03-06-2011, 11:13 AM
I have been greatly perturbed, as of late, by my ignorance of the Light and holy power. I have been doing considerable research to remedy this, and I have found very little in the way of enlightenment. Rather, I have consistently found nothing but inconsistencies.
I have questions - many questions! - questions about the Light, the Church of the Holy Light, and things of a paladinic nature. I would like to know if any canon (or, hell, I'll take fanon) exists to answer these questions. While I will post my logic and sources of confusion, feel free to skip to the bright red portions if you feel informed enough to go ahead and answer without hearing my attempts at reason.
This all started about a week ago. I was playing Lumji in Booty Bay, just drinking alone and waiting for an approachable character to enter the bar, when a minor argument ensued on the General OOC channel. A character emoted that he 'summoned' the Light. Another player objected to the usage of the word 'summon,' arguing that one 'channels' the Light from the Naaru. A non-involved player interjected that the Light is non-theistic, and that the power comes from within. A separate player chimed in that the Light was not the source of Holy magic, and that the terms could not be used interchangeably.
Seeking to quell the debate, I pulled up Wowwiki, expecting to find some useful copypasta to address the issue. What I found instead was the core of the issue: there are inconsistencies in the lore about the Light and Holy power.
The Light and the Church of the Holy Light are agreed on by all as a non-theistic discipline rather than a true religion. Yet many characters of lore have referred to the Light as we would refer to a god, or at least, a sentient being capable of action, suffering, and emotion.
Are the Light and the Church of the Holy Light two different entities? We've established that the Church is non-theistic, but the Light appears to be a being. Within the Church of the Holy Light is the famous paladin organization, the Knights of the Silver Hand; this would imply that non-theistic Church trains the theistic paladins (Uther himself referring to the Light as a being capable of love).
What is the correlation between Holy magic and the Light? Many non-Light-following races can be priests in-game and use Holy magic. For instance, night elf priests take their power from Elune. Is this a mere game mechanic?
I have a great deal of more questions to ask, but there are the ones that I believe can be answered. I have found no source on this site teaching aspiring pallies things that they absolutely need to know, and I am hesitant to play a class that takes its power from a source I know nothing about.
Many thanks for your answers. C:
I have questions - many questions! - questions about the Light, the Church of the Holy Light, and things of a paladinic nature. I would like to know if any canon (or, hell, I'll take fanon) exists to answer these questions. While I will post my logic and sources of confusion, feel free to skip to the bright red portions if you feel informed enough to go ahead and answer without hearing my attempts at reason.
This all started about a week ago. I was playing Lumji in Booty Bay, just drinking alone and waiting for an approachable character to enter the bar, when a minor argument ensued on the General OOC channel. A character emoted that he 'summoned' the Light. Another player objected to the usage of the word 'summon,' arguing that one 'channels' the Light from the Naaru. A non-involved player interjected that the Light is non-theistic, and that the power comes from within. A separate player chimed in that the Light was not the source of Holy magic, and that the terms could not be used interchangeably.
Seeking to quell the debate, I pulled up Wowwiki, expecting to find some useful copypasta to address the issue. What I found instead was the core of the issue: there are inconsistencies in the lore about the Light and Holy power.
The Light and the Church of the Holy Light are agreed on by all as a non-theistic discipline rather than a true religion. Yet many characters of lore have referred to the Light as we would refer to a god, or at least, a sentient being capable of action, suffering, and emotion.
Quote:No one feels he deserves it... its grace, pure and simple... but the Light loves us anyway.- Uther the Lightbringer
Quote:"May the Light have mercy on your soul."- Velen
Quote:"You seek to martyr me before my order - so be it. Strike me down, another will rise in my place and the suffering of the Light - of the conquered - will continue uninterrupted."- Matis the Cruel
Are the Light and the Church of the Holy Light two different entities? We've established that the Church is non-theistic, but the Light appears to be a being. Within the Church of the Holy Light is the famous paladin organization, the Knights of the Silver Hand; this would imply that non-theistic Church trains the theistic paladins (Uther himself referring to the Light as a being capable of love).
What is the correlation between Holy magic and the Light? Many non-Light-following races can be priests in-game and use Holy magic. For instance, night elf priests take their power from Elune. Is this a mere game mechanic?
I have a great deal of more questions to ask, but there are the ones that I believe can be answered. I have found no source on this site teaching aspiring pallies things that they absolutely need to know, and I am hesitant to play a class that takes its power from a source I know nothing about.
Many thanks for your answers. C: