Lantern Bearers

“I am the fire. I’ve always been the fire. I will always be the fire.”

The Lantern Bearers were once an elven organization that dedicated itself to “be a light against the coming darkness”. Their chief concerns at the time were combating the undead, and opposing demonic forces.

While the history of the Lantern Bearers was focused upon the elves initially, their practice had expanded, yet due to some unknown reason, dwindled out until it was almost non-existent. Their purpose faded, their light dimmed, it was only by the survival of individual stories, traditions, and legends that the Lantern Bearers are even remembered.

Yet in recent times, a revival of the order has come about. Amelia, Light of the First Dawn, claims that the idea of a revival came to her in her dreams. In her service to Sarenrae and devotion to the clergy, she stumbled upon sacred texts of an order that once served Sarenrae, bringing hope, redemption, and the light of the Dawnflower to the darkest corners of the world. Named “Lantern Bearers”, these individuals embodied the ideologies of Sarenrae, giving voice to her facets.

While mercy and healing are still aspects of Sarenrae respected, the revived Lantern Bearers are skilled in the arts of combat, a militant order dedicated to defending those who walk in the light, and vanquishing those who forever live in the shadows.

Just like after their first reformation, the Lantern Bearers are open to all races, as any who walk in the light of Sarenrae are welcome to their cause.

**Theme**

## History

The Lantern Bearers, long ago, were founded by an enclave of elves. While their initial purpose was to combat demonic threats and undead that encroached on elven lands, they had grown to encompass more, eventually branching out to encompass all who sought to aid in their cause.

Due to an unknown agent, however, the Lantern Bearers had fallen to corruption, their once sacred arts being turned upon each other, used as weapons against kith and kin, manipulated into becoming holy warriors for dark powers. As their once sacred reputation was tarnished, the Lantern Bearers suffered from a combination of civil war, inquisitions, and massacres done both by and to them.

Eventually the Lantern Bearers dwindled as an organization, and while a desperate few continued to pursue their initial ideologies in an attempt to save what little remained, their dying practice was lost to the legends and myths of time, their last acts as wicked and cruel as the flames they once wielded in hope.

It was only until recently that Lantern Bearers were fanciful stories of a bygone era, but with the faith and conviction of Amelia, the Lantern Bearers have been revived, albeit not entirely as they were before.

## Organization

The reformed Lantern Bearers are based in Catania, led by Amelia, Light of the First Dawn. Their revival has led to a focus on pushing back threats of darkness, extending beyond just demons, but also to the undead, and other horrors that lurk in the shadows.

Prior to their reformation, Lantern Bearers were individualistic, meeting in places where Sarenrae’s light could be found, such as temples. Even with Amelia’s organization, many chapters now in service to her continue, maintaining a network through their Chosen members, using waystones and other methods of long-distance communication to keep everyone in the loop.

While most members are familiar with the work of the Lantern Bearers, only the highest-ranking members of the organization are privy to the knowledge of their second goal. Missions are generally carried out by small, independent groups, often in congruence with other would-be heroes and those who promote the ideals of Sarenrae and the Lantern Bearers. Those with knowledge of the second goal are not sure what exactly it entails, only that Amelia has asked privy to information on removing the taint of undeath report any and all information to her. To what ends is uncertain, though many speculate this priestess seeks a way to undo the circumstances in which such beings are created. This secret is closely guarded, and does not leave the inner circle of the Lantern Bearers.

### Leadership

The organization’s leader is Amelia, Light of the First Dawn, and other selective priests and militant servants can be found aiding her in her cause. As of currently, there is no council, though Amelia has said both publicly and privately she wishes for more to aid her in matters of great importance.

Those within the inner circle of the Lantern Bearers are given the title “Light of the Dawn”, with the leader holding the title “Light of the First Dawn”, referencing the idea that they were the first to bring light to this forgotten practice, and each inner circle member since then is the constant dawn that rises against the night.

### Equipment

Regardless of their race or origin, Lantern Bearers are trained in elven weapons and armor, particularly the curved blades and longbows. In addition, many are known to carry holy symbols of Sarenrae, and antitoxins in lantern-shaped containers.

### Goals

Their revival has brought about a focus on combating the evils of the world, in particular those of demonic taint, undead, and horrors from beyond the stars who know no light, and no mercy. Believing that mercy and redemption can only be preserved by defenders of the innocent, the Lantern Bearers have doubled their efforts in becoming a militant order, training those who serve them in the usage of their deity’s favored weapon, the scimitar, as well as weapons of eld wielded by the elves, such as curved elven blades, longbows, and so forth.

### Members

Those that seek to join and serve the Lantern Bearers are sent to Amelia, after which they must go through a series of tests and trials, to determine their purity of intent, as well as their goals, ambitions, and beliefs. If chosen, they are granted the rank of ‘Candle Bearers’ and inducted as initiates. After aiding in the vanquishment of an evil, they are then bestowed with the title of Lantern Bearer, able to serve as a fully fledged member of the organization.

Those who combat an exceptionally difficult evil are given the title “Light of the Dawn”, denoting them as both experts of their field, as well as particularly devoted members of the Lantern Bearers.

## Beliefs and Tenants

### Code of Conduct

* The best battle is a battle I win. If I die, I can no longer fight. I will fight fairly when the fight is fair, and I will strike quickly and without mercy when it is not.
* I will not abide evil, and will combat it with steel when words are not enough. I do not flinch from my faith, and do not fear embarrassment. My soul cannot be bought for all the stars in the sky.
* I will protect my allies with my life. They are my light and my strength, as I am their light and their strength. We rise together.
* I will redeem the ignorant with my words and my actions. If they will not turn toward the light, I will vanquish them from the shadows.
* Act with wisdom, but act. Apathy is death, inaction is a sin.
* Live well and fully, and waste nothing. Each day is a gift.
* Forging serenity within the heart is more difficult than any physical battle.

### Mantras

* “I am the flame that burns away the dark. It is through my light that the shadows come to fear the rising dawn.”
* “I am the fire. I’ve always been the fire. I will always be the fire.”
* “I am the light that sets the shadows ablaze. I am the radiant dawn, the cosmic flame, the brilliant sun.”
* “I will scorch my enemies from the night, and face them in the light of the dawn. They will feel the purity of her fire.”
* “I am the light that shields the innocent, that heals the injured, that mends the broken. I am the vessel of Sarenae that shines upon those who have only seen darkness. They will see me, and know they have found salvation.”

### Prayers

* “Dawnflower, Everlight, I call to you in my time of need. Let your light shine upon the path, so I may know guidance and truth. Show me the way, light the road, and help me walk in your grace.”
* “May the light guide me to heal those who need healing, save those who need saving, redeem those who need redemption, give mercy to those who deserve it, and salvation to those who cannot be saved.”