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From 'The book of Taratâi', Chapter 1 'Overview of the Path of Light', printed in Adar, Sarlona in 997.
My notes will look like this. In Breland especially, where Kalashtar are more common and the ruling family has a good relationship with the Order of Light , Kalashtar need not hide themselves or their faith. Koratâna.
The Quori Taratâi was the foremost among rebellious thinkers who believed that the Quor Tarai was not the proper state of being.
The Dream of the Age has been reborn three times and, according to scholars, will continue to pass away and rise again. Each rebirth destroys the living Quori and gives rise to an entirely new generation.
Taratai found that these rebirths swung between two poles. The current incarnation of the Quor Tarai contains a heart of darkness, but the next should be light.
She became the speaker for those who rejected the Dreaming Dark, and she urged them to work toward that blessed transformation. But the servants of the Dark had no desire to see an end of their world and set about eliminating all the rebels, forcing the Kalashtar into exile.
Every one of Taratai's hosts has perished, although the ultimate fate of her spirit is unknown.
The Kalashtar mourn her as one dead, but most followers the Path of Light believe that she is still bound somehow to the Dream and can help to effect its rebirth. Believers have continued to practice and to spread her teachings.
Only through cultivating the Great Light, il-Yannah, can the adherents to the Path save the world from an eternity of nightmare and evil. Devotion to this principle even inspires divine magic in some.
Servants of the Light
In Khorvaire, those who follow il-Yannah are almost entirely Kalashtar, although a few other beings are also drawn to the idea of a universal force of positive energy and purity of spirit.
In Adar, most people show at least some respect to the Path of Light.
The Kalashtar race was born of the quest for the Light, and they remain devoted to the principle with every fibre of their being. Many of the followers of il-Yannah are known as light bringers (yannahsur), and these people spend much of their time meditating and taking small but positive actions to reinforce the Light.
Others not only meditate, but also train within the fortress-monasteries of Adar for the ongoing battle with the Inspired, or actively seek out agents of the Dreaming Dark in Khorvaire.
These are the shadow watchers (sheshantol). Those with the strongest personalities and the finest talents often become leaders in the quest for the Light. They become priests known as yannahilath — light speakers. Some of these priests are clerics, but most are Psion's of advanced ability.
All Kalashtar seem unnaturally beautiful. They radiate a sense of grace and calm, particularly the light bringers, who reflect the Light within. Path of Light priests are as far beyond the other faithful as ordinary Kalashtar are beyond humans, fairly glowing with their dedication and powerful psionic abilities.
This arrogant stance is not supported by Clan Tâna or the Temples we have built. It supports the same assumption of segregation that the il-Lashtavar spout and is contrary to our view of the way of the light. Priests are not beyond 'ordinary' Kalashtar, and Kalashtar are not beyond humans.
Many devotees to the Path of Light carry a small quartz crystal, usually on a fine chain about the neck. Among psions, this often doubles as a psicrystal. The priests bear distinctive. swooping headbands studded with crystals, which are often power crystals made from Siberys shards, and might have other crystalline adornments on their clothing. These visible tokens of the Light are openly displayed only among Kalashtar or within a protected area such as Adar.
Whilst we do have crystals, as they very beautiful, we tend to use them more as foci or functional items to enhance light. To be honest this all sees a bit weird culty stuff, or just egotism, 'I've got a bigger head-dress'. Grandmother Avanatâna would smack me across the back of head if I did that.
Followers who mingle with nonbelievers take great care to blend in, even as they promote the Light, lest they be noticed and taken by the agents of the Dreaming Dark.
Clan Tâna has created what Adar may believe is a Aberrant sect of the Path of Light. We do not hide what we are or what we represent, we live the way, and if necessary die for it. We have merged aspects of both the yannahsur and the sheshantol, - protect, learn, heal, grow, watch, defend and attack.
Becoming a Priest
To lead others along the Path of Light requires more than great devotion or force of personality. Such a Leader must be able to change reality, not quite as daunting as it sounds. "Changing reality" can mean something as simple as performing good works that transform a neighbourhood. 'Simple' - amusing, no one who has ever tried to change the behaviours of a neighbourhood, or even an individual would say it is easy, this academic needs to get out a bit more, or teach us their skills. Maybe it is easier in Adar. Most Priests of the Light, though, take office upon attaining expertise in a of discipline of psionic or martial training. 5th or higher level The rare cleric who draws inspiration from il-Yannah usually becomes a Cleric. In Khorvaire, a potential priest is usually a Kalashtar, but extraordinary individuals of other races might be so honoured. Humans are often priests of the Path of Light in Adar, and even dromites and other races of Sarlona have joined the Path. Such a person must be nominated by an unrelated believer in the Path of Light and must then be seconded by an active priest—even among enlightened folk. A few promote personal agendas over the common good. A council of elder priests (as many as are available) then interviews the candidate and conducts a thorough psionic examination with the candidate's permission. Afterward, they confer telepathically on the candidate's merits, then announce the acceptance or rejection of the nominee. The responsibilities of a light speaker are few but burdensome. They must lead the fight against darkness, whatever form it takes. The militant shadow watchers are usually expert psychic warriors orHierarchy
The most powerful light speakers all dwell within Adar, protected by natural fortifications, capricious storms, and well-defended monasteries. There they lead the war against darkness through regular meditation. They focus their energies together on establishing a zone of peace and harmony right at the heart of Riedra. As this 'bubble' of the Light grows, it saps the current Quoit Tarai of strength and begins to transform it for the next incarnation. The light bringers believe this is the most direct, effective attack against their enemies - it has the additional benefit of counteracting the monoliths' tightening of the connection to Dal Quor. Grandmother Avanatâna has been to Adar. It was lovely, but not all that. This reeks of the typical isolationist 'our home is better than everywhere else' syndrome. Because they spend most of their time in such meditation, the high priests do not often communicate with others. When they do, it is only on matters of critical importance. They telepathically contact those they need to speak with, if possible, or they contact those who pass the word to other followers or to the intended receiver. Beyond the borders of Adar, individual priests carry on the secret war in whatever way seems best to them. No dogma or strict religious offices exist. Each priest has the same duties that all followers of the Light ascribe to — bringing in the Light. Not correct. Some of us have realised we are stronger together than apart, and Clan Tâna and the Temples of Breland are the most organised and powerful outside Adar. We have a structure to ensure good operation, but not the special head-dress rules, or the 'I don't talk to minions cause I'm building a big bubble of yummy goodness' approach.Fallen Priests
Should a light speaker somehow turn away from the Light, that person becomes an object of both pity and fear among the followers of the Path. Madness is surely the cause of such folly. When it happens, every other priest knows within moments of its discovery. Such a person is a threat, because the tainted one can influence the positive consciousness created by meditations on il-Yannah. A fallen priest is immediately cut off from all mental contact as a preventive measure — shadow watchers and light speakers are charged with seeking-out and eliminating the danger. Elimination often requires killing a fallen light speaker, but the shadow watchers avoid this if possible. Light speakers would rather not lose a soul if it can be redeemed, so they first attempt to capture the renegade and mend any wrong thinking. We don't seem to have this problem, we think that it is due to a more inclusive approach and not forcing people to choose being either yannahsur and the sheshantol and not separating out the groups. I sit on the cusp of both. A fallen light speaker who manages to evade discovery and capture can cause tremendous damage. Such a one might become a priest of another faith, or, worse, she might continue to act as an underground priest of the Light while contaminating the spirits of ignorant followers. A soul that has gone over completely to the darkness reinforces the Dreaming Dark and might expose other practitioners of the Path to danger. Such a one must he destroyed.Quests
Every moment of a light speaker's life is a quest for the purification of the Dream of the Age. But some seek out new knowledge that can further this ultimate goal. The path of the atavist, begun by Soserath the seer, has led to great advances in regaining and strengthening the bond between Kalashtar and Quori. His research dealt with finding a way to fully incarnate Quori spirits devoted to the Light. Thus, some devotees of the Path of Light take levels in the Atavist prestige class 3.5 Races of Eberron, p133 A very few clerics of il-Yannah sometimes embark on a different but related quest — discovering a divine connection between the gods and the Great Light. Many note the parallels between their faith and that of the Silver Flame. Some of these priests make pilgrimages to Flamekeep, and if they are allowed to do so, they meditate in the presence of the Silver Flame in the hope of further revelation. My sister Lieatâna is on this path Practical quests require defeating the agents of the Inspired and the Dreaming Dark. Some light speakers are brave warriors who strike directly against Riedran holdings or agents of the Dark in Khorvaire. Many such light speakers are bright lights indeed, burning out much too quickly. I used to fear Teratâna would be like this, now it may be me!
The Path of Light is at once intensely personal and selflessly altruistic. This seeming contradiction vanishes through understanding its purpose. Survival demands that the light speakers keep their devotion hidden, for enemies are everywhere — and those enemies can sometimes sense the light within.
Yet spreading the Light demands that the priests do good works, understand their neighbours. and encourage more such behaviour. The light speakers are very humble in this duty, and this is not only because being noticed can mean death.
Prayers
Light speakers do not utter spoken prayers to ii-Yannah. For one thing, most do not believe it to be an entity that can answer requests. More practically, open practice of the faith exposes them to detection. However, they spend virtually all their free time in contemplation of the Light and undertake each action with it in mind. In a way everything a light speaker does is a prayer. Those who find divine inspiration in the Light don't ask for intervention (for they know that the Light is within), but they do give thanks. They do so silently, as a conscious moment of thought, and sometimes share a brief prayer with another follower during mental contact. They also offer prayers for the safety of Taratâi's soul, wherever it exists. in the hope that it might one day find its way back into the Light.Minor Rites
Each of the sixty-six Quori whose spirits still survive in the Kalashtar has a five-day period of remembrance in its honour. Four of these are set aside for contemplation of the ancestor — a member of that lineage spends more time than usual meditating, and the meditation is deeper. Some light speakers remain awake throughout this time and spend the extra hours in discussion with others of their lineage. The apex day of this period is a formal Day of Remembrance observance (see Major Rites. below). With so few members in a typical Kalashtar enclave, not many lines are represented. A very large population might have ten different quori ancestors. Thus, the community's light speakers commemorate each along with the actual descendants, regardless of their lineage. Clan Tâna has 14 lines represented. Many adherents also practice a minor ritual, sheshan talarash dasyannah, which translates loosely as the path of shadows. This martial arts exercise can prepare a warrior for battle or focus the thoughts for intensive meditation. Many common folk in Adar know of the path of shadows or perform it in a stylized way, but they do practice it.Major Rites
All light speakers of a given Quori line observe the apex Day of Remembrance for that spirit in communal gatherings. Celebrants ritually purify their bodies and their residences with water and by burning sweet herbs. This makes their minds more receptive than normal to psionic communication. Some celebrations use physical foci to amplify the mental state, such as a roomful of lit candles or the fountain or chimes. Those with the necessary abilities, such as remote viewing, can even participate from a distance. Although low-key, the apex Day of Remembrance is the most public display of the Path of Light. Community members share thought-songs and story circles, remembering their ancestors and promising to honour them with specific devotional acts. The light speakers of the enclave lead the thought-songs if they have such ability, or they lend psychic strength to the performance if they do not. Apex observances go on for 24 hours. When they conclude, the participants are fatigued both physically and mentally. After breaking the fast with a light meal, they spend most of the next day in deep dreamless sleep. The most solemn observance for all dreamers is the Five-day period originally designated in remembrance of TTaratâi. With the utter destruction of her line this is instead a time of mourning called the Void of Taratâi. Light speakers gather the community, much as they do for an apex day, but they do so for the entire Void. In this dark time. the priests il-Yannah lend their spiritual energy to the entire community. Their devotion to the Light sustains all, as they manifest sustenance, share pain and similar soothing powers for those in need, often using metaconcert. As the participants remember Taratâi the light speakers remind them that they walk within the Light and that even the spirit of Taratâi could he reborn in the new era to come.The Calendar
In the private lives of all Kalashtar and light speakers, wherever they live, a year consists of sixty-seven periods of five days each. Each ancestor Quori has five of its own Days of Remembrance, with the Void of Taratâi coming last in the sequence. This calendar was established just after the exodus, when the fugitive Quori fled into Arda, and it did not take into account the regular celestial events of Eberron. Among the people of Adar and Khorvaire, the Kalashtar use the usual calendar. They still practice Days of Remembrance, but the clays shift in the year to keep time with a cycle that doesn't contain 335 days. Only the Void of Taratâi observances are regular in Adar and Khorvaire, set when the last of Taratâi's line disappeared from Adar — at the end of Zarantyr and the beginning of Olarune. The other Days of Remembrance are observed privately as they occur, except when they overlap the Void. Any such period is interrupted by those five days, restarting after they end.
Every Kalashtar is troubled by a conflict within their very nature. On the one hand, their soul is descended from a Quori spirit — an alien child of Dal Quor, even though it is a rebel against the Dark.
Its thoughts intrude upon their consciousness, and their strangeness can send their human mind over the edge into madness. The Path of Light is the most common way to achieve balance between these disparate souls and build the inner cairn so important to survival in the secret war. More than that, it is a common bond among Kalashtar, one through which they can sense each other and work together toward the greater good. The most sensitive among them walk the Path to become more aware of the shadows, to call out a warning before their enemies can grow too strong.
The Path of Light and Government
Kalashtar do not usually speak to other races about their ancient, secret war. They can even be arrogant, believing that such "lesser" people can't understand the enormity of their struggle. The practical needs of survival dictate silence as well. The Royal Family of Breland is aware of this, and I would be surprised if a number of the Dragonmarked Houses do not, or powerful institutes like Morgrave University. Given the nature of the six, and what has occurred in Sharn, we are not arrogant enough to think it is beyond people to understand. It ay be beyond them to be selfless or forward-thinking enough to do something about it however.. The arcane authorities in Aundair and Karrnath distrust the Kalashtar and their alien mental powers. If they knew the truth, they would fear the Inspired more. Kalashtar and the light speakers prefer to conduct their war in their own way, but they value informed allies. Occasionally, this means the light speakers or shadow watchers provide information to other forces for good. Such information is reliable and discreet, and it can rarely be traced to its source. A few light speakers and shadow watchers have established a small outpost in the Demon Wastes, near the watch posts of the Maruk Ghaash'kala. They come to learn about Kolok Shash, the binding flame, and its possible connection to the Silver Flame. Their interest goes beyond the merely academic, and they use divine magic to assist the barbarian warriors in their struggles against the fiends of the wastes.The Path of Light and Other Faiths
As mentioned earlier, the Silver Flame and the Kalok Shash fascinate some scholarly light speakers. Clerics of those religions have differing attitudes to this idea, ranging from outright hostility among the Pure Flame to calculating appraisal by Gaash'kala, who welcome any available weapon against the fiends. Other devotees of the Path of Light find this fascination strange and believe it distracts from the true struggle. We have good relations with the Silver Flame, however we are careful, their strict edicts of evil could be easily corrupted and it can be a non-negotiable truth. We have formal relations with the other good aligned faiths and very good relations with the druidic sects. The light speakers don't have much interest in other faiths. However, they recognise the value of religion as a way to strengthen a community, and they often participate in holidays or festivals to blend in better. They do learn about the pantheons and other cults, of course, just as they study anything else about their adopted society. Followers of the Path of Light are horrified by the travesty of religion that the Inspired have established in Riedra. They fear that, beyond the enslavement of innocent souls, this system strengthens the power of il-Lashtavar. Priests of the Path of Inspiration are often strategic targets for Adaran shadow watchers.
In Khorvaire, followers of the Path of Light do not build temples. The only shrines to the Light are those within the minds of its followers. Personal quarters double as meditation chambers but do not display any obvious religious function.
This is not true in Breland and Sharn, where the Path of Light has temples that even teach non-Kalashtar some of the ways of light or its skills, our Temples look after our many followers, supported by our allies and Clan Tâna
Fortified monasteries in Adar are home to powerful light speakers. These sanctuaries of the Light allow them to devote all their energies to meditation and purification of the Dream of the Age. The people of Adar also build shrines within their village. Reaching Adar is nearly impossible, for a powerful psionic barrier the Shroud3.5 Explorer's Handbook, p139 and forbidding mountains defend that Land. The fortresses of Adar do have means to allow teleportation into a fortress, but this method is secret and rarely used.
Orders and Monasteries
Most followers of the Light fall into one of two categories, depending on their attitude toward the secret war. Light bringers comprise the majority, and they believe in strengthening il-Yannah through active mental exercise. Shadow watchers are a militant minority who are convinced that simply waiting for the turning of the age is not enough. They take the fight directly to the Inspired wherever they can. Within Adar's fortresses, elite monks train for war against the darkness. Many of these monks develop psionic or magical ability to complement their physical training, A large number of them specialise in psionic fighting styles. Adar is home to other forms of martial mysticism as well.
A small number of Kalashtar are neither evil nor insane, but they don't follow the Path of Light. Some call themselves dream-walkers, professing that the il-Lashtavar is not a force of evil, it is incomprehensible to non-Quori, and its alien nature is deeply disturbing to them, but its purpose is not active malice.
The dream-walkers study the Dreaming Dark in the hope of making it more understandable to all. In this way, Kalashtar can once again take their place within Dal Quor as true Quori spirits, and the warring halves of their people can be reunited.
Kalashtar do not dream. For dreams would take them to Dal Quor, a place still hostile to them. But the dream-walkers retrace the steps of the exodus, when Taratâi led the rebel Quori through mortal dreams, to find a way to skirt the edges of the Dreaming Dark without being consumed by it.
They also hope to find the lost spirit of Taratâi, which they believe remains trapped somewhere in the dreaming. Sometimes a dream-walker loses their way and becomes isolated, so others also seek their lost colleagues. Those who can be rescued from Dal Quor might have valuable information to impart concerning its nature.
Kalashtar who live among the people of Khorvaire were affected by and participated in the Last War along with their neighbours. The Path of Light played no active role in the war, but its followers paid especially careful attention to the machinations of the Inspired during that time.
The Temples of Breland DID perform actively during this time, in healing, advisory and magical support and specialist warriors.
Crystal of Purity