An expanding Halovar-associated faith centred on a universal Light, forgiveness and the return of mortal light to the Candescence.
The Candescent Creed is closely entwined with House Halovar. Its emblem is a point of light above a pillar that may resemble the sun or a candle, expressing the belief that the Light surrounds everyone. Its scripture includes Embers, its recognised offices include the Photarch and Light priests, and Aspirants such as Tyranny and Enmity are used as proof that even demons can be redeemed. The Photarch directs plans to expand the Creed in Dol-Makjar and supports using Halandil’s theatre to reach a new audience.
Power, spectacle and the fall of Thjazi Fang
Thjazi Fang is hanged beneath monuments to the heroes of an older revolution. The crowd, the failed rescue and the Photarch’s decision leave more questions than the public ceremony answers.
The Creed teaches that a holy and universal Light surrounds and sees everyone, that forgiveness exists within all souls, and that a person’s light rejoins the Candescence of the universe after death. Redemption is presented as possible even for demonkind.
Thjazi Fang was publicly condemned and hanged beneath the Guardian Wall under the authority of the Chamber of Lords-Advisory.
Thjazi’s family and community gathered at the Fang home for an orcish Farramh beginning on the day of his death.
What political, religious, personal or strategic reason made Thjazi’s death necessary to the Photarch?
The Photarch rejects an expected commutation and insists that Thjazi must die, without revealing the necessity behind the execution.
Wicander tells Halandil that his family gave him full assurance that Thjazi would be spared. He cannot explain why the Photarch instead insisted that the execution proceed.
How did Dol-Makjar change from the city Teor remembers, and what remains of its revolutionary institutions and ideals?
Returning veterans find a revolutionary city transformed by Sundered House power, the Candescent Creed and an expanding Chamber authority.
Aranessa warns that the two Sundered Houses are gaining power while faerie-linked influence diminishes.
Statements are labelled by how the transcript establishes them, so direct depiction, testimony, belief and disputed accounts remain distinct.
The elderly matriarch of House Halovar, identified as a Scion and Photarch of the Candescent Creed, calls for light, peace and the restoration of Dol-Makjar’s heroic legacy.
House Halovar is now presenting itself under the name of the Candescent Creed.
Wicander and Tyranny arrive in a guarded carriage bearing the emblem of the Candescent Creed.
The emblem of the Candescent Creed depicts a point of light above a pillar resembling either the sun or a humble candle.
Wicander Halovar is a young noble connected to House Halovar and the Candescent Creed.
Wicander carries a cane topped with the symbol of the Candescent Creed.
Tyranny is an Aspirant of the Candescent Creed associated with House Halovar.
Tyranny says that she has only recently arrived and is new to the customs surrounding her.
Wicander claims that the Halovar family name and the holy Light of the universe will protect him.
The carriage driver describes Wicander as ordained by the Light.
Wicander refers to Thjazi’s scimitar as a holy relic after Tyranny throws it at the magpie.
Verse 17 of the Candescent text Embers teaches that the Light sees all and that filament and forgiveness exist within its followers.
Wicander interprets the teachings of the Candescent Creed as meaning that even someone convicted of a serious crime can receive forgiveness.
Wicander presents Tyranny as evidence that any soul can emerge from the shadows and begin finding the Light.
Enmity is an Aspirant of the Candescent Creed.
Enmity believes that demonkind has been saved by the Light and that demonic Aspirants must behave in a way that reflects well upon the Creed.
The Photarch briefly questions whether recruiting the demons was a mistake.
The Photarch ultimately describes the recruited demons as a testament to the power of the Light.
Wicander proposes that Halandil stage a play presenting the Candescent Creed favourably to a new audience.
The Photarch says that House Halovar has several plans currently unfolding within Dol-Makjar.
The Candescent Creed has struggled to spread within Dol-Makjar because the city remains the seat of the revolution.
After privately confirming that Thjazi must die, the Photarch takes the execution stage and uses magic to project her voice across Dol-Makjar.
Wicander says that his proper forms of address are Your Radiance and Bearer of the Filament.
Teor says that he no longer recognises the banners, people or religious authorities of Dol-Makjar.
Azune says that House Halovar has been shifting its beliefs over the preceding several years.
Teor suggests that the people behind Dol-Makjar’s shifting religious beliefs may need to answer for Thjazi’s execution.
Wicander says that his faith forbids alcohol from touching his lips.
Wicander teaches that impurity dims the spark.
Wicander formally introduces himself to Shadia as Light Priest Wicander Halovar before meeting privately with Halandil.
Halandil corners Wicander in the study and demands an explanation, reminding him that they had already spoken and that Wicander promised the matter was handled.
Wicander admits that he failed Halandil. He says that he spoke with his family and received their full assurance that Thjazi would be spared.
Wicander explains that commuting Thjazi’s sentence would have improved the Halovar family’s reputation and helped its outreach across Dol-Makjar because Thjazi was widely admired.
Wicander claims that lying and deception violate his faith. He tells Halandil that he respects him as a person, teacher and performer and would not knowingly deceive him.
Wicander attempts to comfort Halandil with the Candescent belief that a soul’s Light rejoins the Candescence of the universe after death, causing the universe to grow brighter.
Halandil pours two glasses of Thjazi’s favourite liquor, places one in Wicander’s hand and asks him to drink. Despite his religious prohibition against alcohol, Wicander reluctantly drinks with him.
Occtis tells Azune that the situation has become more complicated because Wicander Halovar is present at the Farramh.
Occtis approaches the intoxicated Thaisha but decides against speaking. As he passes Tyranny, he tells the demon that she is very much not welcome in the Fang home.
After drinking heavily, Tyranny quotes Embers, Verse 151: “Cloud not the spark with poison.” Wicander publicly rebukes her and uses Thaumaturgy to command her to be still.
On behalf of House Halovar, Wicander formally presents Thjazi’s scimitar to Halandil. Halandil accepts the blade and describes the gesture as a kindness.
Aranessa greets Wicander with barely concealed rage and sarcastically remarks upon the burden House Halovar must have carried in allowing justice to be served when it supposedly desired another outcome.
Sensing that Aranessa’s confrontation is becoming politically dangerous, Thaisha urges Tyranny to get Wicander away. Tyranny vomits and insists that they must leave immediately.
After Wicander leaves, Aranessa criticises the Candescent Creed as worship of a divinity without the inconvenience of possessing a voice or perspective.
Thaisha contrasts the Candescent teaching of returning to the Light with her own belief that Thjazi has returned to the story and song of the world. Halandil adds that Thjazi changed everyone who knew him.
Thjazi Fang is publicly condemned beneath the Guardian Wall. After sharing a final connection with Halandil and issuing several urgent instructions, he delivers a defiant final statement and is hanged.
Azune brings Thjazi’s body to the Fang home, carries his former commander inside and helps place him for the beginning of the Farramh.
Teor Pridesire and Loza Blade arrive at the Fang home after witnessing Thjazi’s execution. Loza performs an Old Path farewell beside Thjazi’s body, while Teor reunites with Azune and questions what has happened to Dol-Makjar.
Wicander Halovar and Tyranny arrive outside the Fang home in a carriage bearing the symbol of the Candescent Creed. They carry Thjazi’s scimitar, but the plants and birds of the Rookery react aggressively to their presence.
In the nobles’ box before Thjazi’s execution, Wicander expects his grandmother, the Photarch, to commute the sentence. She instead tells him that Thjazi must die before taking the stage to address Dol-Makjar.
Wicander Halovar and Tyranny enter the Fang home carrying Thjazi’s scimitar. An old cold-iron ward reacts to Tyranny’s presence, Halandil withdraws from Wicander, and Tyranny receives an awkward introduction to mortal funeral etiquette.
Azune and Teor compare what they know about Thjazi’s execution and the changes within Dol-Makjar. Their conversation reveals that Teor’s younger brother Cyd was meant to participate in the failed rescue but has disappeared.
Halandil confronts Wicander over his failed assurance that Thjazi would be spared. Wicander admits that he relied upon his family’s promise, while Halandil reveals that Wicander was intended to serve as a failsafe in the rescue plan.
Azune and Occtis compare the failed stages of Thjazi’s rescue and realise that Thimble and Cyd are both missing. They recruit Teor and leave the Farramh to investigate Thimble’s secret hideout in the Tanners.
The masked Bolaire Lathalia arrives at Thjazi’s Farramh after observing his execution from the nobles’ gallery. Bolaire reunites with Thaisha and Tyranny as Halandil’s daughter Hero arrives with her mother, Elodie.
Wicander returns Thjazi’s scimitar to Halandil as Sir Julien Davinos escorts Thjazi’s grieving estranged wife, Aranessa, to the Farramh. Their journey reveals Julien’s role in Thjazi’s earlier capture and Aranessa’s enduring love for her former husband.
Loza asks Wicander to help Teor find work after her retirement. Aranessa then confronts House Halovar’s claims that it tried to save Thjazi before mourning her estranged husband and warning Halandil that Faerie’s influence is fading.
