The Church of the Holy Light

"May the Light shine upon you"

At the rise of the Hero Arden, there was a few followers that proclaimed he was a divine being. A faith soon flourished around him, and it was soon formed in to The Holy Light. The belief was that before the dawn of all things, there only existed The Light, and as the Light grew in power, it spawned the sea, lands and sky. Soon after, animals and creatures came, and from them came the races of the world. However, with light there is also darkness.
The darkness that was feared would end all things, and before the coming of Arden, the darkness nearly took hold. But the light fought back, granting a hero to the people, and bringing peace to the realm.
Nowadays, the Hero Arden is worshipped as a divine being of the light, made manifest. Many churches and followers are spread throughout the lands of Arden, with the religion becoming more organised as time progressed. Recognised as the prime religion of the Kingdom of Arden, many of those that live in the land follow the religion. However, within the province of Nelheim, there is a resistance to the Light, as the northerners stick to their old ways and religions of their forefathers (See Other Religions found in Arden)

Tenets of Faith

Followers of the Holy Light typically stick to a set of fundamental rulings, as passed down from the days of the Hero Arden himself. Most accept these as quotes from those legendary times, but there is evidence that they have been added to and changed through the years. Where most followers try to live their rules with these as a guide, there are a few different sects of the Church that focus more on a particular rule or ignore others.

I. Above all is the Light, and through it you shall find peace
II. The Light shall welcome those who embrace it, and cast out those who fall to darkness
III. Through unity we find our way to the Light
IV. In darkness, look to the Light for aid
V. Allow the Light to shine through you, and it shall shine unto others
VI. Show patience, for the Light will always answer
VII. Hope is the greatest power that the Light provides

The Guardians of the Light

Alongside the reverence of the Holy Light itself are the Angelic Guardians. It is said that these divine beings appear to followers of the Light in times of great need. Descriptions of the Guardians differ from telling to telling, but all tend to be females of unnatural beauty and grace, with a set of wings found coming from their shoulders. The last sightings of these beings was during The Orcish War, although like most things on the battlefield, these cannot be confirmed.
Many of the Churches and buildings found within Arden are named after one of the Guardians of the Light, with a grand story of their appearance being recited on holy days. The differing names and amount of Guardians has never been formally recognised by the Church, and each region seems to have its own legends and fables about these angelic creatures.

Notable Historical Figures

From the times of the Hero Arden, the Church of the Holy Light has spread its faith all across The Kingdom of Arden. Through the centuries, there have been individuals who's names have influenced the Church greatly.

• Macarius - One of the Companions of Arden.
• Hilda of Nelheim - One of the Companions of Arden.
• Wulfstan - One of the Companions of Arden.
• Silverius - One of the Companions of Arden. Often said to be one of the Wood Elves.
• King Aelred I - The King of Arden when the Church of the Holy Light was first formed in 263 AF. Worshipped as the founding Brother of the Church.
• Thealus the Wise - The Prophet who came to King Aelred with a vision about the Light. None can say where he came from. Many believe he was a being sent by the Light, like the Hero Arden.
• Joseph of Movakai - An early Brother of the official Church of the Light. Was a prime player in spreading the belief across Arden. Went missing when he ventured outside the Kingdom to spread the Light further.
• Gregorias the Illuminator - Leader of The Illuminated Brothers at the end of The War of Illumination. Exiled with the rest of his followers.
• Brother Vardan Mamik - Worked for years in documenting the history and beliefs of the Church. Is said to have recorded all known members each year while he was alive.
• King Adalbert - The reinging King at the end of the War of Illumination. Reformed and renamed the Church to "The Church of the Holy Light".
• Theophanes the Confessor - Founder of The Inquisitorial Order. Preached that all those that use magic and do not follow the Holy Light must be repent for their sins or be destroyed.
• Sister Theodore Guerin - A Priestess who rose to fame at an outbreak of a plague. Many medical practices and techniques are associated with being first used and made more wide-known by Sister Guerin.
• Peter the Venerable - A minor Brother of the Church who rose to fame when it was discovered he could heal any ailment with the touch of his hand.
• Maksymillian Kolbe - A Brother of the Church who fought in The Orcish War. Reverred as a mighty and honourable Knight of Arden.
• Celestine the Revered - Worshipped by The Convent of the Priestess. Celestine rebelled against the Church of the Holy Light and its patriarchal ways. This led to some reform within the Church, but many fought back against Celestine. There is still debate of the organisation of the Church, long after the suspiscious death of Celestine.

Structure

The High Order of the Holy Light

The High Order are the overall leaders of the Church. It is from them that all the larger decisions about then Light and worship is made. Found within the Cathedral in Ardenholt, the Archbishop and Cardinals are also responsible for any religious rights that the Royal Family must undertake.

The Archbishop of the Holy Light - ("Your Eminence") Religious leader and the spiritual embodiment of the Holy Light
Cardinals - ("Your Excellency") The High Council of the Church, and assistants to the Archbishop

The Secular Clergy

Common practitioners and churches are found all over Arden. Each Province has its own Bishop to govern the regions churches, and each church will have its own members to spread the faith of the Holy Light. These will hold services for the general populace to join with within the religious buildings the Church controls.

Bishop - ("The Exalted Brother/Sister") There is 1 Bishop in every Province, responsible for the practices and Churches within the region.
Archpriest/Priestess - ("The Reverred Brother/Sister") Will govern a particular Church and the practitioners within. Typically will be found in larger Towns.
Priest/Priestess - ("Brother/Sister") Assists the Archpriest/Priestess in the running of the Church and teachings of the Holy Light. In smaller towns and villages, there may be only 1 Priest or Priestess for a Church, and they will be the one in charge of the running of the Church and clergy.
Hospitaler - ("Brother/Sister") A Priest or Priestess who has dedicated themselves to the rights of healing.
Cantor - ("Parson") The lowest rank of Priest/Priestess, typically aids in the everyday upkeep of the Church

The Monastic Traditions

Some followers of the Holy Light will seek isolation from society, joining one of the monasteries to better learn the teachings of the Holy Light. Official Titles and how to address members varies from monastery to monastery, but they typically follow the same heriarchal structure.

Abbot - Governs and runs a monastery of the Holy Light.
Nuns/Monks - A practitioner of the Holy Light who has joined the Church to dedicate themself fully to its teachings.
Initiate - A new member of the Church seeking to isolate themselves from society to learn of the Holy Light

History

263 AF - The Church is officially formed and structured at the command of King Aelred I. The legend goes that a Great Prophet named Theolus came to the King with a vision: that the worship of the Holy Light must be united.

263 - 307 AF - Unification - Over the course of 42 years, the Provinces are slowly bought under a single organisation: The Church of Light.

416 - 420 AF - Several smaller factions arise within the Church, typically based in different regions and with slightly different teachings. Tensions between the different beliefs rise.

421 AF - The War of Illumination - A civil war within the Church erupts, due to different beliefs and demands of the followers of the Light. This lasts for 40 years, with the differing factions trying to overthrow the others. Three major sects are mostly involved:

• The Church of the Light - Follows the original orders of the Church
• The Illuminated Brothers - A more militaristic faction, that wishes to purge the land of any non-believers and "witches"
• The Children of Charon - A Cult that believe that a great being named "Charon" created the Light and now wants to punish those who followed it blindly
  

461 AF - The War of Illumination ends after the Children of Charon are destroyed. The Illuminated Brothers are exiled for their beliefs. The current reigning King Adalbert reforms and renames the Church in to "The Church of the Holy Light".

586 AF - The Elven Crusade - Hostilities to the Wood Elves within Delastari increase. Several crusades, backed by the Church of the Holy Light, are sent in to the forest realm. There is very little success in these raids, as the Wood Elves have advantage within their homelands. The crusade lasts 47 years.

633 AF - The Elven Accord - A tentative alliance is agreed between the Wood Elves and Arden. Signed as "The Elven Accord", it allows for Wood Elves to live within Arden and follow their own religion openly. The Church bolsters its faith as Elves bring their religion to the lands.

650 - 750 AF - There is one hundred years of relative stability within the Church. Many differing practices and factions come and go. Notable amongst these are:

• The Inquisitorial Order - Starting within the Valgard Highlands, the Order abhors magic and regularly hunts down any illegal practices.
• Crusaders of Arden - The military arm of the Church. Regular Crusades are sent out to reclaim Holy Artifacts.
• The Convent of the Priestess - An all female group of followers of the Holy Light. Several convents are set up for these followers, who believe the Church is corrupt due to the leadership of men.

815 AF - Cultural differences between the Orcs and the people of Arden are more-widely known. Declaring the Orcish religions and spirituality is wrong, the Church of the Holy Light sends missionaries to convert and spread the word of the Holy Light. Orcs are wlecoming to these preachers, but the relationship between nations is strained.

826 AF - War Begins - The Orc Chieftains call for a diplomatic meeting to prevent the spread of the Holy Light in to Orcish culture. Nobles of Arden, along with several reknowned Bishops of the Holy Light visit the Orcs for negotiations. Unfortunately, these break down swiftly, and in the confusion, the High-Shaman Throm'gar is killed. Losing the most reverred spiritual leader, the Orcish Chieftains unite and declare war against Arden.

872 AF - The Church of the Holy Light declares the war a religious crusade against the falsehoods of the Orcs. Many across Arden take up arms to fight for their beliefs against the Greenskin invaders.

926 AF - Peace - After 100 years and a day, peace is declared between the Orcish Tribelands and Arden. The Church bolsters its power and influence in Arden by helping restore the Kingdom to its former glory. Smaller communities are especially greatful to the followers of the Holy Light.

The symbol of the Holy Light
A stylised 8-pointed star, representing the Holy Light shining upon all. It is often put against a simple white backdrop, to represent the purity of the Holy Light.

Founding Date

263 AF

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The Holy Light, The Light

Permeated Organizations

• The Kingdom of Arden