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Los Iluminados ("The Enlightened Ones" in English) is a syncretic religion which is native to Valdelobos, a rural part of Spain. They serve as the main antagonists of Resident Evil 4 and its 2023 remake.

They are responsible for the kidnapping of Ashley Graham, the daughter of the president of the United States of America, and planned to use her to take control of the U.S. government and eventually the rest of the world. The cult uses a parasitic arthropod known as the Las Plagas to control its members.

History[]

Background[]

Los Illuminados worship

Several Zealots of the Los Iluminados worshiping the cult's insignia with an offering.

Early archaeological evidence suggest that Los Illuminados have been active for thousands of years, with various cave paintings depicting human sacrifices and the Las Plagas. However, some time during 15th century, the first Castellan of the Salazar family, Gregorio Salazar, eventually outlawed the religion of the Los Illuminados, sealing the Las Plagas in a series of caves beneath his castle.

The cult was eventually revived by Osmund Saddler, an enigmatic figure who revived the cult as its Prophet for his own ends. He convinced Ramón Salazar, the 8th Castellan of his family, to release Las Plagas as form of atonement for what his ancestors had done, taking advantages of the young nobleman's loneliness and poor opinions about them. Soon, Salazar had workers from the nearby village begin mining in the caves and his castle became a base for Los Iluminados. Eventually, the Las Plagas were re-released, but it seemed as if they couldn't be brought back, since all that was found were fossilized Plagas remains.

However, the parasites were actually alive, surviving all those years by lying dormant at a cellular level and taking a spore-like form. These infected the workers, eventually becoming full-grown Las Plagas and Saddler began using them to produce more parasites, which allowed him to secure complete control over Los Iluminados and grant the members the mutagenic powers of the parasites. Saddler himself took in a Master Plaga to have complete control over every other and injected his higher ranking servants with similar, though lesser, Plagas to let them direct the Ganados. The villagers returned to their normal lives, working on farms and in the mine, attending cult services and protecting against outsiders while the main Los Iluminados members performed dark rituals in the name of Lord Saddler and their religion.

Based on historical records kept by the Los Illuminados as revealed in the remake, it emerged publicly as a heretical sect by 1554, as dated by an inscription from Prophet Adam Saddler. After a crusade in 1741 during the time of Prophet Hester Saddler, the Salazar family successfully wiped them out and sealed the Las Plagas deep in the tombs beneath the Salazar Castle. Since then the descendants of Adam Saddler have vowed to revive the cult one again.

Eventually, Osmund Saddler, Adam Saddler's heir, saw it fit to restore Los Iluminados to its former glory through a new approach, using technology as a means of proselytism. He appeared before Salazar family as a healer who saved the life of Ramón Salazar in order to gain their trust. In return, Ramón Salazar came to idolize him and, with some convincing from his savior, converted to Los Iluminados' faith. Salazar soon ordered the reopening of the caverns beneath the castle so Saddler able to retrieve the Plaga remains, whose DNA could be used for a cloning project.

During the excavation, they discovered Las Plagas had since fossilized, encased within massive chunks of amber. Those ambers then carefully relocated to the cult's sanctuary in the Island so scientists under the cult's employment could revive them via. cloning. But as it turned out, the parasites were still alive albeit in the state of suspended animation with ambers encasing them being possibly hardened secretions they produced to protect themselves from harm during their imprisonment. One of workers accidentally broke a small piece of the amber during the excavation and subsequently infected by the revived parasite within. Soon, the same worker embraced the faith of Los Iluminados with the cult worked on improving resusciated Plagas, leading to development of artificial variant of the rare Dominant Species plaga.

Members of the cult, along with much of the local population and militia stationed in the Island who had joined the cult, were "baptized" via. injection of a Plaga egg. Whereas Ramón Salazar and Bitores Méndez attained Dominant Species Plagas, the rest were given recessive variant instead. Salazar himself hosted his very own Dominant Species Plaga as much as his two confidants, allowing them to share control over the rest of the cult and villagers who became Ganados. The villagers returned to their normal lives, working on farms and in the mine, attending cult services and protecting against outsiders while the main Los Iluminados members performed dark rituals in the name of Lord Saddler and their religion. Among rituals in question were sacrificing people passing by the region and having selected few among cultists to painfully unveil their Plagas.

Resident Evil 4[]

However, Jack Krauser came to the village, seeking Las Plagas, and kidnapped Ashley Graham, daughter of the U.S. president. Los Iluminados planned to use her in a plan to take over the world, infect her with the parasite and then give her back to her father (in exchange for a ransom), so that she would infect him and other major American political leaders. As a backup plan, Los Iluminados planned to use Saddler's paramillitary force to infiltrate the U.S. and generate discord from within, gaining new cult members at the same time. However, when Leon S. Kennedy arrived, he did major damage to the Los Iluminados in his mission to save Ashley, taking down its key members before finally killing Osmund Saddler, destroying the Master Plaga and presumably bringing an end to the cult. To add insult to injury, the knowledge of the cult's activities reached the Spanish government who responded by enacting heavy sanctions, sending in a squad to exterminate those who were determined to have been carrying the parasite and imposed a quarantine against the Iluminados homestead due to the threat posed by wild Plaga, which continued to infect many of those who returned home.

Resident Evil: Vendetta[]

Still, despite majorities of the cult content with peaceful life within the lockdown due to being self-reliant and seldom disturbed by outsiders, a handful of its members still bitter by the damage Leon S. Kennedy done from stopping the cult from spreading its teachings and Las Plagas worldwide. In fact, it was same members who conspired with Glenn Arias in the latter's research with bio-organic weapons hoping his massive terror attack in New York would ensure their losses were avenged.

Types[]

Villagers[]

Villager of Ganado

Ganado Villagers.

Residents from the Ganado-controlled Valdelobos are also loyal members of the cult, they were given specific orders from Saddler himself to kill any intruders to the Village who infiltrated it as well as keep Ashley imprisoned within the church. They were partly responsible for the release of the parasites; hired Miners from the Village dug out Las Plagas under the leadership of both Saddler and one of his most trusted lieutenants: Ramon Salazar. They were eventually infected with the Plaga and led by Chief Bitores Mendez, another one of Saddler's lieutenants. The villagers are led by Bitores Méndez.

They use household items and farming tools as weapons. They are possibly the most ruthless and savage of the three Ganado groups, having more dangerous weapons but are not as powerful as the Zealots or Combatants:

  • Axe - One of the two most common weapon for the Villagers. They swing them at their victims but are capable of throwing them.
  • Scythe - These are a common weapon for the Villagers and have the same role as the Hand Axe.
  • Pitchfork - Users of this weapon are slower but they step back to give them more reach. 
  • Knife - Only female Villagers use Knives. They give basic swings like Hand Axes and Scythes but are not throwable.
  • Torch - Villagers wield torches during night time at the Village and in the Mines. They give basic swings with the Torches but are capable of blowing the fire on it to burn the enemy. However, while blowing the fire and shot while doing this, they will die instantly as the fire they’re trying to blow will burn them to death instead.
  • Molotov Cocktail - Villagers with molotov cocktail that ignites a small area with puddles of combustible fuel.
  • Dynamite - Villagers with Dynamite sticks must first light their sticks before throwing it, giving their enemy more time. Once thrown, it will blow up which will cause extreme damage. If the Dynamite is shot or if the Dynamite user dies, their lighted Dynamite will go off, taking anyone's lives nearby. They can even grab enemies with the Dynamite, and if their Dynamite goes off while grabbing them, both the enemy and Villager will die and no body will be left.
  • Shovel - Villagers armed with a shovel. They are similar to the pitchfork villagers.

Zealots[]

The Zealots or Cultists are Ganados and primary members of the Los Iluminados cult based in Ramon Salazar's castle. They are dressed in clerical robes and habits bearing the cult's insignia. Black is worn by the regular cultists, purple by elites, with red worn by the cult leaders. The Zealots are better equipped than the villagers, carrying a variety of medieval armaments, such as scythes, flails, crossbows, RPG-7s and even dynamite-throwing zealots appearing occasionally as well. Some zealots also carry heavy wooden shields or wear iron masks to protect themselves from gunfire. The zealots are led by Ramón Salazar. The Zealots are pale and bald in appearance, even the female cultists are also seen bald.

The colors of a Zealot's robe appear to indicate rank or status within the cult:

  • Black robes are worn by the lowest ranking Zealots, who can appear wielding any weapon. Black zealots are less likely than the others to reveal a Plaga upon injury.
  • Purple robes may indicate higher ranking Zealots or simply a more elite cadre as they only start appearing when the player has progressed deep into the castle, usually in whole groups of their own. Leader variants of this zealot with goatskull masks are not uncommon. These zealots tend to carry the 'worm' type Plaga.
  • Red is worn by the cult leaders, who may also wear a Goat skull mask or amulets. Note that these zealots will at first only appear leading groups of lower ranking cultists, but in later areas may attack in whole groups of their own. Although often unarmed when leading groups, red robed Zealots are usually much tougher to kill than their subordinates. These Zealots usually carry the 'spider' type Plaga.

Although better-armed and equipped than the villagers, Zealots tend to be somewhat more zombie-like in their behavior, often shuffling around aimlessly when not accompanied by higher ranking cultists, mumbling or chanting sinister mantras to themselves. Once aroused, however, Zealots will attack with surprising haste and viciousness. With the exception of the shield carriers and bowmen, these Ganados attack in much the same way as villagers. Here follows a list of equipment and their common uses:

  • Flail - The most common Zealot armament, a medieval spiked mace on a chain. The Zealots carrying this weapon will attempt the swing the mace in a circle before smashing it down on the player's head. They are more dangerous in close combat than Villager Ganados because they can change their attack direction in mid-swing, allowing them to spin around and hit the player if they try to run around their sides. Fortunately, the mace cannot be thrown so if kept at a distance these Zealots are not too dangerous.
  • Wooden Shield - Often carried in conjunction with the flail, this full body shield allows the Zealot to advance under gunfire. The shield can be destroyed utterly with heavy firepower or explosives, or blown away in pieces. Another tactic to use is to try and throw Hand Grenades behind the Zealots or shoot at their feet or exposed body parts. You could also use a weapon that can pierce through multiple targets (such as the Punisher) to hit them.
  • Crossbow - Bowmen will attempt to keep at range and harass the player with their bolts, usually fired in pairs and sometimes set alight for added damage. Bowmen are usually the weakest Zealots to kill and rarely reveal a Plaga.
  • Scythe - A large reaping scythe, this is likely the most dangerous weapon in a Zealot's arsenal, capable of slashing in a wide arc, it can also be thrown at close range, damaging the player. If thrown at a moderate distance, it could cut Leon's head off when his health is low enough. Even if not thrown, one swing at close range could result in an instant decapitation if his health is low enough.
  • Full-face Helmet - A heavy iron mask which protects the wearer from headshots. All ranks may wear a helmet but it seems most common on Zealots wielding melee weaponry, also, those wearing Full Face Helmets do not ever have a plaga erupt from their head like other Ganados.
  • Others - Zealots will on rare occasions make use of other weapons, most often dynamite and RPGs. Dynamite carrying zealots should be treated much the same as villagers, while when facing RPG carrying zealots, the player should seek cover immediately and wait until they have fired before attacking.
  • One of their most used chant is "morir es vivir" which means "To Die is To Live" in Spanish.

Likely having not left the castle for years, the Zealots' skin is much paler than that of the villagers, and all of them appear to be bald, although their baldness is likely a result of having deliberately shaved their head as a religious statement rather than as a symptom of their infection. Others are ritually tattooed or scarred. Overall, the Zealots are likely the most sinister and frightening to the Ganados.

After defeating Bitores Mendez, you can still return to the village. When entering the church, you will see two black-robed zealots from the scene where Ashley and Leon jump through the window. In Salazar's castle, whilst the zealots are 'sacrificing' around what appears to be a heart, you can sneak up to the edge, and if equipped with a missile launcher, you can take them all out with one shot if done properly.

Combatants[]

Ganado Militia

Members of the militia.

Combatants or Soldiers are Saddler's personal militia and guards of the Los Iluminados-controlled Island Base. They are also Saddler's private paramilitary army who were infected with the Plaga. Befitting their combat training as well as their appearance late in the game, they are the most dangerous Ganados encountered by Leon. Although they are military soldiers, they rarely use firearms or guns; the only firearms they use are Rocket Launchers, Miniguns and Crossbows. They can also man powerful Turrets and even had a secret Shipyard which contained a dreadnought with several large cannons, machine guns, gatling guns and what appeared to be Cruise Missiles. Prison Guards are also a variant of the Combatants who are mostly armored. While their main sub-leader is J.J. or the Gatling Man, they are led by Jack Krauser.

They borrow weapons from both the Villagers and Zealots but have newer weapons of their own:

  • Hand Axe
  • Spiked Bat - Combatants armed with a spiky bat which can perform dangerous swings.
  • Crossbow - Much like the Zealots and Villagers, the Combatants are armed with crossbows. Moreover, the Brute in the Resident Evil 4 remake is armed with a semi-automatic crossbow which it can wind up and fire loads of burst.
  • Rocket Launcher
  • Flail
  • Riot Shield - An upgraded version of the Wooden Shield, these makes the Combatants more resilient to most firearms than the Zealots due to their riot shield being made out of dense materials.
  • Stun Rod - Combatants are also armed with a stun rod which they can use to stun or electrocute their victims.
  • Hammer
  • Mini Gun (J.J. Only)
  • Turrets - Powerful turrets that can be manned. It comes in two types, a mounted gun and an anti-aircraft turret which was used against Mike during his raid on the island via assault helicopter when aiding Leon S. Kennedy.

Members[]

  • Osmund Saddler - Leader - Deceased.
  • Ramón Salazar - Ruler of the Salazar Family Castle - Deceased.
  • Bitores Mendez - Village chief of El Pueblo - Deceased.
  • Villagers - Residents at El Pueblo.
    • Don Estaban - One of the many Villagers who first attacked Leon.
    • Don Jose - An axe-wielding Villager.
    • Don Jose - A Villager armed with a sickle.
    • Don Manuel - A Villager armed with a pitchfork.
    • Dr. Salvador - A chainsaw-wielding Villager who wears a potato sack.
    • Bella Sisters - Chainsaw-wielding sisters.
    • Isabel - One of the female Villagers.
    • Maria - A female Villager armed with a knife.
    • Don Pedro - A Villager with an exposed Plaga.
  • Zealots - Most devoted members.
  • Combatants - Saddler's private paramilitary and guards of Saddler's Island.
    • J.J. - Also known as the "Gatling Man." A Combatant wielding a Gatling gun.
  • Luis Serra Navarro - A Former Researcher of the B.O.W's who betrayed Saddler - Deceased.
  • Jack Krauser - Double Agent - Deceased.
  • Leader Zealots - Commanders and religious leaders for Zealots.

Known Creations[]

With Las Plagas, Saddler as well as Luis Serra Navarro and possibly other researchers managed to create a number of creatures.

  • Desnucado - Although not a direct creation, these are mutations brought by Las Plagas to their host whenever they sustain fatal injuries. Their name means 'broken neck' in Spanish, hence their eponymous open fracture on the neck which shows a Plaga parasite sprouting.
  • Plaga Guadaña - Plagas with a long tentacle that has sharp blade protruding from it. These are immature Plagas. Their name translates to 'scythe' in Spanish.
  • Plaga Mandíbula - Young adult Plagas with a large gaping maw. They are also capable of spitting acid for ranged attacks. Their name translates to 'mandible' or 'jaw' in Spanish.
  • Plaga Araña - Plagas that are mostly assimilated on a Cultist or Combatant. When a Plaga reaches its adult stage, it becomes an Araña which allows itself to detach from its host. Due to its size, it will attempt to find a new host but are unable to. Their name translates to 'spider' in Spanish.
  • Colmillos - Canines infected with the Plaga. They have abnormally-jagged set of teeth and are far more aggressive. Their name translates to 'fangs' in Spanish.
  • Del Lago - An infected Salamander with the Plaga in a tentacle form in his mouth. It greatly increases in size and only one was fought and was located in El Pueblo's Lake - Deceased.
  • Armadura - Plagas infesting knightly armor due to their inability to find a new host.
  • El Gigante - An infected Human with a large Plaga which can come out of his back and greatly increases in size, taking a similiar appearence to a Troll or Giant. Four was fought: One in the Village's Quarry, another in Road below in the Cliff within El Pueblo and finally two in the Castle's Furnace.
  • Garrador - An infected Human who were experimental super soldiers who wore tough warrior-like armor and long blades from their armored hands which they used as weapons to cut down and slash their victims. Because of their extreme aggressiveness, their eyes are sealed shut. Although blind, the have extremly echolocation skills as they can find nearby targets. Four were fought: One in the Castle Prison, another near the Cafetaria and finally two in one of the Towers. Their name means 'clawer' in Spanish.
  • Verdugo - An infected mix of Human and Insect who were created for the purpose of serving as Ramon Salazar's personal bodyguards. Only two were created and they were capable of wielding spears and wearing cloaks. One was sent by Salazar to assassinate Leon but was killed, and the other was fused with Salazar but was eliminated by Leon - Deceased.
  • Regenerador - Experimental Humans who had leech-like Plaga and the ability to regenerate destroyed body parts. The only way to kill them is to destroy the leeches and seven were fought throughout the Island: Autopsy Room, First Corridoor, Freezer Room, Second Corridoor and the Island's Prison. 
    • Iron Maiden - Better and more improved Regenerators who had spikes which they can grow and use to impale victims. Three were fought throughout the Island: One in the Lab Room and two Garbage Disposal Area. In the remake, the Iron Maiden are depicted as subspecies of the Regenerador.
  • Novistador - Experimental Humans who were transformed into insect-like creatures. They were fought in three areas: Underground Waterway, Dance Hall and Pit throughout the Castle and were capable of using wings to fly and turning invisible. Their name means "the unseen."
  • U-3 - A giant Plaga-monster with Human, Insect and Reptile body parts imperfectly fused together. It was only fought once in the Cave Area of the Island with the Rigs and had a giant Plaga which was capable of attacking by slicing victims in half - Deceased.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Los Iluminados means 'The Enlightened Ones'. This may be a reference to the Illuminati, a real world secret society existing in the 18th century.
  • The insignia of Los Iluminados is based on the larval form of Las Plagas.
  • It is not yet known what the sect would do with the ransom money, because in the town they paid for things with ppesetas. Of course, given that the island's base has advanced and functional medical technology (which, apparently, it is not capable of being bought with pesetas, and even then, it is not cheap at all), it is very likely that the ransom money was for funding the experiments made on Las Plagas.
  • More than a religious sect, Los Iluminados are considered a bio-terrorist organization for their plans to dominate the world through a living organism (Las Plagas).
  • In the remake, the defeat of Los Illuminados was more apparent as when Saddler and his Dominant Species Plaga perished, Ganados under his control are convulsing in agony from the resulted neural shock. But taking into the account of Plaga sample studied by the cult's researchers and coveted by Wesker being naturally occuring Dominant Species Plaga and that there might more of them in the cult's disposal, it's certain that surviving Ganados managed to elect Saddler's successor at last moments, even though they fortunately not as capable in restoring Los Illuminados to its former glory like their predecessors.

External Links[]

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Leadership: Oswell E. Spencer | James Marcus | Edward Ashford | Albert Wesker | Sergei Vladimir
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Osmund Saddler | Jack Krauser (Remake) | Ramón Salazar | Bitores Méndez | Dr. Salvador | Bella Sisters | Don Jose | El Gigante | Las Plagas | Ganado | Garrador | Regenerador | J.J | Verdugo (Isidro Uriarte Talavera | Pesanta)

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