Ithuriel, but not really

 I asked AI to write an article on Ithuriel. Unfortunately, it didn’t do that, instead it is talking about the Order of Light.

Some of the ideas shared here are things I considered sharing, but ended up not including in the final book.

It's true there were once 3 suborders to the order of light, but I actually never paired  the 3 leaders with these suborders. Atleast, I don’t remember doing that. It's true there are 3 leaders and those indeed are the attributes of each. It is also funny to read which aspect of the military is associated with each. That indeed is a pure AI fantasy.

Additionally, while the fourth wing idea was fun, I don’t think it is going to make the cut of the final book. We will see though.

While the Order of Light is known across Manetera for its golden armor and military dominance, its foundation rests on a much more ethereal force: the devotion to Ithuriel and the channeling of the Power of Light. For the knights based in Bronzehelm, this is not merely a religion but a practical and often overwhelming source of strength.

The Servant’s Oath

Every member of the Brotherhood, from the lowest initiate to the High Commanders, is defined as a "servant of Ithuriel." During their orientation, recruits like Brundin are taught that they are "bastions of virtue" who must give their perfect devotion—and if necessary, their lives—to the cause of protecting the realm. This devotion is believed to grant a form of divine protection, with the Light shielding those "chosen" by the god in times of peril.

The Divine Arts: Healing and Smite

The "Light" manifests in several tangible ways within the Order. While many soldiers focus on the "practical matters" of war and defense, the order originally relied heavily on the divine arts.

• Healing: A subset of the divine arts used to give restoration to the wounded.

• The Sparks of Power: True practitioners, like the elder Master Sagatori, can channel the "light within" to perform feats beyond physical combat. This process involves focusing on a specific internal energy and pushing it toward one's extremities, occasionally manifesting as faint, visible sparks of light from the fingers.

• Truth-Seeking: The Light is said to "reveal all truth" to those who seek it, even exposing secrets that have yet to be made.

The Shifting Focus of the Order

Historical texts within the Brotherhood suggest that the founders were deeply in tune with these mystical arts. However, modern leadership, such as Gunthar the Strong and Abas the Wise, has steered the Order toward more "practical" military wings:

1. Bravery (Gunthar): Focused on the spear and shield corps.

2. Wisdom (Abas): Focused on logistics and the "Wagon Corp."

3. Devotion (Dezin): Primarily focused on the "Tree Corp" and traditional healing.

There are lingering rumors of a fourth wing—one Master Sagatori reportedly belongs to—that was once dedicated to divination and the occult. As the Order prioritizes the upcoming war with the orc tribes, these ancient, more esoteric methods of channeling Ithuriel's power are increasingly viewed as "kooky" or irrelevant by the new generation of soldiers.

Destined for the Light

Despite the move toward steel and strategy, the mystical side of Ithuriel still reaches out to the individuals of the Order. Whether through intense visions of "bright light" being encountered in dreams or the "fiery stare" of commanders like Dezin the Devoted, the Light remains an inescapable, intense presence that demands everything from those it calls.