Church of the Light
Once the dominant religion of the Homeland, the Church of the Light were destroyed during the Long Night when the Church of the Dark led an extermination of the members of the church. Survivors of the Long Night are few and far between, most believing themselves to be the sole heir of the light.
Structure
Little is known about the Church of the Light's structure or how it was organized. From what is known, the Church was headed by the Grand Master, who was the ruling commander-in-chief of the order. In addition, it is believed that the church was broken into districts which were overseen by Masters. Further, based on culture or geology, these districts were broken into chapters led by (appropriately named) Chapter Masters. Other than this, little is known as the records of the church were burned during the Long Night.
It is known that there were at least 200 knights in the Oslo Chapter, as recounted by Dexter Bright. The role and rank of a knight is unclear, however, it is believed that they were the protectors of the church, and made up the militant wing of it.
Another recognized role in the church was that of "Vigil." This rank was held by Lucas Towne, another survivor of the Long Night. These knights were responsible for hunting the darkness and were the most skilled fighters in their respective chapters. It is also known that Vigils of the Light outranked Knights, as it was insinuated that Towne outranked Bright when they met after the Long Night. As Dexter Bright's wife was also a scribe of the order, it is also known that the church recruited women.
It is known that there were at least 200 knights in the Oslo Chapter, as recounted by Dexter Bright. The role and rank of a knight is unclear, however, it is believed that they were the protectors of the church, and made up the militant wing of it.
Another recognized role in the church was that of "Vigil." This rank was held by Lucas Towne, another survivor of the Long Night. These knights were responsible for hunting the darkness and were the most skilled fighters in their respective chapters. It is also known that Vigils of the Light outranked Knights, as it was insinuated that Towne outranked Bright when they met after the Long Night. As Dexter Bright's wife was also a scribe of the order, it is also known that the church recruited women.
Public Agenda
The Church of the Light's public face was to lead humanity into a brighter future. They were altruistic and idealistic in their view of mankind, viewing everyone as redeemable.
Assets
At the height of their power, the Church of the Light had thousands of members spread across the Earth and the Homeland. Their monasteries were home to hundreds of trained soldiers and scribes.
Now, only a handful of survivors are left after the Long Night. Splinter factions such as the Silver Knights or the Redeemers exist, but carry only a fraction of the power the church once held.
Now, only a handful of survivors are left after the Long Night. Splinter factions such as the Silver Knights or the Redeemers exist, but carry only a fraction of the power the church once held.
Disbandment
The dissolution of the Church of the Light is widely known as the "Long Night" or, to the survivors, as the "Temple Massacre." During this, militant forces of the Church of the Dark, masquerading as loyalist members of the Light, turned on their former brothers, slaughtering them inside of their own temples. This surprise attack was brutally effective, killing every loyalist still within the temples. Those still loyal to the order were recalled to the temples were they were ambushed and slaughtered before the temples themselves were burned. Those who survived did so only out of sheer luck or from not being present at the temple.
One of the larger sects of the Church located in the homeland survived and gathered around 15,000 survivors to retake <insert capital city here>. They were slaughtered to a man. Dexter Bright was attending the birth of his son incognito during the Long Night. When he returned to the Oslo temple, he was caught in an ambush which claimed the life of his wife, who was already weak from birthing their son.
Lucas Towne was deployed to uncover the fate of an excavation team that had gone missing prior to the Long Night. When he discovered that they had been murdered by traitors within the order, the long night had already begun.
One of the larger sects of the Church located in the homeland survived and gathered around 15,000 survivors to retake <insert capital city here>. They were slaughtered to a man. Dexter Bright was attending the birth of his son incognito during the Long Night. When he returned to the Oslo temple, he was caught in an ambush which claimed the life of his wife, who was already weak from birthing their son.
Lucas Towne was deployed to uncover the fate of an excavation team that had gone missing prior to the Long Night. When he discovered that they had been murdered by traitors within the order, the long night had already begun.
Territories
The Church of the Light's territory once spanned both Earth and the Homeland. Little remains of this once great institution, with its temples and monasteries laying in ruins. The only territory the Church of the Light still holds is that of its successor, the Silver Knights.
They garrison Jerusalem and Mt. Calvary, the last remnants of a dying order. Other than this final holdout, the former lands of the Church have largely turned to the Imperial Cult.
They garrison Jerusalem and Mt. Calvary, the last remnants of a dying order. Other than this final holdout, the former lands of the Church have largely turned to the Imperial Cult.
Technological Level
At its height, the Church of the Light made extensive use of magic weapons and powerful mages. Though they lacked more advanced siege equipment, their understanding of the immaterial world was almost unmatched. Now, many of the secrets of the order were lost along with those who kept them.
The Redeemers have the most complete understanding of the old church's secrets, though even they hold but a fraction of the knowledge their predecessor once held.
Surprisingly, the leader of the Silver Knights has also made strides in the recovery of the old church's knowledge. In a project he calls the Librarium, he has collected many of the old church's artifacts and begun to piece together its history. Now, his knights scour the homeland searching for hidden vaults of knowledge which may have survived the purge.
The Redeemers have the most complete understanding of the old church's secrets, though even they hold but a fraction of the knowledge their predecessor once held.
Surprisingly, the leader of the Silver Knights has also made strides in the recovery of the old church's knowledge. In a project he calls the Librarium, he has collected many of the old church's artifacts and begun to piece together its history. Now, his knights scour the homeland searching for hidden vaults of knowledge which may have survived the purge.
Trade & Transport
The Church's ships numbered in the hundreds before the Long Night. When the Church of the Dark destroyed the followers of the Light, they eliminated every trace of their former comrades, including their fleet. The ships of the Light now litter the bottom of the ocean, and their wealth lost to history.
The Redeemers have spent the past decade recovering artifacts of the Church. Though their losses are great, they have managed to recover many artifacts, hiding them away. The Redeemers have at least 2 Men-of-War at their disposal, though the true numbers of their fleet is unknown. Additionally, a chain of safehouses and hideaways protect what little wealth they have.
The ships of the Silver Knights, on the other hand, are legion. With all the resources of the Black Sun Syndicate at their disposal, the Silver Knights have unparalleled mobility on Earth. In addition, the ill-gotten gains of said syndicate are kept in Mt. Calvary, effectively making the Silver Knights one of the richest organizations on Earth.
The Redeemers have spent the past decade recovering artifacts of the Church. Though their losses are great, they have managed to recover many artifacts, hiding them away. The Redeemers have at least 2 Men-of-War at their disposal, though the true numbers of their fleet is unknown. Additionally, a chain of safehouses and hideaways protect what little wealth they have.
The ships of the Silver Knights, on the other hand, are legion. With all the resources of the Black Sun Syndicate at their disposal, the Silver Knights have unparalleled mobility on Earth. In addition, the ill-gotten gains of said syndicate are kept in Mt. Calvary, effectively making the Silver Knights one of the richest organizations on Earth.
Education
Knights of the order of the Church of the Light were thoroughly indoctrinated upon their appointment to the position. Additionally, many were trained in battlefield awareness and simple tactical maneuvering. The priesthood, on the other hand, received extensive education in the ways of the church. These mages exemplified the zeal and devotion which was expected of every member of the church. The scribes were the most extensively trained of the entire order. Low level scribes were taught to familiarize themselves with their chapters' keeps, while high level scribes were taught the traditions of the order, and even some of its secrets. As they were expected to deal with newly discovered artifacts, they were also trained in the use of magic and the recovery of artifacts of unknown power.
Mythology & Lore
The Church of the Light's mythology stems from the Book of the Light, their religious text. It holds a striking similarity to Christianity, including the crucifixion of the Idol, a character with striking similarities to Jesus Christ. The Idol was the manifestation of the Light sent to guide men on the righteous path, but was betrayed by an agent of the dark, and crucified on Mt. Calvary.
Divine Origins
The origins of the Church of the Light are unknown, as their history was purged along with its order. Dexter Bright has attempted to recreate their history in his Librarius, but has made little progress.
Cosmological Views
From what is understood, the Light is the embodiment of all that is good in humanity and no act is immoral so long as it is in the name of the church. The Dark is the embodiment of all that is evil, and to destroy it is to save humanity from itself.
Tenets of Faith
On the enlightened path is man, and to stray from it is to damn oneself to a life of eternal darkness.
To us is entrusted the holiest of duties: to keep man on the path of righteousness, and to destroy those who would seek to plunge humanity unto a path of eternal suffering.
To us is entrusted the holiest of duties: to keep man on the path of righteousness, and to destroy those who would seek to plunge humanity unto a path of eternal suffering.
Ethics
As acting in the name of the light is to act in the name of all that is good, members of the church were considered morally infallible, and because of this, nothing was considered "immoral" as long as it was done in the name of the Light.
Worship
Artifacts of the light are considered sacred and a direct link to the Light. Members of the church use these artifacts to worship the Light and often look to them for guidance.
Priesthood
The priests of the light were known to be powerful magic users. They often wore white hooded robes adorned with imagery of the church.
Granted Divine Powers
Usually, the powers gifted to the followers of the Light are thematic with their god: Blinding light, pyromancy, etc.
Dexter Bright is an exception, who was gifted chronomancy.
Dexter Bright is an exception, who was gifted chronomancy.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Church of the Light was once the dominant religion of the Homeland, leading to it having much sway in the Empire. Now, despite having less power than once upon a time, the church still holds considerable power. After the fall, the church's political power was nil until Dexter Bright became advisor to the Wolf Queen.
Sects
The surviving children of the Light are now scattered and disorganized. Each sect now bears its own culture, making the survivors far more diverse and difficult to eliminate.
The Silver Knights are the followers of Dexter Bright. They differ from the Old Church in that they follow a heavily modified codex written by Bright himself. These knights are often far more humble and cautious than their predecessors.
The Redeemers are a war band of the children of the Light led by Lucas Towne. The Redeemers wage a guerilla war against the Church of the Dark, seeking both vengeance and the reclaiming of their lost artifacts. They are characterized by their slogan: Faith and fury. These knights are extremely aggressive and devout to the light.
The Hunted are the miscellaneous survivors of the church. Few of these Hunted are trained for battle, and when the church of the Dark finds them they rarely stand a chance. Many are outright killed when found, though some are dragged away by the dark.
The Silver Knights are the followers of Dexter Bright. They differ from the Old Church in that they follow a heavily modified codex written by Bright himself. These knights are often far more humble and cautious than their predecessors.
The Redeemers are a war band of the children of the Light led by Lucas Towne. The Redeemers wage a guerilla war against the Church of the Dark, seeking both vengeance and the reclaiming of their lost artifacts. They are characterized by their slogan: Faith and fury. These knights are extremely aggressive and devout to the light.
The Hunted are the miscellaneous survivors of the church. Few of these Hunted are trained for battle, and when the church of the Dark finds them they rarely stand a chance. Many are outright killed when found, though some are dragged away by the dark.
DISBANDED/DISSOLVED
A Light Shining in Darkness
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
The Old Church
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Decorated/Honored
Demonym
Children of the Light
Official State Religion
Subsidiary Organizations
Permeated Organizations
Location
Controlled Territories
Manufactured Items
Notable Members
Related Ethnicities
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