Church of the Radiant Flame
Overview
The Church of the Radiant Flame is the state religion of Cathlidia and one of the most powerful religious institutions in Zalthera. Formed in the aftermath of the Hollow Moon Calamity, it was founded around the martyrdom of Solmara, a mortal priestess who sacrificed herself in sacred flame to seal The Nine Hells opened by the fallen celestial Azhi-Kael.
The Church governs every aspect of Cathlidian life: law, education, military conduct, birth rituals, death rites—and most critically, the maintenance of The Ninefold Seal, which binds each of Azhi-Kael’s Nine Hells beneath the Flamefold capitals.
Doctrine
Divine Figurehead:
- Solmara, the Flame-Saint, once mortal, now sanctified as the Hand of Torva, god of order and the forge.
Core Tenets (The Ember Canticles):
- “Flame reveals truth.”
- “Pain clarifies. Duty sanctifies.”
- “Obedience is salvation. Flame is clarity.”
- “We burn so others may live.”
- “The Saint endured the fire—so must we.”
View on Magic:
- All magic must be regulated and sanctified.
- Warlocks, sorcerers, and fey-touched are viewed as spiritually unstable or corrupt, with many executed, sealed, or sacrificed.
View on Non-Humans:
- Humans are seen as the divinely saved race; others are viewed with suspicion or marked for “redemption” through flame.
Structure
The High Flamewarden
- Supreme Pontiff of the Church, rules from Solrest
- Believed to receive visions from Solmara during sacred flame rituals
The Embered Synod
- A council of the Nine Flamewarden Ecclesiarchs, each representing a Flamefold and its corresponding virtue and sealed Hell
- Oversees doctrinal law, heresy trials, and the spiritual maintenance of the Ninefold Seal
Flamewarden Ecclesiarchs
- Ritual and metaphysical leaders bound to the Hellrift beneath their province
- Perform annual soul-bindings, oaths, and flame-seal renewals
Holy Orders
The Ember Chain
- Blindfolded inquisitors and heretic hunters
- Wield soul-brands and burning manacles
- Known for public purification rites and soul-exorcism trials
The Ashguard
- Elite paladins who do not speak until they strike
- Assigned to guard the basilicas of the Flamefolds and their seal-anchors
- Their swords are etched with verses from the Flame Doctrine
Sisters of the Blazing Veil
- Flame-veiled oracles and prophets
- Walk barefoot on ash and speak only in riddled flame-verse
- Believe Solmara whispers through fire and sacrificial smoke
The Flamebound Legions
- Core military arm of the Church
- Chain-armored infantry, trained from youth in sacred martial rites
- Wield flame-blessed arms that leave soul-scars
The Ninefold Seal
Each Flamefold capital is built atop a rift to one of Azhi-Kael’s Nine Hells. The Church’s flame rituals, trials, and virtues are counterweights to the corrupted realms below.
| Flamefold | Virtue (Preserved) | Corrupted Hell | Helllord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solrest | Obedience | Domination | Azhi-Kael |
| Ironfold | Endurance | Ceaseless War | Barzhaan |
| Emberfold | Sacrifice | Consumption | Ur’Vask |
| Veilfold | Silence | Suppression | Nashara |
| Flamewake | Mercy | Seduction | Seraphine |
| Ashfold | Judgment | Cruel Justice | Kaxerik |
| Lanternfold | Humility | Echoing Pride | Balawag |
| Scorchfold | Penance | Despair | Inza |
| Gildfold | Discipline | Ledger Guilt | Vrexion |
"Here lies the Ninefold Seal" as depicted within the The Basilica of the Undying Flame
Comments