LIGHTBEARERS

Overview
In the struggle to help humanity emerge from the darkness, the Lightbearers have picked up the torch. Keeping to the path their leader, Shakti, had blazed for them after the Fall, the Lightbearers try to make a difference, whether through healing the population, defending fledgling towns, or teaching their philosophy of moderation and light. If they don’t try to save the world, who will?

The Lightbearers’ mission to restore health and safety to humanity gathers many to their banner. Doctors have brought their knowledge of the healing arts and the tattered remains of the Hippocratic Oath to the group. Martial artists who have chosen to use their abilities to help and protect others have become the group’s warriors and defenders. Spiritual students have put a worthy philosophy into practice through the good works of Shakti’s followers. Those mutated by the dreaded Shiva Virus have found guidance and training with the Lightbearers.

Rumors abound that a branch of the Lightbearers believes that mutants are superior to normal humans, and that the Lightbearers harbor a secret society of deadly assassins who stand ready to quell those who oppose the faction’s goals. Only the Lightbearers know the truth, but it is clear they have the most knowledge about mutations. It is also clear that the Lightbearers’ highly trained fighters are some of the deadliest in the Province. Not everyone puts the needs of the many above themselves, so the Lightbearers have been forced to learn to defend themselves from those who oppose their efforts.

The Enforcers and the Lightbearers became allies soon after the Enforcers’ present leader, Colonel Pryce, warned the Lightbearers of an incoming attack on the Monastery by Alec Masters’ forces. Shakti herself—along with four of the Lightbearers’ Grandmasters and about thirty or so of the order’s best warriors—remained to fight a long, hard, and ultimately lost battle against Masters’ battalions, sacrificing themselves so the other Lightbearers could escape destruction. Since then, Colonel Pryce and two Grandmasters have worked together to try and restore peace and structure to a chaotic world.

Leaders
The Lightbearers are led by six Grandmasters who comprise Council—all of whom are selected by their predecessors. Unfortunately, four of the Grandmasters on the Council went missing when contact was lost with the Monastery, leaving only two Grandmasters to preside until what happened to the missing leaders can be determined.

Core Views
Spiritual development and mutations are the path to enlightenment.

Enemies
The primary enemies of the Lightbearers are the Travelers because they sow material concerns and greed, whereas the Lightbearers try to reap the value of inner light. The two groups have rarely come to blows, but they do loathe each other. Traveler caravans are never welcome at Lightbearer camps, and neither are Lightbearer missionaries welcome in Traveler caravans.

The destructive and chaotic lifestyle of the CHOTA is antithetical to the Lightbearers, despite the fact that the two groups both have a large number of mutants in their ranks. The Lightbearers often end up defending their settlements from CHOTA attacks, though the CHOTA usually prefer targets like the Enforcers and Techs, when available.

While the Lightbearers do use some advanced medical technology, they do not trust highly complex technology in general; therefore, they find the all-consuming pursuit of the Techs somewhat disturbing. The Lightbearers have heard stories of what happened in Hoover Dam from refugees and mutant survivors, and the Techs do not seem to have shown the same remorse for their actions that the Enforcers have. Generally, Lightbearers believe the Techs will revert to their old ways and therefore should be watched.

Allies
Since their reorganization by Colonel Pryce, the Enforcers have been a ready ally of the Lightbearers, as their attempts to spread peace and order in the Province are in line with Lightbearer goals. The Lightbearers are still wary of the Enforcers due to their checkered past, but for now, Lightbearers are giving them the benefit of the doubt.

For many years, the Lightbearers have traded with the Vistas, exchanging medicine for food and livestock. The two groups are geographically close, which further encourages interaction between them.