Spoiler: On the Nine Lights
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On the whole, the Nine Lights holds a very light touch on the day to day lives of its worshippers. For the most part, those born in Svaatyr require no book or checklist on how to act passed down by the church, for these teachings are woven into the very fabric of their education and society. However, question raised by the UPT do present the valid point that those not raised in such conditions, who converted later in life, may require more concise clarification.
It should be prefaced that what follows is not a list of divine proclamations. The Nine, by their natures, leave mortals to their own devices. Were they to take an active hand in shaping the course of civilisation, it would negate the very reason they created it. Individual will is important, which is why the church prefers to guide than command.
Regardless of this, The Nine are beings of immense wisdom, and their primary traits are worth emulating. Equally, it is on the very rarest of occasions that one deems to suggest a course of action. They leave ample space to refuse, but to do so would be folly, knowing full well as the Nine do the full ramifications of any given choice. Their titles are self-explanatory, but some cultural nuance appears to be lost in translation, so for expediency’s sake they shall be clarified here. All Nine are possessed of incredible foresight, but each has been shown to apply it in subtly different ways.
Viiqr-Zel Mrrn, The Light of Compassion, has been and remains the most active of The Nine. More so than any other, she believes that wisdom should be used not only for the benefit of oneself, but others too. To allow tragedy that was seen and could have been prevented is little better than bringing that tragedy to be with your own hands. Fully four times has she directly interceeded - most famously (and likely against the will of the other eight), she revealed the existence of the isle now known as Viiqres to its nearest neighbours while it suffered terribly from natural disasters, and petitioned them to send aid.
To Tyaam-Zel Fiiqam, The Light of Ingenuity, a future that is likely or obvious is not the same as one that is good. It is a commonly held belief that it was Fiiqam who suggested the creation of the Nolkir, though he of course remains silent on the matter. Regardless of his own actions, Fiiqam teaches to not settle for a course simply because it is easy or obvious, and to at least consider any option, no matter how unlikely. It was his single proclamation that led to the immediate ban on fossil fuels not long after their discovery - most believe this was reminder to not take the easy route, but with the benefit of hindsight others suspect he personally disliked the long term impact.
Oft considered the twin brother of Mrrn, Kaza-Zel Melqrrn, The Light of Judgement, holds that those who act without wisdom should not be permitted to do so. For this reason, when councel is sought on a choice, it is usually presented before him, for he is far more willing to show displeasure at a poor choice. It is equally for this reason that he teaches to consider well the negative ramifications of a choice, beyond simply what can be gained. He has interceeded twice - it was his word that ended the reign of the mad tyrant Hrrtya, inciting a coup that was near absolute in its support.
Zeliiv-Zel Zanrt, The Light of Shadows, could also potentially be described as a goddess of the hunt, though her quarry is secrets rather than flesh. Though none of the Nine are known for their direct answers, Zanrt is particularly infamous for the complexity of the riddles she poses. Knowledge is a thing to be earned, or else it holds little meaning, though it should also not be begrudged to those who have done so. As such, she teaches to both seek and protect secrets in equal measure.
Zelzyr-Zel Lrnaas, The Light of Dawn is perhaps the most muddied by translation, for a less literal translation of Zelzyr would be hope. Lrnaas, more than any other, looks towards the brightest futures. No matter the darkness, there is a future in which dawn shall break through it. Despite this, she does not encourage complacency, nor willing blindness to darkness. Instead, she teaches that the brighter future should be sought, and then worked to bring to fruition. Though she has no direct interventions of record, she is known to fly overhead in the darkest of times, allowing her presence alone to act as a reminder that the future is not lost.
The most passive of The Nine, Seel-Zel Namees, The Light of Knowledge teaches that the acquisition of knowledge is its own reward. More importantly, he teaches that that which is known should not be forgotten, for knowledge wasted is worse even than knowledge passed over. His personal repository of knowledge is unfathomable, for he has forgotten nothing in the untold aeons of his being. From his position at the very heart of Svaatyr, this knowledge can be bought, but only at the expansion of his mental collection.
To Vanrt-Zel Sonara, The Light of Certainty, no amount of foresight or wisdom will aid those without the will to act upon it. While foresight is a gift, it carries with it a second edge, and Sonara reminds to not allow wisdom to fall beneath the churning waters of hesistation and indescicion. Never has he directly suggested a course of action, but many instances exist in history of great leaders visited on the eve of a turning point of fate, and always with the same simple question “Are you sure?”. To both weal and woe does he speak this. All that matters is the strength to press ahead.
Percieved the youngest of the Nine, Avrne-Zel Tetyr, The Light of Curiosity is in many ways the other side of Namees’ coin, the active to his passive. She ever seeks the new, and yearns to know where the light touches when it slips beyond the horizon. She has visited every world Svaatyr has added, for her eyes crave to see the future first hand. Perhaps knowing this, it was not to Svaatyr itself that the message to build the capsule was given, but Tetyr, leading her to make her first proclamation. To follow the current that had come to their shores. That Svaatyr would have done so anyway was besides the point.
First among equals, Zrvesiiv-Zel Voolr, The Light of Eternity’s foresight is without peer. No future, no potentiality exists beyond his gaze. Every past that never was, every present that could have been, every future that yet could be. All are his, and his alone. His was the mind that unveiled the mechanisms of time itself, and what other mind could understand it so completely? To truly emulate such a mind is impossible, but his distant gaze can still teach, to not allow a single potentiality to consume the mind, to ever be watchful and prepared for any outcome.
Though some questioned the wisdom of aiding the WWE against the Same, it was patently obvious they were woefully unprepared for the assault. Though both compassion and a desire to prove Svaatyrn superiority were present, both paled compared to the knowledge gained from actual combat with the Same, especially in a situation where Svaatyr itself was not immediately at risk.
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