Theocracy

• Circa 5000: Sanctara's Theocracy emerges, built on early nation ruins (the Mist Confederacies). These nations harness aetheric fonts.
• Circa 5200: Sanctara resists Dawn Haven in the Dawnforge War.

The Pontiff

The Pontiff of the Sacred Blade is elected by a fallible and possibly corrupted council of the high clergy, the Archprelates (from Greek archos, "chief," and Latin praelatus, "one set above others"). There were once 33.

The current Pontiff, Clement VI, a name chosen on his ascension, has been calling out those who disagree with his actions as blasphemers and having them excommunicated and executed summarily. Seven Archprelates have died this way, leaving 26. It is relatively public knowledge, and after the first few executions the survivors learned not to be vocal dissenters. Among the common folk each execution is spoken of as "a bell"; people speak of the Seven Bells without tipping off the guards.

Clement VI has twisted the faith to his own means. He desires control, the death of all dragonkind, and the supremacy of humans.

The Old Faith

The faith once held two dragons: Bahamut the silver dragon and Tiamat the chaos dragon. They were not gods, but the two oldest living dragons. Together they decided the dragons needed a god, Klythar, and began spreading word of him, but Tiamat manipulated the dragons to make Klythar dark and what he has become.

The knights of the old faith fought alongside Bahamut but were struck down. Bahamut gave his life and all his magic to revive them, to rise against Tiamat and end her. That is how the knights ascended to deity status in the faith.

Clement VI has tried to erase Bahamut from the faith. Even uttering his name is now blasphemy that warrants execution.