Lux Orthodoxy

Lux Orthodoxy is a breakaway sect of the Solisios Lux, centred around the Holy Settlement of Sol that lies within the heart of western Ummarnu. Those who follow the Orthodox Lux faith believe in and worship one Goddess, which would be Lux herself. The outright rejection of worshipping or praising of Tenebris is deemed as a great betrayal to Lux, who is constantly fighting him in the Eternal War. The Orthodoxy broke off from the main faith due to both religious and political reasons, mainly due to the corrupt and unorthodox methods used within the Lusarii Imperium when praising Lux - with the rise of the demons - and the rumoured introduction of another God.

Core Beliefs & Principles
The faith has traditional and simplistic values, and would align with many of the principles held by the Solisios Lux. There is a well established belief that the realm of Rathnir is split between the Heavens with the Stars as a barrier, and the Void being down into impassable Deeprock. Mortals can enter neither areas, for that is something that spirits are able to do once they have perished from their previous life.

Once a Luxite has died, their soul is said to draw towards the Eternal Flame, yet has the ability to fly out in Lux’s will, often accompanying Messengers from the Goddess and assisting their messages. These actions are able to be seen by mortals in the form of 'Floating Flames' that fly around the atmosphere to symbolise the presence of Lux.

Where it all Started
The Orthodoxy's beginnings may seem fairly recent, being formed by the Ecclesiastical Council of Sol during the Maritime Kingdom of Caeli's annexation of the States of Kharak and Adaen and the formation of the Duchy of Berkan. It is said that after the Sacking of New Chalon, the initial start to the Pikulia War, the Chalonese living within the Capital fled south to the abandoned ruins south of the Fortress. The Luxite majority population were no match as bands of elite 'Hands' mercenaries boarded the banks of the town on their barges and began slaughtering everyone in their path, and those survived followed Hoxi Hunter to their next refuge. During their exile, not much could be done, as the King of Caeli continued the war on behalf of his vassal and fought the Hands in their attempt to seize the Island of Novatress from the Kingdom.

Hunter, leader of Adaen and devote follower of Lux, would pray with the wounded, the sick, the hopeless multiple times daily in the hope that Lux's Grace would come down to her people and bring them the strength and victory in this devastating war that had cost them all so dearly. And fateful evening, as most were asleep, the guards performing their duty on patrol - the Hoxi rested within the ruins amongst the cracked rocks and dry earth. Then suddenly, out of nowhere the sky was illuminated in a blue flash as the star littered sky was blinded by a giant blue flame. Many awoke, the roars of burning flames exploding in the air caused all witnesses to freeze in awe, the colours were beautiful and magnificent, nothing like anyone had witnessed before. The Hoxi and his Guards immediately rushed over to the centre of the ruins, to get a closer view of the burning flames in the sky that was estimated at 150m above their heads. This event would be come to be known as Lux's Blessing, A New Reformation.

Lux's Blessing, A New Reformation
As they all gathered below the burning blue flames moved violently to open up a hole at the bottom, then what came out of it seemed to the distant eye as slow moving fireball, yet elegantly making its way down towards the ground below. However, as it drew closer, it was identified as a flaming bird, fairly large and white - one would have thought that it would have shrivelled up into a black crisp but it seemed completely unharmed, circling it's way towards the Hoxi until it landed on it's claws. Shocked by the supernatural sight, many took steps back in fear and uncertainty, but the Hoxi stood firm and bent down publicly on one knee, for he had witnessed similar bird signs before when the Chalonese first arrived in Ummarnu. Immediately as he lowered, the flames upon the bird faded away, and shot out towards the sky, floating like bright orange dust below the firey diamond in the sky.

After a long pause of silent staring, the bird began to talk, smoothly and boldly with the upmost confidence - as if it was a renowned Priest preaching to a well receptive crowd. A Few gasps followed but everyone, especially the Hoxi, listened attentively. The Bird proclaimed to be a messenger from Lux, and had come in their hour of need after Lux heard her people's prayers to bring blessings and a message to them all. The messenger started by thanking them all for their continued devotion, even despite the hardships where they could easily crack and lose faith - yet hadn't. The Messenger called upon the Chalonese to remain true and stay loyal to their new overlords, and they will remain blessed and protected even if their world is filled with death and despair. Hoxi Hunter, and others gathered with him including the Mayor of Hedrior Flame acknowledged this, although wanted to know more about how they could worship Lux and have her favour them forever. Despite the desperate question, the messenger paid little care to covering up, and stated that the current Lux faith had been corrupted for far too long. Below is a recording in the Chalonese Chronicles on the powerful sentences the bird revealed.

The Corrupted Faith
"Devote people of Adaen, I say upon to you, the Goddess has been displeased by the disgrace that her followers have turned into. Monsters ...Spawns of the forces of Darkness... devils... have overtaken and poisoned what once was a pure and unadulterated practice of worship of the Holy Lux. Originally, tribes of you human folk - made in the image of the Goddess - prayed and offered sacrifices as they were supposed to, Lux was pure and singularly worshipped. However, Tenebris, the shadow of night and Darkness, who had been fighting in the Eternal War against Lux...as you know, was remained spited, and it was hoped that there would be an end to this cycle of supernatural war with an Eternal Victory - Lux would remain Victorious, light conquering darkness - day overcoming night.

''However, some tribes within the red wastes began to be tainted by corruption from the spirit of Tenebris, and their dark ideals including an equilibrium to the Eternal War war with both Lux and Tenebris regarded as equals - especially being spread amongst Tenebris' minions onto Lux's people and began to integrate with their way of life and worship.... Unfortunately, those dedicated solely to Lux were gradually overwhelmed by bands of these heretics with the assistance of the vile creations of the Dark Shadow. Eventually, all were subdued, and a new order and clergy was set up within the settlement of Luxios, to spread and control the new ideals, lying to others and themselves until the Orthodox ways were all but forgotten.''

''Since the forgotten Golden Age, Tenebris and other sinful Idols...which are referred to as 'deities' were introduced into the faith... some corrupted followers even praise them instead of the Goddess... As you all may well know by now, this desecrates the almighty and merciful Lux, and although many of the brainwashed men are not at fault, the shame brought through this among the allowing of beings not designed in the image of Lux into the faith cannot stand. For if this cycle of Eternal War persists, Lux grows weaker and the Eternal War will never cease into becoming a Golden Age of Eternal Light.... Now devoted Children of Lux, that you have bore witness to the truth, it is your duty that through faith in Lux solely that the New Reformation of the Orthodox ways will begin. Lux's grace extends to all of you gathered, and she has forseen victory despite all seeming lost... but you must accept your new Overlords - show them the kindness and mercy that your Goddess has brought onto you. Praise be to Lux, May she guide you Hunter of Chalon and your people into restoring what has been for so long forsaken."''

And with that, the floating flames in the atmosphere followed as the bird took flight again, circling above the now jaw dropped crowd elegantly into the bright blue Sun. Immediately after reaching contact, what is recorded is a loud *poof* sound as the flames enveloped itself into nothing, leaving only the remains of magical embers of Lux's blessing.