Book of Radiance

"Every soul should be as thine own soul, and every life should be as thine own life. In this way shall Elysium come to the mortal plane."
-Talisid 1:19, Book of Radiance

The Church of the Light does not worship any gods-- a strange thing in a world such as Covenant. Instead, they revere celestial beings that reside in the heavens above. As such, they treat their words in very high regard. None of these are considered as holy as the Book of Radiance, given to mortal kind to guide them in the ways of virtue.

Appearance

The Book of Radiance is an awe-inspiring sight. Its covers are of solid gold, with a scene carved on it that resembles people in the darkness reaching their hands into the light. The colors of this scene are bright and vibrant despite its gold construction and lack of paint.
Its pages, seemingly unnaturally smooth and bright, have gilded edges and plenty of intricate decorations on the borders. The writing is very flowing, yet precise and several pages are covered in illustrations of unearthly beauty depicting scenes of virtues such as selfless valor, generosity, and mercy.

History

Originally, the Book of Radiance was written in the heavens as a means to guide mortals into living lives that would bring them into these glorious planes. It was written by especially wise and powerful beings known as celestial paragons intending to showcase the varying types of goodness they embody.
It's primary writers include Zaphkiel, the First Radiance and ruler of the archons of the orderly heaven of Mount Celestia, Talisid, leader of the Six Companions and guide to the guardinals of the benevolent heaven of Elysium, and Morwel, queen of the Court of Stars and muse to the azata of the passionate heaven of Arborea. Some other celestial paragons and even a few of the gods of goodness from elsewhere in the heavens have also contributed to its pages.
It first came to Covenant in Acitern, in the plains of Llanuria. It was given to a simple herdsman by an angel wreathed in holy light. This man then spent his life using the book's power to do good across the continent and preaching the book's words. He even refused to give his name, not wanting to become a sacred figure, himself.
After his death, the site where he was given the book became a sacred place and was kept there in the Cathedral of the First Light. Eventually the grand city of Santania grew around the cathedral as the church grew in influence. During this period, copies of the original book were painstakingly made, lacking its power and beauty, but crucially containing its message.
Then-- as quickly as it came-- the Book of Radiance disappeared from its place in the cathedral. No one knew what had happened to it, only that it faded away while an entire congregation watched. The ultimate fate of the original Book of Radiance has remained a mystery ever since.

Significance

Simply put, the Book of Radiance is the holy text of the Church of the Light. This is why it has been copied so many times, so that people across Acitern can benefit from it. Priests of the Light are required to read it cover to cover and remember its words so they might guide their flocks.
The words of the various celestial paragons that wrote the book are treated as the tenants of the faith. This can become somewhat complicated by the contradictory nature of much of the text. These contradictions are deliberate, however as different books describe different paths towards goodness.
Since its disappearance, the Book of Radiance has become a popular object for quests by knights and adventurers attempting to recover it. It is considered a holy mission, and the recovery of it is important to both Taelafel, the celestial herald in charge of the main church and Peristeri, the one in charge of the Pranishan church.
In addition to its religious significance, the Book of Radiance is an artifact of great power. In the hands of a virtuous soul it is capable of both great healing and great wrath. It only allows itself to be used to further the cause of goodness and any who wields its power always feel its call to action.

Item type

Book / Document

Rarity

Unique

Weight

8 lbs.

Dimensions

10 in. x 22 in. x 6 in.

Base Price

Priceless