The most widespread religion in the World, the Church of the All-Father (often simply called “the Holy Church”) has faithful among men, elves, dwarves, even the Aracoix and the centaurs. All of the Enlightened Races believe that they are either the children or grandchildren of the All-Father, and have praised His name for many ages. The church began as an institution of peace and harmony, and throughout the Ages has sought to unite the All-Father’s disparate children, acting to stem the tides of dissent that so frequently swept the world. The War of Tears and the rise of Cambruin the High King brought the Church its greatest crisis. While the Patriarchs were loathe to speak against Cambruin, who acted in the All-Father’s name and seemed to bear His divine favor, they also could not bring themselves to endorse the High King’s agenda of war and extermination, which would sever the oldest arm of the High Church. The Church of the All-Father remained neutral during the War of Tears, and as a result they were unable to prevent the Great Betrayal and the Turning. Now, the All-Father’s voice is silent, and even the most innocent of prayers go unanswered. While the Church has lost the guidance of the All-Father, the faith of its priests can still work miracles, however, as invocations to the saints and Archons still hold power. The Church has continued to do its holy work in the wake of the Turning, trying to keep faith and hope alive in the face of the gathering darkness
Known Saints
- Saint Adelmo the Patriarch: The old Human Patriarch who helped unify the Church long ago. He was the leader of the Holy Church of the All-Father when the hordes of Chaos shook the world at the beginning of the War of the Scourge. Saint Adelmo called for a mighty crusade against the unnatural invaders and placed the All-Father’s blessings upon any who would take up arms in the Church’s defense.
- Saint Clarimus: The first Crusader. Fought Demons in the War of the Scourge.
- Saint Kellast: Said “This will not endure.” Advocate of partnership between races.
- Saint Lorne: The saint of Swords. Another warrior saint.
- Saint Victor: – Warrior who found religion and joined the Church.
- Saint Wend: Associated with healing – cured a plague once.
Archons the Church Venerates
According to the Book of Staves, the Archons are “mighty beings” born of the All-Father’s thought and will.
- Dangiriel: The Archon of War and the general of Heaven.
- Hedrusiel: The Archon of strength, who shut the Gates of Chaos at the end of the War of the Scourge, even though all the Demons of Hell pushed back against him.
- Loromir: The Archon of Peace who was slain by Sillestor, the Last ElfKing of the first Dynasty of the Deathless Empire.
- Nandramiel: The Archon of Judgment, also known, as the Herald of Pandarrion.
- Teluranel: The Archon of Grace who assisted Caeric Blackhammer during his quest for Shadowbane and transformed him into the first Paladin.
- Uvoriel: The Archon of Fire.
- Volmiriel: Was once the Archon of Valor but several Chaos Lords killed him during the War of the Scourge.
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The Book of Staves, Chapter 1: 12-18
12 And all the Universe was filled thereby, though as yet all matter was as mist, infirm and dissolute. 13 And the All-Father looked upon the cloudy void, and was glad, for His design proceeded according to his will. 14 And the All-Father moved into the Void that was not void, and as he passed the mist did billow, and form itself into the Archons, mighty beings born of the All-Father’s thought and will. 15 And the Archons sang their praises to the All-Father, and at their song the walls of the Void shuddered, and the great Forces of Law, Chaos, and Light were made manifest. 16 Here Law spun the mists of matter into hard shapes of stone and crystal, while there the mists flared into firey chaos, or moved and surged like water. 17 But over all shone Light, bright and pure. 18 And the All-Father laughed with great gladness, for still His design moved unimpeded.
The Book of Swords, Chapter 12: 14-23
“14 til the heavens themselves did burn with a flame of the darkest black, 15 and the thunderous sky did weep with tears of blood. 16 With the cracking of earth did the All-Father Turn, 17 and the Light of his Eyes did dim near to Shadow. 18 The Earth took shallow breaths, as the All-Father left our World, and the Sky itself let forth a great cry 19 as that of a child losing his father, or 20 that of a Land on the loss of her King. 21 And with Him left his Elder Children, and 22 for the first time, Man was left without Gods. 23 The World itself was Shattered, splintered and torn asunder, and 24 the cities became unto planes and the planes scattered through the Heavens like spilled and forgotten grain.
25 Thus ended the Age of Kings, and began the Age of Strife that is our own.”