The Esorians, being the most fanatical of the Universal AEtonists, created the Illumination Council, a triumvirate of the most senior and well-respected religious scholars of the age. This Council, consisting of the Grand Illuminator, Senior Illuminator, and the Junior Illuminator, has slowly warped over time to become a largely political office that holds much power within the hierarchy of the religion as well as with the secular leaders of the Buchlayne. The three Illuminators tend to always be at odds with each other, scheming for promotion to the rank of Grand Illuminator, or defending that title once they have it. The Grand Illuminator is second only to the Pontifex Rex in power within the faith, although arguably the Archclerics have more authority.
Currently, only Esoria vigorously enforces the use of the Illumination. Courriseux and Stadhof, while declaring AEtonism to be the official state religion, have not been so eager to activate the Illumination in their countries. The Imperial Theocracy has banned the use of the Illumination Council, mainly due to their strong reliance on the army of the Tharri Imperia, which is made up strictly of dwarven warriors.
The Illumination hunts the enemies of AEtonism, which are broadly grouped into the following categories. The groups are listed in descending order of offensiveness to the AEtonists.
1) Non-believers and aetheists
2) Eastern AEtonists and members of non-recognized AEtonist splinter groups
3) Dwarves and orcs (Esoria only)
4) Arcane users of magick
5) "Lax" or occassional worshippers
6) Sinners (those who claim to be AEtonist but disobey its tenets)
The Illumination encourages people to turn in their neighbors, friends, and family for "questioning" for violation of any of the above.
There are three main members of the Illumination Council. Currently, the Council consists of Sten Acolo, Aleti Severui, and Bril Anso. Sten Acolo, the Grand Illuminator (Inluminator Grandesco), a middle-aged Esorian and a shrewd politican. The Senior Illuminator (Inluminator Senex) is an ancient elf named Aleti Severui who has become old and tired over the past few decades. Bril Anso, the Junior Illuminator (Inluminator Inferior) is a young fire-brand who actively promotes his desire to be the Grand Illuminator.
There are several other Junior Illuminators who are part of the Illumination Council, however Bril is the most experienced and senior of this group and therefore sits alongside Aleti Severui and Sten Acolo to make policy and try cases.
The Shields of the Illumination (AEgis Inluminatio): These are the rank-and-file members of the Illumination, the working members who do everything from hunt down heretics and non-believers, dispense justice on the unfaithful, and act as informants. The Shields are further divided as follows.
Shield of Faith (AEgis Fidelis): These are the military wing of the Illumination, acting as soldiers, guards, and police. They are mainly warriors, fighters, and clerics. An Aegis Fidelis works in groups of 20, overseen by a Principale.
Spy Shield (AEgis Praecursor): These members are usually rogues, rangers (urban) or experts (with ranks in Profession: Spy) who spy on individuals or infiltrate groups to discover any violations of the AEtonist Mandate. The AEgis Praecursori typically work alone or in smaller groups, but each reports to a Principale (who can oversee approximately 10 Praecursori).
Principal (Principale): This is a low-level leader, equivalent to a corporal. They help to organize and coordinate missions among the Praecursori and the Fidelise.
First Shield (Primus AEgis): These are the higher-level commanders. One Primus Aegis commands 10 Principali, and therefore has command over approximately 200 Shields and 100 Spies.
