The Church of the Cleansing Tempest
Mission
Purpose: The Church of the Cleansing Tempest is dedicated to the eradication of all remnants of the Crimson Court and its infamous leader, King Alistar Draven, whose attempt at ascending to lichdom left a lingering stain of corruption across the land. The Church’s followers believe it is their sacred duty to ensure the King in Crimson never rises again.
Values:
Fervor and Justice: Rooted in the unyielding zeal of Zareon, the Fiery, the Church operates with uncompromising dedication to its mission.
Destruction and Renewal: Inspired by Zephyros, the Stormbringer, the Church views its work as a cleansing tempest—destructive but necessary for renewal.
Reverence for Death: Guided by Eryndor, the Guardian of Rest, they ensure the sanctity of the dead while purging corruption.
Core Belief: Only through fiery zeal, stormlike power, and reverence for the grave can the Crimson Court’s taint be eradicated and balance restored.
Founding
Founding Figure: The Church was founded by Elandor Veythryn, a revenant forged through the dark necromancy of King Alistar Draven. Once a valiant member of the Crownclaw Knights, Elandor was mind-controlled and bound to serve the King in Crimson as one of his enforcers. Freed upon the King’s death, Elandor retained his undead form but vowed to atone for his forced atrocities by dedicating his unlife to hunting the remnants of the Crimson Court.
Historical Context: After Elendara the Usurper struck down King Alistar Draven, his dream of lichdom was shattered, but his followers scattered throughout Illica. These remnants sought to carry out their master’s dark ambitions, spreading corruption and instability. The Church of the Cleansing Tempest was born out of the desperate need to stop these remnants.
Early Development: Elandor, driven by guilt and zeal, gathered like-minded individuals—survivors, warriors, and priests—and formed the Church. Their early campaigns were ruthless and effective but lacked restraint, sowing fear and distrust among the common people.
Core Teachings
Zareon (Zeal): Followers embrace unwavering dedication to their cause, believing that hesitation and compromise enable corruption. Their fiery conviction fuels their relentless pursuit of justice, regardless of the cost.
Zephyros (Tempest): The Church views itself as a cleansing storm, accepting that destruction is necessary to purge evil. They believe renewal comes only after devastation.
Eryndor (Grave): The sanctity of death must be upheld, and followers are trained to identify and destroy necromantic corruption. They ensure that the dead rest peacefully and that no soul is defiled by the Crimson Court’s influence.
Rituals and Practices
The Revenant’s Oath: Initiates pledge their eternal loyalty to the Church by symbolically burning a piece of their past—be it an object, a lock of hair, or even a written name. The fire represents their transformation into instruments of divine justice.
The Eye of the Storm: A chaotic combat rite where Stormbearers spar amidst summoned storms, invoking Zephyros’ destructive power and testing their ability to fight within chaos.
The Lantern’s Vigil: A sacred ceremony led by Lantern Keepers to honor the souls of those lost to the Crimson Court. Followers gather to light lanterns in memory of the dead, promising to protect their rest.
Hierarchy
High Flamebringer Elandor Veythryn: The undead revenant leader of the Church, driven by a mix of guilt and zeal. Elandor’s undead state is a symbol of both the horrors of necromancy and the enduring will to resist it.
Council of the Storm: A council of three leaders representing Zareon, Zephyros, and Eryndor. They ensure that the Church balances zeal, power, and respect for the sanctity of life and death.
Inferno Heralds: Zealots representing Zareon, who lead the most fervent of the Church’s warriors.
Stormbearers: Priests and warriors who channel the destructive energy of Zephyros, spearheading the Church’s most aggressive campaigns.
Lantern Keepers: Clerics devoted to Eryndor, ensuring the dead are honored and necromantic corruption is eradicated.
Ash Disciples: The lowest rank, composed of initiates undergoing trials to prove their dedication and worthiness to the Church’s mission.
Base of Operations
The Church’s original seat of power was in Crown’s Rest, but it was exiled by Talon Falkrest, the current king, after a catastrophic incident. Believing the followers of the Crimson Court were hiding in a tavern in the Reaches, the Church launched an attack that escalated out of control. The tavern burned, killing 200 people inside, and the resulting fire destroyed 54 buildings and claimed an additional 400 lives.
Now, the Church operates from Faithspire, a seat of religious power that grants them some autonomy but keeps them removed from the political heart of Illica. Faithspire’s isolation provides the Church with a fortress-like stronghold for their operations, though their zeal is closely monitored by other religious authorities.
Legacy and Influence
Impact: The Church of the Cleansing Tempest is a polarizing force in Illica. Survivors of the Crimson Court see them as heroes, but their unrelenting zeal and past atrocities have made them feared by many. They are often viewed as a necessary evil—a dangerous force that must be carefully restrained.
Outreach: The Church sends emissaries and small militant cells to regions where Crimson Court remnants are suspected. Their methods are brutal, often leaving destruction in their wake, but their results are undeniable.
Enduring Symbolism: The Church’s sigil—a flaming sword crossing a storm cloud, with a guiding lantern below—symbolizes their unity of purpose: to burn away corruption, wield the storm’s might, and protect the sanctity of the dead.