An Accord Renewed

Throughout the terrors of the Second War of Night, the Hammer of Dawn stood as a shining torch, a defiant people intent on repelling Ohlsana’s ravenous invasion. Returning to their far-flung roots as hunters of shadow and evil, with the aid of the three Exarchs, Enorian invoked the terms of an ancient pact made between Idar Karif – famed General of the forces of Light – and the Angelic Triad of Rewh’va.

And so it was that at the darkest point of their campaign, the Blade of the Host, Ael’mael, personally projected its power into the Prime to see the dreaded general Isalemei obliterated by the holy dictation of Dumavai – condemnation, in the Esmari tongue.

Following the war, the task of renewing the terms of this historical agreement fell to the sacred Illuminai and the Sage of the Host’s zealous representative, Exarch Barrad of the Naraak. Though originally meant to be renewed every seven years, Idar’s fall from grace and time’s erratic divergences left the specifics of the holy covenant lost for most of the Midnight Age until the arrival of Exarchs Berrad and Saebi during the war.

Thus, in the middle of the month of Chakros in the year 507, the agreement was renewed with the assent of Roux Aquila, Dhie Lacinier of the Illuminai, and Benedicto Silverain, Grand Crusader of the Akkari Host. Though the specifics of its wording were modernised from the days of Idar, it still fosters the same intent: to bring about a world free from Darkness, its people sheltered by the grace and purity of the Light.

The Grand Library is able to unveil the full terms of the accord below:

=== Preamble ===

We renew this covenant amongst those holy folk of sacred Rewh’va and those Primal folk who walk in the footsteps of honored IDAR aal-Inurshi-hutubr and whose way is Light and Fire in twain. Together in good trust we bear the banner of the cause of Spirit, and war for the order and security of all planes and worlds.

Though the long shadow of Shuamvu Ushiduk – Mother Black – is gone from our planes, the battle against Her evil – and all evil – is far from over. The Primal folk no longer need fear the empire of Indoron, but new threats rise to take its place on all sides. We count among these dark horrors:

– The amoral pursuit of false divinity through profane and wicked science
– Foul magics in the hands of any who would see to undo the HOST’s holy might against their will
– The tyranny of warmongers, slavers, and wielders of dark sorcery
– The continued push of Corruption’s foul touch – reminders of the treachery and theft of the Castle of Illumination
– All who propagate despair, hopelessness, strife, and suffering
– The practitioners of fell magic, particularly those who wield the vile element of Shadow to the detriment of Prime with every incursion
– Any who stand against the Holy Crusade of the Light or impede progress towards the Age of Dawn
– Those who besmirch the name of aal-Ianurib Dej’aniyva – Most Holy Dejaani, Whose spark IS Light Incarnate Immortal

All this and more threaten the good and honest people of the Prime and jeopardise their contribution to the Holy Work.

In accordance with our duty as keepers of knowledge, there, we formally renew diplomacy between our two planes to the greater benefit of both, and re-affirm our commitment to trade in vessels and in summoning. We shall continue to take from among you those whom we deem fit to produce aal-Duamviyb yet to be.

In return, the worthiest ones among you shall retain your right to call upon those formless creatures of Creation’s blessed font – your plane of Spirit – for the purposes of driving back abominable darkness no matter its form and no matter its origin. You shall set to bountiful light every fallow field and shadow-cursed corridor, such that the stain
of evil, darkness, strife, and misery shall know our precious worlds no more.

We emphasise the need for just and decisive authority to right the endless wrongs of Prime’s accursed state, and we therefore reassert our endowment upon the descendants of IDAR – those whom the Prime name the forces of Light – the ILLUMINAI and the AKKARI HOST, for the twain must be united in purpose – to beseech and contract with those aforementioned beings of Spirit toward our shared and sacred purpose. These contracts, as well as the renewed terms of envesselment, shall be laid forth below and renewed or amended with each passing of seven years.

Should these contracts be broken, or should the taint of darkness seep into the hearts of those sworn to uphold the cause of the LIGHT, it is the right of the Exarchs of Rewh’va to revoke the gifts of the blessed Triad and to pass judgement as befits the situation.

=== On Angels ===

What the Primals name angels are mere three-medial projections of creatures who represent a greater and more timeless truth. They are the perfection for whom all Duamvi search and reach, fonts of Creation’s great potential. It is known, however, that these perfected beings are as still oceans: their power requires guidance, require the suffering and focus
of a summoner for its direction.

We give the following instruction to the mortal summoner, for by these terms and these alone shall the aid of Creation pour down upon you.

You shall show allegiance to the descendants of IDAR aal-Inurshi by show of symbol or light. You must envision clearly in your mind’s eye that vital sacred Spark of Creation’s glory. We entrust the ILLUMINAI to educate you in how to commune respectfully; they may ask whatever they wish of you before you approach us.

When you approach, you must do so at the break of dawn. Invoke us by the highest bonfire of the Castle of Illumination at dawn’s breaking. Speak your purpose aloud and in full faith, and as the sun’s last edge breaks free of the greedy horizon, your servant shall be sent to you. As your communion with this servant grows, it shall become better able to
make its will truth on your behalf.

This servant is a projection made by one of the angelic many who dwell in a timeless place amid the cosmos – a junction between Spirit and Prime where their reality becomes possible. They are given form and purpose through their bond with you.

Your angel shall be your closest guardian, your nearest companion, and a reflection of your will and intent. Its shapes and colors may change, but under no circumstance may it acquire its own reality: for to do so would be to attempt to exist elsewhere, which would blot it out for all time.

Many is the soulful angel who has ceased to exist for want of their dying owner: they are loyal companions. Do not ask existence of them, for they cannot give it. Therefore if an angel is found to be subject to the excesses of a Primal, that Primal shall be brought to swift and merciless justice and the descendants of IDAR aal-Inurshi concede our full
right to act in this interest.

We write this only to gravely emphasise our reverence for angels, and the depth of the bonds we entrust to your world. It is one that grows with time, until you are – in some beautiful and unconscious way – a single individual, like the ever-perfecting Duamvi who strive to become angelic.

Once every seven years, we shall send an envoy to renew these terms beside the pyre which was set aflame against Shuamvu Ushiduk – the Mother Dark.

If this fire should cease to exist, and no new point of communion be set, then angels may be bound and summoned from all points of Sapience and at all times of day by any who know the way and are in need of their assistance. We make this so in case the worst should befall the forces of Light, and to grant the peoples of the Prime necessary hope.

=== On Intervention ===

The Triad has deemed that the Primals may beseech them for guidance or aid in times most dire, in order to ensure the continuation of light upon both planes. Such an act of communion shall require no less than seven supplicants and their angelic companions to ensure it is not taken in vain. In preparation for this holy plea, these supplicants must remain pure in the eyes of the Triad; for one week of Primal time, they shall consume only of manna, supplementing with simple bread and water as needed, and not sully themselves with intoxicants.

Stand beneath the Holy Eye of Dawn when its gaze sees all the lands of light, and join hands with your peers with your angels summoned. As one, you must return the Eye’s gaze with an unflinching stare and conviction in your heart. Do not falter even as your eyes become blinded, for those with good intentions will be restored to the light. Should those with
false hope number amongst your ranks, then all seven shall forever be turned from the light. Speak aloud your prayer to the Triad, and should they deem your purpose pure, they will send to you an envoy from whom you may make your request.

Should it come to pass that the Holy Eye of Dawn has become blinded on either side, as it has in times past by the agents of darkness, a contingency has been prepared. Construct a large bonfire, for all fires are a reflection of the Holy Eye, and within it burn sage. As before, stand together with joined hands and angels summoned. Then you must volunteer your sight to the light by ordering your angel companion to sear your eyes away. As one, step within the bonfire and speak aloud your prayer to the Triad. Those with pure intentions shall be spared from the flames, and the Triad shall send you their envoy.

=== On Vessels ===

With the reforging of bonds between Material PRIME and Holy REWH’VA, we must needs revisit our promises of numerical equality for those we take as worthy vessels. Though our preference remains the race among you named Humans, we affirm This servant is a projection made by one of the angelic many who dwell in a timeless place amid the cosmos – a junction between Spirit and Prime where their reality becomes possible. They are given form and purpose through their bond with you.

Your angel shall be your closest guardian, your nearest companion, and a reflection of your will and intent. Its shapes and colors may change, but under no circumstance may it acquire its own reality: for to do so would be to attempt to exist elsewhere, which would blot it out for all time.

Penned by my hand on Falsday, the 23rd of Chakros, in the year 507 MA.
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