Path of Night and Shadow: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Timeless Shadow.png|350px|right|thumb|A depiction of the '''Timeless Shadow''', the purported Witch-Queen of Leng in defiance of the [[Benacian Union]].]] | |||
The '''Path of Night and Shadow''', a [[Leng]]ish religious tradition associated with the arcane and the eldritch. Believed to have taken for themselves the power of the [[Iron Cult of Leng]] after its fall, which they wield in order to exercise authority over the interior of the island of [[Leng]], in defiance of the [[Governorate of Leng|authorities]] established by the [[Benacian Union]]. | |||
The | ==The Shadows of Leng== | ||
The religious hierarchy of the Cult of Night and Shadow, the ruling order of Llaeng that has secretly pulled the strings behind an elusive backdrop for many eons, is a system based on the fundamentalist worship of the god Sslnarthn, Lord of Shadows. All governance of the island revolved around the worship of Sslnarthn and his seers, the Shadow Witches. | |||
===The Shadow Council of Leng=== | ===The Shadow Council of Leng=== | ||
The Shadow Council is the ruling body that governs the affairs of Llaeng. Like most legislative bodies, it achieves quorum by majority and approves legislation by popular vote. Each council member is a Shadow Witch who, after many years as an acolyte, is awarded the honour of sitting on the council. The Shadow Council chooses from among its members one to bear the title of Timeless Shadow, and this particular Shadow Witch is made ruler for life. | The Shadow Council is the ruling body that governs the affairs of Llaeng. Like most legislative bodies, it achieves quorum by majority and approves legislation by popular vote. Each council member is a Shadow Witch who, after many years as an acolyte, is awarded the honour of sitting on the council. The Shadow Council chooses from among its members one to bear the title of Timeless Shadow, and this particular Shadow Witch is made ruler for life. | ||
===The Timeless Shadow=== | ===The Timeless Shadow=== | ||
The Timeless Shadow is a Shadow Witch of exceptional age, skill, and power. Steeped in the arcane arts of banned Raikothin texts, blasphemous Apollantean scripts, and other volumes that remain either secret or unmentionable, the Timeless Shadow is recognised as the most powerful witch on Llaeng, and as such is granted sweeping powers. Once designated, the Timeless Shadow can overrule the Shadow Council by decree (unless they unanimously motion to remove the Timeless Shadow) and holds the right to directly rule Llaeng with absolute authority. | The Timeless Shadow is a Shadow Witch of exceptional age, skill, and power. Steeped in the arcane arts of banned Raikothin texts, blasphemous Apollantean scripts, and other volumes that remain either secret or unmentionable, the Timeless Shadow is recognised as the most powerful witch on Llaeng, and as such is granted sweeping powers. Once designated, the Timeless Shadow can overrule the Shadow Council by decree (unless they unanimously motion to remove the Timeless Shadow) and holds the right to directly rule Llaeng with absolute authority. | ||
===The Shadow Witches=== | ===The Shadow Witches=== | ||
Shadow Witches are a distinct ethnic group of people, different from the common Raikothin stock that comprises the peasant population. Although the first Shadow Witches were exiled Raikothin priestesses, their membership began a quick turnover when a group of Elfinshi exiles landed on the island. The exact date of their coming is presumed to date to the [[shire:History of Elwynn|Conquest of Elwynn]] in 1488 AN. At any rate, the locals viewed the distinct characteristics of nobleness of the Elfinshi with reverence, and through manipulation the Elfinshi managed to engage several youngsters as acolytes. The Elfinshi seemed natural to arcane arts, but because of their pursuance of the dark arts they have become twisted from the dainty and sprightly sylvan Elfinshi of Benacia. The Shadow Witches became a race with dark demeanours and darker wills. The young acolytes quickly achieved dominance in mastery of the arts, and soon after mastered the council, assuming the position of Timeless Shadow with it. | Shadow Witches are a distinct ethnic group of people, different from the common Raikothin stock that comprises the peasant population. Although the first Shadow Witches were exiled Raikothin priestesses, their membership began a quick turnover when a group of Elfinshi exiles landed on the island. The exact date of their coming is presumed to date to the [[shire:History of Elwynn|Conquest of Elwynn]] in 1488 AN. At any rate, the locals viewed the distinct characteristics of nobleness of the Elfinshi with reverence, and through manipulation the Elfinshi managed to engage several youngsters as acolytes. The Elfinshi seemed natural to arcane arts, but because of their pursuance of the dark arts they have become twisted from the dainty and sprightly sylvan Elfinshi of Benacia. The Shadow Witches became a race with dark demeanours and darker wills. The young acolytes quickly achieved dominance in mastery of the arts, and soon after mastered the council, assuming the position of Timeless Shadow with it. | ||
===The Shadow Warriors=== | ===The Shadow Warriors=== | ||
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[[Category:Religion]][[Category:Leng]][[Category:Elwynn]][[Category:Cults]] | |||
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Latest revision as of 08:31, 11 March 2023
The Path of Night and Shadow, a Lengish religious tradition associated with the arcane and the eldritch. Believed to have taken for themselves the power of the Iron Cult of Leng after its fall, which they wield in order to exercise authority over the interior of the island of Leng, in defiance of the authorities established by the Benacian Union.
The Shadows of Leng
The religious hierarchy of the Cult of Night and Shadow, the ruling order of Llaeng that has secretly pulled the strings behind an elusive backdrop for many eons, is a system based on the fundamentalist worship of the god Sslnarthn, Lord of Shadows. All governance of the island revolved around the worship of Sslnarthn and his seers, the Shadow Witches.
The Shadow Council of Leng
The Shadow Council is the ruling body that governs the affairs of Llaeng. Like most legislative bodies, it achieves quorum by majority and approves legislation by popular vote. Each council member is a Shadow Witch who, after many years as an acolyte, is awarded the honour of sitting on the council. The Shadow Council chooses from among its members one to bear the title of Timeless Shadow, and this particular Shadow Witch is made ruler for life.
The Timeless Shadow
The Timeless Shadow is a Shadow Witch of exceptional age, skill, and power. Steeped in the arcane arts of banned Raikothin texts, blasphemous Apollantean scripts, and other volumes that remain either secret or unmentionable, the Timeless Shadow is recognised as the most powerful witch on Llaeng, and as such is granted sweeping powers. Once designated, the Timeless Shadow can overrule the Shadow Council by decree (unless they unanimously motion to remove the Timeless Shadow) and holds the right to directly rule Llaeng with absolute authority.
The Shadow Witches
Shadow Witches are a distinct ethnic group of people, different from the common Raikothin stock that comprises the peasant population. Although the first Shadow Witches were exiled Raikothin priestesses, their membership began a quick turnover when a group of Elfinshi exiles landed on the island. The exact date of their coming is presumed to date to the Conquest of Elwynn in 1488 AN. At any rate, the locals viewed the distinct characteristics of nobleness of the Elfinshi with reverence, and through manipulation the Elfinshi managed to engage several youngsters as acolytes. The Elfinshi seemed natural to arcane arts, but because of their pursuance of the dark arts they have become twisted from the dainty and sprightly sylvan Elfinshi of Benacia. The Shadow Witches became a race with dark demeanours and darker wills. The young acolytes quickly achieved dominance in mastery of the arts, and soon after mastered the council, assuming the position of Timeless Shadow with it.
The Shadow Warriors
Males of the Shadow Elfinshi that live on Llaeng are relegated to a lower but nonetheless important role in this matriarchal society; they are made warriors of the cult. They are masters of stealth and the martial arts, and excel as assassins and snipers. They are often not deployed in large groups, and the small, sparse settlement of Llaeng has made the need to do so extremely limited. The strongest warrior, known as the Shadow Lord, oversees the Shadow Warriors. In the past it has not been uncommon for the Shadow Lord to be the chosen mate of the Timeless Shadow.
