Pholtus Deity of Light, Resolution, Law, Order, Inflexibility, Sun, Moons
Worshippers: Oeridian and commonly accepted across all the Flanaess
Holy Symbol: Full moon partially eclipsed by a smaller crescent moon
Alignment: LG (LN)
Domains: Good, Knowledge, Law, Sun, Inquisition
Weapon(s): Quarterstaff
Pholtus (FOHL-tus) is a stern Oeridian god of unbending Law. He
believes that he is the authority on Law and the Natural Order, which
makes him unpopular with other gods. The sun rises and sets, the moons
wax and wane, the seasons progress - all in a very ordered, regular
fashion because this is the structure created by Pholtus. He has
presumed to place himself at the pinnacle of the Greyhawk pantheon by
claiming authority on the Natural Order. This presumption creates
significant friction with the other deities, particularly with St.
Cuthbert of the Cudgel (who was originally a follower of Pholtus, and
was later raised to be a hero Deity).
The sects of Pholtus are all guided by the One True Way of Pholtus,
which is strict, but guarantees rightness. They strongly believe in
order and show no tolerance for those who do not enforce the cause of
Law; smiting Chaos where found, and Evil once chaos is rooted out.
Because of this they are commonly drawn towards governmental functions,
most notably holding prominent roles in the Judiciary and Advisory areas
of the Aerdy Great Kingdom, before its fall.
The belief of Pholtus as the authority for Natural Order is prevalent
within his followers, and they do not have much respect for other
religions, especially chaotic ones. His followers are expected to bring
the One True Way to unbelievers, and brook no argument against this
practice. This quest leads them far from their churches, usually in
groups in case unbelievers and heretics turn hostile. All Pholtan
followers believe fanaticism for the cause of law is praiseworthy.
The church of Pholtus in Nyrond has a mixed reputation. In some areas
it is well received, in others it is disliked. To better understand the
reasons for this, consider the wider history of Pholtus in the Aerdy
areas. The Pholtan Religion in old Almor was strong, but was also
decimated by Ivid towards the end of his reign of the Aerdy Great
Kingdom. Pholtans traditionally were well received in the Great Kingdom,
enjoying positions of governmental power and advisory, until 582CY when
the Patriarch of Pholtus in Rauxes, Emasstus Carcosa, declared Ivid a
heretic, insane and allied with fiends. Ivid had him arrested and began a
systematic purging of Pholtans from the Great Kingdom, rampantly
looting temples and killing priests. This, of course, resulted in a
large exodus. Many ended up strengthening the Pale, others dispersed to
areas outside of the Great Kingdom, including Nyrond. While Almor was
ruled by multiple faiths, the fact it had a strong Pholtan following did
nothing to improve relations with the Great Kingdom, and it also felt
the brunt of this hatred of Pholtus, ultimately being crushed by the
Animus Duke Szeffrin and his forces.
The Pholtan strength of old Almor was in the north, and after the
collapse they shifted to the west into Nyrond. This group of followers
and worshipers has maintained their unity, and have always held to
slightly different tenets of the Pholtan belief than their brethren of
the Church of the One True Way in the Pale. In recent times this
difference has become polarized as the Church of the Bright Path spreads
throughout the Almorian followers in the southern end of Nyrond.
In addition to all of this, the Church of the One True Path in the
Pale has sent forth an independant organization known as the Valorous
League of Blindness. This is a fanatical order of Pholtans who have
gained a great presence and hold in Midmeadow, but who also range
southward all the way to Mowbrenn.
The Pholtans in the rest of Nyrond are traditional in their beliefs,
tracing their roots to the Great Kingdom's Church of Pholtus, the Church
of the Blinding Light. The Valorous League of Blindness pays indirect
obeisance to the Church of the Blinding Light where it is encountered,
but they maintain their independance and are supported by the Church of
the One True Path in the Pale. Where they are strongest, the temples and
chapels of Pholtus are staffed and managed by the church of One True
Path.
The Church of the Light
Clergy: Priests, Paladins
Clergy Alignments: LG, LN
The Church of the Blinding Light is the predominant force of Pholtus in
Northern Nyrond. The Church of the Blinding Light in Nyrond traces its
roots to the old Aerdy Church of the Blinding Light, prevelant
throughout the entire Great Kingdom. Like most of the Churches of the
Blinding Light in the Flanaess, there is not a great level of
coordination between temples. The Church of the Blinding Light in Nyrond
was splintered from the Great Kingdom's Church at the time Nyrond
defected, when Nyrondese sympathizers purged the local Churches of
Imperial sympathizers. While these churches do maintain relationships
with the Church of the One True Path in the Pale, as well as other
strong branches of Pholtan Churches around the Flanaess, the Church of
the Blinding Light in Nyrond is a unique entity unto itself, only
loosely coordinated an ecumenical council of Pontiffs from the major
temples.
Followers of the Church of the Blinding light are traditional
Pholtans, and vocally only acknowledge their own order of Pholtus in
Nyrond. They generally refuse to admit the Church of the Bright Path
exists, considering these followers lost from the cause of Pholtus.
However, this schism is heating up to the point where they cannot ignore
it any more.
It is also an interesting subnote that the Church of the Blinding
Light has the original copy of the Scrolls of Light from the Church of
the Bright Path, as it was intercepted and taken from disciples of
Retaren who were fleeing south after he was hung in Midmeadow. What has
happened to it since is unknown, and the Church of the Blinding Light in
general consider the scrolls to be a high quality work of fiction
fabricated by a very lost and confused individual.
Areas of Influence
The Church of the Blinding Light has shrines and temples througout
much of Nyrond, where they have not been claimed by the Church of the
Bright Path or the Valorous League of Blindness and the Church of the
One True Path. Specific areas they do not have a strong presence are
Midmeadow, Almor, parts of the Duchy of Korenflass and parts of the
Justcrown province.
Organization
The Church of the Light is very structured, and also maintains
three graduated orders: Glimmering, Gleaming and Shining. Ranking is
also given to members of each order, and structure within individual
orders is as important as the greater structure of all the orders.
Rank
Name
Honorific
1-3
Acolyte
Brother/Sister
4-5
Deacon
Brother/Sister
6-7
High Deacon
Brother/Sister
8-9
Prior
Father/Mother
10-11
Priest
Father/Mother
12-14
High Priest
Father/Mother
15-17
Bishop
Father/Mother
18-19
Arch Bishop
Father/Mother
20
Pontifex
Your Holiness
Religious Trappings
Members of the Church of the Blinding Light are garbed similar to
other churches of Pholtus. The Holy Symbol for this church is true to
the holy Symbol of Pholtus, but varies in design. As with the other
churches, it is the two moons eclipsing, but for the Church of the
Bright Path the smaller moon (Celene) is located at the center bottom
edge of the larger moon (Luna), presenting an inverted elipse. On more
elaborate holy symbols the area of Luna is covered in ivory, electrum or
mother of perl, and celene is inlaid with aquamarine coral.
Temples and rituals
Buildings consecrated to Pholtus are white. Services include many
brightly burning candles, long sermons and choruses of the worshippers'
anthem, "O Blinding Light".
