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Path of Light

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May contain AI-generated text & false information. Please help improve this by checking the sources and fixing any errors, or removing this tag it it all checks out. This article has been tagged since 23:52, 24 January 2025 (UTC). If you are using this information for your own research, campaign, or general interest, you should not rely on its accuracy.

The Path of Light is the faith of the kalashtar, and other residents of Adar that is primarily concerned with the turning of the age in Dal Quor, the Plane of Dreams.

Description[]

The Path of Light is a faith practiced mainly by kalashtar. Followers engage in meditation and strict physical discipline and seek to banish the darkness in themselves and others. They believe that these practices will help end this current age of darkness and usher in a new age of light.[6]

The Path of Light is most prevalent in Adar, but most kalashtar communities in Khorvaire also follow the Path of Light. While many who follow the Path of Light believe that the dawn of a new age can only be achieved through meditation and redemption, others believe in taking a more active approach, battling darkness in the world through violent means. These shadow watchers often fight against the Dreaming Dark.[6][7]

Dogma[]

The Path of Light is heavily tied to the plane of Dal Quor. A powerful force resides at the heart of the plane known as the Quor Tarai, or "Dream of the Age", that influences all who dream. The current Quor Tarai is known as il-Lashtavar, the great darkness that dreams. However, followers of the Path of Light believe that there will be a shift in Dal Quor and they can help bring it about to usher a new age of il-Yannah, the dreaming light, that will banish the current age of nightmare.[6][8][9]

The main way this shift can be brought about is through self-improvement and acts of light. Meditation to improve the mind, physical exercise to improve the body, contemplation of peace, compassion, courage, and acts of kindness, such as mediating disputes, are all small steps towards bringing about il-Yannah.[6][7][10]

Most followers of Path of Light are known as lightbringers, or yannahsur.[10] Those who advocate for a more violent course of action against the Inspired and other forces of darkness are instead known as shadow watchers, or sheshantol.[6] The priests of the Path of Light are called lightspeakers, or yannahilath.[11]

Atavists[]

Main article: Atavist

Atavists are a new movement among the kalashtar shadow watchers of Khorvaire. These shadow watchers claim to be able to more closely connect to their quori spirit and connect with other kalashtar of their lineage.[12]

Worshipers[]

Kalashtar 2

A kalashtar follower of the Path of Light.

Most followers of the Path of Light are kalashtar. However, the humans, xephs, and other residents of Adar follow or at least pay respect to the Path of Light.[11][13] The Path of Light is persecuted in Riedra, and is largely unknown in Khorvaire outside of kalashtar communities.[7]

Notable Worshipers[]

  • Master Ay'Kuar is the master of Shalquar monastery in Adar. He sanctions aggressive strikes against Riedran scouts who patrol the border by the monastery as a means to prevent the Inspired from determining the monastery's exact location.[14]
  • Chanaakar, Speaker of the Word[15]
  • Dolarhad[16]
  • Halazerai[16]
  • Hanamelk of the Gathering Light in Overlook in Sharn[17]
  • Kanashtai[16]
  • Lanharath[12]
  • Luunkashtai, Speaker's Hand[18]
  • Selkatari of the Gathering Light in Overlook in Sharn[17]
  • The Enlightened Havakhad who is a powerful psion despite his frail body, and tends to the shrine of il-Yannah in Overlook in Sharn.[17]
  • Sharserath is one of the two most accomplished atavists among the shadow watchers of the modern age who has adopted the methodology of the Dreaming Dark and encourages his followers to do so as well. He has taken on a harsher disposition towards his enemies after surviving an attempted assassination attempt, with some in the atavist movement viewing him as having turned from the Path of Light altogether due to his methods.[19]
  • Venerable Thatari, she is a powerful kalashtar psion dwelling in the mountains miles from Tashalatora in Adar.[20]
  • Tolserath is one of the two most accomplished atavists among the shadow watchers of the modern age who is generally seen as the successor to Soserath, the first atavist by training new atavists and using correspond psionic power to communicate with leaders of atavist cells.[19]

Clergy[]

“
Darkness is not the opposite of Light. It is the absence of Light.
”
— Saying among Lightbringers[21]

Lightspeakers are required to be able to "change reality," meaning anything from completing good works that improve a neighborhood for the better or by gaining expertise in a psionic discipline or through martial training. Lightspeakers adorn themselves in swooping crystal-studded headbands, which often include Siberys dragonshards, and wear other crystalline fixtures among their clothing.[11] Lightspeakers are often kalashtar in Khorvaire, but humans are often lightspeakers in Adar, and dromites as well as others are known to become priests as well.[1]

Lightspeakers are expected to lead the fight against darkness in whatever form it takes, which can mean through leading strike forces against agents of the quori (more commonly for shadow watchers) or through instructing others and leading in the deep meditations to strengthen il-Yannah in pursuit of the new age (more commonly for lightspeaker). Lightspeakers are under high risk of being targeted by the Inspired due to their prominent role in a community.[1]

New lightspeakers join the Path of Light by being nominated by a believer who is not a relative, and then must be seconded by an active lightspeaker. A council of elder lightspeakers then consider the candidate, conduct a psionic probe with permission, telepathically confer amongst themselves on the merits of the candidate, and announce the outcome for the candidate.[1]

Symbols[]

The holy symbol of the Path of Light is a glowing crystal, roughly triangular in shape. Followers often carry or wear an amulet or necklace bearing the symbol.[6] The crystal has a dual meaning, representing both il-Yannah and the psionic abilities of the kalashtar. In places where the Path of Light is persecuted, the symbol can be simply depicted as an inverted triangle.[7] Many followers of the Path of Light paint an upside-down white triangle between their eyebrows.[22]

Many practitioners of the faith carry small crystals made of quartz, and these double as psicrystals among psions. Visible tokens of the Path of Light are displayed around other kalashtar or within protected spaces like Adar, but those mingling with nonbelievers and outsiders take care to blend in to avoid agents of the Dreaming Dark.[11]

The Bright Jewel of il-Yannah is a magical version of the holy symbol.[23]

Holidays[]

Days of Remembrance[]

Each of the sixty six surviving kalashtar lineage has a five-day period dedicated to the quori spirit of that lineage, known as the Days of Remembrance.[24][25][26]

Kalashtar of the given quori spirit's lineage dedicate these five days each year to honor the memory of their quori ancestor. At the festival's apex, the kalashtar line hosts a celebration for the community at large, and offers thoughtsongs to honor the achievements of kalashtar in the line and share stories of the quori exodus to Adar. Since few kalashtar communities have more than ten lines represented among them, these Days of Remembrance are not a year-round affair.[24]

Void of Taratai[]

The Days of Remembrance set aside for Taratai have instead become a religious holiday of mourning known as the Void of Taratai to commemorate the exodus and birth of the kalashtar, honor Taratai's death and the loss of her kalashtar lineage, and ensure they never lose another kalashtar lineage.[24][25][26] This five-day "holiday" occurs in winter and is observed by all kalashtar lineages.[10]

History[]

The Path of Light was founded by the kalaraq quori known as Taratai. Taratai was a sage studying Dal Quor when she discovered that her plane undergoes cycles that dramatically reshape and change the plane, including its residents. The other quori saw their potential destruction as a terrifying possibility to be stopped at all costs, but Taratai believed that the cycle should be allowed to run its course, as she believed that the Dal Quor's current age of darkness would be replaced by an age of light.[9]

About 1,800 years ago, Taratai was forced to flee Dal Quor along with her sixty seven followers, settling in Adar and becoming the first kalashtar. As the kalashtar Haztaratai, Taratai taught the first precepts of the Path of Light and began to spread the faith across Adar.[27]

30 years ago, the kalashtar Soserath of the Serath lineage first pioneered the path of the atavist among the shadow watchers. Atavists are able to break down the walls around their personality to strengthen their bond to their quori spirit, and to other kalashtar of their lineage.[12]

10 years ago, Soserath was killed by Dreaming Dark thoughtstealer assassins, and other kalashtar of the Serath lineage now share his work. Atavists of the Serath line travel the kalashtar enclaves of Khorvaire to spread the concept of the movement, and teach aspirants.[12]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook (5th edition). (Wizards of the Coast), p. 296. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 0786966890.
  5. ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 240, 254–257. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 146–147. ISBN 0786966890.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 256. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  8. ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 255. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 15. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 133–137. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
  13. ↑ James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 83. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
  14. ↑ David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
  15. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 26. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 69. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Keith Baker & James Wyatt (2004). Sharn: City of Towers. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 0-7869-3434-4.
  18. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 27. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 137. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
  20. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  21. ↑ Class and Character Themes. Web Enhancement for Secrets of Sarlona. Wizards of the Coast. (2007-03-26). Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved on 2024-10-14.
  22. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  23. ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 105. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 65. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 257. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  27. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.

Connections[]


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The Silver Flame | The Sovereign Host | The Dark Six | The Blood of Vol | The Cults of the Dragon Below | The Path of Light | Path of Inspiration | Undying Court | The Lord of Blades | The Becoming God | Spirits of the Past | Thir | Druidic sects | Vulkoor
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