Our last few articles have been about the darkness of the Great Enemy, now we present the history of one organization dedicated to opposing that darkness.

The Order of Light: In AF 62, a man identifying himself only as the “Prophet of God” appeared in the city of Varennes, capital of Saniel. Preaching in the streets, he called for those with the courage to follow him and “fight for the light of God” to follow him. He warned of impending dangers to Terranis, and that heroes would be needed to protect mankind.

Some took up the call, and followed the Prophet as they traveled eastwards, eventually arriving in Jorandek. By this time, their numbers had grown to several hundred. Having sold most of their worldly possessions, the followers purchased several ships and extensive amounts of supplies. Without a word, they sailed off into the north, past the newly formed Weijin Empire, to the bleak island of Korandus.

When they arrived, the island was little more than a frozen rock, hoarfrost on the ground, and only scattered plants and animals to be found. Moving inland, they found a valley along the southern face of several low mountains, and it was here that the Prophet instructed them in the means to build a mighty citadel.

Guiding their efforts, the Prophet demonstrated an incredible knowledge in masonry and stonework, as well as survival tactics, and thus Korandus claimed far fewer lives from the pilgrims than it otherwise would have. The supplies on their ships were carefully rationed, but even these began to run low, and rudimentary farmland was tilled in shallow canyons, relatively free of the howling winds and snow.

After nearly a decade, the citadel was completed. The pilgrims moved into their new home, and the Prophet began to work with them, establishing the core tenets of an Order, as well as all their doctrine for living, training, and fighting.

The Prophet explained to the pilgrims of how there would be a need for an Order of knights, holy warriors of God that would work to protect Terranis from the predations of the Great Enemy, and to keep man from destroying himself. Furthermore, they would remain politically neutral, gaining the trust of all nations to go where they must to destroy the evils of the world. They would become heroes, leaders, and saviors.

And thus the Order of Light was born, sworn in service to God, and to protect the innocent. Though most of the pilgrims were not fighters, the Prophet oversaw the initial training programs, quickly turning many of them into skilled fighters.

After several more years, with the Order growing increasingly autonomous, and less reliant on the Prophet’s guidance, he suddenly disappeared, leaving no trace of his presence except for a note, stating that the Order must remember to follow the virtues it was founded upon, and that he would return at some point in the future to guide the Order in the greatest trial Terranis would face.

Following this, the appointed leaders of the Order organized themselves and led delegations to each of the major countries of Terranis. Whereas simple citizens had departed a decade and a half ago, the rulers of the countries of Terranis now found themselves standing across from proud warriors, bedecked in ornate armor. Despite this impressive showing, however, the rulers of the nations of Terranis saw little reason to trust these strangers, and the delegations were largely dismissed.

Undaunted, the Order initially worked in secret, traveling as though they were simply mercenaries, taking jobs to destroy monsters and protect civilians. These efforts began to develop a reputation for them among the common citizens of Terranis, so that at least the masses slowly begin to approve of the Order.

Despite their continual efforts, the Order of Light toiled in relative obscurity for over a century before finally becoming largely accepted by the nations of Terranis, and small delegations were allowed to stay with each of the ruling bodies of Terranis, and the Order began to provide its services when needed. Eventually, even the Archbishop of Terranis re-located himself and his court to the island of Korandus, further sanctifying the Citadel of Light.

Throughout the remaining course of history, the Order of Light has proven a vital organization to the continued survival of Terranis, its paladins frequently risking body and soul to prevent incursions by the Great Enemy. Countless would-be invasions by lesser demon lords have been averted, the events of these desperate battles going largely unheard of by the larger public. Secret cults seeking to unleash chaos on whole cities are hunted down and destroyed before their plans can come to fruition.

Recruitment for the Order is unusual. As the bulk of the Order undertakes vows of celibacy, there are few children to be had naturally. Though a small civilian population has grown around the Citadel of Light, supporting the Order in more mundane matters, they are far from sufficient to provide the candidates necessary to keep the militant arm of the Order at full strength.

As such, special recruiting parties venture out into the world, traveling from city to city, searching for young children who demonstrate a certain inner fire that, if properly harnessed, would serve as the makings of a hero. Finding such candidates who might be worthy is difficult, rarely more than a single child in a hundred or more possesses the qualities deemed suitable.

The parents of the children selected, if they have any, are then asked to make an incredible sacrifice. The Order can train their children, but it must be done upon the island of Korandus, where centuries of doctrinal refinement and the harsh environment are able to be combined into the most effective training regimen possible. Therefore, the parents are effectively asked to give up their children for the Order, for the training takes anywhere from ten to fifteen years, and the children will not leave the island until their training is complete.

It is a terrible sacrifice, but many parents understand what the Order does for Terranis, and that their child’s contributions will be forever recorded by the Order. In general, to have one’s child accepted to join the Order is considered a high honor, but the loss is still too much to bear for some.

And so the recruiting parties return to Korandus with the children and begin their exhaustive training. By the time these acolytes complete their training, they have become peerless warriors, possessed of incredible martial skill and unbreakable discipline. A formation of paladins on the battlefield has never been defeated; their skill, coordination, and unbreakable resolve allowing them to triumph over the most horrendous of foes.

In AF 997, a visitor garbed in a heavy robe arrived at the Citadel of Light, passing through the halls of the fortress as if he knew them well. Many paladins made to stop him, but he radiated an aura of calm that caused all to falter in their steps. They followed him to the main gathering hall of the Citadel, which, by now, was filled with most of the Order as word spread of the mysterious visitor.

The High Paladin of the Order, a veteran warrior named Davion, confronted the visitor, whose face remained hidden in shadow beneath his hood, demanding his identity. At this, the visitor raised his head, drawing back his hood and shrugging off his robe. The robe fell away, revealing brilliant plate mail, wrought with ornate iconography of a silver sword and olive branches. At the visitor’s right side hung a mighty sword with a golden hilt and a glowing red blade.

The visitor’s face was aged, yet still somehow youthful, rugged and vital. Short, gray hair adorned his head, and a trimmed goatee of the same color ringed his mouth. His eyes were a golden brown, and his face held an expression of emotionless confidence.

“I am Allerka, returned to Terranis.” The visitor spoke, and the chamber fell silent at the declaration. All of the paladins were familiar with the legends of Allerka, who guided humanity before the Fall, to see him standing before them now was nearly inconceivable.

Though the Order immediately gave over control to Allerka, at his request they refrained from disseminating news of his arrival on Terranis. He began to lead the Order in a new phase of rigorous training, for the paladins knew that his presence meant a dire threat to Terranis was coming, and that they must be ready at all costs.

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