This is a setting for use when involving any Balis themed content and canon storyline. ( Balis, the Umbra, the Avenging Church, Zealots, etc. ) It is not necessarily a requirement nor fully canon when involved within a scene unless otherwise stated or implied. This is merely to help give background and scene stability to players like you. Enjoy!
Last updated on 08/19/2017.
The Role of Justice
1) To enforce the laws of the land.
1a) To never participate in the creation of new laws. ( Providing advice and direction is tolerated. )
2) To carry out punishments ascribed by the people of the land.
2a) Punishment may not extend to death of the people. ( No capital punishment.)
3) No enforcer of justice shall own land, levy taxes, or interfere with the religions of a people.
4) To be the judge of the accused and the warden for the guilty.
5) Balis shall be selective upon persuant of the previous 4 rules.
When Balis first came to the world of Reacalaf, she found it hideously in turmoil and despair. However, as it was another world under the influence of a pantheon led by Gwa'Lin, otherwise known as the 'All-Mother'. In order to bring about the peace and prosperity that she had hoped to bring for amends of her past deeds, she would need both a Voice among the Celestial Courts, and a position to fill. For the former, Balis endeared herself upon a splunky, young adventurer named Callie Wyn to vouch for her in the Courts as her Voice. Balis has not used and discarded this young woman for the sole necessity of entering the Court, but actively maintains a rather pleasant social relationship with the girl.
As for the second note of petition to Gwa'Lin's pantheon is a somber and depressing consideration. The former deity Twylith, who held the position of Law, Order, and Discipline was left vacant... From Balis' own past deeds. He was the deity that she eradicated from existence and just happened to be the open seat she sought to fill! As expected, this caused an uproar among the gods, both of Gwa'Lin's pantheon and those scattered about the universe. Political, emotional, and personal opinions came harshly into play with those from all walks of divine life coming to protest or support the offer. Evil gods that believed Balis was using it as a position to usurp more power. Righteous deities that thought she would defile Twylith's good (albeit eradicated) name. Many had their voices added to the lenghty debate but in the end... Gwa'Lin trusted in the Voice's ( tricked ) acceptance of Balis. Balis would fill the vacant seat among the Celestial Court, ruling as the Judge of Divine Law for matters dealing with the gods and holding the domain of Vengeance, Punishment, Torture, and Retribution over the mortals of Reacalaf.
Immediately following her acceptance to the pantheon, the reborn goddess set out to establish herself upon the world and universe at large. Her first task? Providing shelter to the weak and downtrodden. Temples that would serve as sanctuary for anyone that needed the assistance. Food and warmth, a new convert to help tell of the glories of Balis by the passage of her bible on her intentions for the world. The people wanted change, they wanted a difference for the good of the people. Balis made certain that she was that answer.
Before long, she was gathering thousands of people that devoted themselves to her and not long after that she began her greatest creation. The Zealots. A militaristic order that gave up their free will, a gift by the gods onto mortals, for the abilities to truly make an impact on their world. Beyond that, Balis helped to balance economies, raise educational levels, to actually better the settlements around the world so that in time, she hopefully would not be needed any longer. That inevitably people would prosper on their own.
As Balis entered into the affairs of Reacalaf, she needed to establish herself temples for housing her fledgling religion and worshippers. These temples have been founded in many of the largest cities of Reacalaf, Earth, and others. Even in conflicting territories due to Balis being impartial to the politics of one nation in relation to another. She is to administer the justice, regardless of whom it is, be it another nation or even another race, so long as it pertains to her domain and reach.
Many of her temples quickly brought converts whom sought order to their lives or wished to be a part of the restructuring of their society. Most had become typical worshippers that continue their daily lives and only pray and revere Balis at personal shrines in their homes . A smaller percentage willingly submitted to become her personal army of Justice, the Zealots. ( Keynote, WILLING subjects. One cannot be made a Zealot by force. )
These Zealots are her enforcers of the law. They are the ones that patrol the streets and protect the citizenry. They are the police officers of Reacalaf, imbued with fantastic powers and abilities along with a unique maternal expression of love by Balis for their willing submission and loss of free will to be in her service. All of her Zealots revere her as a literal mother, and refer to her frequently by title of 'Mother'.
All subjects that belong to her Avenging Church, regardless if Zealot or common worshipper, are all entitled to the vast privilages of her religion. Balis maintains that all within her faith be highly educated, well-fed, and secure in their lifestyles. This has lead to the formation of schools, orphanages, libraries, and financial/occupation assistances to ANY that request it, though much if it is required out of her faithful. To be a part of the Avenging Church is to bring about stability, something Balis has heavily advocated to be her purpose and intent as the deity of Justice.
Due to the re-acquisition of her previous realm, Balis has a domain to which she can send the wicked or saved. ( Her realm functions as both Heaven and Hell for many citizens.) All that are damned, fallen worshippers/Zealots, as well as favored souls/friends of Balis are sent to this domain. Any citizen is welcomed to live their afterlife in her realm if they so wish. ( There are many realms of Hell, ruled by different deities. ) Like any place of punishment, it is considered a frightening domain, cavernous and rocky with a constantly overcast sky making the lands seem bleak and dark. It always appearing as if it is just about to rain or already under a torrential storm that rages for weeks with screams of the damned overwhelmingly heard from all directions if one is among those poor souls. ( 'Good' souls see the Umbra differently. Read a bit below. ) In scope, the realm defies reality. It appears as a massive cavern, but also seems to stretch for hundreds of miles in all direction. High cliffs and low valleys make most of the terrain.
Within the realm is also her legions of Reformed Demons, those entitled to serve out the punishments onto the damned souls, or offer service and make-shift armies for Balis on a whim. It is HIGHLY unlikely for one of her Reformed Demons to be seen outside of the Umbra. ( This is mostly for public relations. Might scare the mortals to have a bunch of demons wandering about. ) Punishments are unique and varied, with the demons given vast allowances to abuse and torment the damned souls however they see fit.
For the fortunate souls that are there for a pleasant afterlife, they mystically view the landscape in a much different light. To their sight and perception, it is a beautiful countryside of plains and farms, and each soul is kept entranced into believing each day as more glorious as the last. There isn't any dread or sorrow to be felt. A proverbial heaven to any that reside within this altered perception. Demons cannot be perceived by the blessed souls here, nor can they hear or see the horrific scenes elsewhere in the realm.
Last to mention is the Warden of the Umbra. To make punishments smooth and less of a hassle for the Goddess, she has entrusted nigh-omnipotent powers ( at least while within the Umbra) to Dez, to carry out the dictation and maintenance of Hell. It is she that will monitor all incoming souls, and ensures that the Reformed Demons do not become lazy or neglecting in their duties. Prayers for anyone that has to suffer under the Hell Warden's tyrannical boot personally!
"You freely give your life to me in service of justice for all, succor for the wronged, and vengeance to the oppressor. To those who have shown no mercy you shall show none. To those who treat their fellow mortals with contempt, you shall show the contempt of the gods. Your arm shall be my arm of swift retribution and divine wrath. To you I lay this sacred charge; arise now as Zealot in my service!"
To be a Zealot is similiar to Samurai of fuedal Japan. A complete obedience to Balis and the loss of all personal rights that does not pertain to their task as peacekeepers.
They live in the temples created by the Avenging Church, are imbued with great powers, and have a direct link with their Goddess at all times. ( Though finding her paying attention is a different matter altogether! ) Food, clothing, housing, education, and training is all a common staple of what it is to be a Zealot at the expense of free will.
In a show of her gratitude to their release of will, she has given each and every Zealot incredible abilities and talents, for the use of their faith or duties of enforcement or conflict.
All Zealots/Zealettes: Combat Expertise - All Zealots are trained with a rudimentary knowledge of combat, particularly to excel with heavy plate armor and broadswords or large double-bladed axes. Passage to Hell - Although not able to directly teleport, all Zealots instinctively know of where and how to access portals to the various underworlds, and most explicitly to the Umbra, the realm under Balis' control. Learn the Truth - By maintaining a touch on a creature that has lied to the Zealot, they can invoke the presence of Balis into the victim's mind. This compels the creature to tell the truth. ( Or in some cases, left babbling and in shock for an hour... ) Divine Inspiration - Ability to commune with Balis. (This is a special form of prayer, direct to and always heard by Balis. VERY likely she'd respond back to any Zealot. Common worshippers... Not so likely. ) Dark Savior - This ability is meant for the recovery of those abducted by the immoral such as the infamous Lusty Thieves and other tyrants. Similar to Maternal Guardians and other orders, it uses the same general technique to take someone into themselves but with the unique difference that it is intended to take a kidnapped/unwilling occupant directly from their captor! ( Male Zealot slurping up UB victims, Zealettes draining a male of all occupants, etc. )
Rules of Zealot Spells:
The concept of spells with Zealots of any class is left subject to interpretation for the drama and fun of roleplay. Rather than provide a list of spells and 'levels' of access, I leave it up to the individual players to determine what is accessible or not. However, I do leave some guidelines and hard rules in place to prevent unrealistic portrayals or overpowered characters. ( Take these as guidelines, except where defined. )
1) Spells are Divine in nature. ( i.e. come from Balis herself )
2) Spells focus primarily on healing and affecting undead.
2a) Affecting undead can pertain to destroying, tracking, or communicating with. RARELY is it used for controlling undead. ( Generally a trait for Inquisitors. )
2b) Commonly renown spells of advanced power such as resurrection are NOT possible without Balis allowing the temporary use of that spell. Use common sense here, if the spell seems absurdly powerful for a common soldier to have... You probably don't get to use it.
3) Casting numerous spells in a short period of time will mentally and physically exhaust most casters.
4) Zealots CAN undergo independent study to arcane/self-taught spells independent of the Divine spells bestowed by Balis.
Zealot Classes:
Zealot - Typical soldier
Inquisitors - War Mages/Interrogators, primarily the officer rank/position.
Shades - Undercover Agents a.k.a. spies
Eyes of Judgement - Scouts/Trackers
War Mender - Cleric
* Living Prison - Tank/Heavy Support
* Zeal Reaver - Colossal Zealots intended to overwhelm castles and armies.
* The Blessed - High ranking Priests/Priestesses
* Cloud Eyes - Oracles and Seers.
** Reformed Demon - 'Good' Demons in service to Balis within Hell. Bound by strict codes of conduct and behavior.
** Hell Warden - The Warden of the Umbra.
Those with an asterisk are rare classes, and not likely to be allowed for player creation. All others will require only notification of your intent to create such a character and class.
Currently played Zealots: Cordoun - Zealot, played by me. Keila - Knight Commander of Avenging Church, played by me. Bastille - Rogue Living Prison, played by me. Kitah - Zealot, potential future Hell Warden, played by Kitah's player. Alcatrina - Living Prison, played by Kitah. Requital - Eyes of Judgement, played by Requital's player.
02/22/2015: Removed all involvement with the Falacaerr setting. Formatting updates. Typos. The usual.
10/31/12: Changed from vampiric vore/Dark Blessing to the newer 'Dark Savior' style of unbirth/CV. Added 'Shade' class, augmented Inquisitor detail.
8/4/12: Added the Updates section, revised the Zealot class abilities ( No longer Unbirth/CV based class, new abilities, rules for spells), changed the title of Balis' realm of Hell to 'The Umbra', typos.