity, weaving divine rituals that offer protection from the lurking threat of the Scourge, or sanctify a couple's vow of matrimony under the watchful gaze of the Radiant One. Every citizen, from the highest king to the humblest worker, must step under the Ministry's sacred mantle if they desire to bask in the Radiant One's divine guidance. The priests and holy men of the Ministry also bear the responsibility to craft the sacred incense, an invaluable deterrent against the beastly abominations spawned by the Scourge. This incense has become a comforting nightlight for the populace, a symbol of safety against the horrors that lurk in the shadows. Recently, however, essential supplies vanished, casting the Ministry into a desperate scramble against time. With reserves shrinking and no shipments in sight, dread creeps into the hearts of the populace. Although promises of forthcoming supplies offer some solace, the days of unprotected terror may claim countless lives and sew rampant panic. Moreover, the Ministry serves as the bearers of divine weapon blessings, imparting the Radiant One's favor onto a diverse arsenal, from partisans and cleavers to mechanized limbs and firearms. These blessings are said to maintain a weapon's edge or prevent misfires, although some dismiss such claims as mere superstition. Despite these doubts, no hunter of the Radiant Order would dare venture out with a weapon that has not first been graced by the Ministry's touch, if only out of caution; the Scourge is relentless, and no precaution can be spared.House of Blood
Crimson Origin
As the Scourge's grip tightened on the city-state, Luyarnha’s system of justice was among the first institutions to crumble. Lengthy trials supported by sound evidence became relics of a bygone era. In a world where each passing hour might spell one's doom, none had the luxury of time. Within the accursed Luyarnha, unhinged revenge had ascended to the throne, taking over the long abandoned traditional justice. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; when this primal justice eluded the grasp of the aggrieved, state sponsored torturers emerged to dispense their own brand of punishment upon their quarry. Yet, in the absence of due process, many were wrongly subjected to such trials, only to later seek vengeance themselves, perpetuating an endless, vicious cycle of hatred and destruction. Many torturers and assassins, unbowed, reveled in the profits borne of such strife, exploiting the twisted emotions of mankind to further their own ends. This gruesome tradition necessitated the crimson repainting of the House of Commons, concealing the bloodstains that marred its floors, henceforth nicknamed House of Blood. In the lands beyond Luyarnha, torture is viewed as an abomination, a practice to be shunned under any circumstances; within the walls of the city-state, it was customary. While it excels at prying confessions from the lips of the tormented, it is a woefully inept instrument for uncovering the truth. After all, those in agony will utter anything their tormentor wish to hear to escape their suffering. This uncontrolled violence stood in stark opposition to the principles of fairness upheld by the Radiant Church, who were well aware of the limitations of such practices. When the nobility ultimately bowed to the clergy, the holy men swooped in, trying to salvage what was left of the legal institution, using their divine magic to cast an unbreakable veil upon both accused and accuser. The priests understood that by casting zone of truth spells throughout the trials, they could ensure that the torture that was being performed would only extract the truth. A new justice system was born. Compelled by the clergy's magic and the relentless torment inflicted upon them, the accused soon divulged the truth. Driven to the brink by their agony, they had little desire to resist the spell, lest they prolong their stay in this hellish purgatory. To preserve fairness, this brutal treatment was also visited upon the accusers if their claims were found to be baseless, with the suffering intensified if the charges were deemed frivolous. Thus, justice in Luyarnha became swift, impartial, and merciless. In a world where kindness was valued, such barbarity might have been condemned, but in Luyarnha—the capital of the hunt—where each day brought a desperate struggle for survival, the petty squabbles of the populace were deemed unworthy of attention. This ruthless system hinged on the honesty of the priests who performed the spells, each of them bearing an eldritch carving binding them to the truth until death. No one marked thusly has ever been known to deceive, or so it is said.A New Age
The changes brought to the courts had myriad effects: the once revered profession of lawyers found itself sinking into obsolescence. Bereft of purpose, the advocates and protectors were cast aside, for the cruel instruments of torture and the enigmatic divine magic had supplaced their roles as arbiters of justice. The torturers, unshackled from the constraints of state service, found themselves adrift, free to roam the twisted streets and alleys of Luyarnha. Their sinister expertise, a terrifying fusion of pain and precision, did not go unnoticed. Many powers soon enlisted these masters of agony, some to overcome the hunts, others to gratify more self-serving goals. The many assassins, once dispatched with cold efficiency to eliminate those who evaded the iron grasp of justice, discovered that their lethal talents were likewise coveted for the grim necessities of the age. Their deadly arts, honed to a razor's edge, were repurposed to serve the relentless, blood-soaked quarrels that consumed the city-state. Others used such talents to become instrumental hunters, and others still found a religious calling, pledging their blades to the Radiant Church. The most obvious consequence of such lethal justice was the punishment for the condemned; those who were judged guilty of violent crimes oft found themselves thrust into the front lines of battle, weapons in hand, fighting not only for their freedom but for their very lives. Cast in chains whilst not in battle, these "Repenters'' were given freedom only in the midst of hunts, until their freedom was bought back with blood. In such desperate times, there is no denying the grim utility of remorseless psychopaths who reveled in the act of killing and wouldn't question the morality of their actions. Only if they proved too violent toward their allies or too uncontrollable would they be put down or cast into the depths of the city's nightmarish jails.Community Services
Alternative forms of penance were devised for those guilty of less violent or passive transgressions. These punishments, though less brutal in nature, were no less vital to the survival of Luyarnha, as they harnessed the labor of the guilty in service of the greater good. The construction efforts that strove to fortify and expand the city's crumbling edifices drew upon the toil of the condemned. Their sweat and labor breathed life into the very stones, forging a bastion of protection against the encroaching darkness and bonds of brotherhood between the workers. The infirmaries, overwhelmed with the sick and the wounded after hunts, found solace in the hands of those sentenced to tend to the afflicted. Factories and fields, having received the added forced labor of those who had transgressed the law, stirred with renewed life, kindling the embers of hope in the hearts of the people. Transportation, too, became a crucial lifeline in a city fractured by chaos and danger. Those who had erred were conscripted to ensure that essential goods and supplies reached their destinations, a vital artery sustaining the city-state's fragile existence. In this dark epoch, Luyarnha demanded sacrifice and labor from all its denizens, but most especially from those who had defied its laws. In the crucible of calamity, even the transgressors were called upon to serve, their redemption forged in the fires of adversity, and rare were the sins that were too grave to forgive.
Type
Religious, Inquisitorial
Parent Organization
