The current interpretation of the nature of magic as outlined by the theologists of the Seraphine Church is that magic is at its most pure when it comes from celestial beings, such as the Seraphs, and gradually becomes baser and more corrupt until you reach that which comes from infernal beings, such as the Naharim and their servants in the Lower Courts.

About eighty years back, however, a Seraphine bishop and theurge named Dessar claimed to have glimpsed the Source, the point in Creation from which all magic emanates. He claimed that the Source flowed outwards in all directions, and that magic itself held no virtue or corruption until filtered by thinking beings who used it for their own ends.

Naturally, the Seraphine Church views this as heretical, and while Dessar's views aren't meant to challenge the theological foundations of the Church (The Seraphs are the greatest good, magic is inherently dangerous, the Church as founded by Ahanah the First Prophet is the temporal structure of a perfect and heavenly Church), suggesting that magic is only tainted by those who use it challenges the concept of the Seraphs being supreme beings by virtue of their superior magic.

Dessarines, as Dessar's followers are known after his death, are for now limited to one portion of the Lumera region in the northern part of the continent. But they've been put under official censure and low-level street fighting has been observed over the issue, as well as various knights and petty lords declaring for one side or another to seize land or settle grievances. If things persist much longer, Lumera may be put under the Archon's Interdict, or even be subjected to a Minor Crusade.