Church of the Holy Light

[byzantine 12]

Alliance priest roleplay can be difficult, thanks to the often confusing and expansive lore surrounding the church they worship.

The purpose of this post is to break down the fundamentals on the structure and tenets of the Church in the Warcraft universe, both for informative and referential usage.

This post will not contain any RPG material. Speculation on the Three Virtues will be provided.
It will not explain the intricacies, and usage, of the Light as a magical school.
All lore accurate, circa Chronicles Volume 2.

 

 

Summary

• The Church of the Holy Light is not xenophobic. The church has undergone some sectarian divisions throughout its history; though the official canon of the Church maintains a strong emphasis on unity.
• The holy text of the Church is called the Tome of Divinity. It stratifies the teachings of the Church into a context addressing the paladins of the Silver Hand.
• Despite the current situation of the great Cathedral of Light in Stormwind, the Church as we know it was originally founded in Lordaeron.

Origins

• The values now heavily integrated into human society were developed from stories depicting the sacrifice of the titanic watcher Tyr's right hand fighting the great dragon Galakrond. It was within the watcher's power to rejuvenate his lost hand, yet he retained the injury. From this tale the ancient humans kindled a philosophy of betterment and order through self-sacrifice.
• After the Troll Wars that united elves and humans, a score of human priests experienced visions that introduced them to the Light as a physical entity.
• These visions were orchestrated by the Naaru, unbeknownst to the humans. However, this is not common knowledge and should not be misconstrued as humans acknowledging the Naaru as deities.
• The first of these human prophets was called Mereldar. She, alongside the other prophets, put the teachings of their benefactors down onto parchment. From this spiritual interaction, the main philosophies of the modern Church were conceived. It can be assumed that Mereldar is revered as a prophet by priests and paladins, as much as Uther the Lightbringer is revered as a paragon.
• Mereldar's application of the philosophies she learned from her visions led to what was, presumably, the first instance of a human using the Light.
• Mereldar's religion spread until, eventually, it was canonized by the leaders of Lordaeron as the Church of the Holy Light.
• Lordaeron is named for Mereldar's brother, Lordain, who fell in battle against the Amani trolls voluntarily to save his men. With this in mind, it can be speculated that a theme of sacrifice and compassion is instrumental to the teachings of the Church. A cowardly paladin or priest is unlikely.

Virtues

The Church relegates its teachings into three strict tenets. The application of these tenets is a source of great contention, though this ambiguity makes human religious roleplay all the more divided and interesting. Sectarian groups such as the Scarlet Crusade objectively subvert every single one of these values. Consequently, the saga of beliefs revered by the Scarlets can plausibly be viewed as heresy by members of the canon Church. It is important to understand that the Scarlet Renegades, though few in number, are the "true" followers of the canon Church among that ill-intented flock, and should not be considered enemies of the Church.

Respect

• Respect is the first virtue taught to neophytes in the Church. It rests heavily on concepts of understanding and appreciation. This does not imply that the Church blindly accepts the qualities of the enemy; but rather identifies those worth admiring by human standards, acknowledging them, and retaining an attitude that can be likened to the "love thy neighbour" virtue in real-life Christianity. One can respect their enemy without loving them. It is believed that, through maintaining this connection of respect and acknowledgement, it brings one closer to the Light.
 

Tenacity

• Tenacity is the second virtue taught to Church newcomers. This tenet is deeply seated in one's faith, the maintenance of that faith, and the perseverance required to champion it. It encourages both priests and paladins alike to spread the goodness of the Church, overcoming hatred and strife erstwhile. A case can be made for further religious tolerance here, as placing your faith before your personal prejudices may be the spiritual idealist's path to godliness.
• The applications of this virtue are myriad. One priest's understanding may differ to another's, and dialogue on faith can easily be initiated forthwith. For example, one man may believe that the proper execution of tenacity involves confessing in the presence of heathens, such as orcs and undead. Another may consider it to be the wholesome acceptance of people from all walks of life under the Light, believing in a gentler approach to the alien and obscure.

Compassion

• Often the go-to resource for tavern witticisms against paladins, the third and final scripture of the Light is that of compassion. Compassion is loosely defined by the Church, though the understanding is similar to that of respect; humanise your enemy, lest you lose your own humanity in the process of fighting him. Overcome rivalry with faith to achieve betterment.
• Compassion is not analogous to mercy. A paladin might understand the plight of the orc, yet consider the compassionate course of action to be slaying him, for he presents a threat to neighbouring farmers. The best way to understand the Three Virtues is to apply them to practical scenarios. A general overview of these virtues is misleading. You might choose, as a paladin, to follow the "needs of the many over the needs of the few" philosophy - in which you may elect to destroy or spurn the few to save the many. This does not technically compromise your beliefs as a man or woman of faith, but rather your character as a person. These decisions may weigh on your character, and their rounded understanding of the Church may be better off for it.

 

Factions

• Many groups lay claim to the title of Church-fearing adherents of the Light. This section will briefly overlook them, describing their mission and qualities concisely.

Brotherhood of Northshire
Founded from the now-defunct Clerics of Northshire, this esoteric group of priests and paladins reside in the titular abbey in Elwynn Forest. They are perhaps most representative of Compassion in Church canon, having healed Gnolls during the Gnoll War, and Gurubashi trolls during the Gurubashi War.

Knights of the Silver Hand
The order from which the first paladins were spawned. Formed as a direct response to the losses sustained by the Clerics of Northshire against the Orcish Horde during the First War, this greatly respected order of knights and holy men was formed in the Lordaeronian city of Stratholme by Archbishop Alonsus Faol and Uther, soon to become the Lightbringer. Disbanded during the Third War by the traitor-prince Arthas Menethil after Uther refused an order to purge the holy city of Stratholme of alleged undead. 

Scarlet Crusade
Originally tempered in the wake of the Silver Hand's disbanding under values of reclamation and purity by Alexandros Mograine the Ashbringer, this order has since fallen into disrepute and heresy since the days of the Third War. After Alexandros' son Renault stabbed him in the back in a plot born of treachery and ambition, the order rapidly declined thanks to a vacuum in leadership encouraged by foul play and hatred. Demonic influence soon brought about paranoia and extreme zeal in the Crusade's upper echelon, which naturally trickled down until the once-noble order was a fully heretical military secession, propagating xenophobia and fanatical purging across all of fallen Lordaeron.
Some elements of the Crusade are still active today, though their presence as a real threat to the Church is null.

Argent Dawn
Established by Scarlet Crusade dissidents following the exodus of "true" Church followers from the Crusade's misguided regime. Lord Maxwell Tyrosus is the most notable contributor to the inception of the Argent Dawn, and their presence in the Plaguelands is that of a peacekeeper. Operating out of Light's Hope Chapel, they allowed a wide variety of members into their order, the most remarkable of which being Forsaken. Whether or not this is merely an exceptional individual case or a commentary on the accepting nature of this order is unclear.

Brotherhood of the Light
A philosophical compromise between elements of the Argent Dawn and the Scarlet Crusade, retaining both the scholarly intellectualism of the former and the military prowess of the latter. It served a dual purpose both as an emissary force to keep relations between the two opposing factions from souring, and as a military arm of the Argent Dawn. Their efforts eventually cultivated in an uneasy alliance between Scarlet and Argent forces to drive the fey lich Kel'Thuzad from the Plaguelands. Their most notable accomplishment yet has been the vanquishing of the dreadlord Balnazzar, the mastermind behind the Scarlet forces in Stratholme. Brotherhood forces were present at the vigil over the Dark Portal.

Argent Crusade
Formed when the Argent Dawn and Order of the Silver Hand merged. Headed by Highlord Tirion Fordring, bearer of the Ashbringer, they led the War against the Lich King in Northrend, perhaps their most impressive achievement. Accompanied with the renegade Death Knights of the Ebon Blade, they orchestrated the downfall of the Lich King and ensured the Scourge would no longer encroach in great numbers as they had done during the Third War. Considered to be the most respected Church order behind the Silver Hand itself.

Edited July 23, 2017 by byzantine

[Romeo 320]

Awesome job once again! These little guides or whatever you wanna call them are marvelous because they aren't massive in size, it's perfectly organized and just all in all has everything I'd need when it comes to this topic. Thanks again! *holybubbles*

[ArvickCorpsebane 65]

Oh my god. Finally, someone wrote a guide about Church of the Holy Light and used their brain while writing it. You mentioned my biggest problem with the Priest roleplayers. Xenophobia and corruption are very common theme in priest RP, often executed terribly. Some people can't simply admit WoW isn't the Grim Darkness of the 41st century, sadly. I hope people won't disregard this guide as it extensively describes what the biggest problems with priest roleplay are. You hit the nail on the head.

[Woldgrimm 0]

What about Gilnean priests? They would've been cut off from the world for a while and possibly created a sense of superiority in their own 'kind' just like most other Gilneans.

[Boba 5]

This made me soo happy. 

[Rogan 158]

6 hours ago, Woldgrimm said:

What about Gilnean priests? They would've been cut off from the world for a while and possibly created a sense of superiority in their own 'kind' just like most other Gilneans.

The Gilnean clergy would most likely be built off the same tenants and ideals as Lordaeron's priesthood, perhaps more subdued but their faith would be relatively the same. A pre-Third War clergy of Lordaeron would be ideal for those who're practicing a faith not as zealous or accepting as the Scarlets and Argents respectively, but still considered much older in faith.

(Though, the Brotherhood of Northshire achieves this, almost.)

[Valrik 24]

The Silver Hand was not disbanded.

[Romeo 320]

8 minutes ago, Valrik said:

The Silver Hand was not disbanded.

• The Ultimate Visual Guide stated that Arthas disbanded the Knights of the Silver Hand.^[46] The updated version however, the Ultimate Visual Guide - Updated and Expanded, stated that Arthas just sent Uther and his Knights away and that they were decimated during the war.^[47]

[Valrik 24]

Just now, Romeo said:

• The Ultimate Visual Guide stated that Arthas disbanded the Knights of the Silver Hand.^[46] The updated version however, the Ultimate Visual Guide - Updated and Expanded, stated that Arthas just sent Uther and his Knights away and that they were decimated during the war.^[47]

Yes. The updated and expanded guide is accurate.