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The '''Order of Zakarum''' is one of the religions devoted to the [[Light]], but due to corruption, it became instrumental in the resurrection of the [[Prime Evils]]. It is possibly based on the Catholic Church of the 15th century.
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The '''Order of Zakarum''', otherwise known as the "Zakarum Church" and "Religion of the Light," is a religious order on [[Sanctuary]]. It is dedicated to the worship of the [[Light]] and its tenants, but often, its faith has led to fanaticism.
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==Formation==
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==Lore==
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In ages past, the [[Archangel]] [[Yaerius]] visited a young ascetic named [[Akarat]] and revealed to him the tenets of what was to become the religion of Zakarum. These teachings stressed the necessity of resisting all things evil, and embracing, with total devotion, the Light. The angel appointed Akarat to be the prophet of these new teachings, and bade him take the word to the people of all lands. This new religion spoke directly to the common man, and the people of [[Kurast]] embraced it. They sent disciples throughout [[Kehjistan]] to spread the word. Popular religious leaders soon sprung up, endorsed by the new church, and within half a century Zakarum was the dominant order of faith and binding political force in the East.
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===Origins===
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Zakarum has its origins in [[Akarat]], an ascetic who claimed to have been visited by the [[angel]] [[Yaerius]], who revealed to him the teachings of what would form the basis of Zakarum. These teachings stressed the necessity of resisting all things evil, and embracing, with total devotion, the Light. The angel appointed Akarat to be the prophet of these new teachings, and bade him take the word to the people of all lands.<ref name = "Zealot">[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-zakarumzealot.shtml Zakarum Zealot], ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2013-09-27</ref>
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==Organization==
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[[Deckard Cain]] had his own views on this event however. In his mind, what Akarat had really seen was an echo of sorts of [[Uldyssian]]'s final sacrifice, an act that some [[Mystic (Lore)|mystic]]s have been reported to have seen. He believed this act echoed throughout space and time, and can only be seen by those deep in meditation. Thus, Cain believed that Akarat had witnessed the phenomenon himself and interpreted it as the being Yaerius, "Yaerius" translating as "son of light" in his own language.<ref name = "BoC">''[[Book of Cain]]''</ref>
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The Zakarum are based at the city of [[Travincal]] in Kurast. Their ruling council, the [[High Council of Zakarum]], rules from the majestic [[Temple of Light]] in the middle of Travincal. The Zakarum is ruled by the [[Que-Hegan]], a godly figure similar to the real world Pope.
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===Spread===
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Akarat's philosophy spoke directly to the common man, and the people of [[Kurast]] embraced it. They sent disciples throughout [[Kehjistan]] to spread the word<ref name = "Zealot"/> and Akarat went himself, spreading the Word through Kehjistan's ancient cities. Over time, a number of disciples flocked to Akarat's side. In reality, Akarat never set out to create an organized religion, but simply wanted to spread word of the wonderous things he had seen so that people could live with goodness in their hearts. At some point (accounts vary on the date), Akarat disapeared into the jungles of Kehjistan, content that he had spread his word to as many people as he could. He was never seen again.<Ref name = "BoC"/>
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The Zakarumite Holy Army is composed of a complex hierarchy of many levels. The highest being the Que-Hegan and his seven Archbishops. Scores of [[Paladin]]s and Knights form the lower ranks.
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Over the following years, Akarat's ideals were carried on and preached in the streets of Kehjistan's cities by a devout few. Akarat had never given a name to his beliefs, for he had never intended them to become an actual institution. But nonetheless, the term "Zakarum" came into use in this period, a term used to describe those who followed the ideals of Zakara, or "inner Light." With the use of such a name, it was clear that the followers of Zakarum were becoming an organized group.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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==Diablo 2==
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===Rise===
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During the [[Timeline#1009|11th century]], the [[Horadrim]] were engaged in a hunt for the [[Prime Evils]], who had been banished to the mortal realm in the [[Dark Exile]]. With the capture of [[Mephisto]] and the binding of the Lord of Hatred in a [[soulstone]], the Horadrim turned to the Zakarum believers, who were at that time, still a small and humble order. [[Tal Rasha]], who had an affinity with the faith's monks, believed that they were the only individuals who could be trusted with guardian the soulstone and entrusted it to them. As the Horadrim continued their hunt for the Primes, the Zakarumites set about building a [[Temple of Light|temple]] in which they could safeguard Mephisto's soulstone. It was in the jungles of Kurast that they thus founded what would be known as [[Travincal]]. This humble place of worship would later grow into a massive temple city at the heart of eastern civilization.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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Thus, Zakarum grew even more. Popular religious leaders soon sprung up, endorsed by the new church, and within half a century Zakarum was the dominant order of faith and binding political force in the East. As the religion of Zakarum took hold in the East, they encountered many enclaves of [[demon]]ic followers. Some of these were fully corrupted, and easily identified, but many were under subtle demonic influence, and appeared to be noble and good.<ref name = "Zealot"/> With this, the Zakarum codified their beliefs and created a religious heirarchy composed of differing offices.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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===The Crusades===
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During the [[Timeline#Mid-Twelfth Century|mid-twelfth century]], after the Church of Zakarum had gained prominence in the East, the Church decreed that the visions of Akarat 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.
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Unfortunately, the Church had not prepared these men for the rigors of travel nor the hazards of the world. The 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. In practice, these "[[Protectors of the Word]]" proved to be more successful at converting the native peoples than the Priests that 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.
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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 inconvincible were deemed 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.
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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 the new Order of Paladins should protect the innocent, and that the evil corruption was rooted in their forebear's failure. They resolved to fight the true source of corruption, the Prime Evils. And so, these rebellious Paladins left their Zakarum brethren and ventured west.<ref name = "PaladinHistory"/>
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With the end of these crusades, Zakarum had spread to almost every corner of the world, with few regions untouched by its influence.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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===Corruption===
Following the capture of [[Mephisto]], his [[Soulstone]] was buried deep beneath the Temple of Light. There, Mephisto spread his influence all over the Zakarum ranks. He forced them to create the [[Compelling Orb]], with which he spread his influence all over [[Kurast]]. The only one to resist his corruption was the contemporary Que-Hegan, [[Khalim]]. Mephisto therefore ordered his followers to brutally murder Khalim, dismembering him and scattering his parts all over Kurast.
Following the capture of [[Mephisto]], his [[Soulstone]] was buried deep beneath the Temple of Light. There, Mephisto spread his influence all over the Zakarum ranks. He forced them to create the [[Compelling Orb]], with which he spread his influence all over [[Kurast]]. The only one to resist his corruption was the contemporary Que-Hegan, [[Khalim]]. Mephisto therefore ordered his followers to brutally murder Khalim, dismembering him and scattering his parts all over Kurast.
Mephisto then ordered the High Council to shatter his [[Soulstone]]. Six shards of the Soulstone were driven into the left palms of the High Council Priests. The seventh and largest shard was driven into [[Sankekur]], who would become the living embodiment of Mephisto, warped into an approximation of his master's true visage. Mephisto used his newfound followers to procure him power and nourishment in the form of human sacrifices.
Mephisto then ordered the High Council to shatter his [[Soulstone]]. Six shards of the Soulstone were driven into the left palms of the High Council Priests. The seventh and largest shard was driven into [[Sankekur]], who would become the living embodiment of Mephisto, warped into an approximation of his master's true visage. Mephisto used his newfound followers to procure him power and nourishment in the form of human sacrifices.
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Soon, [[Mephisto]] sent his favoured lackey, [[Archbishop Lazarus]], to the forests of [[Westmarch]] in order to free [[Diablo]] in [[Tristram]]. The Temple of Zakarum lost its former glory and the Temple of Light was soon renamed the [[Blackened Temple]]. Hordes of fanatic [[Zakarumites]] still run havoc in the once glittering streets of [[Travincal]], terrorizing the natives.
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Soon, [[Mephisto]] sent his favoured lackey, [[Archbishop Lazarus]], to the forests of [[Westmarch]] in order to free [[Diablo]] in [[Tristram]]. The Temple of Zakarum lost its former glory and the Temple of Light was soon renamed the [[Blackened Temple]]. Hordes of fanatic [[Zakarumites]] still run havoc in the once glittering streets of [[Travincal]], terrorizing the natives.{{fact}}
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== Diablo 3 ==
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In [[Diablo 3]], the Order of Zakarum still exists.
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===Reorganization===
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Over two decades later, Zakarum is still recovering from the effects of Mephisto's corruption and the actions of the heroes that defeated the Lord of Hatred.<Ref>2013-09-27, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/10070977018?page=2#34 Crusader and the Templar]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2013-09-27</ref> Still, the Zakarum remains an intolerant organization, and has a presence in [[Caldeum]], where it quarrels with the city's [[mage]] class.<ref>''[[Writings of Abd al-Hazir#Entry 2: Caldeum|Writings of Abd al-Hazir: Caldeum]]''</ref>
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==Organization==
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The Zakarum Church was a hierarchal body, composed of differring offices. The highest authority was that of the [[Que-Hegan]]. Under this figure, attendant archbishops of the [[High Council of Zakarum|High Council]] were tasked with administering the various territories under Zakarum control.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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The Church also maintained arms millitant. The Church had twelve [[Grand Inquisitor]]s originally to detect corruption within the populace. The number of inquisitors increased as the influence of the Prime Evils spread. Eventually, the [[Zakarum Priest|priesthood]] itself took on the role of judge and jury, and sent out the [[Zakarum Zealot]]s to play the role of executioner to any who were considered corrupted.<ref name = "Priest">[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-zakarumpriest.shtml Zakarum Priest], ''Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2013-09-27</ref> Additionally, the Church possessed at least two [[Paladin]] orders—the [[Protectors of the Word]] and the [[Hand of Zakarum]]. The former has long been defunct,<ref name = "PaladinHistory">[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/classes/paladinhistory.shtml Paladin History]. ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2013-09-27</ref> while the latter collapsed under the weight of the Zakarum's corruption.<ref name = "CrusaderTemplar">2013-09-25, [http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/10070977018#5 Crusader and the Templar]. ''Blizzard Entertainment'', accessed on 2013-09-25</ref>
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''[[The Visions of Akarat]]'' is a/the holy tome of the religion.<ref>[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/paladin-combat.shtml Paladin Combat]. ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2013-09-27</ref>
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===Tenants===
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Looking at available sources, Zakarum's tenants can be summized as such:
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*Embrace the Light with total devotion.<ref name = "Zealot"/>
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*Trust in the glory of the Light, for its authority supersedes all power in the mortal world.<ref>[http://classic.battle.net/diablo2exp/skills/paladin-defense.shtml Paladin Defense], ''The Arreat Summit''. Accessed on 2013-09-27</ref>
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*Resist all things evil.<Ref name = "Zealot"/>
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*The Light exists in everyone, regardless of race, religion, or social status.<ref name = "BoC"/>
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*The [[soul]]s of sinners are punished in [[Burning Hells|Hell]], while the souls of the faithful are rewarded in [[Heaven]].<Ref name = "BoC"/>
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==Trivia==
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{{trivia}}
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== External links ==
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It is possibly based on the Catholic Church of the 15th century.
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* [http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/monsters/act3-zakarumzealot.shtml]
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==Refernces==
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<References/>
{{Clans and Orders}}
{{Clans and Orders}}
[[Category:Zakarum]]
[[Category:Zakarum]]
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[[Category:Lore]]
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[[Category:Clans and Orders]]