Saradomin

Saradomin (pronounced "Sa-rah-dome-in", colloquially Sara) is the god of "pleasantry, order, and wisdom" and is one of the most popular gods. Little is known about his past, but he has a great number of followers, and there are far more churches dedicated to Saradomin than to Zamorak. Most of his followers reside in Misthalin, Asgarnia, Kandarin and Entrana, but there are several groups outside these areas. Unlike those of Zamorak or Guthix, his followers consist almost entirely of humans. Saradomin's symbol is a four-pointed star (that is usually coloured gold or silver). Full Saradomin armour comprises Saradomin platelegs/Saradomin plateskirt, Saradomin platebody, Saradomin full helm, and a Saradomin kiteshield.

However, it is arguable that being the god of "Order" is not necessarily the same as being the god of "Good", as his followers would kill for the greater maintenance of Order, rather than for the "greater good". Furthermore, the Church of Saradomin is somewhat corrupt, throwing suspicion onto Saradomin's beliefs, or, at least, his followers' interpretations of them.

In the FunOrb game Arcanists, statues of Saradomin can be found on the Sky Castle stage.



History of Saradomin


"Evil must be destroyed in all of its forms, not mollycoddled and allowed to spread. Should Guthix have his way, he would allow the evil Zamorakians free reign within my lands, spreading their forces like a cancer until they were ingrained so deeply, that to remove them would destroy the world. I will never permit such an abomination to occur on these lands, for I cannot suffer such evil to live on. Only through purification can we cleanse this world of all evil, and live in the utopia which my order offers, yet foolish Guthix cannot see how my path is the only true way this world may flourish!"

- Saradomin

Compared to other main gods not much is known about Saradomin's past. But it is known that he set his first foot on Gielinor on the island Entrana. This why all Saradomin's followers have always considered the island as the holiest place in all of Gielinor. He most likely arrived along with other gods such as Armadyl and Zaros in the second age, shortly after Guthix went in slumber after shaping the world.

Soon after the gods arrived on Gielinor, they started to conquer land. Saradomin's biggest known settlement at that time was the city of Hallowvale. Hallowvale was a mighty city inhabited with Icyene and humans, and ruled by queen Efaritay and king Ascertes. Hallowvale still exists today under the name of Meiyerditch. Entrana remained under the control of Saradomin through the entire second age, and a fortress was also built on Dragontooth island. He also possibly conquered areas in modern day Asgarnia. In the second age Saradomin had a strong alliance with Armadyl, wether this friendship started before or after their arrival on Gielinor is still unknown. For reasons unknown, he appeared to have bad terms with Zaros, who ruled the mightiest empire of the entire second age.

Near the end of the second age, the Zarosian Mahjarrat general Zamorak started to make plans to overthrow his master. Many Mahjarrats sided with him, and Saradomin sent spies to Zamorak's base of operation in order to keep an eye on him.

When the staff of Armadyl, an extremely powerful artefact owned by the god Armadyl, was taken by a Saradomin followers named Valdez, he wanted to take the artefact to Saradomin. However, through a series of unfortunate and accidental actions where some Saradominists played a role in, the staff fell in the hands of Zamorak. With the power of the staff, Zamorak challenged Zaros to combat, which led to Zaros' banishment. Zamorak, who absorbed most of Zaros' power, was banished as well by Saradomin and the other gods, but he later returned as a god himself. Since Zaros' banishment, Saradomin had always been doing anything to cover up any information about Zaros, mainly to prevent him from returning.

After Zaros' banishment, many of his followers sided with Zamorak, and the remaining Zarosian settlements were soon destroyed. Mostly by Saradomin and Zamorak. However, after the destruction of the empire, Zamorak turned against the other gods. This marked the beginning of the infamous god wars.

Senntisten was the only settlement to survive the many attacks of Saradomin and Zamorak, making it the last Zarosian settlement of that time.

The other gods, including Saradomin, soon wanted to conquer the lands Zaros once ruled. Many battles were held mainly in Forinthry, because it's many resources many gods wanted control over it. However, the war escalated to the rest of Gielinor, and soon the entire world was in war.

Saradomin was one of the most active gods of the god wars, fighting against the armies of Zamorak, who turned into his worst enemy. Many Icyenes from Hallowvale left the city in order to fight for their god. Entrana still remained in Saradomin's hands during the wars. Saradomin claimed most victory in the areas of modern-day Asgarnia and Misthalin.

However, as much as Saradomin fought against Zamorak, he couldn't prevent him from being able to claim victory, Hallowvale soon fell to the hands of the vampyre lord Drakan, with an army granted by Zamorak in exchange for helping him in the overthrow of Zaros. And many Icyenes, which were Saradomin's strongest tool for the war, were wiped out during the many battles. Zamorak gathered an army so powerful that he could claim full victory.

In a last effort to destroy Zamorak, Saradomin called Armadyl and Bandos together and decided to create the godsword, an artefact so powerful that it could kill a god.

Saradomin gathered a last army to fight Zamorak's unstoppable forces. And the aviantese of Armadyl got the task to deliver the godsword to this army. But they were ambushed by Zamorak's forces while Saradomin's army was attacked as well. The aviantese retreated into the god wars dungeon, and Saradomin and Bandos sent their forces to the dungeon to aid the aviantese. But the lack of trust caused the gods to turn against each other, and soon each god fought over the godsword in this dungeon.

Before any god could claim the godsword, however, Guthix awoke from his slumber and immediately put an end to the God wars. The combatants of the dungeon were left frozen in the dungeon, and the edicts of Guthix were put in place. These edicts banished all gods from Gielinor and prevented them from ever returning. They could still make contact with the world however. Saradomin also included these gods.

In the fourth age, the numbers of Saradomin followers raised greatly. And he is currently the most worshipped god of the world. The church of Saradomin was found, rising the religion even more. In most human kingdoms, following Zamorak became an illegal action.

Saradomin's followers consisted almost entirely of humans from that point onwards.

In response to his statements, such as claiming to have created Gielinor, Saradomin responds: "Ah... but have you questioned whatever motives Guthix himself might have, to slander me so outrageously? Would you give him the credit for the peace that mostly reigns upon this world for his contribution of sleep? I call this world my creation, for the value system of honour, and courage, and mercy, and wisdom are attributes that I brought to this once barbaric land! It is true, I did not physically create the raw material of this world, but I have shaped and sculpted it into the glorious land that it is today!" Also, Sir Amik Varze, though having mysteriously come to rule over Falador through King Vallance's absence, claims that killing an 'unarmed foe', even a Zamorakian as murderous and dangerous as Solus Dellagar is against the way of his Knights and that of Saradomin, a teaching written in Saradomin's Holy book: "Show love to your friends, and mercy to your enemies, and know that the wisdom of Saradomin will follow."

Affiliated Items



 * Monk's robe (top)
 * Monk's robe (bottom)
 * Holy Symbol
 * Salve Amulet and Salve amulet (e)
 * Holy book
 * Saradomin staff
 * Saradomin Cape
 * Gravy Boat of Saradomin
 * Saradomin brew
 * Saradomin arrow
 * Ring of Devotion

Saradomin Armour
 * Saradomin full helmet
 * Saradomin platebody
 * Saradomin plateskirt
 * Saradomin platelegs
 * Saradomin kiteshield
 * All White Knight armour
 * All Proselyte and Initiate armour.

Saradomin Weapons
 * Saradomin mjolnir
 * Saradomin sword
 * Saradomin Godsword
 * All the White Knight weapons
 * Saradomin bow

Vestments Saradomin Ranger Armour
 * Stole
 * Crozier
 * Mitre
 * Vestment cloak
 * Vestment robe
 * Saradomin coif
 * Saradomin bracers
 * Saradomin chaps
 * Saradomin D'hide
 * Saradomin Blessed Dragonhide Armour

Costume Colours
 * Saradomin Blue
 * Saradomin Blue Breeze

Followers
Some Saradominists believe that there are only three gods, denying the existence of other gods/demi-gods.

Groups and races

 * Wizard
 * Man - Most citizens of RuneScape, primarily in Misthalin, Asgarnia and Kandarin, follow Saradomin.
 * Monk - Men who have devoted their life to the follow of Saradomin.
 * Myreque - An organisation plotting against Lord Drakan in Morytania.
 * H.A.M. - An extremist cult trying to destroy non-human races.
 * White Knights - An organisation centred in and devoted to the protection of Asgarnia. Headquartered in Falador.
 * Temple knights - An ancient organisation tied to the White Knights who were involved in the Sea Slug conflicts of the Third Age.
 * Icyene - A near-extinct race of winged humanoids.
 * Holy Order of Paladins
 * At least some Centaurs.

Notable individuals

 * Commander Zilyana - Leader of Saradomin's army in the God Wars Dungeon, who is possibly one of the few remaining Icyenes.
 * Wise Old Man - Famous Saradominist hero and mage.
 * Sigmund - Former advisor to the Duke of Lumbridge. He became the leader of his own split faction of the H.A.M cult. After a few failed attempts to destroy the Dorgeshuun, he is killed by Zanik.
 * Drezel - The priest in Paterdomus, the ancient temple dedicated to Saradomin that protects Misthalin from Morytania's evil taint. He plays a role in several quests.
 * Zealot - A Saradominist zealot on a mission to investigate the Abandoned Mine.
 * Roddeck - the advisor
 * Sir Vant and his Squire - 2 of the 3 who slew the dragon in unstable foundations, 1 deceased
 * The Barrows Brothers (Formerly) - Six powerful warriors sent to Morytania in the Third Age.
 * Brother Jered - Leader of the Monastery located west of Edgeville
 * Sir Amik Varze - Leader of the White Knights of Falador and Current ruler of Asgarnia.
 * King Tyras - Ruler of West Ardougne and brother of the evil King Lathas.
 * Sir Tiffy Cashien - Head of the recruitment of the Temple Knights.
 * Abbot Langsley - Monk guard of the Monastery.
 * Silif - A spy working for Akrisae Kolluym who helps in While Guthix Sleeps.
 * Akrisae - A Saradomin priest who acts as a representative of the Temple Knights during While Guthix Sleeps.
 * High Priest - Leader of the monastery on Entrana.
 * Brother Constantius - A Priest who fought in the God Wars, killed by Guthix in the God Wars Dungeon (in Armies of Gielinor).
 * Veliaf Hurtz - Leader of the Myrque in Mort Myre.
 * Ivan Strom - Priest who aided the Myrque in their fight for freedom.
 * Aeonisig Raispher - Advisor to King Roald on spiritual matters concerning Saradominists.
 * Lumbridge Sage - A guide who helps new players in Lumbridge.
 * Vannaka - Slayer master who formerly served in Saradomin's armies.
 * Duke Horacio- The leader of Lumbridge.
 * Sir Vyvin- The knight who plays in role in the quest Knight's Sword.
 * Father Lawrence- The father who lives in the church in the northern Varrock.
 * Father Aereck- The father found in the church in the Lumbridge.

Animals

 * Unicorns
 * Rabbits (including the Easter bunny and his son)
 * Saradomin owls

Trivia

 * Saradomin is referenced in the 2009 Thanksgiving Event when the Cook's Brother tells the player that the sacred gravy comes from the "Gravy Boat of Saradomin".
 * The pillars inside the Fist of Guthix activity cave are engraved with the Saradomin symbol. This was done by Saradominist Knights who where trying to claim the area as a temple from the Zamorakians who held it earlier, according to a Postbag from the Hedge.
 * The original symbol of Saradomin was a cross.
 * Saradominism is believed to be based on real life Christianity. Although lacking the parallel figure to Jesus Christ, Saradominism's reference to Christianity (more so than similar religions such as Judaism or Islam) can be seen in the design of many parallels and symbols. This includes the altars (which are real-life church designs with pews, stained glass etc., this is not seen in Judaism/Islam), its association with angelic winged beings (the Icyene, which corresponds roughly to Christian angels), the various monks and other Saradomin followers which are comparable with real-life christian monks, its affilation to light, good and holiness, its symbol (the four-pointed star) which is believed to be a reference to the Christian crucifix; all of these have close resemblance to Christianity. Even the blue trim you can find on the Saradomin vestment set can be directly linked to the real-life (old testament) bible, in which the blue trim should remind the Israelites to obey the commandments - this might bring an interesting new view on the Rune trimmed armour sets, since it also has a blue trim, though it's a different shade of blue. The trim of other gods may also have a similar meaning.
 * Although prayer armour - initiate and proselyte - are considered Saradomin items they cannot be used to stop followers in the God Wars dungeon on the Saradomin side from attacking you.
 * The text in the statue of Saradomin in the north of Falador states "Big beard, robes - yeah that's Saradomin".
 * The Law altar is on Entrana although Armadyl is the god of law, not Saradomin.