Order of Illumination

The Guard of Light

The Army and Enforcers

The largest and most visible branch of the Order. They march in gleaming armor, patrol borders, and enforce judgments. Their duty is the destruction of evil in all its forms.

Oath of the Guard of Light

By the light and under the eyes of the One, I pledge my life to the Order of Illumination,
I swear to obey, to renounce corruption, to abandon all temptations that weaken the spirit, }
To surrender my life and all my possessions to the Light
and to destroy evil wherever it is found.
Under the light, and for my salvation, I swear

— --illuminated

Ranks

• Illuminated
• Sergeant
• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Lord Captain
• Lord Commander

The Brotherhood

Inquisition, Spies, and Shadow-Hunters

Where the Guard fights armies, the Brotherhood hunts secrets. They seek the corrupt, the pact-bound, the hidden traitors, and those who walk among the innocent in service to darkness.

The Brotherhood consists of:

Shadowbane Stalkers

Infiltrators, trackers, and undercover scouts who move freely through criminal underworlds, courts, and slums.
No formal ranks.

Shadowbane Inquisitors

Interrogators and executioners sanctioned to destroy threats or drag them before the Questioners.
Begin at the rank of Lieutenant.

The Chancellory

Priests, Healers, and Spiritual Guides

The Chancellory maintains doctrine, tends to the wounded, and speaks the will of The One. They hold no political authority, but in spiritual matters, even the Lord Commander must heed them.

The Tribunal

Supreme Internal Authority

The Tribunal consists of:

• Two Justicars
• One High Justicar

They interpret the Order’s laws, judge internal accusations, and may appoint an Archon—a Stalker or Inquisitor empowered to ferret out treachery within the Order.

The culture of the Order of Illumination is built on rigid discipline, religious zeal, and an unwavering belief that evil hides behind ordinary faces. Members are trained to value purity, obedience, and sacrifice above personal freedom.

Daily life revolves around:

• Dawn and evening prayers to The One
• Physical drills
• Cleansing rites
• Silent meals
• Study of scripture
• Confession and reflection

Pleasure is viewed as a distraction; simplicity is a virtue. Art is devotional, clothing is modest, and conversation often revolves around vigilance, purity, and righteous duty.

Members perceive the world as a battlefield of unseen forces. They assume corruption lurks beneath civility and that salvation comes through constant scrutiny. Outsiders are approached politely but warily, especially arcane casters or those tied to the shadow gods.

The Order’s public mission is the complete eradication of evil from the world. They justify their actions as holy duty for the protection of mortals.

Their stated goals include:

• Hunting servants of Tahkene (Goddess of Darkness) and the Nameless One (God of Shadows and Betrayal)
• Purging corruption within society
• Preventing the rise of arcane power they believe contributed to the Calamity
• Protecting common folk from spiritual and physical threats

Most of these motivations are internal, rooted in their doctrine and cultural values. However, some political motives are external — the Order leverages fear and public support to expand influence, especially in regions where rulers are weak or compromised.

The Order possesses significant and growing wealth and power, including:

• Fortress of Light (once High Garten Keep) — their fortified capital
• Extensive barracks, chapels, outposts, and armories
• A standing army of 2,000 soldiers
• Thousands of non-combat members (priests, scribes, healers, laborers, trainees)
• Large supply caches of weapons, armor, siege tools, warhorses, and rations
• Vast tithes and donations from commoners who believe the Order protects them
• Captured or confiscated lands of those accused of corruption
• Religious relics tied to The One's worship

Their most valuable “asset” is their reputation — many fear them, but many more support them, giving the Order access to local resources, manpower, and information networks across neighboring lands.

Founding Era: The Shadow War

The Order arose during the Shadow War, born of paranoia, grief, and the creeping influence of the Nameless One, god of shadows and betrayal—himself a servant of Tahkene, Goddess of Darkness.

Its founder, Malavious D’Erricio, served as a constable of High Garten Keep. His life shattered when his closest friend Terrance revealed himself as one of the Shadowed—mortals who had pledged themselves to the Nameless One and, by extension, Tahkene.

Terrance murdered Malavious’ wife, held his daughter hostage, and attempted to force him to open the trade gate. Malavious slew his friend, but too late to save Alarial. With his dying breath, Terrance whispered:

“I am not the only one.”

Consumed by grief and righteous fury, Malavious dedicated himself to rooting out every Shadowed agent in the keep. He gathered like-minded zealots and formed the earliest version of the Order.

Over a hundred suspected Shadowed were executed. Most were later believed innocent. But fear fed growth, and growth fed power.

When the keep’s ruler, Lord Valandal, tried to disband them, Malavious accused him of consorting with shadows. Outnumbered and abandoned, Valandal vanished—exiled or imprisoned until death.

High Garten became the Order’s stronghold.

After the Shadow War

With the Nameless One’s forces repelled, the Order expanded its definition of evil. It no longer hunted only the servants of Tahkene and her shadow god ally, but anyone who displayed “potential for corruption.”

Witches, arcanists, necromancers, secret cultists, political rivals—none were safe.

Fear kept the Order powerful.

The Calamity and the Rise of The One

When the Calamity shattered arcane magic, the Order claimed it was a punishment for dependence on wizardry and arcane craft. They declared that:

• Arcane casters drew power from evil,
• Wizards were tools of darkness,
• Magic itself was a chain placed on mortals by those in league with Tahkene’s shadows.

The priests of Sul denounced these claims, excommunicating the Order as extremists. In response, the Order embraced The One, whom they claimed to be the first and greatest of the gods.

Modern Era

Today the Order commands:

• Thousands of devout members
• Over 2,000 trained soldiers
• Complete dominion over Harrenhal (formerly High Garten)
• Control of the lands southwest of Emic

They are welcomed by commoners, feared by nobles, and obeyed by many who have no choice.

Wherever evil is suspected, the Order goes.
Wherever the Order goes, judgment follows.

The Order controls only one formal territory:

The Country of Amador

A nation forged under their rule, formerly the lands surrounding High Garten Keep.

They came to occupy it through:

• Military dominance during and after the Shadow War
• Political manipulation
• Religious influence over the common people

While they rule Amador directly, their presence is felt across multiple regions. Even beyond their borders, towns often comply with their demands out of fear, respect, or admiration.

The Order maintains one of the most disciplined forces on the continent.

The Guard of Light

Their main army, known for its perfect formations, gleaming armor, and relentless discipline. They are respected for their effectiveness and feared for their lack of mercy.

The Brotherhood

Their covert branch — stalkers, inquisitors, and interrogators who root out hidden servants of darkness. They are whispered about more than spoken of openly.

Training & Doctrine

Soldiers train daily, uphold strict moral codes, and take vows that bind them to lifelong service. The military is viewed internally as a sacred calling; members see themselves as holy warriors.

Outsiders view them as:

• Protectors, if they are common folk or faithful
• Fanatics, if they are arcane casters, nobles, or anyone who fears scrutiny

The Order officially worships:

The One

The supreme god of purity, truth, and righteous judgment.

Other religions technically exist in Amador but hold no power. Sul’s church once thrived but has been driven out or forced underground since the Order’s excommunication.

Worship of Tahkene or the Nameless One — even by rumor — is punishable by execution.

Creation & Documentation

Laws are drafted by the Tribunal and affirmed by the Lord Commander. They are recorded in illuminated codices stored in Harrenhal.

Enforcement

The Guard enforces physical law, while the Brotherhood handles spiritual or hidden crimes.

Punishments

Punishments are severe and include:

• Public penance
• Branding
• Exile
• Imprisonment
• Execution

Flexibility

The law is strict and inflexible. Loopholes rarely exist, and mercy is rare unless granted by the Chancellory for spiritual reasons.

Education is controlled entirely by the Order.

Soldiers & Stalkers

Receive:

• Weapons training
• Discipline
• Basic literacy
• Doctrine memorization

Clergy

Receive:

• Advanced theological instruction
• Study of scripture
• Sacred languages
• Healing arts

Common Folk

Populations within Amador receive only basic education — reading scripture, arithmetic for work, and instruction in the virtues of The One.

Arcane teaching is forbidden.

The Tenets of the Order include:

1. The Light is Absolute — All truth flows from The One.
2. Evil Hides Everywhere — Even good men may be corrupted.
3. Purity Must Be Protected — Body, spirit, and intention must be kept free of shadow.
4. Obedience is Sacrifice — To serve is to surrender one’s will.
5. Arcane Power is Tainted — Magic outside divine blessing is suspect.
6. The Shadow Must Be Purged — Servants of Tahkene and the Nameless One are to be destroyed.
7. Confession Brings Cleansing — Concealed doubt invites corruption.

These tenets are enforced by commanders, priests, and inquisitors alike.

Ethical expectations include:

• Maintaining purity of mind and body
• Avoiding excess (food, drink, pleasure)
• Telling the truth at all times
• Reporting suspicious behavior
• Rejecting wealth unless granted by the Order
• Showing no mercy to proven evil

Sins include:

• Arcane spellcasting
• Deception or secrecy
• Contact with shadow cults
• Luxurious living
• Doubt in The One

Ethics have hardened over time — what began as wartime vigilance has become perpetual paranoia.

Daily Rites

• Dawn prayer
• Washing of hands (symbolic cleansing)
• Silent meals
• Evening recitation of scripture
• Nightly confession or meditation

Major Rituals

• Oathfire Ceremony — For new initiates
• Cleansing March — Public procession to “banish lingering shadows”
• The Vigil of the One — A sleepless night of contemplation
• The Day of Unmasking — Anniversary of the first Shadowed revealed

Special Worship Practices

Light-based rituals, such as:

• Maintaining sacred lanterns
• Burning incense that symbolizes purification
• Chanting in Luminan, the holy language

The Order exerts enormous political influence in Amador and beyond.

Internal Influence

Within Amador:

• The Order is the government
• The Tribunal interprets law
• The Lord Commander directs military and civil affairs
• The Chancellory shapes moral doctrine

External Influence

In neighboring lands:

• Some rulers rely on the Order as a stabilizing force
• Others see them as a threat
• Common folk often welcome them during crises
• Arcane groups actively avoid or resist them

The Order’s influence can be stabilizing for small communities, but destructive to political structures, magical academies, and rival religions.

To some they are saviors.
To others they are zealots.
To all, they are impossible to ignore.