Holy Order of the Sun

The Order adheres to the mandatory structure decreed in the Book of Lex, ensuring a balance of spiritual and administrative authority.

Holy Warrior Ranks (The Solar Guard)

The military arm of the Order adheres to a strict hierarchy of light and law.

Dicastery of the Monasteries

The Holy Order manages its monasteries through the Master of the Ascetic Discipline. This leader must hold the rank of Luminary (Quorum Rank). Centralized control is vital for Ra/Khepri's faith to enforce the strict principles of the Middle Way and Active Stewardship doctrine across all affiliated monastic groups.

The Middle Way

The Holy Order of the Sun teaches that divine energy is channeled through the solar cycles, bringing strength and vitality to all living things. Followers are charged with active stewardship over the community, combating the shadows of despair and corruption while promoting healing. The faith emphasizes finding the "Middle Way," which requires:

1. Balancing Wrath with Compassion: Followers must take action against injustice (wrath) but temper that action with forgiveness and care for the victim (compassion). They are warned to avoid the extremes of paralyzing apathy or violent fanaticism.
2. Order Through Action: Belief is expressed through tangible Acts of Stewardship—deeds of community service, healing, or defense—as proof that Order is actively maintained, not passively received.
3. The Priority of Light: They believe that spiritual and physical well-being are divine gifts from Khepri, and that maintaining health is a religious obligation.

The worship practices of the Holy Order of the Sun are characterized by their active, ordered nature, recognizing Khepri's central role as the Patron Deity who ensures the continuity of the cosmos.

Forms of Worship and Rituals

Everyday Practices and Rituals (The Three Oaths of Light)

The faithful begin and end their day with a focused ritual of spiritual discipline and commitment to Order.

The Rite of Dawn (Morning): This is the core daily ritual. As the sun appears on the horizon, followers gather (individually or communally) to chant hymns and prayers, thanking Ra/Khepri for winning the nightly battle against Apothis. This ritual is a recognition that Order is not guaranteed but is actively maintained by the gods.

The Oaths of Light (Daily Commitment): Following the Rite of Dawn, every follower commits to The Three Oaths of Light, which guide their daily conduct:

1. The Oath of Sight: To seek truth, reject intentional ignorance, and expose corruption.
2. The Oath of Service: To perform at least one tangible Act of Stewardship—a deed of community service, healing, or defense against injustice.
3. The Oath of Steadfastness: To maintain the "Middle Way," balancing strong convictions with compassion and avoiding the excesses of fanaticism or apathy.

Healing Services: Public healing and nourishment services are integrated into the routine of Khepri’s temples. Followers who are well are expected to assist the Light-Menders in hospital work, recognizing that physical wellness is a part of Ra/Khepri's divine gift of life energy.

Worship on Special Days

The Order follows an annual calendar focused on the Sun's cycles, which represent Khepri's victory and power.

The Day of Reflection (Weekly Observance): In contrast to the six days of active stewardship, the Day of Reflection is a weekly Sabbath reserved for quiet spiritual and intellectual observance. Followers use this day to study the Lex and other sacred texts, to perform spiritual cleansing, and to meditate on how well they have walked the Middle Way. Public Acts of Stewardship are suspended to focus on the internal Order of the soul.

The Festival of the Solstice (Annual): This is the most joyous and celebratory festival, marking the longest day of the year. It symbolizes the maximum dominion of Light and Order over darkness. Celebrations include massive, communal bonfires (often used for purification rites), public feasts for the poor and sick, and mass healing ceremonies performed by the combined clergy.

The Festival of the Equinox (Annual): This day of balance and transition is a time of solemnity and judgment. Dawn-Speakers lead public ceremonies where followers make confessions of their failure to maintain the Middle Way over the past year. The Solar Guard holds consecration rites for new arms and armor, symbolically dedicating their vigilance to Khepri for the coming half-year of increasing darkness.

The clergy's titles reflect Ra/Khepri’s dual focus on light (knowledge/guidance) and healing (nurturing).

Ordination in the Holy Order of the Sun

The appointment and ordination process for the Holy Order of the Sun is meticulously structured, reflecting the divine emphasis on order and demonstrated merit.

1. High Priest of the Sun (The Chief Luminary)

Appointment: When the office is vacant (due to death or abdication), the Quorum of Seven Luminaries assumes full administrative and spiritual control. The Quorum then holds a secret ballot to select the new High Priest from among its own members, based on proven merit and spiritual fortitude.

Ordination: The newly elected High Priest is anointed and ordained by the Quorum of Seven Luminaries. This solemn, private rite is performed using Khepri's solar relics and signifies the transfer of ultimate spiritual and temporal authority from the council to the new leader.

2. The Quorum of Seven Luminaries

The Luminaries are the governing council and highest spiritual authority below the High Priest.

Appointment: When a seat on the Quorum becomes vacant, the remaining members review the ranks of the Dawn-Speakers and Vanguard Captains. They choose a candidate based on demonstrated piety, theological knowledge, and administrative or military merit.

Ordination: The candidate is confirmed by a unanimous vote of the remaining Quorum members and then formally ordained by the High Priest of the Sun (The Chief Luminary) in a closed ceremony that signifies their ascent to the inner spiritual circle.

3. Radiant Ascendants (Grandmaster Rank)

Appointment: A Radiant Ascendant may only be appointed to that office by the Quorum of Seven Luminaries after the Quorum finds evidence of exceptional service or merit. Testimonial evidence is acceptable only if corroborated by three witnesses.

Ordination: Must be ordained by a Luminary. This ordination power may not be delegated.

4. Dawn-Speakers (Temple Priests)

The Dawn-Speakers oversee local temples, conduct ceremonies, and are the spiritual backbone of the community.

Appointment: A priest is promoted to Dawn-Speaker by the High Priest of the Sun, typically upon the recommendation of the regional Luminary, based on proven competence as a Light-Mender and demonstrated ability in rhetoric and theology.

Ordination: Ordination: The Keys to ordain Dawn-Speakers rest solely with the High Priest (or the Quorum as a whole). The High Priest may, at his discretion, delegate permission to a Luminary to perform the physical ordination ceremony on his behalf. Ordination grants them the authority to officiate all local rites, ceremonies, and services within their assigned temple district.

Appointment to Temple Priest: The Keys to preside over a temple are bestowed upon a qualified Dawn-Speaker by a designated Luminary (a member of the Quorum).

5. Light-Menders (Specialized Healers)

Light-Menders manage the Order's hospitals and healing centers, specializing in physical and spiritual wellness.

Appointment: An Acolyte is promoted to Light-Mender after completing a rigorous course of study in medicine, theology, and healing magic, as certified by the Temple Priest (Dawn-Speaker) of their home temple.

Ordination: They are ordained by their local Temple Priest, who grants them the authority to dispense healing aid and preside over the Order's charitable works.

6. Sun-Acolytes (Novices/Lay)

Appointment and Ordination: An individual becomes a Sun-Acolyte simply by committing the Light Oath—a public vow to uphold Khepri's tenets of active stewardship and justice. This initial ordination is typically overseen by any standing Dawn-Speaker.

Holy Order of the Sun: Affiliation Score System

The Affiliation Score (AS) reflects commitment to Active Stewardship and the Middle Way (balance of zeal and apathy).

I. Affiliation Score Criteria (AS)

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II. Cleric/Priesthood Ranks, Benefits, and Duties

III. Paladin Ranks, Benefits, and Duties