The Holy Light

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<infobox layout="stacked"> <title source="Title"><default>The Holy Light</default></title> <image source="Image"><alt source="Title"/></image> <label>Type</label> <label>Clergy</label> <label>Location</label> <label>Leader</label> <label>Former Members</label> <label>Center</label> <label>Date of Founding</label> <label>Founder</label> </infobox>

Overview[edit | edit source]

Priesthood[edit | edit source]

The primary religion of the Empire of Alenthyl. The Light has countless denominations throughout the world, and various churches recognize the Light or the Dark as specific beings, while others view them simply as mysterious entities beyond gender or worldly description.These different sects have all sorts of priesthoods; some have a Pontiff leading the Church, with Bishops under them, while others are more loosely organized. A variety of states officially recognize The Light itself as their religion, but they tend to interpret it in different ways, and therefore their people act very differently.

Practices[edit | edit source]

Practices of Light followers vary greatly in their practices, as different sects believe in completely different ideologies and pantheons which they interpret as the Light or Darkness. However, generally, there are a few staples. For example, most Light churches believe Light magic is holy, and that priests should practice it, though some sects have challenged that belief. Many of the followers of the Light throughout Aevonhold see the Dark as an evil force that permeates throughout the realm.

Many churches, most notably those within Alenthyl follow the teachings of a single word of the Light within a sacred scripture, The Book of the Sacred Light.

Some followers of the Light believe that other cultures who do not recognize the Light not as complete heretics, but simply as misguided. Naturally, some churches, such as the Alenthylian Church of the Light, think that all who do not believe specifically in their sect are heretics and infidels, but that's not the case with everyone.

Sects[edit | edit source]

The Holy Church of Alenthyl[edit | edit source]

The original semblance of religious organization created by Saint-King Alen Capewell in order to organize his holy conquest through the lands of old Alenthyl. The Holy Church of Alenthyl acted as an extension of the power that Saint-King Alen Capewell held at the beginning of the third era. The church was mainly a military organization for the short period of time that it existed and as the tales of Saint-King Alen Capewell's conquest spread over old Alenthyl, The Holy Church of Alenthyl was a name most feared.

The Holy Church of Alenthyl was disbanded at the time of Saint-King Alen Capewells death in 3E 17. The remaining forces within the church would later join the ranks of the Alenthylian Church of the Light. Some of the practices held by The Holy Church of Alenthyl would later be adopted by The Holy Templar of Alenthyl after its creation in 3E 389

Alenthylian Church of the Light[edit | edit source]

The Alenthylian Church of the Light, or simply the Alenthylian Church or the Church of the Light, is the current most prominent church in Alenthyl. Worshiping the Light as an all powerful creator, and seeking to destroy all that worship the Dark, the church generally attempts to make life harder for those that do not particularly believe in their holy mission. It is run by the Pontificate and lead by the Pontiff. There are several splinter branches and smaller sects, though those are not endorsed by the Church and instead are seen as heretical and unofficial, not following the true teachings of the Light's chosen, the Pontiff.

Over the years, the Church has faced corruption from within. The Pontiff staged a revolution against the Capewells and many institutions of the Church within Alenthyl changed drastically. Since then, the Church has been mistrusted and seen as corrupt, despite massive internal reforms to avoid something similar happening.

After the corruption of the Church was uncovered and much of the original structure of the church was reformed, the beliefs held by many of the church-goers within Alenthyl have begun to change. While much of the structure of Alenthyl has seen minor change after the destruction of the Capital Lands in 3E 1150 and subsequent happenings within the Alenthylian rebuild, the Alenthylian Church of the Light has seen by far the most change of all.

Turning to teachings of those adamant on restructuring the corrupt Church in 3E 1174, the new Pontiff of Alenthyl, Zeke Montero secretly instructed much of the remaining officially recognized churches within Alenthyl to establish a holy figure of worship and complete personification of the Light's holy power, The Lady of the Light. While it would take many years to take hold within even Alenthyl itself, The Lady of the Light's influence has only grown throughout Alenthyl, though it has yet to reach the far shores of other Empires.