Church of Elluvitar

Radiant Lord Bishop   High Bishop of the Rising/High/Setting/Black Sun   Knight-Lord   Bishop   Head Cleric   Cleric & Paladin   Acolyte   The Faithful   The influence of the Church is so integral in Thorolund that noble ranks coincide alongside clergy rankings (see Thorolund) The highest clerics can reach is among the ranks of Bishops, which are beneath the Knighted Lords with the notable exception of the Congress of High Bishops. Paladins however cannot hold the rank of Bishop, but can be promoted to Knighted Lords by the King himself.

The religion started in 670 AC when the First and Last Prophet of Elluvitar, Divine Elliana returned from her four year exile into the Claw Mountains west of Solisdammen, returning with several groups of bandits and other vagrants that she had converted to her true religion. They moved into the city, and began aggressively spreading the tenants of their faith amongst the populous, growing the size of the cult many fold. Eventually, this religious fervor found its way into the royal house, where the Sovereign Prince Orinatius I of Thoros-Tethir married a commoner, the union being the first royal marriage performed by the Church of Elluvitar, by Divine Elliana herself in her final year of life. Queen Venusia was a fanatic member of the clergy, and brought the faith directly into the royal courts before the end of her reign, and this entanglement remains to this day.   Critics of the faith are eager to point out the flaws in the character of the Divine and founder of the religion as a whole. Prior to becoming the Prophet, Elliana was a wanted criminal that fled into the mountains to escape justice, and returned with a large band of outlaws, with fuzzy details about what she experienced with Elluvitar that brought her to her fervor. While the faith does acknowledge the sins of its founder, they contest with a belief in balance and forgiveness to all.

Elluvitar is the lord of the sun and day. His faith revolves around the cycles of the world, for every light, there is an equal shadow, with destruction comes rebirth. As such, Elluvitar can come across as bipolar in his quest for perfect balance in all things, Good and Evil, Law and Chaos. His followers find the sect they most readily agree with, and exemplify the will of their god in their own particular order. The church is broken up into four sects, detailed below.

Domains: Sun, Fire, Life, Destruction, Balance

Elluvitar is the primary deity in the kingdom of Varaskien and Thorolund.

Orders of the Sun: The four sects of the Church are divided up into specific roles required by the faith, with each order having its own specific domain along with Balance, the latter being universal due to Elluvitar’s teachings. Each order is headed by a council of 4 High Bishops, which form a holy congress headed by the Radiant Lord Bishop, the highest individual in the church who oversees all four sects. All four orders have active units that hunt and eradicate undead.   Order of the Rising Sun: Favored Domains: Life, Balance It should come as no surprise the Rising Sun is the most popular of the orders, as their duty is the healing of people as well as assisting in agriculture, bringing life, health, and pleanty to the world. Clergy of the Dawn Order are amazing healers, and no church is without someone dedicated to this cause, providing services of wound treatment, recovery, and restoration. They also work alongside druids to assist in magical plant growth. This order acts as the public face of the church, the good side of Elluvitar.   Order of the High Sun: Favored Domains: Sun, Balance Perhaps the most populous with undead hunting paladins, the High Sun bears the brilliant light of the sun to call in all the dark places of the world. Clergy of the Noon Order are known far and wide for their protective efforts, stern and uncompromising in their defense of the faith. Filled with divine purpose, clergy of noon can come off as a bit abrasive and preachy, with a demand for law and order. The High Sun acts as the shield of the faith, and any lawful aspects Elluvitar may have.   Order of the Setting Sun: Favored Domains: Fire, Balance As is the core to Elluvitar's faith, balance must be kept. The aggressive and temperamental members of the Dusk Order bring the blazing heat of the Sun to bear in a rather chaotic fashion. Those of this sect, and their fiery nature have a certain allure however, being highly charismatic and influential with the people. Perhaps the threat of getting burned is the key to the Setting Sun's influence. The Setting Sun reflects the potential chaotic nature of Elluvitar, and fire in general, but there is no dedication to destruction like the final order.   Order of the Black Sun: Favored Domains: Destruction, Balance A unique order, usually unexpected by the common stereotype of the blazing warmth of the healing sun god. However, Elluvitar is a god of balance above all, and as such there is a shadow to his brightest light. The least populated of all four sects, the Black Sun is primarily made of specialists, and employs fallen and dark creatures in its efforts, converting them to a more useful function. When threats to the faith rise, and dirty work must be performed, it falls upon the Midnight Order to work in the shadows, by the judgement of the faithful of course. A cavalier of Blackguards act as the elite of the sect, acting as a place for those that have fallen to find a useful place. To earn the ire of the blackened hand of Elluvitar is ill advised.