A bright glowing sphere of life and light, Lumos and its aspirants are a beacon of Hope to those who are unsure of their place, unsure of the world, or unsure of their fate. A Sphere which draws in those who dedicated their life to devoted service, righteousness, and justice. Empowered and present in the destruction of falsehoods and the protection of the innocent, Lumos demands that life be cherished, and that to put yourself on the line for the benefit of others, or for what you believe, is Divine. Lumos, The Sphere of Hope
Lumos was once known as The Sphere of Truth, and this may be reflected by some pages on this Wiki or by Players of the Concord. And even the image below!
See Lumos Ceremonies for more information on the power of this sphere.
Doctrine of Lumos
Believe and Live
Be sure of yourself and your convictions, for indecision is dangerous. Do not betray the foundations on which you live, but stand firmly and publicly for that which you believe
You Know You Best
While there is wisdom and knowledge to be gained by listening to others, it is frequently you who knows you best, and to take others suggestions and instructions freely while ignoring what you know about your own life is to do yourself a disservice.
Innocence is worth Defending
Innocence, once lost, cannot be easily recovered. An ephemeral thing, it is the place of the learned and the battle weary to shield the innocent in their company until they choose to shed the mantle of innocence willingly.
Be the Light of Hope
Lumos demands action - it is not simply enough to have hope for others and the world, but you must act to make those hopes realized. Act, and give, and protect until you have nothing left.
What Lumos is not
Self Destructive
While Lumos calls on us to protect and cherish, to throw your life away for no benefit is not Divine. There are limits on what it is worth putting your life on the line for.
Priests of Lumos
Priests of Lumos come in many different forms, as to protect and inspire is a wide mandate. Many choose to form religious or militant orders of followers who actively go to seek out evil and injustice to destroy, but just as many choose comparatively quiet lives doing their utmost to protect their followers in small ways.
To be a Priest of Lumos is to inspire others to confidence and conviction, so that they might be torch bearers of the light of Lumos in the world. Orators, mentors, valiant knights, and lawyers, it is the task of the Lumos priest to not simply embody the Sphere but to be influential enough that those around them are called to imitate them in word and deed.
While stories and tales are sung most about those who wade into battle, far more often a Priest of Lumos’ ministry involves supporting those who are indecisive, shoring up people’s confidence in themselves, and helping people to come to personal convictions. Functioning as positive advisors and pillars of moral support, these Priests are content only when their aspirants can confidently stand in front of a crowd and profess their beliefs.
High Priest of Lumos
In addition to seven extra votes on Church matters, the Concordian High Priest of Lumos may, without needing to pass a motion with the Church, initiate the proceedings for an Inquisition up to five times per summit, dependent on the proceedural approval of a Curate. This may be levied only against Senators, High Priests, or any other individuals who can be reasoned are of imminent importance or relevance to the governance of the Concord. The Inquisition may only be about actions taken in relevance to the individual's title, and must be completed before the end of the Summit.
Realmic Traditions of Lumos
Iron Valley - Sagites
Priests of Lumos of the Valley fill the role of record keeping Sagites. They maintain the mighty Saga Tomes of the Valley, ensuring that the tales of the greatest of the Valley are recorded, but also that they are spoken. It is traditional in many places to begin a feast, wedding, funeral or tournament with an appropriate reading from a Saga Tome.
For Sagites, these Tomes are their most prized possessions, often treasures in their own right. With the loss of the homes from which the Sagas were transcribed into Tomes they have become even more important and many pious young folk have joined the ranks of Sagites dedicated to recording everything that has been
lost, however they can.
Greenweald - Houndpriests
The mysteries and dangers of the Greenweald are many. Some are ancient curses that are burned into the soil, others are great beasts that migrate through the trees themselves and far crueler things besides. Many priests see it as their duty to attempt to understand these threats - these individuals become known as Houndpriests. Often devoted to Lumos, these Houndpriests wander the forest roads seeking out danger or signs of ancient magic. From there they attempt to quantify and control these dangers, so that this knowledge may be used to help the Baronies overall. They are known by the symbol of a hunting hound often worn as a badge or amulet.
Followers of Lumos
While the most dramatic of Lumosian acolytes are those that go out and actively seek out the darkness, the lies, and the unjust with the intention of putting them to sword or torch, there are far more to whom the tenets of Lumos simply mean living a good and righteous life. To protect the innocent and to uphold truths and be righteous can easily be interpreted by the miller and tavernkeep as being good parents and not turning a blind eye to the petty lawbreaking of an opportunistic mayor.
While dramatic and world-shaking acts of piety and sacrifice shine the brightest in souls drawn to Lumos, that is not to say that the everyday goodness and charity shown to others is any less important. Indeed, many a herald of Lumos has looked down on so-called ‘heroes’ of Lumos for acting only for the praise of others, rather than for a true belief in good actions - proclaiming them better fit for Panoply than their professed Sphere of aspiration.
Lumos congregations tend to be the most devout, and the first to reach out to those in need. Some loud and preachy, others quiet but sternly faithful, an acolyte of Lumos strives always to do good, and to see that others do good as well, so that the world may be brighter and richer for those innocent who rise in the generations to come.
Symbols and Aesthetics
The symbol of Lumos wherever it is presented is a pair of eyes, sometimes shining light from within, but always open. Beyond this, the three Eternals of Lumos are represented by the half orb of the Setting Sun, the Corona of a solar eclipse, and a humble Candle Flame.
Spheric Beings of Lumos
Common Worship of Lumos
Rites of Lumos involve the sharing of personal truths, the telling of stories of glory, or warning parables of the over-headstrong who died while achieving nothing. A common rite involves carrying a torch or candle around as a group, quietly listening to the sounds of the town or village around the group of aspirants. The light source is handed around as they walk, and if the group happens to pass someone who needs something, the one who is currently carrying it is obliged to go out of their way to help them - it is a reminder of the many small things that we can do to improve the lives of others.
Common Prayers of Lumos
It is tradition for all Lumosian prayers to be said while holding a lit candle, torch, or lantern, though if the priest leading the prayer is doing so, that is considered sufficient.
The Setting Sun
By this light, let us be sworn to action, to justice, and most of all to the protection of others.
O Setting Sun, your hues inspire us to act with righteousness and conviction, putting others’ needs before our own comfort and living a just and proper life.
Let us not be frightened by the evils of the world, but confident in the divinity of our actions, and the righteousness of our Journey.
Relieve us of our Blights and Failings, so that we might grow closer to your purity in how we live our lives.
In the Spheres’ Light, we pray.
The Ashen Moon
By this light, let us be sworn to protect others at any cost, to uphold and safeguard that which we cherish to any end.
O Ashen Moon, your peaceful light promises us the peace and Grace of salvation on the Journey if we should sacrifice that which we have for those who need it.
Give us the bravery to give even what we cannot afford and to pray that others will do the same for us. Give us the bravery to continue to heal others even as we ourselves desperately need the care we provide.
Relieve us of our Blights and Failings, so that we might grow closer to your generosity in how we live our lives.
In the Spheres’ Light, we pray.
The Twilight
By this light, let us be sworn to uphold our convictions and to defy the darkness that would snuff out our truth, no matter what comes.
O Twilight, your valiant light against the darkness of the night inspires us to hold firmly to that which we have been taught, even in the face of those who would put us down or harm us for our truths.
Help us to be strong, to be firm and upright and public no matter the cost to ourselves, so that others who would support us can safely rise to stand with us and help to turn the tide on our path to the Journey.
Relieve us of our Blights and Failings, so that we might grow closer to your determination in how we live our lives.
In the Spheres’ Light, we pray.