Kael
Titles: The Lightbringer, Justicar
Domain: Justice, Sun
Symbol: A sun behind a sword
Sphere Granted: Light
If Roland leads the Church of Light, then Kael, the Justicar, is its righteous sword of justice. Kael, though not the oldest of the gods, is by far one of the most popular and can trace his history to just shortly after the first war between Elves and Humankind. He is considered by many to be the incorruptible blade and light that banishes away the darkness. He is a hero to the peasantry and faithful, risking all to see that the guilty are punished, no matter the cost. Kael firmly believes that the ends always justify the means, so long as the light shines upon the deed. This vigilante-like belief often puts him at odds with Roland the Lawbringer and the two have battled over honour innumerable times. Still, there is no single pair of gods that work together more effectively and efficiently than Kael and Roland. He is the single greatest foe of the Gods of Darkness, the demonic and those that walk the shadowy path.
The Lightbringer is intelligent and cunning but also headstrong, tending to lead with his emotions. This has lead to his emotions being manipulated many times in the past but, with righteous determination, Kael always strives to rise above. While all the denizens of darkness are his enemies, none are greater so than the demonic. Woe be to the demons and the wytches that serve them, for when Kael’s fiery gaze turns upon them he shall strike out with heavenly fury and see them extinguished from the mortal realms.
Kael excels in making the hard decisions when others cannot. The Justicar preaches to his faithful that the needs of the many are greater than the needs of the few. Eradicating corruption may cause the lives of the innocent to be lost, but this is a justifiable price if more will be saved in the long run. Many outside the Church consider his faithful fanatics and zealots, for often a Kaelite, for the greater good, has put a village and all inside to the torch in an effort to destroy a powerful necromancer or demon. In their eyes they are not murdering one town, but saving three in the future. For this reason and many others the Lightbringer attracts the the fellowship of Wytchhunters, holy Templars, and those that would defend the Light with every ounce of their life.
The Church of Kael is vast, influential and well integrated into its parent body, the Church of Light. While Roland and Cassandra see to the needs of the people, it is Kael that sees to the needs of the Church, gathering information on threats and acting as a destructive force against all that is evil. To accomplish this, the Lightbringer leads a special sect of the Church of Light known as the Citadel. The Citadel take it upon themselves to act as the purging flame of the Light, ready to cleanse away any corruption or darkness that dare stand in the way of righteousness. They specialize in the destruction of the demonic, necromantic and corrupted, but will not turn down the opportunity to bring justice against more mundane acts of mortal villainy. While not as large as Roland’s army, the Citadel can rally the local common folk with a call to the Light, sometimes doubling or tripling their numbers in the field of battle. Many outside the Church and, rumours say, some inside question the zeal of the Citadel and its methods, but it is undeniable that they are an effective force. Many innocent lives have been saved, and evil put to the torch, under their command.
Kael claims the sun as his celestial heaven and there he battles the Firstborn Gold Dragon, Tezoth, who contests his claim of ownership. Just outside his realm he also wars with the Goddess Dietremen, who possesses ownership of the moon.
Contents
Appearance
In the mortal realm Kael appears as a muscular young human, not a day over thirty. His strong jawline and high cheekbones give him an air of nobility, but he does not carry himself as a typical noble would. He is kind and compassionate, especially to those who live under the light of his sun. His hair is dirty blonde and kept reasonably short, but his most distinct feature is his burning eyes. Two flames of red and yellow, each burning with the intensity of the sun, float weightlessly in the empty sockets where his eyes should be. The Lightbringer cares not for fashion or style and is rarely ever seen without his standard white platemail armour, over which sits a simple white tabard. Binding the tabard tightly around his waist is a thin golden belt, said to be made from the scales of the Firstborn Tezoth, a prize he claimed after defeating him in one of their numerous battles. The belt is said to imbue him with supernatural strength when he is standing under the light of his celestial heaven.
In combat Kael is a fearsome warrior. He wields a bastard sword that burns with pure fire and divine light. This sword, called “Anondite, the Last Dawn”, can burn through any armour and flesh, striking the very spirit of its target if they are corrupted by darkness. Anondite has left scars on many of the celestial gods, including Malagant and Raze. In addition to his blade, Kael can use focus his vision on an enemy, even at a great distance. Should the target meet his gaze, Kael can weigh the worth of their spirit. If it is found wanting, a pillar of cleansing fire will descend from the sun itself, obliterating the unworthy and leaving aught but ash.
Tenets
Five things a Kael follower should do:
1. Bring justice to the unjust. The ends always justify the means so long as the greater good is served and the Church flourishes.
2. Raise up an army of devout. Every labourer and commoner, if called upon, should raise their torches to burn away the darkness in your Church’s name.
3. Protect the innocent and the Church.
4. Be willing to make the decisions no other can. While the innocent must be safeguarded, it is imperative to recognize that cleansing a corrupt town will save many towns in the future.
5. Lead a pious life. Become the shining light so that others may find their way.
Five things a Kael follower should not do:
1. Become morally corrupted. Do not take bribes or allow greed to sway you from the righteous path.
2. Allow anything to stand in the way of justice. Laws, gods, mortals, and even your own emotions are second to cleansing the corrupted and dispensing justice.
3. Tolerate any dealings of the demonic or those that do. Wytches, diabolists, and fiends should be burned at the stake by Kael’s cleansing fire.
4. Submit to any authority that is not sanctioned by the Light. If justice cannot be dispatched immediately, then be patient and wait, but always be ready.
5. Permit false teachings or words that might tempt the faithful to darkness. Purge and burn any knowledge of that which countermands the teachings of the Church of Light or the teachings of Kael.