The Dualkedorian Order, Word of Nikina

The Order of Dualkedor is established on two main things. The first is that its High Priest communicates daily with a manifestation of the god Nikina in Hunnuklad, Phedailin. The second is that their beliefs are based on the Dutri and the primary interpretations of the texts. The Order of Dualkedor (named after Duosol's son, Father Dualkedor) guards Hunnuklad and owns and runs all the churches of North Nidonn and some throughout Central and the West. Because humans are descendants of Nikina, this order believes that it is the role of humans to uphold the traits described in the Dutri referring to Nikina's four parts: light and energy, spirit and soul, peace and choice, and birth and growth.

• Light is representative of the power the order has over The Enemy and his minions.
• Spirit is representative of the spiritual journey that all humans should make if they wish to be at peace when they are taken to Adumbra.
• Peace is representative of the efforts of the order to maintain a peaceful environment where people are educated to make correct choices.
• Birth is representative of the primal desire for humans to multiply so that they may share all of Riiga to the fullest.

These four areas are what the Order of Dualkedor base their principles on. Anybody displaying traits of Garukavar or The Enemy - "hatred and vulgarity and dishonesty and shallownes", "manipulative words of apprehension and false desperation") is an enemy of the Dualkedorian Order according to the Dutri. Sometimes the order uses force to oppress anyone like this, and other times the order uses peaceful methods.

History

Hunnuklad was discovered in 3802BD, when the eastern humans first began to settle down. In fact, Hunnuklad became the very shelter that allowed them to concentrate on building a strong town (now Duracia) while they did not have to worry about finding a place to sleep during the night. The leader of the people then was Father Duosol, and he created the Order of Dualkedor under the instruction of Nikina in 3801BD. As at that time, Duosol had a son named Dualkedor, Duosol named the order after him. Duosol was the first High Priest, and Dualkedor was the second. Because of Nikina's aid in helping the first eastern humans, the insight of the Dutri, and the shelter that Hunnuklad provided, the Dualkedorian Order rose quickly in power. With it came the Knights of Phedailin, who served more to protect the entire country as opposed to merely protecting the temple and High Priest.

Priests were trained and ventured back to Central and West. They then founded churches -- at least one in every large town. In Central, the Order of White welcomed the churches and the Dualkedorian Order, and protected them in place of the defenders. In the West, it was the Legionites who protected the churches.

Activities

One thing all churches do is hold regular "sermons", said to be insightful enough to inspire people to seek help and general enough that none walk away without going over something that was said. These can be held on any day of the week. It depends on where the church is. All churches are also open all day and all night, and if need be, those seeking protection or help can enter. Some homeless people end up sleeping within its thick stone walls. Sometimes, even criminals enter in the dead hours of the morning, seeking peace of mind, forgiveness, or something similar. The Dualkedorian church has four primary aims:

• To equip and bestow people with the power of Nikina needed to overcome The Enemy -- the aim of sermons
• To help people on their spiritual journey required for peace in Adumbra -- the second aim of sermons
• To uphold a peaceful standard in all the lands -- the aim of the church's protectors
• To ensure that everybody is part of a family, metaphorical or otherwise -- the aim of everybody in the church

Ranks

The Dualkedorians are divided into two main branches. There are the priests, and then there are the defenders. It's not known how one would apply to become a defender --they seem to be drawn out of the very ground -- but almost anybody can become a regular member: any interested individuals need to visit a church, attend it regularly, and express their interest. The priests there speak with the individual and if they deem the person to be suitable, the individual will be given a job in the church. The jobs range from healers, who use light magic; to lighters, who light and extinguish street lamps; to priests, who cares for the church and its people.

Priests:

High Priest/ess:
The High Priest is the head of the entire order. The king of North Nidonn or North Ideitess (or general in Central), is seen as the top authority figure in their respective land. Directly beneath the king or general is the High Priest of Hunnuklad. The High Priest is a source of specialist information for the king, though not anybody is allowed to speak with him or her. It is the job of the chief to protect the High Priest. The first High Priest was Father Duosol.

The only accessory that distinguishes the authority of a High Priest is a sort of bracelet that could only be removed with a key which Nikina held, so that only Nikina could truly decide who was to be the High Priest of the Order of Dualkedor. High Priests are either referred to as "Father" or "Mother", though Duosol is fully referred to as High Priest Father Duosol Seandiriel.

Elder Priest:
Third in the order, the elder priests are more sources of information, insight, and interpretation. They are not seen as high authority figures, and mostly spend their lives studying religious texts. They also arrange the times for worship and meetings.

Priest:
A basic member of the temple, dedicated to worshipping Nikina and studying history. Though they have very little authority, they are generally admired by citizens.

Defenders:

Chief:
Second in the order, the chiefs (up to two) protect the High Priest and, if need be, the elder priests or anybody else who resides in the temple. The chiefs are expertly trained warriors who use spears and are said to wield light magic like no other human can. They spend their lives being involved in all that the High Priest does.

Defender:
Fourth in the order, defenders are silent and vigilant guards who patrol the temple grounds. They act under a strict set of rules and are sometimes feared because of their rigid nature. Like chiefs, they are said to be very skilled warriors, but very few would dare challenge them to see them fight. Most larger churches in North Nidonn have up to three defenders, but outside of the East, defenders are not used; the dominant military faction protects the church instead.