The Sanctuary:

Constructed over a span of 20 years, the Sanctuary has withstood time, invasion and war.  It stands as a shining example of what is possible through the actions of men of faith.  The Sanctuary is made up of a large circular gothic cathedral, surrounded at 7 points by lesser cathedrals to each of the gods.  The center cathedral contains a shrine containing holy relics on public display, and at the center is an open area containing a flower garden and a pure white marble statue of Uralio Vassa, the first Hierophant kneeling before the god Derenthen where it is said the remains of the Cathedral’s first leader are entombed.  It is also the site where, during the War of the Talon, that the Mirrin Knight Rann Atanos died as ascended as a redemed soul.  The Heirophant’s tower rises up above the center cathedral and houses the chambers for the College of Saints as well as the personal living quarters of the reigning Hierophant.  Alaecian law forbids any building in the canal city of Azura to rise higher then the top of the tower.

The Hierophant:

At the head of the Cathedral of Light, is the Hierophant.  The focal point of faith for all those loyal to the Cathedral and its teachings.  Nominated by popular vote from among the Chosen Prophets, the Hierophant serves for life.  As well as guiding the actions and policy of the Cathedral, the Hierophant serves as a major political figure, visiting and advising heads of state and guiding public opinion to stances favored by the faith.  There has always been an odd relationship with the Hierophant and the royal family of Alaecia, some say depending on the generation one is merely a puppet of the other.  This point is usually brought up by Reformists from Avindor who still seek to have the Cathedral moved to its borders.

The Daduchous:

Second in command of the Cathedral is the Daduchous, who is always the current Master Knight of the Word.  He acts as the scribe and secretary of official proceedings and Cathedral business.  He may vote on the nomination of a new Hierophant only in the case of a tie, or absent seat.

The Chosen Prophets:

From among the many clergy ranks of the various gods come the Chosen Prophets.  The rare few men and women chosen by divine right to serve their congregation as its representative to the gods themselves.  They need not be a ranking member of their particular faith, as the god chooses the soul it wants to stand before it, and speak for their loyal.  The Prophets meet four times per year to discuss the positions of the Cathedral on various topics.  They are also known to meet during times of special importance, or dire need.

College Of Saints:

In an attempt to glean a better understanding of the ramifications of Cathedral policy on the various loyal Church Nations, the 38th Hierophant instituted the College of Saints.  There, the heads of all nations loyal to the church would gather to advise the holy council on matters of state, and the impact of the Cathedral in their countries.  The College met exactly once.

It was never formally disbanded but after the death of the only King of Areeott and the War of Mourning Saints.  None of the representatives of the College saw the need or use.  The College chambers remain but the seats have long since been abandoned.

The Ascension of Rann Atanos:

The exact account of the strange circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the infamous commander of the Mirrok forces in Alaecia during the Prophet’s Crusade is a matter of debate even within the Cathedral.  The followers of Derenthen however revere both the story and the man as gospel truth.

Rann Atanos was a feared general under the Speaker of Souls and commander of Mirrok’s invasion forces in Alaecia during the Prophet’s Crusade.  After a decisive victory General Atanos was grievously wounded by an enemy soldier defending a dying horse.  So moved by the action, Atanos took the body and vowed to return it to the Cathedral proper in Azura.  He was accompained by Catherine Elise a knight of the goddess Adelia and a cleric of Derenthen, Aiden Halvair.  During the journey back to the Sanctuary, Father Halvair recorded numerous instances of Atanos’ treatment at the hands of the “faithful”, as well as his own repentance.  Upon arriving at the Cathedral, Atanos placed the body in the arms of the statue of Derenthen and collapsed.  Near death, a cleric of Derenthen cleaned his wounds, and while preparing to grant him the blessings of the dead, Halvair reports that the statue took the flesh and blood form of Derenthen himself, and he watched as Rann Atanos was taken by his new patron deity into the celestial heavens.

The Knights of the Word:

Following the miracle he had witnessed, Aiden Halvair traveled the world, seeking out other messages and miracles as well as spreading the word of what he had witnessed in the hope that others would follow the example and find redemption.  Other clerics and knights followed his example, keeping journals and recording everything they experienced.  They evolved into the Knights of the Word and to this day travel Erith seeking out similar miracles, as well as collecting and pouring over other information and scripture from different faiths and philosophies to discern their meanings, in an attempt to discover the greater truths hidden in their morals and messages.

The Heart of the Word:

Below the Sanctuary, below even the catacombs is a massive vault known as the heart of the word.  In addition to their duties, the Knights of the Word collect, and preserve relics and texts of religious or historical importance.  The journals of Knights who have passed are kept here, and carefully studied by members of the order.  Some of the most important relics to the Cathedral are preserved there when not on public display.  The sword that Rann Atanos carried from the battlefield is here, as well as the robes he ascended in.  There are other treasures too numerous to account, that the Knights have not yet begun to research.

The Sisters of the Thorn:

Catherine Elise, so awed by the miracle she witnessed vowed that the horrors of war had robed the world of so much, and that despite his ascension, a good man was still dead.  She took the spear that had delivered the fatal blow to General Atanos and returned to her home in what would later become the country of Louve where she began an order of Knights dedicated to the preservation of peace.  This all female order of Knights stands today as among the finest negotiators and diplomats in the world.  They serve as the personal guard of the Hierophant, and act as his eyes and ears.