"Liikran Zarkaava."
—Motto of the Ballista, translating to "Glory to the Lightwatch."
The Liikran (Lightwatch), now known as the Ballista, are a group of pure light worshipers that were founded in the first era by Kol-Han. They operate under House Zolotov of the Lunar Collective, and comprise of 12 'Ballistae' as well as a few hundred Golden Monks. They serve as divine advisors and inquisitors for the Collective, and the heart of Golden Triadism.
Kol-Han discovered the pure light hidden away at the heart of the cosmos, and was cast out of the empire for his heresy. The Liikran was commanded by his twelve trusted hands, now associated with the zodiac ballistae. They were wiped out by Omniborn and Elves alike, and sealed away into the darkness.
However, in the late second era, Kol-Han awoke to a new era where his oppressors were long dead. Founding the religion of Golden Triadism and becoming Patriarch of the fledgling lunar houses, he labelled himself as the "Herald of Light" and awakened his twelve once more.
The 12 Ballistae are each linked to twelve signs of the zodiac, as well as to the lunar houses. They each command respect and authority within the Collective, even though most others are neither aware of their powers nor their motives. Each house generally tends to follow the advice of the Ballista assigned to them.
Much of the Lightwatch's purpose and goals are shrouded to the houses and moreso the citizens of the Collective. Most within the nation are not even aware of the existence of the Pure Light beyond the three permitted goddesses within Triadism. Generally, they are considered to be about the same as clerics and priests with higher rankings, similar to the bishops of Aeterism.
They are based primarily within the Golden Cathedral of Sergorod, a shining golden beacon amidst the gray city. It serves as their headquarters, while also being a temple for the three goddesses and the light.
The twelve ballistae are generally kept in arcane stasis to aid in their near-immortality, although some choose to stay awake for long durations. This creates a lot of rumors and legends surrounding the twelve, as they appear as unaging guardians of the country that will forever be guiding it via the golden light. That being said, the Ballista are rarely featured in Lunar propaganda, as faith and magic are forced to the back of people's minds.
In the first era, many lightwatcher paladins and clerics used to wield Liikran Shields. However, since their reformation in the third era, modern golden monks tend not to carry any weapons or shields on them at all.
The Ballistae are:
Ballista Ophiuchus (Kol-Han Liiyevich Zolotov), the Herald of Light, sometimes considered to be the thirteenth Ballista and the one commanding House Zolotov.
Ballista Aries (Zanisa Liiyevna Zolotova), the Reaper of Souls, assigned to House Karboniv.
Ballista Taurus (Meroz Liiyevich Zolotov), the Starlight Bull, assigned to House Titanov.
Ballista Gemini (Dmitri Liiyevich Zolotov), the Replacer Twin, assigned to House Giranenko.
Ballista Cancer (Katya Liiyevna Zolotova), the Abyss Destroyer, assigned to House Kriptonskyi.
Ballista Leo (Lev Liiyevich Zolotov), the Angel of Time, assigned to House Vanadiyin. He was previously known by his angelic name, Ljónarr Jravuil.
Ballista Virgo (Vae Liiyevna Zolotova), the Golden Thread, assigned to House Koporev.
Ballista Libra (Ahbra Liiyevich Zolotov), the Equalizer, assigned to House Ksenon.
Ballista Scorpio (Vierna Liiyevna Zolotova), the Light of the Underdark, assigned to House Merkuriyev.
Ballista Sagittarius (Sophia Liiyevna Zolotova), the Lost Avatar, assigned to House Serebrov.
Ballista Capricorn (Bofral Liiyevich Zolotov), the Goldhammer, assigned to House Neonenko.
Ballista Aquarius (Anton Liiyevich Zolotov), the Architect of the Void, assigned to House Zhalizoskyy.
Ballista Pisces (Paelyn Liiyevna Zolotova), the Bright Pearl, assigned to House Platinak.
Goals
The code of the lightwatch, written by Kol-Han in the first era, is as follows:
In the original Omnikarn, it reads as:
OM LII ARAI VAK VAEZ LII KHOLZH VAK
OM KHOLZH VAAZII VAK VAEZ KHOLZH RAAN VAK
OM RAAN KAEZII VAK VAEZ RAAN SAATAR VAK
OM SAATAR DII VAK KI KRANIM MAKHIL VAK
OM AETHAAN BAӃ LII KIJAL
OM LIIKRAN ZARKAAVA
Relationships
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History
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