Background[]
The Cult of the First Revelation is the formal religious sect of the Order of the Bleak Spire. The foundation of the cult is based on the idea that Mereldar, the sister of Lordain, is the sole prophet of the Light, thereby granting humans status as the Light’s chosen. The cult is unique to the Order and the small tract of land that it controls within Alterac, notably the county of Black Peak in western Alterac. The primary scripture for the Cult of the First Revelation is the Codex of Faith.
Virtues and Sins[]
The virtues of the Cult of the First Revelation are based upon the original visions received by the blessed prophet Mereldar, as transcribed into the five librams given to the Knights of the Silver Hand. The corresponding sins were later adopted following theological debates on the existence of lesser sins and vices.
Protection / Cowardice[]
Protection is the righteous defense of the Faith and its faithful. Cowardice is to fail to defend your brothers and the name of the Light.
Justice / Corruption[]
Justice is the pursuit of judgement for those who have acted against the Light. Corruption is to put one’s own needs before the demands of the Light.
Retribution / Leniency[]
Retribution is the reckoning for transgressions against the Light. Leniency is to allow others to give in to sin.
Holiness / Sinfulness[]
Holiness is the pursuit of faith above all else. Sinfulness is to indulge and put one’s self before the faith.
Compassion / Apathy[]
Compassion is to struggle as your brothers do. Apathy is to ignore the suffering of others.
The Creed[]
The Creed of the First Revelation are the five core beliefs that the cult holds. They were transcribed during the Synod of Alterac in 9 L.C., a meeting of theological scholars of the Cult.
- We believe that the Light is the sole divine. There is no power greater than the Light.
- We believe that the Light is the sole creator and that Tyr is the champion of man.
- We believe that the blessed prophet Saint Mereldar is the sole prophet of the Light.
- We believe that souls unworthy of ascension to the realm of Tyr are damned to the Nameless Void.
- We believe that man is born corrupted by the Void and therefore must endeavor for a life of holiness to achieve ascension.
Core Beliefs[]
The Light as the Sole Divine[]
The Cult of the First Revelation firmly believes that there is no deity greater than the Light and that the Light is the ultimate power in the universe. They reject other deities, such as the Loa, the Wild Gods, Elune, Belor, etc. and brand those that follow them idolaters. They do acknowledge the existence of the Old Gods, but see them as devil-esque creatures.
The Light as the Sole Creator and Tyr as the Champion of Men[]
There is a firm belief within the Cult of the First Revelation that the Light is the supreme creator of life in the universe. So too do they believe that Tyr is the patron of humanity, having guided the first men to Lordaeron. This belief hails originally from the Codex of Flame and was adopted into the cult as members of the Scarlet Crusade joined the ranks of the Bleak Spire.
Mereldar as the Sole Prophet[]
The Revelationalists believe that Saint Mereldar was the only prophet to receive visions from the Light itself (as opposed to the Naaru, which is the belief of the orthodoxy). They reject all other prophets as either fiction or idolatry. As such, they also believe that humans are the chosen of the Light and disregard other races as impure. Some tolerance is shown to Dwarves and High Elves, so long as they submit to the beliefs of the Cult.
Ascension to the realm of Tyr[]
There is a strong belief in the afterlife amongst members of the Cult of the First Revelation. Contrary to the orthodoxy, however, the Revelationalists believe in two realms; the Realm of Tyr and the Endless Void. The former is paradise, where those judged worthy ascend to, while the latter is a hellish existence in the realm of the Void, tortured by the Old Gods.
Original Sin[]
The belief that man is born of sin dates back to the origin of the first men. With historians understanding that the first humans were Vrykul corrupted by the Curse of Flesh, the Revelationalists believe that the corruption carried by the first men has since been passed through the blood of all men, making them inherently impure. To seek redemption and entry to the realm of Tyr, they believe that they must endeavor towards a lifetime of holiness and strict adherence to the virtues in order to be cleansed.
Canonized Saints and Other Important Figures[]
The Cult of the First Revelation is akin to many other sects of the Faith of the Holy Light in their canonization of martyrs, whom they perceive as exemplars of the virtues. Notably, the Cult of the First Revelation does not regard Mereldar or Tyr as saints, instead viewing them more as divine figures, second only to the Light.
Tyr, Keeper of the Holy Flame and Champion of Men[]
Tyr is regarded as the champion of men within the Cult of the First Revelation. There is a strong belief that it was Tyr carried the first men to Lordaeron in the palm of his hand and granted them the tools to build the mighty Empire of Arathor.
The Blessed Prophet Mereldar[]
Mereldar, the sister of Lordain, is regarded as the sole prophet of the Holy Light. It is believed that the Light spoke directly to her, granting humans status as the Light’s chosen creatures.
Saint Lordain, Patron Saint of War[]
The sacrifice of Lordain during the Troll Wars serves as an example of selflessness in the face of wickedness for members of the Cult of the First Revelation. It is believed that it was his sacrifice that earned humans the respect of the Light.
Saint Braelin, Patron Saint of Tenacity[]
Braelin, a smith from Alterac, was captured by ogres sometime before the fall of the kingdom. It is said that he maintained his faith throughout the weeks of torture he was subjected to by the ogres and now serves as an example of tenacity within the Cult of the First Revelation.
Saint Zebediah, Patron Saint of the Poor[]
Saint Zebediah is amongst the most recent canonized saints of the cult, having died in Westfall at the hands of the Defias Brotherhood. It is said that Zebediah fed the transients of Westfall with the yield from his own crops, despite being impoverished himself.
Saint Aderic, Patron Saint of Inquisitors and Truth[]
Saint Aderic was the Gilnean king responsible for the proselytization of the people of Gilneas to the Faith of the Holy Light. It is believed that he was blessed by the blessed prophet Mereldar herself.
Saint Zeliek, Patron Saint of the Dead[]
Saint Zeliek was a former knight of the Silver Hand turned death knight. It is said even while under the grip of the Lich King, Zeliek still retained control over his mind and attempted to warn adventurers of their impending doom.
Religious Symbology and Phrases[]
The Great Sun[]
The identifying mark of the Cult of the First Revelation is known as the Great Sun. Inscribed on the center is the numeral, “IV,” representing the founding year of the Cult. The sixteen rays emulating from the center of the sun are representative of the first men thought to have been brought to Lordaeron by Tyr himself (an idea brought forth from the Codex of Flame, given the origin of many members’ origins within the Scarlet Crusade).
“O Laras, soranok agar’nethal”[]
Translating from the Alteraci dialect of Archaic Common to “Oh Light, bless us this day,” the phrase appears quite often in various imagery within the Cult of the First Revelation. Thought to be from the coronation song of the first kings of Lordaeron.
“G’Odhun a’l koro boda uh’m”[]
Akin to the former quote, from the Alteraci dialect of Archaic Common, this translates to “first to fight, even in death.” This quote appears commonly on Revelationalists imagery.
“Mor ok Laras gorum pala’m”[]
Translating from the Alteraci dialect of Archaic Common to, “May the Light reign forever.” This quote appears commonly on Revelationalists imagery and can be used in its Archaic form or in Modern common.