The Brethren of the Purifying Light

A fanatical cult that takes an extreme, fundamentalist interpretation of the holy texts upon which the Church of the Nine is founded.

Established by Armand de Carassonne, a radical cleric who garnered followers at secret meetings whilst teaching at the high temple in Alacazar, the Brethren of the Purifying Light's key doctrine is that magic was unleashed upon the world by Mordgren, the dark god of forbidden knowledge and lord of hell. As such, the cult believes all magic users to be a corrupt perversion, who are touched by dark forces.

Other ideology includes the belief that all women are wanton vessels of Salethra, the dark goddess of gluttony and lust, leading to the Brethren rejecting sexual intimacy as innately sinful, and declaring that women must be strictly controlled.

Those at the margins of the cult, are often mis-guided, young men. They are lost souls, seeking some retribution against a society that they feel owes them something.

Higher ranking members wish to shape and control what they see as decadent social structures, believing that the only way society can be purified of the influence of the dark gods, is to impose what they call Armandian Law; Five key tenets take from the founding text of the Church of the Nine, known as The Voxus, written by the prophet, Solonus

However, Voxuses in everyday use are based on a poorly translated and incomplete copy made 50 years after Solonus' death. The original is thought to have been destroyed during the sack of Alacazar 10 years earlier.

The tenets which drive the Brethren, are as follows:

1. 'Suffer not a Witch to live' - This is taken to mean that Mages and anyone with The Sight should be executed

The original text actually reads 'Suffer not a witch to live in isolation' meaning that those touched by the gift of magic should be welcomed and accepted in society

2. 'A woman shalt serve' - This is interpreted to mean that women must obey men without question, either their husband, or any man in authority

The original text actually reads 'A woman shalt serve no man', meaning that a woman should be able to lead an independent life, unbound to any man.

3. 'Only the gods can cure suffering' - This leads to rejection of herbalism, and medical science.

The true interpretation is that when a person opens their heart to the gods, their soul will be healed of all pain.

4. 'The wealth of the earth belongs to the Nine' - This is interpreted that the Church should control the wealth of society.

The true interpretation of this, is that the Gods created the world and all its wonders, and it is therefore theirs to give to humankind.

5. 'The unholy shalt be sundered' - Taken to mean that heretics, apostates and heathens should be met with violent retribution.

The true interpretation here is that those who follow the path of evil will ultimately destroy themselves.