1. Organizations

Holy Order of the Sun

This organisation is defunct.
Serrakhan Religion

The Holy Order of the Sun was a theocratic institution founded by Malekith, the self-proclaimed Sun God, during his rise to power in the Serrakhan Sultanate. Malekith, disguised as an incarnation of the legendary Serrakhan, manipulated the nomadic tribes of The Sands of Serrakhan into uniting under his banner. By adopting the noble appearance of a Mythar resembling Serrakhan and the revered Emperor Ezekiel, he solidified his position as the divine ruler. Under his influence, the Holy Order became the primary religious force within the Sultanate, spreading his teachings and enforcing his tyrannical dominion.

High Priest Ishmael

For centuries, the Holy Order was led by the fanatical Ishmael, a figure shrouded in mystery and revered for his apparent immortality. Unbeknownst to his followers, Ishmael was actually Vorath Blood-Rune, a Mythar necromancer from the Second Age.

Once a powerful mage of the Mytharil Empire, Vorath's descent into necromancy led to his condemnation and imprisonment beneath the cliffs of the ancient Sun Elven city of Itela. His vile experiments with mummification rituals and the pursuit of immortality claimed countless lives. When Malekith razed Itela, he uncovered Vorath's sarcophagus and struck a bargain with the necromancer, granting him freedom in exchange for servitude. Under Malekith's orders, Vorath assumed the identity of Ishmael and worked to cement the Holy Order's influence.

Deception and Corruption

The Holy Order propagated worship of the Primarchs of the Sun, who were positioned as demi-gods enacting Malekith's will during his absence after being entombed by Avatar Rok. Ishmael used his necromantic powers to curse the noble lineage of the Sphynx, binding them to serve as immortal sultans in disguise. He performed dark rituals to enslave nobles and turn them into loyal cultists, furthering Malekith's agenda.

Under Ishmael's leadership, the Holy Order held grand, fanatical rallies across the Sultanate, particularly in Shariz, blaming natural disasters and hardships on the people's perceived lack of piety (see: Sun Curse). The High Priest's influence was vast, and his sermons instilled both fear and devotion in the population.

Ishmael played a central role in the Prophecy of the Sun's Eclipse, which foretold the reunification of Malekith and Valekith as an unstoppable Revenant Titan. This unholy ascension would have plunged the realms into chaos. To fulfill this prophecy, Ishmael conducted dark rituals within the Tomb of the Suns Eclipse, seeking to free Malekith and restore his full power.

Fall of the Unholy Order

The Sunsations, a legendary group of adventurers, uncovered Ishmael's true identity and his role in Malekith's schemes. Realizing the depth of the Holy Order's corruption, they ventured into the Tomb of the Sun's Eclipse to confront Ishmael. In an epic battle amidst the tomb's cursed halls, the Sunsations destroyed Ishmael's heart phylactery, housed in a golden sarcophagus, and ended his reign of terror.

With Ishmael's defeat and Malekith's treachery exposed, the Holy Order of the Sun crumbled. Talyen Dawnstrider, the rightful Avatar of the Sun, disbanded the Order and established a new government under the Senate of the Sun, dedicated to restoring balance and justice to the Serrakhan Sultanate.

Legacy

Though disbanded, remnants of the Holy Order linger in the shadows, operating as secretive cults known as the Disciples of Dawn. These groups, fanatically loyal to Malekith, wear sun masks and whisper of his return. Their existence poses a lingering threat to the Sultanate's stability.

The tale of the Holy Order of the Sun stands as a cautionary legend of deception, corruption, and the perils of blind faith. It is a dark chapter in the history of the Serrakhan Sultanate, one that serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage of those who fought to uncover the truth and bring justice to

Treachery of the Old Ways

The Sands of Serrakhan

The Holy Order of The Sun, once a revered institution in the Serrakhan Sultanate, faced a significant upheaval following the revelation of Malekith's treachery. Known as the divine emissary of the Sun God, Malekith was exposed as a usurper who had murdered the true Avatar of the Sun, Avatar Lumina, and enslaved the noble Sphynx to serve his ambitions. This revelation shattered the very foundation upon which the Holy Order stood.

In the wake of Malekith's exposure, Talyen Dawnstrider, the rightful Avatar of the Sun, and the newly formed Senate of the Sun moved swiftly to disband the Holy Order. The Order, which had long propagated the false divinity of Malekith and upheld his deceitful doctrines, was largely dissolved. Many of its members, disillusioned by the truth, renounced their vows and sought new paths aligned with the principles of truth and justice.

As the Sultanate transitioned to a new era of leadership under Talyen, the focus shifted to restoring the true teachings of the Sun. The Senate of The Sun, composed of appointed Lords overseeing various aspects of the kingdom, worked to replace the old order's influence with institutions grounded in the genuine power of the sun and the harmonious balance of the elements.

Despite the widespread denouncement of the Holy Order, not all its members were willing to abandon their beliefs so easily. In secrecy, pockets of the old order continued to cling to the doctrines of Malekith, unable or unwilling to accept the truth. These remnants operate in the shadows, holding clandestine meetings and whispering of a time when their revered deity might return.

The persistence of these secretive factions poses a subtle but real threat to the stability of the new regime. Known as the Disciples of Dawn, these groups wear sun masks in honor of Malekith and seek to avenge his usurpation by Talyen Dawnstrider. Their presence is a reminder of the deep roots Malekith's influence had within the Sultanate, and the ongoing struggle to fully cleanse the realm of his lingering shadow.

The dissolution of the Holy Order of The Sun marks a significant step in the Serrakhan Sultanate's journey towards healing and renewal. Under Talyen's leadership and the guidance of the Senate of The Sun, the kingdom is striving to rebuild its spiritual foundations on the true power of the sun and the unity of its people. This new path, while fraught with challenges, offers a beacon of hope for a future untainted by the deceit of the past.