The Church of the Dragon Blessings of Light
The Church of the Dragon Blessings of Light is the largest single religion in the Imperium, though perhaps calling it a single religion is a touch misleading. Also called The Church of Light, or Metallicism, it is the official state church of the nations of the five Elder Dragon Blessings. Across the different countries there are a core set of beliefs or tenets which are held as true to all of them, but special attention and status is given to the individual dragons in their respective lands.
Mythology & Lore
The central mythology of Metallicism is as follows. In the beginning there was Primus, the Primeval Dragonlord of Time. Primus is the origin of all the world, and all of reality springs forth from them. Primus separated the Light, Aurora, from Darkness, Umbra, and in doing so created the notions of good and evil. The Lord of Time created the world, and from its materials sprang forth the elemental Primevals. Aurora and the Primevals filled the world with light and life, while Umbra plagued it with decay, disease, and death. The aspects of Aurora’s light created the five dragon blessings, while those of Umbra’s evil became the five curses. The blessings set about creating order and promoting light, while the curses work to sow chaos and spread darkness across the land. These are the ways of the world and the forces of good and evil will continue to battle until the end of time when Primus unmakes the world back to its original state.
Unlike some other, more brutalistic religions, Metallicism does not lord some eternal damnation over its believers. Sins and wickedness are to be punished or otherwise atoned for in this life through the administration of proportionate justice. Souls are not some immutable things, but rather fragments of the Light of Aurora. When a being is born they are instilled with this spark of life, and when they die it returns to the greater light.
Tenets of Faith
The core tenets of Metallicism are shared across each of its denominations, each of the five core teachings reflecting on the nature of its respective dragon blessing.
Justice: Aurillex, the gold dragon blessing, teaches that the world has a definite order and reason built into it by Primus. Those who do good by upholding the five tenets will be rewarded in kind, while those who commit sins by violating them shall be punished. But remember that justice is different from vengeance. Those who sin will be punished by the consequences of their actions, as well as the judgment of the dragonlord and their disciples. Taking matters into one’s own hands is answering sin with sin, at neither party is more righteous for doing so.
Kindness: Cuppria, the copper dragon blessing, teaches to always treat others with kindness, whether they be family, friend, stranger, or foe. All creatures great and small are gifted with the spark of life from Aurora, and so are worthy of respect and kindness. While violence may be called for in the name of sustenance or defense, it should never be meted out with cruelty or hate in one’s heart. Those who are kind in all their workings are richer for doing so.
Resolve: Argostan, the silver dragon blessing, reminds that not every day goes according to plan. Whether by random happenstance, natural disaster, or the actions of the ill-intentioned, everyone experiences adversity and setbacks. When these things happen it is easy to lose one’s composure and thoughts like vengeance and despair take hold. Instead one must maintain their resolve to do what is right, even when it is not what is easy.
Patience: Erythrius, the cobalt dragon blessing, preaches patience in all things. Whether one is excited for what the future holds or eager to move away from current trials and tribulations, it is easy to want to look ahead and skip to what are perceived as the “good” parts of life. This thinking forgets that every moment in life is a gift from Aurora’s Light, and that joyful times lose meaning without sad times to contrast. Those who are patient and continue to do what is right day in and day out will be rewarded in time.
Generosity: Ferritrix, the iron dragon blessing, warns against the evils of greed and gluttony. The world Primus has created is plentiful, with bounties enough for all of creation. But when some take more than their fair share, it necessitates leaving others wanting. Perhaps above all other tenets is this: love one’s neighbor as if they were one’s self and closest loved ones. For we are all family in this world, even if we often forget.
Ethics
A person who adheres to these five tenets could be labeled a Candlekeeper, one who guards the Light; but it is also important to note that being a strict Metallicist is not a prerequisite to being a Candlekeeper. One need not necessarily believe in Aurora or the deification of the Elder Dragons to commit acts of goodness. Doing good for good’s sake is held as a blessing in its own right.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Metallicism is the dominant religion across the lands of the dragon blessings. Worship is not a requirement of citizenship, but members of the clergy frequently hold positions of power in both the military and the administration of cities and the law. The denominations of Metallicism found in each dragon’s kingdom preach that each dragon blessing is a god made flesh, but emphasize the glory and grace of their particular lord. For this reason it could be fair to call these either a quintet of separate religions with a shared mythology and ideology or a single religion with five distinct denominations. Members of the various clergies wear robes in the color of their respective dragon deities, but are respected across all five kingdoms. A copper robed priest from Somerset would be welcomed to share the food, wine, and bedding of a Golden Temple in the Morningolds, for example. These are the five denominations of The Light.
Though rare, in times of great crisis or upheaval the humanoid leaders of the five denominations will convene together, typically as proxies for their dragon lords who prefer not to leave their own territories, in order to discuss a course of action that all factions of the faith might pursue together as one. Such discussions might center around the significant rise in popularity of an unsanctioned cult or sect across multiple kingdoms, incursion by one or more dragon curses into the lands of the faithful, or massive natural disaster on the order of those propagated by the elemental primeval lords. After conferring, the leaders disseminate their agreed upon messaging to their respective flocks, providing a unified front the likes of which no other force across the Imperium could hope to match. However this is a fact that is well understood by the dragon blessings as well, who remain wary of the common folk uniting too closely or too frequently, lest they decide their overlords are no longer necessary and seek to seize power for themselves.
Alternative Names
Church of Light, Metallicism
Demonym
Metallicists
Subsidiary Organizations
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