Church of Solumen

Overview

The Church of Solumen is the dominant religious institution on the continent of Pywel in Crimson Desert. Its followers worship Solumen, the god of light, and the faith holds its strongest influence across the southern reaches of the continent. The phrase "May Solumen's blessing guide you" is a common greeting among believers and can be heard frequently from NPCs throughout the game world.

As a religious order within the faction system, the Church of Solumen is classified as a benevolent faction. Players can interact with the Church through quests, donations, and by assisting its clergy. The Church operates multiple parish chapters across different regions, including the Hernandian Parish of Solumen, which administers the faith within the Duchy of Hernand.

Details

Theology and Beliefs

The Church of Solumen teaches that Solumen created the divine order that governs all life on Pywel. The core tenet of the faith is that living in accordance with this divine order is the true path of life. Followers are expected to uphold virtue, maintain social harmony, and respect the natural hierarchies established by the god of light.

Although the Church's scriptures recount many miracles performed by Solumen, praying for miracles is considered taboo. The clergy teaches that asking for divine intervention contradicts the faith's fundamental principle: that mortals should live rightly on their own, guided by divine order rather than relying on supernatural aid. This doctrine sets the Church of Solumen apart from other fantasy religions that center around prayer and divine favors. Worshippers are expected to act as stewards of the light through their own conduct, not as petitioners begging for celestial handouts.

This anti-miracle stance creates tension within the faith itself. Some congregations, particularly in remote areas where hardship is more immediate, struggle with a doctrine that tells suffering people not to pray for relief. The Hernandian Parish of Solumen exists in part because regional differences in interpretation required a degree of administrative independence.

Influence and Reach

The Church maintains its strongest presence in southern Pywel, where it functions as a major social and political institution. In the Duchy of Hernand, the Church operates through the Hernandian Parish, which oversees multiple churches and temples across the region. Known locations affiliated with the Church include the Church of Calphade, the Church of Hernand in the City of Hernand, the Church of Vellua, and the settlement of Senia.

The Church's influence extends beyond spiritual matters into politics and governance. Faith in Solumen is common ground between regions that otherwise have difficult relationships. Hernand and Demeniss share an uneasy history, but their shared devotion to Solumen provides one of the few bridges between them. The establishment of the independent Hernandian Parish was itself a political act: it prevented religion from being weaponized in the ongoing tensions between the two regions.

Relationship with Other Factions

The Church of Solumen's primary adversary is the Antumbra Order, a dark religion that actively profanes light and life. Where the Church preaches living according to divine order, the Antumbra Order practices human sacrifice and worships darkness. The conflict between these two religious factions runs deep; the Antumbra Order's sanctuaries are spread across Pywel, often hidden in locations where the Church's reach is weakest.

The Church maintains cooperative relations with the noble houses of Hernand, particularly House Celeste, the ducal house that governs the region. The Demeniss Cathedral represents the broader ecclesiastical authority, and it tacitly permitted the creation of the Hernandian Parish to keep the peace.

Gameplay

Players encounter the Church of Solumen throughout their travels in Hernand and southern Pywel. Churches affiliated with the faith can offer quests, serve as rest points, and provide NPCs who give lore context about the world's religious landscape. The Church's settlements can be targeted by hostile factions through the blockade system, and players may need to liberate occupied churches to restore their services.

Increasing standing with the Church of Solumen through the Contribution system opens access to faction-specific rewards and vendors. As with all benevolent factions, the Church's NPCs become more helpful and offer better services as the player's reputation improves.

Tips

• Talk to priests and clergy at any Church of Solumen location for lore about the region's history and ongoing conflicts.

• If a Church settlement is blockaded by a hostile faction, liberating it restores vendors and quest-givers.

• The Church's doctrine about rejecting miracles comes up in dialogue. Choosing responses that align with this teaching can improve faction standing.

• Visit the Church of Hernand in the City of Hernand early for introductory quests related to the faith.