Imperial Church of the Light

The Divine Imperial Church of the Light is the first and only religious organisation currently tolerated within the expanse of the Divine Imperium of Roania. Founded by the first Patriarch, Louis DeRechelieu, after the Shadow Years, it has been a bulwark of stability for more than 2000 years.

History

After the fall of the Empire of Shadow, the Divine Imperium was founded by the leading general, a Joseph Black. Secular organisation was thus quickly secured; however spiritual organisation was nonexistent. The Roanians had, over the 600 years of fear, for the most part abandoned their spirituality out of a belief that God had abandoned them.

Then one of Joseph's generals stepped forward and claimed that he had had a vision. A vision of a universe freed from magic, freed from the shadow that such powers created. A vision of a new 'god', the Light. "In the beginning was the Light, and in the end all shall be Light once more." While initially slow to be accepted, many of the surviving priests and their proteges quickly subscribed, bringing an eclectic mix of rituals into its initial form. Still, popularity amongst the people was lacking, many Roanians having an inherent distrust of all spirituality.

Until Joseph and the newly ennobled Duke Leopold d'Arquis both converted after hearing Louis preach at the city of Valens, in the land now known as Adytum. With the two heroes of the war as members, first Roan and Derricks subscribed, and then the beliefs spread throughout all of Rudan Prime.

Louis became the first Patriarch of the Light, and was later declared a Servant of the Light. By the end of his long (some spoke of him as 'blessed by the light') reign of nearly 350 years, the Church was firmly established, to the point where he could be acclaimed a Prophet of the True Faith, an intercessor with the harsh Light to make itself known to humanity.

The Church continued to grow in power for another 700 years. Then a terrible schism occured, with a section of the Church being corrupted by power and withdrawing to form the Temple of the Eternal Darkness. Merrech's spirit had reached out from beyond the Veil of Shadows to take possession of the King of Agua, inspiring him and many of his soldiers to abandon their self-control and embrace the darkness within. A broad section of the Aguan Church turned with the ruler, and Lorodecrast was scoured of life. The armies of the darkness marched almost up to the walls of Valens itself. The city would have fallen right then had it not been for the courage of a member of the garrison, who stitched a sunburst to his sleeve and led