Appearance

In the mortal realm Kael appears as a muscular young human, not a day over thirty. His strong jawline and high cheekbones give him an air of nobility, but he does not carry himself as a typical noble would. He is kind and compassionate, especially to those who live under the light of his sun. His hair is dirty blonde and kept reasonably short, but his most distinct feature is his burning eyes. Two flames of red and yellow, each burning with the intensity of the sun, float weightlessly in the empty sockets where his eyes should be. The Lightbringer cares not for fashion or style and is rarely ever seen without his standard white platemail armour, over which sits a simple white tabard. Binding the tabard tightly around his waist is a thin golden belt, said to be made from the scales of the Firstborn Tezoth, a prize he claimed after defeating him in one of their numerous battles. The belt is said to imbue him with supernatural strength when he is standing under the light of his celestial heaven.

In combat Kael is a fearsome warrior. He wields a bastard sword that burns with pure fire and divine light. This sword, called “Anondite, the Last Dawn”, can burn through any armour and flesh, striking the very spirit of its target if they are corrupted by darkness. Anondite has left scars on many of the celestial gods, including Malagant and Raze. In addition to his blade, Kael can use focus his vision on an enemy, even at a great distance. Should the target meet his gaze, Kael can weigh the worth of their spirit. If it is found wanting, a pillar of cleansing fire will descend from the sun itself, obliterating the unworthy and leaving aught but ash.

Tenets

Five things a Kael follower should do:

1. Bring justice to the unjust. The ends always justify the means so long as the greater good is served and the Church flourishes.

2. Raise up an army of devout. Every labourer and commoner, if called upon, should raise their torches to burn away the darkness in your Church’s name.

3. Protect the innocent and the Church.

4. Be willing to make the decisions no other can. While the innocent must be safeguarded, it is imperative to recognize that cleansing a corrupt town will save many towns in the future.

5. Lead a pious life. Become the shining light so that others may find their way.

Five things a Kael follower should not do:

1. Become morally corrupted. Do not take bribes or allow greed to sway you from the righteous path.

2. Allow anything to stand in the way of justice. Laws, gods, mortals, and even your own emotions are second to cleansing the corrupted and dispensing justice.

3. Tolerate any dealings of the demonic or those that do. Wytches, diabolists, and fiends should be burned at the stake by Kael’s cleansing fire.

4. Submit to any authority that is not sanctioned by the Light. If justice cannot be dispatched immediately, then be patient and wait, but always be ready.

5. Permit false teachings or words that might tempt the faithful to darkness. Purge and burn any knowledge of that which countermands the teachings of the Church of Light or the teachings of Kael.

Celestial Heaven: The Empyrean City

Kael’s Celestial Heaven soars above the nearby realms of Cassandra and Roland, for it is the very sun itself. Its glorious golden light gives life and warmth to all that dwell beneath it on the mortal plane while simultaneously delivering his judgement upon those cursed with the foul state of Undeath. Its light both nourishes the pastoral paradise of Cassandra and banishes the darkness from every corner of Roland’s Heaven.

Anyone who may foolishly wish to gain egress into Kael’s Realm must first contend with the Outer Light, a wall of the purest flame combined with the very essence of Kael’s divinity. All but the strongest of creatures that dare to approach without significant magical protection will likely be consumed by the holy fire. It should go without saying that stealth is nearly impossible in these circumstances. There are no shadows to hide in, and the eyes of Kael’s angels are ever-vigilant.

Those that are welcome in Kael’s Realm can effortlessly push past the Outer Light and enter the Empyrean City. Here the light of his sun is soft, warm, and welcoming. Everything from the smallest cottage to the largest citadel shines with the purest golden light, wrapping everything and everyone in its divine embrace. This is, of course, still quite painful and debilitating to those not sworn to Kael or granted his protection, as is often the case with those that serve Roland or Cassandra. The city itself was designed by Kael to serve as a calm and welcoming paradise for his supplicants. Those who fell in service to Kael have lived hard lives and often come to him as wounded souls in need of healing in both mind and Spirit. Thus the Empyrean City’s first and most important role is as a refuge meant to restore the light within their souls. They visit with fallen companions, eat simple but delicious food, and enjoy both sports and artistic activities. When they are ready, when the scars of their mortal life have faded, they enter Kael’s service once again.

Realms Within The Empyrean City

• The Crucible

Duty does not end in death, and it is here that the formerly mortal Spirits and Angels of Kael train their skills as defenders of the innocent and dispensers of justice and compete for Kael’s attention. The demi-plane is highly mutable, with Kael or any of his Archangels able to change various aspects of the Crucible by mere thought. The terrain, the environmental effects, and even the spiritual foes placed within it can change from one day to the next. Once the Crucible opens, the presiding judge sets a specific challenge. On one particular day, the Spirits participating in the challenge might be attempting to apprehend a notorious and cruel bandit warlord. At the same time, the next might see them tasked with ferreting out a cult of demon worshipers hidden amongst the local nobility of a powerful city-state.

• The Sunlight Citadel

At the centre of Kael’s wonderous Realm is the Sunlight Citadel, Kael’s shining fortress tower, and within its inner sanctum is the source of all light and heat that emanates from the sun. While it is whispered that the sun’s heart held another form before Kael laid claim to it, now it is a white-hot flame forced into the shape of a glorious throne. From atop his kingly seat, Kael can see whatever the sun’s light touches, be it on the mortal plane or upon any one of the realms of Light. From his perch, he directs the Angels and Spirits under his command to reinforce Roland’s lines upon his battlements whenever they seem to be under too much strain. It is said that without these reinforcements, the demonic armies that assault Roland’s Realm may have broken through long ago. The most passionate of Kael’s deceased worshipers join the fire of his throne, and with each Spirit, it burns ever brighter. They are not consumed by this flame, however, and in fact, are both still able to offer counsel to their God and direct the light-bourne wrath of Kael that is now a part of themselves.

• Terminus Est

On the northern border of Kael’s domain lies a small, cobblestone path that leads to a small, unassuming clearing atop a high cliff. From this perch, any being can see down into the realms of Roland and Cassandra, and the same is true for denizens of those realms. For Kael’s greatest enemies, this impressive vista will be the last thing they ever see.

A circular patch of pure white sand is set into the centre of the clearing, with a marble chopping block rising from its heart. To those pure of heart, this is simply a pretty view. For those whose sin or corrupted nature weighs heavily upon them, Terminus Est inspires sensations that are not unlike trying to walk the ocean floor with an anchor tied around one’s neck. As they draw closer towards the chopping block, they will begin to feel an immense pressure that only increases as they get closer to the chopping block. Most beings will need to be forced to crawl on all fours or will have to be dragged to the centre. Their head will then be placed upon the block, and with a single swing of Anondite, Kael will utterly obliterate them, body and soul.