The Church of Kellos

Kellos was a hero of legend during the Second Darkness, when Waiqar’s Deathborn Legion laid waste to Terrinoth and the Death Cults he had sponsored spread fear and disorder in the nation’s cities like an evil plague. Kellos took up his mace and with his holy fire he burned the flesh and bone of Waiqar's foul creations. When other heroes fell in defense of the realm, Kellos saved them from death with his powers of healing, bidding them rise again from the flame. Kellos the Hero was soon lauded as Kellos the Bright, for he was one of the brightest lights of humankind amid the darkness that had washed over the land.

At the final battle, when Waiqar’s armies were driven back to the Mistlands, Kellos disappeared. His followers believe he ascended to godhood that day, so that he might forever empower those who would fight death with the light and life of fire. His disciples returned to Vynelvale, now a Free City, and lit the Eternal Fire in his name.

As they built a cathedral to their founder in Vynelvale, Kellos’s followers taught that heat and life were inextricably intertwined, and that magic which utilized heat and fire could also be used to heal. While their acts of healing were often painful, they were also highly effective - The most pious and powerful priests were even said to be able to bring the dead back to life through the miracle of resurrection. The Church of Kellos had been born.

### Structure

Those who join this church are called Acolytes, and these low-ranking clergy serve to tend his flames and flocks in shrines across Terrinoth. Those Acolytes who have the ability to perform divine feats in Kellos’s name are initiated through the rite of the Fire's Embrace and become Priests. Priests of Kellos perform many functions, from bringing healing to towns and villages, or traveling the roads eeking out and smiting evil wherever it arises.

Priests who show particular aptitude for certain duties may be invited to join specialty orders within the Church. The two best known are the Knights of Kellos (or the Ordo Militarum), who specialize in battling evil and the Inquisition (or Ordo Inquisitive), who specialize in seeking it out, or in acting as judges or arbitrators in disputes. High ranking members of the Ordo Inquisitive are known as Justicars, and are highly respected in Terrinoth. By tradition, they have been known to act as legal representatives and judges when none are present. While this tradition is not ratified in law, judgements passed down by a Justicar are rarely questioned by authorities. This practice was common in the decades immediately following the Third Darkness, when the rule of law was not well established. Now it is mostly only practised during an emergency when no authorised lawman can be located.

There are, of course, many other specialty orders, including but not restricted to those who specialize in Scholarship, Healing or Teaching.

The Orders are not as separate as they may appear, and there is substantial crossover, many Justicars will have spent time among the Knights of Kellos honing their battle skills, for instance. While it is not uncommon for Inquisitors of a certain age to spend their later years granting younger members of the church the benefits of their experience as Teachers.

Beyond the Rank of Priest, there is that of High Priests, or Preceptors. Preceptors are experienced and well-trained Priests who are given a degree of autonomy or authority in what they choose to dedicate themselves to. Many will commit themselves to a greater duty within the church or some grand task, while others will gather and mentor like-minded members of the clergy.

Preceptors who have completed their mission as Preceptors, or who wish to serve the Church in a High Administrative Role may take on the Role of Praetor. A Praetor will be assigned a territory which they will oversee and monitor. In larger population centres, a group of Praetors may for a Praetorial Council. Such a council will usually but not always be headed by an Arch-Praetor, whose role it is to act as a Chairperson or deciding influence for the Council in the case of disputes. Praetorial Councils are rare, and can usually only be found in larger cities in Terrinoth, like Tamalir. Vynelvale, naturally, has a large Praetorial Council, and is home to the Magister, who besides serving as Arch-Praetor of the Praetorial Council, is the nominal Head of the Church throughout Terrinoth.

With that said, Terrinoth has spent a long time without a king, and even the most devout adherent will admit to seeing the role of Magister as largely ceremonial. Even some of Terrinoth's larger cities are served quite well by a single Praetor, or even a high-ranked Preceptor. While many towns will have at least a Town Priest, some smaller settlements may only have a district priest who serves them and several neighbouring villages.

Whatever their specialty, the brilliant red robes of the Priests of Kellos are often a welcome sight across Terrinoth, promising wrath for the wicked and mercy for the meek. While many can be found tending the sick and injured in cities, it is not uncommon to see a priest joining bands of adventurers to pursue their crusade against Kellos's eternal enemy: the forces of undeath.

### The Seraphic Mantle

In life, Kellos had a large number of allies, devotees and followers. Pre-eminent among these, however, were a small cadre of 8 eclectic spell-casters known as 'The Seraphic Mantle'. Little is known of the individual members and much of that has been lost or distorted over time.

Most members of the group were human, thought at least one was an Elf, one, recorded only as 'The Prophet' was a gnome and another, most commonly referred to as 'The Stranger' wore a mask at all times, making his identity impossible to discern.