St. Kelvin was a priest of Magenta who, in the late 6th century, made the proclamation that knowledge and strength can come from the magic in the sun, as well as the magic that Magenta's daughters had in the three moons.At the time this was very unpopular, because of the early attempts at city building south of the Great River, and the clashes that the migrating population had there when dealing with the Sun King tribes. However, St. Kelvin (who at the time, was only Padre Kelvin of Kennidor) perfected a limited system of prophetic seeing based on the magic of the sun, and also researched a great deal of magic having to do with light. Soon, this began to win over the opinion of peoples, who also understood the diabolical nature of Photoss and the relationship he had with the Sun King Tribes.
Before his death in 603, Padre Kelvin oversaw the building of the first Temple of Light, southwest of the Barony of Ungems, along the edge of the Nell Nod Forest. This was a marvelous structure, and Kelvin and his followers were aided by the Wood Elves of the Nell Nod, who helped them with the earliest construction of crystalline architecture. The Temple still stands, and an academic/religious town has grown up around it, as the center of what would later become the Order of St. Kelvin. It is a lovely temple, built of white marble, but with the upper walls and portions of the domed ceiling made of crystals, so that the light shines in and splits into a hundred different dancing colors.
Priests in the order are split into two groups - the Light Holders (who stay at the many temples built in the wilderness by the order, across the valley), and the Light Bringers. The Light Holder Temples are known as great spots of healing, peace, and prophecy. The Light Bringer Stations are located throughout the valley on roads where there are no taverns or other resting areas. They are left as open shelters, but often will have one or more traveling members of the clergy or lay members of the order.
The Order wears light blue colored tunics (over either skirts or pants, usually of white or tan, but not proscribed by the order), with a golden sun on the chest, and seven rays coming out in all directions. Light Bringers wear a crystal on a necklace around their neck, and Light Holders wear a gold rimmed round glass around their neck.
Spells available to the order are from the spheres of All, Charm, Divination, Healing, Sun; they also have minor access to the spheres of Animal, Creation, Necromantic, Plant.
The order frequently welcomes Elves and Half Elves into its clergy.
The abilities taught to priests of the order include:
- The ability to see as if with Infravision (out to 60'). Elves in the order have their Infravision improved to 120'.
- The priests may Turn Undead.
- Laying on hands, healing 2 points per level, per day.
- Charm/Fascination - 1 time per day, works as the wizard spell Suggestion, but not usable in combat.
- Prophecy - 1 time per day, requires a 10 minute trance of meditation/concentration, and then 1 question may be asked of the DM.
- Light Holders may cast the "Light" spell 1x per day for free, in addition to other spells.
- Light Bringers receive a +1 to hit with ranged weapons, if used outdoors during daylight.
Light Bringers may wear non-metal armor. Light Holders wear no armor. Neither branch uses shields.Both types of priests may employ the Dagger, Dart and Spear. In addition, Light Bringers may also employ the Javelin, Crossbows, Bows, Knife and Sling.
