Difference between revisions of "Zakarum"

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The Zakarum (also known as the Church if Zakarum or the Church of Light and its followers the Children of Zakarum) is a religion that became powerful and prominent during the events of Diablo 2. It has several subordinate organisations, including the Paladins. The leadership of the Zakarum became corrupted, and much of the organisation was destroyed in the conflict between the three great demons.

It is the religion of the Paladins.

Background

The Zakarum religion was started well before the mid-twelfth century based on the visions of Akarat. It is said that he started the religion after the visit of Archangel Yaerius in his dreams. These visions most likely included some sort of divine intervention, or possibly a demonic one. The book Visions of Akarat is likely the main holy writing for the Zakarum, but it's also possible other chronicles of Akarat's life is in existence.[1]

The Church of Zakarum gained prominence in the East, and the leaders of the Church decreed Akarat's visions would be spread throughout the known world in order to redeem the masses. Thus, the Church selected a group of its most charismatic and devoted priests and sent them on a mission to proselytize the people of the West.

Unfortunately the Church had not prepared these men for the rigours of travel or the hazards of the world. Those priests who survived their missions recounted tales of harsh weather, inadequate supplies, attacks from bandits and even encounters with horrible monsters.

To ensure the success of future missions, the Church set about training holy warriors, Paladins, to accompany and safeguard their missionaries. These "Protectors of the Word" proved to be more successful at converting the native peoples than the Priests they were assigned to defend. Impressing the locals with daring deeds, powerful weapons, and martial prowess was far more convincing than the condemnations of a soft-spoken monk. However, once the Word had been spread to every major city of the West, the "Protectors of the Word" faded from public view.

Some decades later, Paladins were again called into service. During the height of the Time of Troubles, the Church commenced a second campaign of conversion. This time, however, the unconvincable were deemed to be evil. The Zakarum Inquisition spread through the lands like a tempest, laying waste to all suspected of demonic possession or corruption. Leading this crusade was a new generation of Paladins, known as the "Hand of Zakarum". These cavaliers of righteousness swept through the lands, expunging the taint of demonic contamination wherever they found it.

In the midst of this bloody crusade, a rebellion arose within the ranks of the Paladins of Zakarum. The rebels condemned the methods of the Inquisition, proclaiming that their new Order of Paladins should protect the innocent, and that the evil corruption they fought was merely evidence of their forebear's failure. They resolved to fight the true source of corruption, the Three Prime Evils - Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto. And so, these rebellious Paladins left their Zakarum brethren and ventured west.

Paladins use holy magic as gifted by the High Heavens. They must maintain strictly ordered lives, constantly upholding the cause of Virtue and Light. They must never succumb to worldly temptations lest they risk being deceived into following "false lights" — demons masquerading as Heavenly beings.

Paladins may use their skills to increase their prowess with sword and shield, as well as lend blessing "Auras" to themselves and to any who join them. They are particularly effective against the undead, as they know many holy incantations effective against these types of creatures.

Organisation

There are no detailed accounts on exactly how the Church of Zakarum is organised, but at the time of 20 years ago it was lead by a High Council, who governed the Church. A Que-Hegan, also known as a Great Patriarch lead the Council. There might have been additional ranks to the Church, but somewhere under the High Council there was Arch Bishops, Bishops, Priests, Priestesses, Paladins, nuns[2] and monks.

Of course, this was when Sankekur was the leader of the Zakarum, and embodiment of Mephisto, so they might have moved away from this.

Priests and priestesses of Zakarum don't practice chastity vows.[3]

References

• Deckard Cain Diablo II dialogues
• Ormus Diablo II dialogues
• Diablo II Manual
• Diablo II: Lord of Destruction Manual
• Abd al-Hazir Entry no. 0041: The Archivist
• [[Visions of Akarat]