A Brief History of the Prismatic Order
The Prismatic Order of Paladins was founded in 743 AL, approximately 100 years before the Age of Merging began. Since the Epiphany (0 AL), men of all races eagerly sought to learn from the immortal angels, and the first teachings of the seven virtues began not long after the angels' arrival. Those teachings quickly coalesced into a religion that spread throughout Lokka like a wildfire, burning away heretical pantheons and religious naturalism with equal fervor. The formal structure of the Prismatic Order would not take shape for another seven centuries, but the groundwork was laid from the moment the first angel set foot on Lokka.
The presence of angels during the Age of Lords is documented fact, but less well-known is that demons walked the world as well. They went to great pains to keep their presence hidden from their immortal enemies, but some demonic cults sprang into existence devoted to the worship of the unholy. The largest of these cults was the Myein, a secret society that grew in power primarily in the lands west of modern-day Nocka. By the time the immortal angels became aware of the font of demonic influence, they were too powerful to be put down as lesser cults had been for centuries.
The Seraph Uriel is recorded as the first angel to suggest militarizing the mortal religion as a way of combatting the threat of the Myein, and the first paladin was anointed with his cloak by none other than Mikal, one of the most powerful angels in Heaven.* The Prismatic Order began in a city nestled in the valleys of the southern Delnar Mountains, but the city was destroyed during the Merging War and the exact location has been lost from mortal ken.
The Myein were eradicated during a war that spanned nearly five years, and the last traces of the cult were wiped out in 752 AL. By that time, the presence of demons in Lokka was a well-known fact, and the fledgling paladin order devoted itself to hunting and destroying the infernal presence.
In the year 6 AM, the advent of the Devil's Horns brought Hell to Lokka in the very truest sense of the term. The dwarven city of Nocka was overrun almost immediately as demons swarmed through the newly formed Merging. Until that time, no one had been able to trace where the demons were entering Lokka, and for years, the exact source was still unknown. The Prismatic Order had swelled in size, but they were a paltry force compared to the demons who ravaged unchecked across the lands.
Many historical records indicate the immortal angels, who had removed themselves from Lokka following the fall of the Myein, returned to combat their immortal foes and fought side-by-side with the paladins. Even with their help, it was years before the demonic hordes could be turned back and their destruction held at bay. Religious scholars discovered a way to limit the spread of the Merging, and with the help of the angels, they began forcing the demons back to their own plane of existence.
The full force of demonic might was finally broken in 15 AM, and the infernal immortals retreated to Hell to replenish their numbers for another assault. Over the next year, the demons sent forays across the Merging to attack the construction of the Barrier, but the Prismatic Order stood vigil over the massive wall, which was erected under the careful hands of the world's foremost dwarven craftsmen.** It was during this time the paladins took up residence in Nocka and established their primary chapterhouse in the city (following the destruction of their original locale, as mentioned above).
The Barrier was completed in 16 AM, and in a ceremony devoted to the fallen warriors who gave their lives protecting the world, seven monuments were uncovered, one in each of the seven courtyards of the Barrier. The Stones were hewn from angelstone, a substance brought from the immortal plane of Heaven, and colored to match the seven Facets of the Prismatic Order. Those Stones serve as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice given by the paladins to ensure the survival of the mortal races.
The presence of angels during the Age of Lords is documented fact, but less well-known is that demons walked the world as well. They went to great pains to keep their presence hidden from their immortal enemies, but some demonic cults sprang into existence devoted to the worship of the unholy. The largest of these cults was the Myein, a secret society that grew in power primarily in the lands west of modern-day Nocka. By the time the immortal angels became aware of the font of demonic influence, they were too powerful to be put down as lesser cults had been for centuries.
The Seraph Uriel is recorded as the first angel to suggest militarizing the mortal religion as a way of combatting the threat of the Myein, and the first paladin was anointed with his cloak by none other than Mikal, one of the most powerful angels in Heaven.* The Prismatic Order began in a city nestled in the valleys of the southern Delnar Mountains, but the city was destroyed during the Merging War and the exact location has been lost from mortal ken.
The Myein were eradicated during a war that spanned nearly five years, and the last traces of the cult were wiped out in 752 AL. By that time, the presence of demons in Lokka was a well-known fact, and the fledgling paladin order devoted itself to hunting and destroying the infernal presence.
In the year 6 AM, the advent of the Devil's Horns brought Hell to Lokka in the very truest sense of the term. The dwarven city of Nocka was overrun almost immediately as demons swarmed through the newly formed Merging. Until that time, no one had been able to trace where the demons were entering Lokka, and for years, the exact source was still unknown. The Prismatic Order had swelled in size, but they were a paltry force compared to the demons who ravaged unchecked across the lands.
Many historical records indicate the immortal angels, who had removed themselves from Lokka following the fall of the Myein, returned to combat their immortal foes and fought side-by-side with the paladins. Even with their help, it was years before the demonic hordes could be turned back and their destruction held at bay. Religious scholars discovered a way to limit the spread of the Merging, and with the help of the angels, they began forcing the demons back to their own plane of existence.
The full force of demonic might was finally broken in 15 AM, and the infernal immortals retreated to Hell to replenish their numbers for another assault. Over the next year, the demons sent forays across the Merging to attack the construction of the Barrier, but the Prismatic Order stood vigil over the massive wall, which was erected under the careful hands of the world's foremost dwarven craftsmen.** It was during this time the paladins took up residence in Nocka and established their primary chapterhouse in the city (following the destruction of their original locale, as mentioned above).
The Barrier was completed in 16 AM, and in a ceremony devoted to the fallen warriors who gave their lives protecting the world, seven monuments were uncovered, one in each of the seven courtyards of the Barrier. The Stones were hewn from angelstone, a substance brought from the immortal plane of Heaven, and colored to match the seven Facets of the Prismatic Order. Those Stones serve as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice given by the paladins to ensure the survival of the mortal races.
* - Oddly enough, there is no record of the name of the first paladin, nor to what Facet he belonged. It is possible the angels who took part in these events may still remember.
** - There are scattered references to elves assisting with the construction in some manner, but no credible source has been uncovered to definitively document their presence nor the nature of their assistance.
** - There are scattered references to elves assisting with the construction in some manner, but no credible source has been uncovered to definitively document their presence nor the nature of their assistance.
