Anethion - Light's prophet or a power-hungry demagogue?

Thelos approached the Chapter and asked us about Anethion's background, we discovered to our amazement that not a single word has been written on the topic. For a while now I wanted to try and write a story in the form of letter-fragments, so I right away jumped on the project as it serves as a good stepping stone to the 'literary experiment' and a proper tribute to all the people who have given their heart and soul (and sanity) to the Chapter. Behold now, the true story of Anethion!

These fragments are all In-character, but cannot for the most part be found in Stormwind. Most likely they are scattered across the ruins of Lordaeron, or remain hidden on dusty shelves of Scarlet archives of Stratholme, Tyr's Hand and Hearthglenn. Regardless, if you want to make a serious In-character research into Anethion's life I suggest you contact Thelos, and co-ordinate with him out of character.

If you feel that this story somehow connects to your character, or want to know more (research more?) in a particular topic or direction, do not hesitate to contact me in this thread, in PMs or in-game and I can always expand the story by creating new fragments revealing new lore, or tying Chapter's story to your Character's story.

PS: Current year is 28 A.E, so 76 B.R is 103 years ago.

Early Period


“…I will not join the Violet Tower or the Silvermoon Academy, and I will be forever in your debt if you inquire no further into my reasons…”
-Extract from a letter by Asalaria Dawnlight to Saloran Etharon, probably 76 B.R

“…I don’t know what he did to threaten you, but I swear by the light of the sun that I will do everything in my power to make that petty man pay! Your place is in the Violet Tower and by my side, and he won’t get between us!”
-Extract from a letter by Saloran Etharon to Asalaria Dawnlight, probably 75 B.R

“‘My daughter? My daughter had packed her bags and left on some adventure to see the world. What is there to see beyond our eternal Quel’thalas?’
‘You’d forced her to leave.’
‘Don’t take up that tone with me, young man! You might study in Dalaran, but you are not a magister yet!’
He then slammed the door shut in my face. Then I knew that he had forced Asalaria to leave, just as he had forced her to deny her destiny of becoming a magister.”
-Recollection by Saloran Etharon, remembering the events of around 75 B.R

“And now a few words on the Dawnlight lineage. ‘Dawnlight’ is one of the most ancient lineages in Quel’thalas, and has long split in five distinct branches all laying claim to the same last name and over two dozen families who trace their descent to Aeril Dawnlight. Aeril Dawnlight was formerly known as Aeril Moonseeker before the Exile, a Highborne arcanist of enviable understanding of the Magic. His kin has followed Aeril and produced several generations of exceptional magisters in the early founding-days of Quel’thalas.”
-Quel’dorei Chronicle

“Let all creatures sing praise to God on this auspicious 23rd day of the last moon of summer in the 15th year of our just and beloved king ALRIC MENETHIL III for on this day, in the presence of God and Men Vincent Hill of Thorn Creek and Asalaria Dawnlight of Silvermoon have been joined in hallowed wedlock. Our prayers go with the newly-weds.”
-Thornford Chronicle for the village of Thorn Creek
Around 74 or 75 B.R

“Anethion Hill, son of Vincent and Asalaria Hill born on the eve of the last day of first moon of winter in the year of the bountiful harvest in the 17th year of our just and beloved king ALRIC MENETHIL III. Thanked be God for delivering this child in good health and watching over his mother, our prayers go with them.”
-Thornford Chronicle for the village of Thorn Creek
Around 73 or 74 B.R

“As one travels south along the creek from the walls of our church in Thornford one arrives at a small village of Thorn Creek just two hours downstream. The village church stands in the shadows of an ancient oak-grove far inland from the creek while the highest vantage point in Thorn Creek is occupied by a windmill owned by Hill family from times immemorial. It is an affront to God that a profane building should occupy such a central location while the church stands in the shadows. I beseech his holiness to see this rectified; break down the mill and build a new church to glory of God in its place!”
-Extract form a letter by bother Aurelius to the Bishop of Tyr’s Hand

“I want to inform you of another accident in our parish, your holiness. Today the scandal I wrote to you about on earlier occasions, once on the 10th of the last month, before that on the 6th of the first moon of spring and before that on the 17th of the last moon of summer finally culminated…in the breaking of the sacred wedlock. This proves once more that the Elves do not understand nor care for the sacred vows of marriage. The harlot Asalaria had even taken Vincent Hill’s son Anethion with her as she departed their marriage home. She took the son of our holy land, raised and bred on the bread of our hard-working farmers, and is taking him with her to their cesspit of harlotry and godlessness of Kweltalas! I beseech your holiness to dispatch the men-at-arms to intercept this woman and to use any influence your holiness might have with the King to see every cross-racial marriage in this country annulled and every Elf expelled!”
-Extract from a letter by brother Aurelius to the Bishop of Tyr’s Hand, dated 68 B.R

“Why do you expect me to remember what they quarreled about? It is bad enough that I remember that they quarreled at all; imagine what it does to a child. My mother has never told me, and I respected her wish not to bring the topic up. When I returned to Thorn Creek many years later, there were but few who remembered. The Hill family received me warmly and did not blame me for what my mother did to their grandfather; they have told me that she wanted to raise me as a mage in Dalaran or Silvermoon while my father considered magic an affront to God. The Longfields recalled old Vincent sometimes complaining after a few drinks too many how my mother never loved him, and only ever saw him as a way to escape Quel’thalas. I have reasons to believe they were both meant to leave for Quel’thalas, but my father could not abandon the mill of his ancestors. Don’t ask me why I think that, it is but a feeling in my heart.”
-Recollection of Holy Anethion, written down by Vicar Bernard

“My dear friend,

I entrust you with a compensation of ten Thalassian silvers a month to keep an eye out for my daughter and her half-blood son. Make sure they lead a proper and comfortable life and are in no want, but be sure that they do not return to Silvermoon without my consent. Remember, my involvement is not to be discovered.

May the Sun guide us,
Arenias Dawnlight”
-A letter by Arenias Dawnlight to Lorian Damor, ranger of Eversong dated 68 B.R.

“The foul sorceress Asalaria was dripping poison in Holy Anethion’s ears when he was but a child. In their secluded farmhouse in Eversong Woods she whispered in his ears the promises of untold power which can be gained from the practice of the Arcane and of the influence and respect he will command once he claims his rightful place as a Magister which was denied to him by his covetous and petty grandfather Arenias. But Holy Anethion, our beloved prophet, endured with Light’s aid and did not succumb.”
-Book of Essalus

Quel'thalas Period


“Anethion,

Your mother has done you a great favor by introducing you to books so early. I myself have not learned to read before the age of twenty, and I feel poorer for it. You may not realize it, but she has opened up a whole world to you. I know you are still far from calling me your father, but I beg of you not to see this gift as a bribe to buy your heart; I give it out of love I hold for you, and ask nothing in return. I wish I could have been there earlier, to watch you grow up in your little room, exploring worlds long gone…and worlds that have never been.

Happy birthday, Anethion!

With love,
Taenith”
-Note added to 'Gilnean Histories' given to Anethion for his birthday by his stepfather Taenith Oakleaf, 59 B.R

“I’ve first met my stepfather when I was 11*. Although it would be very unkind to call him a stepfather; he was everything a father should be. I did not understand what those ceremonies meant back then, but just hearing them say that they love each other in front of a large audience made me feel at peace; everything was going to be alright.”
-Anethion’s account of his childhood, written by Vicar Bernard
* 62 B.R, marriage between Asalaria Dawnlight and Taenith Oakleaf

“Ranger Oakleaf,

I write to inform you that your request to be put out of active duty for two weeks to support your wife and new-born daughter has been denied. I know that it means a lot to you, and I regret having to be the bearer of bad news. Ranger-captain feels that you have not yet earned the right to make such requests, especially when our troll-problems appear to be getting out of hand.

PS: Congratulations, Taenith!

May the Sun guide us,
On behalf of Ranger-captain Farsight
Thelina Willowbranch”
-Letter to Taenith Oakleaf, 57 B.R


“I used to spend most of my time indoors with my books. Taenith opened up a whole different world as we moved from our house in the forest to his village. I now know that the Oakleaf family had a difficult time accepting me, and I am grateful to the Light that the children are blissfully ignorant of the evils of racism; the children of the village have accepted me at once as one of their own.”
-Anethion’s account of his childhood, from the Book of Hadriana

“I am of the opinion that Anethion’s messianic fantasies are the result of a sudden break with his family at the age of 16*. I have every reason to assume that up until that moment Anethion had enjoyed the sole, loving attention of his mother and his stepfather (when he had leave from duty). The birth of Iralia Oakleaf shifted the focus to this new child and away from Anethion. I have confronted him about it, and whenever I bring up Iralia, Anethion’s face grows tense and he seeks to change the topic of the conversation. I urge you to take this cult seriously, for Light only knows what darkness a prophet led by his subconscious motives could unleash!”
-Letter to the Archbishop Alonsus Faol by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry
*57 or 56 B.R

“Ranger Taenith Oakleaf has been summoned before the throne of Anasterian where he enjoyed royal favor and was commended and rewarded for his valiance in the battles against the Amani. 30 Thalassian golden coins were withdrawn from the royal treasury as a reward to be split between Ranger Oakleaf (12), Ranger Esthahon (3), Ranger Riversong (3) and Ranger-captain Farsight (12).
Summer Solstice, year of the Exile 5743”
-Quel’thalas Royal Chronicle, referring to the events of around 56 B.R

“Master Leafdew,

I write to inform you that the copy of the 'Rites and Customs of the Amani' you have withdrawn from the Western Library is one week overdue. Unless it is returned, or the term is extended before the new moon we will have to charge one Thalassian silver for the delay.

I hope to have informed you sufficiently,
Anethion Oakleaf,
Assistant-librarian.”
-Letter sent by Anethion to Eries Leafdew, around 54 B.R

“Dear Anethion,

I am at a loss. I am speechless. I can’t possibly express my gratitude! No words can explain how important this book is to my grandmother. Truth be told, it has been in our family since the Exile and was brought to Quel’thalas by our distant ancestor from the place called Ordin’aran. The restoration job you have done is miraculous! Even though the book is far from new, it should last a few more centuries. Enough time to copy the writing. I am glad that even though things did not work out, we could still remain friends.

P.S : One 'Songs of Haidene' added in my grandmother’s testament, guess whom it goes to?

With love,
Elane”
-Letter from Elane Moonglimpse to Anethion, around 48 B.R

“Master Dawnlight,

I assure you that I treat your grandson with uttermost respect that is due to any member of the Dawnlight lineage and I am not in any way responsible for Anethion’s long working hours! Truth be told, no matter how often I urge him to dim his candle and go home he just continues to ignore me and keeps working. Poor boy, he should be in some fashionable saloon in the evenings, not reading withering books in a poorly-lit room; I’ve told him as much. I am truly sorry for your predicament, but I assure you that I am in no way at fault.

May the Sun guide us,
Auril Daybreak”
-Letter by librarian Auril Daybreak, Anethion’s superior, to Arenias Dawnlight. Around 50 B.R

“While working in Auril’s library Anethion has taken into his hands an old and crumbling scroll. He could only read two words before the parchment broke apart in his hands and turned to dust. ‘Holy Light’. It is then that the Light had first shown itself to prophet Anethion, and foreshadowed his great destiny.”
-Book of Essalus


“Master Tomedust,

I write to you to recommend my grandson, Anethion Oakleaf for the job of restoring old books in your library. The boy has taught himself this art, and is already showing his brilliance. If you are intrigued, you can give him one of your old books to restore and see the results for yourself. With your tutorship he could do great things for the Royal Library.

Please consider him for the job, and the Dawnlight family will be forever in your debt.

May the Sun guide us,
Arenias Dawnlight”
-Letter by Arenias Dawnlight to Head Librarian Melius Tomedust of the Royal Library, around 47 B.R

“Praised be God! On this second day of winter in the 3rd year of our young yet stalwart king THOREN MENETHIL Hugo Hill of Thorn Creek and Aneetha Blacke of Southebarroweshire in the Kingdom of Gilneas have been joined in hallowed wedlock. People of Thorn Creek celebrate this bittersweet occasion; the couple intends to leave Thorn Creek and love each other in Gilneas.”
-Thornford Chronicle for the village of Thorn Creek, around 46 B.R

“Master Oakleaf,

I’ve heard you reciting your poetry the other night at Oakshade’s place, and I would like your permission to use the during the poetry-night in my saloon. Master Oakleaf, your work is brilliant! I would not presume to use the product of your mind for free, of course, and would gladly pay the poem’s worth. I understand if you do not wish your true name be mentioned in association with poetry. Please write back to me soon, the poetry-night is one week away!

Liandra Roseblossom”
-Letter by Liandra Roseblossom to Anethion Oakleaf, around 40 B.R

“Dear Anethion.

I have not the slightest clue why I even bother to write to you anymore, but here goes..
I suppose we had a pleasant time together, I know I did. But all things have to come to an end eventually, and this is where our paths will part.

It's over. You won't be seeing me again, and hopefully I won't be seeing you either.

Either you lack the common courtesy of saying things as they are, or you are just plain ignorant. I know you've been writing poems behind my back to that girl with the green dress. Did you really think I wouldn't find out? I have ears and eyes all over the city. Nothing stays a secret from me.

I have better things to do than waste my life with some young, naive boy like you.
Maybe one day you will learn what honesty means.

Sincerely,
Nessra Sunwhisper”
-a letter from Nessra Sunwhisper to Anethion Oakleaf, between 40 B.R and 30 B.R

“Master Dawnlight,

Anethion has been reciting in public again. This time he delivered this at a private party (I got myself invited) at mistress Roseblossom’s place. It is as you fear, his poetry is attracting the kind of women we do not want the Dawnlight family to be associated with. I recommend decisive action lest your grandson ends up in some tangled and potentially disastrous affair! It worked the last time and he was none the wiser.

-I. R”
-Letter to Arenias Dawnlight by one of his mercenaries(?), around 35 B.R

“Today I will argue against Master Oakleaf’s ridiculous proposition which he presented here at this saloon during the last month’s presentation. Master Oakleaf suggested that ‘wisdom’ is a virtue inherent to all elves and that the world around us informs us --through our senses no less-- of all the intricacies of the situation. The argument continues with the assertion that ‘wisdom’ allows the elf to interpret this sensory input and hear the world itself whisper to him what is a Good cause of action and what is an Evil cause of action. Master Oakleaf concludes with a statement that calm reflection on the world and an exercise of this inherent wisdom will make a man truly Good and Virtuous. Now for my argument against these propositions…”
-Extract from a lecture by Yvenias Hawkscreech, around 30 B.R

“My friends, today I will speak of Justice and I will focus specifically on punishments. If you came here to hear about the nature of Justice, or source or some authority of Justice then you have come to the wrong place. Let us first ask why we should inflict punishments at all. Without further explanation I name four reasons: punishment serves as a deterrent to prevent same deed from being repeated by the same individual or others who seek to do the same, as a compensation to the victim or his family, as a guarantee that the individual will be incapable of doing any more harm to the society or --as master Redfeather suggested-- to restore the universal balance.

Now I will argue that punishments for the sake of anything but the protection of the society or the re-education of the criminal are wrong. Then I will show to you that from this follows that regardless of the consequences of a man’s actions, he must be judged solely on the choices he made in a given situation. If he made the right choice, he should not be punished for it, even if the consequences have been disastrous….”
-Extract from a lecture given by Anethion Oakleaf, around 30 B.R

“Master Oakleaf,

Although you have been a welcome guest in my home for several years and have contributed to our collective wisdom during our monthly lectures and debates, I have to inform you that you are no longer welcome among us unless you keep your un-philosophical ideas to yourself. Allow me to explain myself, because I know that once you see my reason you will agree with my decision and forgive me for it:

A while ago you have claimed that neither Reason and Learning nor punishment and conditioning can make a man Good, only make him behave like he is Good. You then moved on to claim that the only way to ‘open a man’s eyes to Good’ is through ‘Harmonious Beauty’ as it can be found in the natural world and the arts. In the following six months you never once defended your proposition against criticism; instead you exposed us to music, poetry and literature and told us to ‘see for ourselves’.

I hope you now see how that approach is un-philosophical and contrary to the customs of our group. If you are ready to return to proper philosophical conduct and defend your ideas through logic and reason, you are welcome in my home. Otherwise I kindly ask you to stay out.

PS: I of course mean our monthly meetings, you can come by for a glass of wine anytime, regardless of your views! I will even listen to your poetry.

May the Sun guide you,
Elirion”
-Letter to Anethion Oakleaf by Elirion Starchaser, around 25 B.R

“Today master Anethion Oakleaf, head restorer of the Royal Library was summoned before the throne of Anasterian and received royal favor. King Anasterian has granted master Oakleaf’s request to end his service in the royal employ and commended him on his fine performance. One ring has been paid for by the Royal Treasury and handed to master Oakleaf by Anasterian himself as a reward for his fine service throughout the years.
Summer Solstice, Year of the Exile 5765”
-Quel’thalas Royal Chronicle, around 23 B.R

“I have finished my research in Silvermoon and procured some interesting details concerning Anethion’s early life. These papers will be sent to you in a separate package and should arrive shortly after you have received this letter. I have reasons to believe that Anethion has been unknowingly hounded throughout his life by his grandfather Arenias Dawnlight.

Anethion has suffered several failed romances and I think that the end of relationships with Isandria Cloudwhisp has not been the cause of his self-imposed exile to Lordaeron. I do believe that it is through this break that Anethion discovered that Arenias was behind the dissolution of his relationship with Isandria, his earlier romances and some other key events of his life.

Once again I urge caution in regards to Anethion’s cult, I need not warn you that a man whose soul is scarred by such betrayal may visit the same horrors against those around him. We must think of the innocent souls who are swayed by Anethion’s heretical teachings and give themselves over to his commune of disciples!”
-Letter to Archbishop Alonsus Faol by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry

Lordaeron B.R Period


“I have often tried to put myself in Anethion’s place and imagine how he must have felt. We must remember that he has lived among the Elves of Quel’thalas and has seen little of age and death in his time there. I think he never attended a funeral. When he arrived in Thorn Creek, the village of his father Vincent Hill he was for the first time in his life confronted with mortality. Vincent Hill and his son have been dead for years already and Anethion found the family mill run by Vincent’s grandchildren.”
-Book of Hadriana, describing the events of 23 B.R

“I have met Anethion for the first time many years ago when he appeared at the doorstep of the abbey in Tyr’s Hand where I was a senior brother. The Abbot had permitted Anethion to stay in the abbey and work in the library to pay his keep. My first meeting with our prophet was brief, it was a stormy day and I have admitted him into the abbey and took his wet cloak from his shoulders. He had thanked me for my hospitality and care and went to see the Abbot.”
-Recollection by vicar Bernard, describing the events of 23 B.R

“Once Anethion had told them who he was, the people of Thorn Creek poured out from their houses and brandished their brooms, pitchforks, axes and pans; they called him a monster and laid the crimes of his sorceress mother at his feet, blaming him for her departure that drove Vincent to suicide, and corruption of Vincent’s seed that drove his children into exile. Yet Anethion showed no fear and neither did he try to deny the accusations. He said onto them: ‘Yes, I am Anethion son of Asalaria. If my death will put your hearts at ease and bring justice to Vincent Hill, then slay me a thousand times; what else can a good man desire but to die making justice prevail throughout the lands?’”
-Book of Essalus, describing the events of 23 B.R

“There has been much rejoicing in the village of Thorn Creek this eve of 18th of July in the 7th* year of Just and Mighty king THERENAS MENETHIL II. Fifty years ago Asalaria Dawnlight, born of Quel’thalas married Vincent Hill, born of Thorn Creek – few days ago their son Anethion returned to the village to seek out his father. Although Vincent Hill has been dead for twenty years, his grandchildren Adelric and Ellanore have received Anethion warmly. Now the village celebrates the return of its son and is eager to hear more news of the life Asalaria led since her departure, for she was loved dearly in the village and still remembered. Thanked be God for this reunion!”
-Thornford Chronicle for the village of Thorn Creek, referring to the events of 23 B.R

"On this day, the 6th of June, our proud village welcomes yet another young to our fold. Ymraron Hill, son of Rhal Hill and his wife Phillandra Hill neé Storhm. We give praise to the Light and hope that the scions of Hugo Hill, which has given our fair village so much, will through him continue their legacy."
-Excerpt of taxrecords from Southbarroweshire, 23 B.R.

"Master

As you are well aware the Blacke's and the Stormh's have always been high magic bloodlines. I have recently traced the censuses of southern Gilneas and concluded that both bloodlines converge through intermarriage with a immigrated family from Tyr's Hand. A certain Hugo Hill married Aneetha Blacke and their youngest son of five, Rhal Hill, married Phillandra Storhm. By the inclusion of high magic blood into this family, I am marking it for interest. I am requesting you to start a formal inquiry on behalf of the Violet Eye in the matter.
Signed
Marnoc Dor
Violet Eye Agent"
-Letter from Magus Marnoc Dor (later archmage) regarding Ymraron Hill and magical potential. 23 B.R.

“Anethion once confided in me and told me of his meeting with father Waldemar of Swordsfall. He said that he never experienced such a mixture of fear and awe as he did when listening to Waldemar’s mass: ‘Waldemar’s conviction and faith in what he proclaimed were contagious, and I was overcome with suspense…dreading and yet yearning towards the possibility that in his next sentence he may reveal some great Truth to me that will open my eyes and prove me wrong, and I will have no strength in me to argue against it and will accept his word. How can one not accept the word of a man who speaks with such power?’”
-Book of Hadriana, describing the events of 21 or 20 B.R

"Ymraron Hill: magical potential. Recommend invitation to the Violet Citadel for formal training. "
-Excerpt from A Kirin Tor report on apprentice candidates in Southern Gilneas, 21 B.R.

“Your holiness, I write to you to report the progress of one of the neophytes under my tutorship. Anethion Oakleaf is showing great progress in learning the Word of God and has on his own accord offered to help me with my duties in the library (God knows how poor my eyesight has become!) I was at first skeptical at accepting a student his age, but he has been faring admirably so far. His Elven blood is making him inherently adept at the Mysteries of God, and he has already displayed admirable ability with the Mysteries of Healing and Far Sight. If I may be so bold as to suggest that no place except Northshire Abbey can truly do justice to his potential?

God watch over us all,
Father Ignacius”
-Letter from Anethion’s teacher to the Bishop of Tyr’s Hand, around 17 B.R

“Your holiness,

I express my deepest gratitude for your recommendation and I am sincerely sorry for disappointing your high expectations of me. God is my refuge in this sinful world, but I do not wish to serve Him as a monk. It is clear to me that my place is in the world, not sheltered from it, and instead of contemplating the Mysteries of God I should be bringing His word to those poor of soul. I regret to inform you that I turn down your offer to transfer me to Northshire Abbey, and humbly beseech your Holiness to allow me to become a priest.

God watch over us all,
Brother Anethion.”
-Letter from Anethion to the Bishop of Tyr’s Hand, around 15 B.R

“Your holiness,

As by your request I have been keeping an eye out for the newly-ordained father Anethion, parish priest at Thornford. In the six months Anethion has rallied the people of Thornford to restore the parish church to its former glory after a decade of mismanagement under father Constantine and has organized several charities. He preaches the Word of God as is expected of a priest.

I have observed his private life and found that his faith is wanting. In his time of leisure father Anethion devotes himself to the collection and restoration of books, correspondence with his friends throughout the diocese and even as far as Quel’thalas and writing of profane (!) poetry and performing profane (!) music and poetry in public.

With your holiness’ permission I would recommend to intercept one of his letters on the road and scour it for any traces of heresy, I expect this man to be easily seducible by the Demon for he spends his time in leisure instead of prayer and the contemplation of God.”
-Letter to the Bishop of Tyr’s hand by unknown observer, around 14 or 13 B.R

“Father Anethion,

I have considered your request and found much wisdom in it. I have already discussed it with Father Theophilius of Alana’s Cliff and Father Essalus of Widow’s Crossing, and they have both agreed to your proposal to put the resources of our respective parishes together and purchase an organ and hire a skilled organist. We should find some time before the Lesser Diocese Council next month to discuss this in greater detail and decide in which parish the instrument should be placed. Thornford may be a central location, but the church of Widow’s Crossing is newer and larger and can accommodate greater audiences.

God watch over us all,
Father Waldemar”
-Letter by father Waldemar to father Anethion, around 11 B.R

"Hill has been seen with the Conclave again. Light knows those people are bad influence on him. I've even heard rumours that the archmages have started investigations to potentionally have the leaders exiled. You should talk to him, he needs a firm instructor to keep him away from them."
-Remnants of a letter found in the ruins of Dalaran. Dated to 10 B.R.

"Hill left with the Conclave after Hart and Daerec were exiled. No traces of them has been found. I think we can formally write up the young man as a loss and a full member of that little group. Pity, his theories had begun interest powerful men like Antonidas and Ansirem. The boy could have been made archmage and invited to the Kirin Tor in another decade or so I'm sure."
-Last mention of Ymraron in Dalaran records. 8 B.R.

“Father Anethion,

I write to you to direct your attention to the newly-written work of Alonsus Faol, cleric of Northshire. You can obtain a copy in the library of my abbey. I would dismiss it as a heresy had it not been written by the hand of a man of such piety, but in short brother Alonsus suggests that GOD we all worship is far more transcendent and marvelous than we expected and the word god by which we denoted the idols and spirits of the past does no justice to His glory. Thinking of Him in the same terms as we think of Ulfric or Tyr only hinders our chances to commune with the divine. Brother Alonsus suggests that we should instead focus on the HOLY LIGHT which brightens all of creation and which is the true nature of GOD, of which our healing mysteries are but a petty afterglow. I know of your love of philosophy, and hope that you will word a formidable opposition to this innovation!

May GOD watch over us all,
Abbot Bernard”
-Letter to father Anethion by Abbot Bernard, around 8 or 7 B.R

“When the news of Stormwind’s fall had reached Anethion he had nothing at all to say. He apologized with a trembling voice and asked me to leave him alone to think. And so I did, leaving his home and holding no grudge against him for setting me out.”
-Book of Hadriana, describing the events of 6 B.R

“When Anethion heard that the demonic hordes of Hell itself had swallowed Stormwind and reduced it to but a pile of ash and rubble and buried Light-anointed King Llane beneath the broken stones of his keep he spoke to us. ‘Their blood is on our hands, evil triumphed because we were too cowardly to come to the aid of our brothers and sisters,’ he proclaimed. And we all knew that it was so.”
-Book of Essalus, describing the events of 6 B.R

“When I have first met Anethion I did not realize who he was, and who he will one day become. Essalus writes that our prophet was there in the crowd when Alonsus Faol charged Uther Lightbringer with his sacred duty, and then Uther Lightbringer dubbed me a knight of the Silver Hand. Perhaps I have seen his face when scanning the crowd; perhaps he had even cheered the knights –including me-. It is a very humbling thought.”
-Writings of Ioanna, describing the events of 4 B.R

“Strange that the day that would change your life would begin like any other day; I was walking to the well to get some water when I saw a man in torn robes of a priest sitting by the well. Before I could come close enough to see his face, he touched the strings and began singing a bitter lament for fall and sacking of Tol Barad. I don’t know what has happened, but I and the twenty other people in the crowd were struck with a sense of bitterness and impotence, seeing no way out of human suffering. Then the man had stopped playing and spoke to us of justice. His words must have touched me, but I only remember but a few of them: I am responsible for my own choices alone, and if I want to see justice done for the slain innocents, then the only thing I can do is stand up and fight. He made me feel responsible for our Lordaeron…and the whole world. I joined the royal army the very next day. Only later would I learn that this man was Anethion.”
-Writings of Lord-protector Richard, describing the events of 4 or 3 B.R

“Anethion almost never spoke of his time during the War. When he did, he rarely showed his feelings and spoke only of deeds and details with an uneasy appearance of detachment. Once, I believe I have glimpsed some of his inner life. People of his parish have paid God and later the Light very little attention, but he saw how the war has transformed them. Light was on their lips, and they yearned to serve and praise it. Anethion was struggling to understand where that strength of faith had come from and this search had nearly led him to abandon the Light.”
-Book of Hadriana

“Anethion saw the ease with which the people of Lordaeron have heeded his words and rallied around him for guidance. ‘Such power can only come from the Truth,’ he later told me. It is these experiences during the war that led Anethion to realize that the people yearn for Truth, and that the truth is always simple and intuitive. Dogma and the complicated theology of the Church serve only to distance us from the Holy Light. ‘All we must do is listen to the Light in our heart and follow its will,’ Anethion taught. And so we did. And so we become enlightened.
-Book of Waldemar

“Your holiness,

My research has yielded unexpected results. I have interviewed many men and women of Tyr’s Hand diocese over the last months, cautiously avoiding any those who may hold sympathy to Anethin. Attached to this letter I send to you a list of witness-accounts of father Anethion Oakleaf’s ‘sermons’ during the War. They contain damning evidence of demagoguery and the debasement of Faith as he seduced the masses with his music and poetry and then incited their most basic emotions with rhetoric of war, justice and other vague terms rarely understood but always revered by the common man. I conclude that this shows the point where father Anethion was transformed from an esteemed member of the Church of the Holy Light into a schismatic demagogue set out to form a cult of personality.”
-Letter to Archbishop Alonsus Faol by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry, referring to the events of 4 to 2 B.R

“’Give yourself over to the truth that is the Holy Light, and you shall never lack strength to do what is just,’ Anethion spoke to the people of Swordsfall. Yet they received his words with a closed heart and sullen eyes, as they were jaded by the lies of the Church. And then he spoke to them, “Truest conviction comes from the heart, hear the cries of the slain of Tyr’s Hand and listen to your heart roar in protest. How can any man who is not deceived by demons say that he feels no craving for justice and holy retribution? We are bound by this desire for justice, and from it we draw our strength!’ Then they saw that he was right. And they took up arms to march under the White Cross.”
-Book of Essalus, describing the events of 4 or 3 B.R

"Man indentified by locals as Ymraron Hill was found murdered by dark magic last night. According to witnesses he was murdered by a aquaintance refered to as Daerec. They quarreled about some woman and a baby before Daerec killed him with a few quick spells. Both were supposed members of the Dalarani Conclave group. Tried to get into touch with their leaders, but the entire group seems to be gone."
-Sheriff's report from Northern Gilneas 2 B.R

“Thanked be the Light for sending us Taelana! I always thought myself to be a close friend of Anethion ever since I began helping him in his church two years before the fall of Stormwind; apparently being a friend was not enough. I followed him out of my duty to him and out of friendship as he travelled Lordaeron, sung his laments, recited the poetry and preached to the people to take up arms and fight for Lordaeron. Slowly, I watched him grow more distant and uneasy…but he would not confide in me. I learned that he began doubting his faith; sometimes I overheard him talking to an empty room in anger at the people who never followed God when they were at peace, but turned to Him when their lives were in danger. How could I help him when he did not trust me enough to tell me what was going on? I don’t know what Taelana did to win his trust, but I am grateful that she did. Just a month with her around has brought back the Anethion I knew, and forever exorcised the dreadful spirit of a bitter old priest, disillusioned with his faith.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events of between 2 to 0 B.R

“Taelana is a good influence on Anethion. Ever since they have been close he is becoming more open and trusting. Today he shown me several books of his poetry he had written ever since he began writing all these years ago. I have to confess I was surprised by the fact that his early poems were no good at all. Somehow I began to expect that a man as brilliant as he would start at the top; but of course there was a learning curve. When I search my feelings for him, I still cannot decide if this discovery has lessened my faith in him, because he is but a man who acquired his greatness through practice…or if it has strengthened my devotion to him, as I learned that he is a man who seeks perfection in all things and will one day overcome any flaws, difficulties and challenges.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events in around 1 or 0 B.R

“Taelana has invited me for dinner, how kind of her. We spoke at length about Anethion, as she was very curious to learn more about him and what I feel towards him. She also shared some of her own thoughts and feelings. She loves him dearly, and I thank the Light that Anethion has a woman like her by his side. He deserves nothing less. I’ve asked her how he is doing lately, and she told me that the worst is now gone and he is recovering from his arduous struggles to come to terms with the experiences of the war and the doubts it has sown. Then I have summoned all my courage, but my love for Anethion enabled me to say what I wanted to say. I have reassured Taelana that it is alright, and I am not her rival. Even though he had never been mine, not even for a second, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of great loss as I have forever blocked that road. He means a lot to me, but he loves Taelana. I can feel that in my heart.”
-Book of Hadriana, describing the events of around 1 or 0 B.R

“Anethion suffered greatly in that time. He wandered the lands with nothing but the robes on his back and recited about the Holy Light to any who would hear him. Some say he was wandering in order to teach, but I know that he wandered so that he himself may be taught. He asked how we sinners can ever approach the glory that is the Light, and he suffered. He asked how we mortals can ever serve something as great as the Light, and he suffered. He suffered because all men are small and confined to walk this sinful earth while their souls can behold the splendor of heaven, knowing that they will never comprehend it.”
-Book of Bernard, referring to the events of 0 B.R

“Anethion has travelled to Hillsbrad to ‘preach to the Orcs’ kept in the camps there. He returned deeply troubled. ‘When I spoke to them about the Holy Light, they laughed,’ he said, adding ‘the Orc told me that on their Red World there was another race that worshipped the Light as we do, and that the Orcs exterminated it to the root and the Light could not save them. And while I came to preach I could not help but to be preached to as the Orc told me of every atrocity he has committed to the natives of the Red World while the Light watched in impotence’ This has left Anethion deeply troubled, even though I urged him not to believe Orc lies.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events of 0 B.R

“When Gronnag laughed in the face of our prophet and told him ‘The natives worshipped the Light too, go look for them now!’ Anethion was left troubled. Upon his return to us in Lordaeron he taught: ‘The Light is but a sword in our hands, but without a strong hand to wield it even the sharpest blade will never taste blood. We must fight for our Faith, lest a powerful foe takes away everything that is Just and Holy’”
-Book of Essalus, referring to the events of 0 B.R

Lordaeron A.E Period

“Every man is a prophet, the Light speaks to our hearts and makes its will known to us, and by following that will we fulfill our role in the world. Holy Anethion is great not because he was a prophet, but because the Light chose to put the heaviest of burdens on his shoulders and he obeyed and carried it through all hardship. When looking at Anethion’s life I feel inspired because I gaze upon a man who obeyed the Light and done his impossible duty whereas most of us fail to perform even the humblest of Light’s commands.”
-Writings of Ioanna, referring to the Revelation

“Anethion came to me and asked my opinion on an idea he had been developing for about a year since his visit to the camps. He asked me if taking up arms for the faith can ever be part of the Faith itself, or is it merely a necessity imposed upon us by this sinful world, and a true saint would never need to defend himself. I knew that he had already made up his mind in the favor of the former, and only spoke to me to hear his own thoughts….but I have decided to contradict him anyway. If we start teaching violence as part of religion, then would there not be those who will hallow all violence? He argued that we must teach men to only take up arms in defense of their homes and virtues, but I contradicted him still. If we hallow violence in the name of defense, then would there not be those who conjure threats and preach pre-emptive action? Anethion smiled and embraced me, thanked me for my thoughts and told me that he has much to consider.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events of 1 A.E

“Anethion stood in the icy stream from dusk till dawn, with his arms spread out and face turned to heaven and he prayed, 'O Light, you are my refuge in this world. I am like a pilgrim caught in the storm, who finds shelter under the roof of your grace. You are my guide on this treacherous road of life, I am like a ship that will be lost at night without the flame of your guiding beacon. I am a sinful man whose soul is in tatters, and you are my only Salvation. I beg of you, show me the way!'And with the rays of the dawning sun, the Light answered to Anethion and revealed to him Its divine will.”
-Book of Essalus, referring to the Moment of Revelation allegedly on the early morning 17th of November 1 A.E

“Enlightened by his revelation, Anethion came to Waldemar and shared with him the Truth. Yet Waldemar did not accept it, and shouted in demon-inspired rage in denial of the holy word ‘Do not question the doctrines and institutions of the Faith, Anethion; without them, mankind is lost!’ Yet Anethion, our prophet, did not relent before this onslaught. He spoke with the righteous serenity of a man whose heart knows only the Truth, ‘Whom do you worship, Waldemar, the Light or the sinful mortals who are its clergy?’”
-Book of Essalus, referring to some events of around 1 A.E

“Bernard and Anethion had a disagreement which ended in Bernard expelling Anethion from the abbey. Thank the Light they reconciled but a few months later, I was afraid back then that these two men would be driven apart forever. Anethion was holding a small mass, but he did not preach a word about the Holy Light. Instead he played music of the loveliest kind and recited to us the story of Simon and the Wolves. Bernard listened patiently, but when the audience had left he attacked Anethion for this ‘lighlesness’. Anethion insisted that the true Good that is the Light can only be understood directly when exposed to beauty. Bernard stood on his point that it is only through words and language that we can know the Light. Why can’t they see that you can simply combine both ways? Anethion was deeply shocked by his expulsion, and when I told him of what his treatment of Bernard looked like from the side, he broke out in tears and tried to apologize. But nobody opened the doors of the abbey.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to some events between 1 and 2 A.E

“My name is Isador of Reedbank, I worked as a scribe in the employ of Lord Alfred Wellister and lived in denial of the Holy Light and its will; a simple, ignorant sinner absorbed by my own vanity. I’ve first met Anethion in the tavern of Reedbank, where he sat alone in a corner and contemplated the mysteries I then did not even suspect existed. I approached him and offered him a drink, thinking, ‘there is a stranger I’ve never seen, I shall buy him a drink and tell him of myself so that he can hear how successful and important I am.’ Anethion accepted, even though I am certain he saw my true intentions.

I told him of my important work and my position at Lord Alfred’s court, and he asked me about my family and friends and occupations. Whenever I spoke of my work and position he smiled and listened, and I was pleased with myself. Whenever I spoke of my family and friends, he asked directed questions and I suffered, trying to avoid them because my life was empty. Yet I was so taken aback by his apparent interest, politeness and easiness with which he held himself in the conversation that I did not disengage. Then at last Anethion asked me, ‘are you happy?’ and I burst into tears as I suddenly realized that I was not. That day I became his disciple, and resolved to travel with him and write down his teachings and exploits for the posterity.

17th of November”
-Book of Isador, referring to the events of between 0 B.R and 2 A.E

“Anethion is back to being the soul of our company. The war has ended just over two years ago with the second closing of that hellish portal, but for me it only ended now. It was a soul-tearing experience to watch Anethion struggle under the weight of his doubt and abandon the Light, and then slowly and painfully climbing back up into the grace. Light bless Taelana for saving him!

He started corresponding with his old friends again, looking for new ways to improve the workings of his parish and debating great truths about the Holy Light. I just wish he would drop his habit of going on those week-long journey of his like some ascetic renouncer.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events of 0 B.R or 1 A.E

“A group of priests and commoners are holding meetings in Tyr’s Hand Abbey, with full blessing of Abbot Bernard. This group engages in heretical deliberations and often blasphemes against the Church, accusing us of overcomplicating the dogma and leading the people away from the true nature of the Holy Light. I resolve to infiltrate them and inform you of the nature of their heresies. Among others, this group consists of: Abbot Bernard of Tyr’s Hand, father Waldemar of Swordsfall, father Theophilius of Alanna’s Cliff, father Essalus of Widow’s Crossing, father Anethion of Thornford, father Justin of Rosefield, sir Richard of the Silver Hand, dame Ioanna of the Silver Hand, dame Sarra of the Silver Hand, Baron Alexandros of house Iretongue, Baron Francesco of house Whitesail, sister Hadriana of Thornford (father Anethion’s assistant), brother Validar of Swordsfall (father Waldemar’s assistant), brothers Nestor, Wilhelm and John of Tyr’s Hand, sisters Ellea, Sandra, Euridica and Cassandra of Tyr’s Hand.

I believe Abbot Bernard to be the instigator of this little Club of Heretics, as he holds the highest rank among them and allows them to use his own abbey for these discussions. I have reasons to suspect that father Waldemar remains loyal to the Church, and only participates out of duty to confront and reveal the heresies discussed behind the closed doors of the Abbot’s study.”
-A letter to archbishop Alonsus Faol by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry, around 1 or 2 A.E

“It came to pass that Anethion and I arrived at the village of Oldebridge that did not have a church. The people of Oldechurch recognized Anethion as a man of faith, and asked of him to say a mass. And so he stood there on the bridge that gave the village its name, clad in his rough brown robes and leaning on his oakwood staff, 'I am but a sinful man, doomed by cruel gods to walk this wretched earth; cursed be my heart for causing me such suffering! Thrice cursed be my heart for the guilt, the fear and the remorse it gives me after I steal, speak in rage, deceive and do harm to others! Why would I heed my heart? I can endure the agony of my soul and keep doing that which is profitable! And yet...yet one day I saw the Light. I saw it in the perfection of mother-nature and the harmony of verse and tune, I saw it in kindness of ordinary men and even in the depths of my soul. Then I said to myself, I shall aspire to that perfection, and for it I am ready to suffer discomfort and make sacrifices. I ask of you all, is a man not rich if his heart rejoices and he finds refuge in the Light? Is a man not poor if despite all his gold and comforts, he suffers still?' The people listened with interest, and stayed as Anethion played his harp to them and recited his touching prayers. O, Light...may I too one day be admitted in your sacred presence!”
-Book of Isador, referring to some events of 2 to 3 A.E

“Men always feel that their time is significant, and the History is about to end. I say that all life is a journey, and the history will never end. I have heard of a gathering of priests in Tyr's Hand abbey who are set on learning the truth about the Holy Light. I am convinced they will uncover great mysteries, but no matter how much they desire it, they will not have the final word and the future generations will correct them. I write this book for posterity. In it, I will record the views of these brave men who venture in the unknown in the holy search for Truth, and I will record the arguments they make so that future generations may know them not only for the opinions they held, but also for the reasons these opinions came to be. I hope to contribute to the course of History in this way, so that future generations are better able to advance on the works of the men I will follow.

-Ariman Qarosht, Archmage of the Kirin Tor”
-Book of Ariman, opening words, written around 2 A.E

“Entry 05, Waldemar's house in Swordsfall.

Anethion and Waldemar are debating what should come first: utter surrender and awe-inspired fascination with the Holy Light, or the development of the habitual rituals connecting Man and the Divine. As always, I will present the views of both men and summary of their arguments, and then proceed to follow the exact conversation and the arguments provided in historic agreement with the course of the conversation.

Anethion argues that the first step towards the 'communion' with the Holy Light is to glimpse Light's majesty in the order and harmony of the nature and the arts, or through words and actions of inspiring men. This glimpse will fill a man, so the argument goes, with a sense of awe and yearning that will compel him to surrender to the Light, seek the Light and follow its will. Main reason for why Anethion holds this view, is that no amount of rules will make a man truly good, and will only make him act good. While this surrender to the Light will make a man good, and a good man will always act good regardless of what rules have been put in place. Waldemar's main counter-argument is that no man who is occupied by troubles of earning his sustenance and raising his family can reach the serenity needed to coherently hear Light's will. Only the monks and priests can offer the guidance to the working men, and therefore adherence to the rules and strict fulfillment of the rituals is the only way to enforce the authority of the clergy and allow the common man to accept their instructions, and be guided into the Light.

Now for the transcript of the conversation itself...”
-Book of Ariman, describing the events of around 2 A.E

“I have infiltrated abbot Bernard's little club of heretics I wrote you about several months back, and am at last in a position to make a more detailed report, discerning the guilty from the innocent who are merely misguided by others.

Abbot Bernard is the organizer behind the discussions, he invites the people, sets the times and places and decides on the topics of the debate. He himself barely proposes anything, and acts merely as a chairman and a mediator. I consider him to be the most guilty of them all, as a man of his rank must surely understand the fallacy of these heretical meetings!

Father Anethion is the dark instigator of the whole affair, and is often described as inspiring these discussions in the first place and holding the group together despite their many differences. Anethion is not involved in organization, and skips most of the debates...however his ideas influence many and when he speaks, everybody listens. Removal of this dark prophet may solve the problem at the source, as he gives these men the courage and the audacity to engage in heresy.

Father Essalus is the biggest heretic of them all, shouting loudly that it is Anethion who should be the Archbishop and shamelessly calling our blessed Church 'corrupt' and 'elitist'. This man should be at once stripped of his office and exiled to some lightless land so that he may appreciate the humanizing influence of our Church!

Father Waldemar is the voice of reason, in his overwhelming kindness and mercy he tries to point the heretics at their faults and make them see the error of their Church-defying ways. Whenever father Essalus dares open his mouth, it is father Waldemar who silences him. In fact he arranged for me to be able to join the group. Father Waldemar has already been overlooked twice for the position of Bishop of Tyr's Hand, so I suggest you give his candidacy some serious consideration. This man should have been made bishop long ago!
…..”
-Extract from a letter to Archbishop Alonsus Faol by the Ecclesiastical committee of Inquiry, around 3 or 4 A.E

“Taelana is pregnant, and Anethion and her have finally married! At last. I see some sadness and worry rising in Anethion again, he is not sure it was the right thing to do and he is worried that he will not be able to continue his studies into the Light as married life and raising of a family will take away his mind from the Divine and focus it firmly on the Earthly. I've tried to reassure him that surely the Light would want us to focus on the things that matter to us as people of flesh of blood, else it would have created us as incorporeal angels! I don't know what else I can do to reassure him, other than show him my friendship and support. They have already decided on the name too. If it is a boy, they will call him Athanasius, if it is a girl they will call her Liandra.”
-Book of Hadriana, referring to the events of probably 4 A.E

“And so Taelana said to herself, 'Come, I shall lay with him and seduce him with my beauty, and make him plant his seed on my field and raise from it the blood of the prophets who shall preach as I desire.' And so, led by her dark desires, she ensnared our prophet Anethion for he allowed himself to be ensnared. Her tempestuous passions broke against the stoic cliffs of his serenity, and with a warm smile on his face and kind words on his mouth Anethion saved Taelana from herself, and opened her heart to the Light...and so she renounced her evil ways, and become Anethion's lawful wife and trusted companion.”
-Book of Essalus, referring to the events of probably 4 A.E

“Entry 15

Discussion between Anethion, Bernard and Ioanna. The three are discussing whether evil and good deeds influence the universe at large in any metaphysical way. As always I will present the views of the three in short, together with summary of their arguments and then proceed to a historic account of the conversation.

Anethion argues that any evil deed feeds a metaphysical entity he calls the Darkness (opposite of the Light). According to him, this Darkness influences the minds and hearts of all men and makes them less receptive of the Holy Light and more prone to committing evil deeds. Any good deed feeds the Light. The stronger the Light, the more capable It is of reaching out and stirring the hearts of men to do good and avoid evil. I have asked him how he knows all this, and he referred to a revelation shown to him during his austerities and meditations. I have asked him for a detailed account of his practices, so that other priests may repeat them and verify his assertions.

Bernard opposes Anethion's view entirely, and denies the existence of any metaphysical link. He says that any connection between evil deeds and greater evil is purely materialistic, as the more men give themselves over to crime the more evil they commit and the more others are inspired to follow in their footsteps as evil always seems rewarding, especially when not faced with retribution. He does not see any evidence to suggest that unproven metaphysical link should be accepted over a much simpler materialistic one. Bernard however allows that evil deeds harm the person's soul, making it less receptive of the blessings and guidance of the Holy Light and more prone to dark yearnings. Anethion retorts by saying that this means that Bernard does believe in the metaphysical link, but fails to see that there is no fundamental difference between a single soul and the whole Universe.

Ioanna takes a middle ground and argues that actions always have only materialistic consequences, and do not result in any form of metaphysical alterations to the universal balance of Light and Darkness or the state of the soul. She agrees that evil desires and thoughs, followed by action or not, contribute to the Darkness as well as damaging the soul. She too appeals to a revelation she received while praying. Anethion agrees in part with her observation, but argues by the merit of his revelation that actions do have metaphysical effect. ….”
-Book of Ariman, referring to some events of 4 or 5 A.E

“Dearest mother,
I am well and my life in Lordaeron is no worse than it was in Quel'thalas. I am grateful that you had forgiven me for my departure, and at last are as happy as I am at the state of my affairs. I have heard that Taenith became a ranger-captain at last, will you congratulate him on my behalf? I write to congratulate you as well, you are now a grandmother; Taelana gave birth to healthy twins: Liandra and Athanasius...”
-Extract of a letter by Anethion to his mother Asalaria, around 4 or 5 A.E

“Anethion is happy at last. The joy with which he speaks of Liandra and Athanasius is contagious, and his words about the Light are nothing in comparison! I am so glad for him. He stopped running from life and hiding in his philosophy too, and his teachings are becoming more and more human. Oh how the people love him, they see at once that he is just like them...a man with a family, work and troubles on his shoulders who despite all that still manages to find place for the Light in his heart.”
-Book of Hadriana, around 6 to 7 A.E

“Entry 97.

History is always divided into eras, and I believe it appropriate to add a similar intermezzo into my research. Anethion had a radical change of heart following the birth of the twins, which tells on his opinions. Bernard is recovering from his injuries, and the close encounter with death has changed him as well. Waldemar is finally 'off the fence' and has committed himself fully to the Tyrrean Order. It remains to be seen how other members react to the changes. Now I can make a short overview of the most important views accepted by the majority of the Tyrrean Order during this first era:

1. The Holy Light illuminates all of creation and is responsible for the Order and cosmic justice [laws of nature], it also inspires all men to do Good and avoid evil. An unresolved disagreement remains between Anethion and Ioanna. Anethion maintains that the Light whispers to our hearts [souls], and it is up to us to open up and listen. Ioanna argues that our souls are born of the Light, and hold memory of the divine reality...and in fact instead of hearing Light's will, we remember the divine truths we already know.
2. Awe-inspired reverence and surrender to the Holy Light are the prime prerequisite of goodness, without a man is deaf to the Holy Light. Such state can be reached through the admiration of nature or the arts or inspiration by wise, enlightened men.
3. There must be men who abandon everything earthy and pursue only the divine, these Wise Men can then show glimpses of the divine to the common folk and assist them on their journey. Anethion and Waldemar disagree on the authority of these divine men. Waldemar maintains that they must be obeyed without question, Anethion argues that every man must decide for himself if he wishes to heed the guidance of the Wise Men. Both agree that earthly concerns and attachments lead away from the Divine.
4. Violence moves men further away from the divine, but is a necessity of life. Common people must pursue the path of violence when it is needed for survival, but the Wise Men must abstain from it as to be closer to the Light and capable of giving advice to the common people. Waldemar suggested a separate strata of Soldiers whose sole occupation will be to carry the burden of violence, and who will be kept in check by discipline, ritual and a strict obedience towards the Wise Men.
5. All evil deeds and evil desires corrupt a man’s soul and weaken his connection to the Holy Light, all good deeds and good thoughts strengthen it. Bernard argues that deeds of individual do not have any metaphysical impact on the universe at large, Anethion argues that they do.
6. Priesthood in the modern sense is harmful to the community of believers; all priests must be replaced by lofty Wise Men. One does not train to become a Wise Man, but one instead chooses to renounce an earthly life and transform himself by reaching towards the Light. Anethion argues that a ‘Wise Man’ is considered a ‘Wise Man’ once he earns the respect of those who seek him out and his peers; Waldemar suggests that Wise Men must pass a series of tests to prove their worthiness of the title. He did not yet specify the trials.
Many more points are still being discussed, with no conclusion in sight.”
-Book of Ariman, around 7 A.E

Lordaeron Tyrrean Order Period


“When Jennifer first heard Anethion speak of the Holy Light, she became inspired and spent many restless nights in prayer, so that the Light may guide her and make its will known to her because she desired nothing more than to serve It. When she next met Anethion, she asked our prophet, ‘The Light is so great, how can a simple woman ever be of use to It?’ Anethion answered, ‘You are only responsible for your own deeds, sister, and there is no shame in being unable to change the world as much as great heroes are able to. Let the Light fill you with its grace; resolve to do Good in its name – love your husband, raise your children well, support your neighbors and meet strangers with a smile. That too contributes to the Greater Good.’”
-Book of Isador, referring to some events after 7 A.E

“ ‘Go away,’ said Arthur, ‘I am but a baker, how do you expect me to serve the Light?’ Anethion smiled and replied, ‘Brother, you already serve the Light! Think of the smiles on the faces of your clients as they receive their daily bread from your hands, and the stories they share at the table as they eat it. Realize this, and you will be a happy man.’”
-Book of Isador, referring to some events after 7 A.E

“ ‘Just open your heart, and the Light will generously fill you with Its grace; no man is so foul that he cannot be saved. Speak your sins and ask the Light for aid in your atonement. The law may be harsh and every crime must result in punishment, but your sins can be forgiven and you will emerge a better man,’ thus spoke Anethion to Ellis, cruel murderer before his day of trial.”
- Book of Essalus

“ ‘The Light is in everything that is pure, good, just and righteous in the universe. Just look and you will see Light’s blessing all around you. How is something that is so pure in its benevolence and generous in its gifts, so infinitely beyond our mortal comprehension be not worthy of our devotion? Let the Light inspire you, open your hearts and let the Light fill you with its grace,’ spoke Anethion to the people of Whitechurch, and they wept at his words opened their eyes to the beauty around them and at last they realized that they have been blind.”
-Book of Isador

“As I lay dying in my bed, I came to realize the simple yet great truth about the nature of the human condition. The heaven is infinitely far away, and while we are blessed with souls and minds that can glimpse it and aspire towards it, our wretched bodies are shackled to this foul earth. Yet the Light is merciful, and it illuminates those who long towards it with sincere longing, and surrender themselves to it fully while holding nothing back, those who place their faith in the Light will never be disappointed. And so it came to me, that a man who suffers the worst injustice, who is robbed of all hope of solace in this world, whose spine is twisted with the hardships of his labor…that man can find refuge in the Light, and in the Light alone. And should he reach out, his desperate prayers will be so sweet, sincere and pure of any doubt and duplicity that the Light will love him, and fill him to the very edge with its sweet and blissful grace. As it filled me, and saved me from the clutches of death. Truly, the purest faith can only rise in a crucible of hopeless suffering when there is no refuge, save in the Light.”
-Book of Bernard

“The Holy Light whispers to our hearts, and compels us to do Good and shun Evil. Yet our earthly attachments, emotions and occupation with survival that takes our mind’s eye away from Heaven and fixates it firmly upon the earth all serve to distance us from Light’s grace. What hope is there for a simple working man, who cannot attain the purity that would make him worthy of Light’s blessings? He who is tainted by the earthly and cannot find refuge in the Light must seek it instead through devotion to the rituals of the faith and obedience towards Light’s servants. Only then will he have a chance to find salvation, and reap the rewards of Faith.”
-Book of Waldemar

“Entry 157 : discussion between Bernard and Ioanna about the search for faith and enlightenment.

Bernard and Ioanna have previously agreed (entry 116) that in order to approach the Light and receive its Grace and catch glimpses of its Wisdom one must attain the state of ‘Abandonment’ which they defined as a ‘Full acceptance that the Light is the sole source of everything that is Good and that the Light’s will is benevolent. Complete surrender of earthly hopes, desires, fears and attachments and the sole focus ones entire being on the Holy Light. And unquestionable, absolute Faith in Light’s whispers in one’s heart.’

Bernard argues that the state of Abandonment can only be attained through the ‘Trials of Faith’ where an individual is subjected to great spiritual and physical suffering that is unbearable, and no hope of salvation exists save for refuge in the Light. Bernard cites his personal experience of his injuries and later his practices of self-mortification, and provides the logical argument that the surest way to break with the Earthly is to shatter any ties or hopes one can have that are focused on the earthly while leaving the Divine as the only available path.

Ioanna argues that pain and especially a desire to inflict pain, even on oneself, is evil and will therefore distance the soul from the Light. She cites Anethion’s teaching of the Awe-inspiring beauty and harmony being gateways to the Light, and maintains that the greatest and purest form of Awe must not be tied to any earthly element, not even grandeur of nature of the harmony of music. The state of abandonment, so she says, can only be reached through disembodied bliss of complete resignation to the Divine obtained in deep meditation and most passionate, personal of prayers. She too cites personal experiences with her mystic prayers and meditations.

Both have briefly recalled Waldemar’s argument with Essalus (entry 89) where Waldemar argued that man is too sinful to directly glimpse the divine unless he leads a pure life of a secluded monk, and that most men can only find communion with the Light through the elaborate rituals of faith. Bernard and Ioanna have dismissed this idea.

Now for the transcript of their conversation:….”
-Book of Ariman, referring to some events after 11 A.E

“Father Anethion is a sincere and faithful follower of the Holy Light and the three virtues, and I am convinced that he genuinely helps the people of our fair Kingdom to find peace and enlightenment even if he does not explicitly mention the Three Virtues. If anything, I will characterize his approach as ‘applied theology’, even though his preaching deals with specific cases, the theory behind his lessons is always sound and in accordance with the views of the Church of the Holy Light. I have no reasons to believe that we will see the repeat of the post-war era, even though we should be cautious and be ready to protect the innocent should Anethion fall back to his demagoguery and messianic cult of personality. As far as this commission is concerned, the Tyrrean Order is a legitimate philosophical circle that can contribute to our understanding of the Holy Light.

I must however warn you of three of its members, as I expect possible trouble from them in the future: father Essalus, father Bernard and father Waldemar. Father Essalus is too attached to Anethion’s post-war teachings, treats the Church with contempt and he and his group of devotees see Anethion as a near-divine figure. Father Bernard and his small band see practice mortification of the flesh, but are decent enough to keep it to themselves and not force it upon anyone. Father Waldemar…I suspect that man to be out for his personal gain, and using his position and the Faith he embodies only as a tools to his own ends ever since he was passed over for appointment as a bishop of Tyr’s Hand. I urge caution.”
-Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry, closing letter, around 14 A.E

“We live in wonderful times! Anethion and Taelana are as much in love as they were all these years ago, Liandra and Athanasius are growing up strong and healthy, devoted to the Holy Light. Peace prevails in our lands, we have long-ago defeated the hordes of Hell itself…what evil can befall these lands that is too powerful for us to defeat? Faith in the Holy Light is spreading throughout the human lands and has even reached the depths of the mysterious city of Ironforge. Arthas, son of our king, is trained by no other than Uther Lightbringer himself…and one day he will sit the Throne of Lordaeron, and the whole world will know peace, justice and plenty. Waldemar says that a priest-king raised in the Light and untainted by the earthly will guide humanity to greatness and rule with goodness and justice. Our little club of a dozen of friends has grown in size, many priests, monks and laymen debate and meditate upon the mysteries of the Holy Light and thousands of commoners flock to the masses organized by the priests of our Order. May be one day we will rival Stratholme and become the greatest center of learning in the North. Praised be the Light for granting us these blessings, I see nothing but peace and grace ahead of us. Many in the Order share this sense of optimism, and we are eager to see what discoveries the growing generation will make. Truth be told, we are all so old and only turn old ideas around. Liandra is only twelve and she already wrote two touching prayers. The dawn is bright!”
-Book of Hadriana, written around 15 A.E

“Anethion has returned to his warmongering ways, although this time he does it with more sense and respect for the Light. He and his Silver Hand friends are training the folk of Tyr’s Hand Diocese in the art of combat and are preparing them to face off any threats from the Cult of the Damned. I am especially worried about sir Richard Esterton and his squire Lexgrad Barrow’s involvement, as they are neglecting their duties to the Hand. It looks innocent enough, but Anethion and Waldemar’s increasingly-militaristic rhetoric is giving me cause to worry you again. ‘If you do not rise up to defend what is dear to you – nobody else will,’ is but one of their quotes, which undermines the Silver Hand and the Royal Army.”
-Ecclesiastical Committee of Inquiry, re-opening the case of the Tyrrean Order, 16 A.E

“ ‘Forces of Darkness walk the earth, and they crave naught but destruction in their hearts. It is the duty of every faithful man to combat this evil, for it poses a threat to the Light itself! Should this terrible foe prevail, the universe will grow dark and all creatures will wallow in perpetual sin and endure bitter torment,’ preached Anethion to the champions of the white cross, and they answered as one, ‘Where there is Darkness, I shall bring the Light!’”
-Book of Essalus, referring to the events of 16 A.E

“ Anethion turned to the men of the militia, and stood with his back against a pole supporting a pitch-black banner, ‘Long ago an Orc has told me of a people with whom they shared the Red World, and how these Light-following creatures were slain without mercy until only rocks remained as their legacy. We are facing the Legions of Darkness, and they have come to steal our souls and destroy all order, justice and beauty that is illuminated by the Holy Light. Unless we prevail, the Light itself will grow dark and there will not be a better future for our children than eternal torment of undeath, bound to suffer in a cold night which will never end. Rise up for Faith, rise up for the Light and defend all that is Holy!’ With these words he revealed a small white cross on the black banner, and urged all men to forgive their neighbors and their enemies and rise up against the foe that is infinitely greater.”
-Book of Isador, referring to the events of 16 A.E

“Brothers and sisters under the Light,

Stratholme has fallen to the Cult of the Damned, and our beloved prince Arthas had to endure the pain in his heart and put the city to the sword to protect the rest of our fair kingdom! Vile rumors have it that Anethion was in Stratholme at the time of this culling, but I assure you that no harm came to our dear friend. I invite you to gather in the Abbey of Tyr’s Hand to pray for the slain of Stratholme, beseech the Light to give strength to our armies so that they may prevail against the Darkness and grand wisdom to Prince Arthas as he conquers the legions of evil.

May the Light guide us through this darkness,
Abbot Bernard”
-Abbot Bernard’s call to mass, 16 A.E, five days after the Fall of Stratholme

“Dear Taelana,

Our caravan has been attacked by the refugees and our supplies have been taken. Light have mercy on us, Malcolm and Antonius have been killed for trying to protect our crates...what an unjust world, that men would kill and die for stale bread. Athanasius is missing as well, and I fear the worst. Liandra, James and I have managed to hide and arrived safely at our destination. In a few days, we will be sailing west with Jaina Proudmoore. I promise to take care of Liandra, and I pray to the Light that you stay safe and protect the people of Tyr's Hand. I fear that this is the last letter I can send in a very long time.

May the Light watch over you,
Hadriana, Liandra and James”
-Letter by Hadriana to Taelana Oakleaf, around 16 or 17 A.E

Modern Age & Background Information


"The wedding of Councilor of War, Kristeas Sunbinder; and the Councilor of Internal Affairs, Nessra Sunwhisper was held on a quiet Saturday evening at the Sunstrider Isle. Only two of their closest friends were invited to the grand day: Ranger-Captain Celistra Nelbrinar and Councilor of Culture Saevir Dawnseeker. Sir Dawnseeker was also responsible for leading the ceremony.
(The news also included a picture of all four people who were present, to further ease recognizing)”
-Silvermoon Gazette, 24 A.E

“Paladins of the Church have captured fallen archmage Ariman Qarosht. Ariman Qarosht has attempted to ascend to demonhood by means of human sacrifice, unfortunately the paladins only came after five have already been sacrificed and ten more critically injured. The Church will soon release the full list of victims. Royal Ministry of the Arcane Arts and Wellfare reports that the warlock Ariman has been severely corrupted by the fel energies and is currently detained in the Stormwind Vault. 'We will apply for a stay of execution to the Ministry of Justice, Ariman's condition can help us understand the nature of fel corruption and research new ways to counter it,' representative of the Arcane Ministry told to our reporter.' Waldemar, leader of the infamous Chapter of Holy Anethion has warned the Ministry of Justice of widespread religious unrest unless the warlock is executed immediately.
-Extract from a Stormwind Newspaper, around 24 A.E

“This evening dame Ioanna Adrasteia, knight of the Silver Hand, leader of the Chapter of Holy Anethion and self-proclaimed Abbess of Tyr's Hand Abbey has been murdered inside the Cathedral of Light. Two men responsible for the murder have been taken and summary executed by the vigilantes of the Chapter. Preliminary investigations suggests that the men acted out of revenge and belonged to 'Athanasian' sect of the Chapter of Holy Anethion, whose leader Athanasius was allegedly murdered on the orders of dame Ioanna. A group of concerned citizens urges the Ministry to prosecute the Chapter for unlawful trial and murder of the two assassins.”
-Extract from a Stormwind Newspaper, around 25 A.E

“This year Stormwind learned of the death of father Waldemar of Swordsfall, leader of the Chapter of Holy Anethion and self-proclaimed Abbot of Tyr's Hand Abbey. As Chapter is falling apart in what Anethionites call the 'Fourth Schism', many of its ranks are leaving the sect and returning to the folds of the Church. I have secured an interview with one of these priests, who prefers to remain anonymous. The Priest tells that upon coming to power as head of the Anethionean community and reforming it into the 'Chapter' we know today, Waldemar has been sending his agents to scour the broken diocese of Tyr's Hand for all references to Anethion. These documents as well any of Chapter documentation and correspondence during the years between Waldemar's ascension to power and Chapter's departure to Northshire (Third Schism) have been locked away in several heavy chests the Priests calls 'Waldemar's Library of Lies'. According to the Priest, these documents would completely destroy the Chapter and cast all of the senior clergy (bar himself) as callous villains.

The Chapter denied the existence of any such secret library, but has failed to provide any reason that would account for a complete lack of documentation on the Chapter in the period allegedly covered by the Library. 'Anethion was but an unknown cleric wandering the lands of Tyr's Hand province, he was important only to his followers who saw no need to write archives about him. That is the reason there are no written materials on his life except the composed by his followers after his death. He never wrote anything himself. As for the Chapter archives covering the early reign of late Vicar Waldemar (Light bless his soul), we were at war with the Scourge and struggling to reclaim Lordaeron. We had no time for bureaucracy,' was the official chapter statement by archlectress Ioanna, a close friend and according to our Priest an accomplice of Waldemar.

It is interesting to note that Waldemar named Ioanna the executor of his will, while Ioanna’s last will and testament was executed by the man called Validar, formerly Waldemar’s personal assistant and one-time altar-boy at Waldemar’s church. Visitors to Northshire reported ‘restoration work’ being done in the main hall following Ioanna’s death, and there appeared an interesting inscription on the tile in the floor of the abbot’s study: ‘Here lies buried the legacy of Anethion and his disciples. May it remain sheltered until the world is pure enough to face the truth, and humanity is at peace once more’”
-Extract from 'Chapter of Holy Anethion : Light's chosen or demons from Hell?' by Cicero Avestini, late 25 A.E, removed from print, 97 of original 100 copies successfully reclaimed by the publisher and destroyed on the request of the author.

"Only known records of books detailing Conclave activity remaining is part of Dr. Gahalla Rose's private collection. Please refer to her with our recommendation if you wish to conduct further research in the area."
-Dalaran and Stormwind libraries regarding books on the Conclave, present day


Background Information

The Silent Mass (16 A.E) : The Silent Mass is a well-known event of the Chapter’s history. The name is ironic, as the mass was everything but silent. Abbot Bernard has called the mass to rally the people and dispel any suspicions of Anethion’s death, yet the people allowed him to say not a single word until he honestly admitted that Anethion was dead. The mass then turned into a debate, where people decided how their religious community should continue. In the end, they acknowledged Bernard as their guide who came on top in a close tie with sir Richard.

Codification (16 A.E/17 A.E) : Abbot Bernard was hard-pressed to satisfy the spreading curiosity in Anethion’s teachings, he united several witness-accounts of Anethion’s words and deeds (drawing mostly from Essalus, Hadriana and Isador). He dismissed the works of Ariman as too philosophical. The work became known as the Code of Anethion. These events are well-known as well, and are canonically taken to signify the end of the Tyrrean Order.

Lightsfall (17 A.E) : Bernard maintained that Arthas will conquer the darkness and restore Lordaeron to its former glory, even as Arthas the Deathknight was spreading death and destruction. An angry crowd has stormed the abbey of Tyr’s Hand and torn the aging abbot to bits, accusing him of being a supporter of the Cult of the Damned. These events are likewise well-known.

First Schism (17 A.E) : Two versions exist in the First Schism, according to one the religious community saw no worthy leader and simply floated apart. Waldemar would hold onto his group of supporters. Another version suggests that Waldemar proclaimed himself Bernard’s successor, and majority has left in rage. Memory of the First Schism is fainting, and only a few are still alive to remember it.

False Dawn (17/18 A.E) : Waldemar and Ioanna combined forces and remade the Code of Anethion into the current Book of Anethion, stripping it of Hadriana’s and Essalus’ writings and removing any mention of Anethion before the ‘Revelation’ in an attempt to create a symbol around which the men of Lordaeron could rally. The False Dawn is virtually unknown outside what remains of the Scarlet Crusade.

The Red Mass/Second Schism (18 A.E) : Parts of the Tyrrean Order were outraged by Waldemar-Ioanna reforms, including the formation of the militaristic ‘Chapter of Holy Anethion’ and the accession to the Scarlet Crusade. The dissenters intended to demand Waldemar’s resignation on a scheduled mass, but instead the doors of the abbey were locked by Waldemar’s supporters and dissenters slain on the spot under the charges of supporting the Scourge. The Red Mass is unknown outside the upper echelons of the Scarlet Crusade and the Chapter.

The Dark Age of Waldemar 17 A.E – ? A.E : all documentation is missing between Waldemar’s ascension to power and his self-imposed exile from the Scarlet Crusade following Ashbringer’s death. Book of Waldemar probably written as a series of essays by Waldemar during this age.

Reign of Waldemar ? A.E – 24 A.E : Waldemar sets up the new Chapter of Holy Anethion from amongst the core of the survivors that followed him from Lordaeron, including people like Theophilius, Validar, Ioanna, Richard and Dragomir. Chapter made a bid for Stormwind in 23 A.E when Waldemar sent High Inquisitor Dragomir to purify the city.

Reign of Ioanna 24-25 A.E : Ioanna succeeds Waldemar, the Fourth Schism, war between the Inquisition and the Priesthood, Book of Ioanna almost completed. Book of Jehorius written and rejected by the Ecclesiastical Court.

Reign of Osmand 25-..:


Book of Hadriana : the oldest complete set of writings about Anethion and his teachings. Hadriana began her diary when she became Anethion’s assistant in 8 B.R. The book is highly personal, and focuses on Anethion the man, his worries, troubles and aspirations as well as his relationship with Hadriana and other early members of the Tyrrean Order. Book of Hadriana was incorporated into the early Code of Anethion in 16 A.E, but removed during the Waldemar-Ioanna Reform of 18 A.E that saw the code transformed into the Book of Anethion. Anybody reading this book will have no doubts left that Anethion was just an inspired priest, struggling to understand the Light and share his understanding with the people – not a prophet or a messiah. Few extract of the Book of Hadriana survive in archives of shattered Lordaeron, complete book is not known to exist.

Book of Isador : book of Isador is the most authoritative account of Anethion’s exploits which began in 1 A.E when a young scribe named Isador joined Anethion and began recording his teachings. The book maintains a healthy balance between Anethion’s teachings and Anethion’s life without ever touching deep theology or highly personal matters. Book of Isador remains the ground foundation of the Book of Anethion and all knowledge the Chapter has about the prophet, even though it was edited during the Waldemar-Ioanna Reform. This book shows Anethion as both a man of word and action, who traveled Tyr’s Hand province and spread his teachings, giving hope and inspiration to the people. Best-surviving version of the Book of Isador is the highly-altered Book of Anethion, and one would be hard-pressed to identify the true writings of Isador amidst the seas of fakes and alterations.

Book of Ariman : the most neglected of the books, book of Ariman focuses on the theological details and technicalities of Anethion’s teachings and the way it originated. It is considered the driest and the most un-inspiring of the works about the Tyrrean Order, and has been dismissed by Bernard when he was composing his Code of Anethion. Almost all copies and extracts of the Book of Ariman were collected by Waldemar during the False Dawn. Study of the book would reveal that Anethion’s teaching did not appear overnight, and was not wholly attributable to Anethion alone. Few extracts from the book of Ariman may survive in the libraries of Dalaran, as he sent choice bits to his colleagues in the Department of Social Studies.

Book of Essalus : the youngest and the most controversial of the books, it replaces the whole of Anethion’s life with imagined history which Essalus claims was true not to the factual events, but true to the spirit of Anethion and his teachings. It was incorporated into the Code of Anethion but mostly removed from the Book of Anethion due to Esselus’ personal disagreements between Essalus and Waldemar. If this book is to be believed, Anethion’s life was a series of events that guided him to becoming Light’s prophet and spreading an uncompromising, militant doctrine. Book of Essalus influences many of the Chapter writings, and few extracts exist scattered across the ruins of Lordaeron as they were used for pamphlets during the Bernardian era.

Book of Anethion is the official part of the Chapter’s Holy Scripture, and is allegedly a historic collection of eyewitness accounts of Anethion’s life, deeds and teachings following the Revelation. The book has most likely been composed by all of Anethion’s early disciples, most importantly Isador, and later edited in Waldemar-Ioanna Reform. The Book of Anethion follows the wandering half-elven cleric on his travels through Tyr’s Hand province as he helps lost souls find the Light, heals the sick, fights injustice, resolves disputes, solves mysteries and illuminates complex moral problems in an accessible, half-poetic prose dealing always with concrete cases in which complicated theology is made easy.

Book of Bernard is a collection of essays by Abbot Bernard dealing with the topics of pain, suffering, desolation, hopelessness and at last refuge and peace in the Light. The heavy topic was appealing to the struggling survivors of the Plague, who were emboldened with promises of salvation through martyrdom and holiness of those who endure suffering with Light’s aid. As a result, Book of Bernard was composed by Waldemar during the False Dawn.

Book of Waldemar is a series of religious-political essays dealing with the construction and functioning of an ideal state founded upon Faith. Book of Waldemar is readily molded to suit the needs of the Inquisition, or any institution ready to use Faith to justice an oppressive reign of terror. Composed by Waldemar during the Dark Age.

Book of Jehorius ….unknown, declared heresy and stamped out upon birth.

Book of Ioanna is a highly personal and mystical book dealing with closer communion with the Light, describing touching prayers and intricate meditative journeys into the depths of the nature of the Holy Light. The book has not been published, although careful research has revealed such mysteries as the Chastising enchantment of the Anethionean Cross, secrets of the Waters of Communion and the Verdict school of the Anethionean divine magic.

...jaysus.

No... Anethion!

Simply amazing.

Essalus and Waldemar are the best, boo Anethion!

Heresy!

...You're like a machine, Meln O.o

I thought he was a filthy half elf?

Also, that sure is a lot of backstory for him O.o

He is a filthy half-elf with a high elven stepfather! And yea, I was meaning to write less but decided to practice writing a story through fragments so decided to keep writing!

Nice, quite a bit of stuff! Maybe even too much for me to read..

I am Speechless this is Just so.... Just so AMAZING ! I love this side of Anethion(emo) I love this whole story and to say about what we talkeda bout long ago. No Anethion would not join the Chapter that is today

Added extracts for the descendants of Hugo Hill, Anethion's Half-brother...they are put in chronological order, but to spare the PAIN of searching for em for those who already read it...here is:

"On this day, the 6th of June, our proud village welcomes yet another young to our fold. Ymraron Hill, son of Rhal Hill and his wife Phillandra Hill neé Storhm. We give praise to the Light and hope that the scions of Hugo Hill, which has given our fair village so much, will through him continue their legacy."
-Excerpt of taxrecords from Southbarroweshire. 23 B.R.

"Master

As you are well aware the Blacke's and the Stormh's have always been high magic bloodlines. I have recently traced the censuses of southern Gilneas and concluded that both bloodlines converge through intermarriage with a immigrated family from Tyr's Hand. A certain Hugo Hill married Aneetha Blacke and their youngest son of five, Rhal Hill, married Phillandra Storhm. By the inclusion of high magic blood into this family, I am marking it for interest. I am requesting you to start a formal inquiry on behalf of the Violet Eye in the matter.

Signed
Marnoc Dor
Violet Eye Agent"
-Letter from Magus Marnoc Dor (later archmage) regarding Ymraron Hill and magical potential. 23 B.R.

"Ymraron Hill: magical potential. Recommend invitation to the Violet Citadel for formal training. "
-Excerpt from A Kirin Tor report on apprentice candidates in Southern Gilneas. 21 B.R.

"Apprentice Hill has recieved detention again. He's talented, but I am not sure he got the potential for anything more disciplined. Though apprentices have been shown to ripen before, we shall see."
-Report on Ymraron's behaviour in school. Violet Citadel. 13 B.R.

"Hill has been seen with the Conclave again. Light knows those people are bad influence on him. I've even heard rumours that the archmages have started investigations to potentionally have the leaders exiled. You should talk to him, he needs a firm instructor to keep him away from them."
Remnants of a letter found in the ruins of Dalaran. Dated to 10 B.R.

"Hill left with the Conclave after Hart and Daerec were exiled. No traces of them has been found. I think we can formally write up the young man as a loss and a full member of that little group. Pity, his theories had begun interest powerful men like Antonidas and Ansirem. The boy could have been made archmage and invited to the Kirin Tor in another decade or so I'm sure."
Last mention of Ymraron in Dalaran records. 8 B.R.

"Man indentified by locals as Ymraron Hill was found murdered by dark magic last night. According to witnesses he was murdered by a aquaintance refered to as Daerec. They quarreled about some woman and a baby before Daerec killed him with a few quick spells. Both were supposed members of the Dalarani Conclave group. Tried to get into touch with their leaders, but the entire group seems to be gone."
Sheriff's report from Northern Gilneas 2 B.R

"Only known records of books detailing Conclave activity remaining is part of Dr. Gahalla Rose's private collection. Please refer to her with our recommendation if you wish to conduct further research in the area."
Dalaran and Stormwind libraries regarding books on the Conclave.

Love it! Fantastic stuff....despite this supposed claim of Anethion's 'children'...heresy that was stamped out long ago I believe!

The Truth is always less convenient than history! (Anethion's daughter mocks Osmand from....where-ever she is)

I need to re read much of it but it is very good. Lex will be on the look out for a few of these fragments.

Right...Now that Melnerag has everybody's attention:

Thelos has been planning on reseaching Anethion's past. If anyone is interested in roleplaying the finding of these fragments out IC, I would love for you to contact me. I think the best way to honor the work that has been put into this is by treating it with the respect it is due and reveal and study it fragment per fragment by searching dusty and forgotten places of knowledge around Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas. So, if anyone is interested in joining the search for the truth about Anethion, contact me or Thelos, IC or OOC.

This is so... fucking... epic. My hat off to you, sir. Damn.

Now all that we need is to have a group of people try and uncover the truth while being hunted by a crazy albino witch-hunter sent by Osmand. Then Jondalar needs to write a tinfoil-hat novel about it!

Thanks for the replied, and I hope this will add to the overal server role-play in one way or another and stir up some action!

I would love to help in one way or another, I just don't know how Deli feels about this D:

Anethionism is a vile stain on the purity of the Light.
There's her opinion.

I have had a lot of RP with the chapter on a few Chars.

Dreth - was a lay member of the Chapter and without doubt the worst Anethionean ever. He took a medievil view that the light will have his back so he could sin happily provided he confesses every so often. (Dreth was very much the ignorant sheep char once he found the light. I suggest to every one however to concider being a lay member)

That a side most of my chars are not supporters of anethion. From a dismissive cool contempt to active opposition.

Love them or hate them, they are the best guild on the server.