Stormbinders

The Stormbinders are the highest-ranking leaders within the Drowned Circle, an ancient and reclusive religious cult that worships the power of the Everstorm. These figures are seen as both intermediaries between the storm gods and the mortal realm, and prophets who interpret the divine will of the Everstorm. The Stormbinders are highly revered by the cult’s followers, as they hold the knowledge of storm lore, necromantic rites, and the sacred rituals that are central to the Drowned Circle’s faith. They serve as spiritual guides, advisors, and leaders, wielding significant influence over the cult’s decisions and practices.

Stormbinders are often marked by storm-infused physical traits that distinguish them from ordinary followers of the Drowned Circle. These traits include:

• Glowing Eyes: Often described as having eyes that shimmer with the colors of a storm—ranging from electric blue to a pale, storm-cloud gray. This is believed to signify their direct connection to the storm gods.
• Weathered Skin: Their skin is sometimes marked with arcane scars or shifting patterns, which appear to change in response to weather patterns or storms. These markings are thought to be blessings from the Everstorm, proof of the Stormbinder's divine favor.
• Storm-Inspired Vestments: The Stormbinders wear ceremonial robes made of stormwoven fabric, a sacred material known for its ability to conduct energy from the storm. These robes are often adorned with silver and blue storm sigils that symbolize their sacred bond to the Everstorm.
• Stormborn Tattoos: Many Stormbinders have tattoos of storm clouds, lightning bolts, and other symbols of the Everstorm. These tattoos are not only ritualistic but are also said to act as channels of power, allowing the Stormbinders to channel storm energy during rituals.

Structure

While the Stormbinders collectively make up the ruling council of the Drowned Circle, there is a hierarchy among them, based on their experience, spiritual connection, and divine favor. The most senior Stormbinder is known as the Voice of the Everstorm. This individual serves as the chief spokesperson for the cult, delivering the most important prophecies and leading the most powerful rituals.

Below the Voice, there are other Stormbinders who hold various titles based on their area of expertise, such as Stormseer, Tempestbinder, or Ritespeaker. Each of these roles is specialized in different aspects of the storm's power—whether it is the interpretation of storm visions, the mastery of necromantic rituals, or the guidance of the cult through times of crisis.

Culture

Becoming a Stormbinder is a rare and dangerous honor. Initiates must undergo intense trials to prove their connection to the Everstorm, such as:

• Surviving a Night in the Charred Flats: An initiation rite where the initiate is left in the most treacherous region of the Howling Marsh during an electrical storm, expected to survive the night amidst lightning and unpredictable weather.
• Stormwalk: A ritual where the initiate must walk barefoot through a tempest-filled region of the Wildlands, channeling the storm’s power without being overcome by it. Only those who successfully endure the storm are considered worthy of the title.

The Stormbinders are seen as living conduits of the Everstorm’s power, and their presence commands deep respect within the Drowned Circle. Followers consult with them for guidance, to receive blessings, and to learn the secrets of the storm. They are believed to hold great wisdom about the storm's past, present, and future, and their words are often viewed as unquestionable truth.

They are also influential outside the cult, particularly among those who venerate the Everstorm, as their prophecies and actions can shape the fate of entire communities, villages, or even nations within the Wildlands. In times of great upheaval, the Stormbinders' power and knowledge are sought by many, making them central to the survival and growth of the Drowned Circle.

Public Agenda

The Stormbinders bear the weight of many duties and responsibilities:

1. Divine Mediation: As the intermediaries between the Everstorm and the Drowned Circle, the Stormbinders are responsible for interpreting the storm’s whims, visions, and omens. They use their knowledge of ancient texts, rituals, and their personal divine connection to understand the Everstorm's intentions and relay these messages to the cult’s followers.
2. Ritual Conduct: The Stormbinders are the primary leaders of the most sacred and significant rituals, including the Rebirth Through Rain, the Flooding of Souls, and other storm-related ceremonies. Their presence during these rites is considered essential for ensuring the ritual’s success and for invoking the favor of the Everstorm.
3. Guidance and Leadership: The Stormbinders serve as spiritual leaders, guiding their followers through difficult trials and helping them interpret the signs of the storm. They provide counsel during moments of doubt or crisis, offering wisdom drawn from their deep connection to the storm.
4. Prophecies and Omens: Often regarded as prophets, the Stormbinders receive and interpret visions during moments of extreme storm activity. These visions can provide insight into future events, reveal hidden truths, or forewarn of impending disasters. As such, they are highly respected for their ability to foresee the future and steer the course of the Drowned Circle accordingly.
5. Judgment and Excommunication: Stormbinders possess the authority to make judgments within the cult, including decisions on ritual purity and membership. If a follower strays from the teachings of the Drowned Circle or commits a grave transgression, the Stormbinders have the power to excommunicate them or subject them to harsh trials.

History

The Stormbinders trace their lineage back to the very first prophet of the Drowned Circle, who, according to legend, was chosen by the Everstorm to lead the first followers through the violent chaos of the storm. They were the first to decode the storm’s whispers and to perform the rites that allowed the faithful to communicate directly with the divine forces of the storm.

Over centuries, the role of the Stormbinders has evolved, but their fundamental mission remains unchanged: to serve as the conduit through which the Everstorm speaks. Those who ascend to the rank of Stormbinder are believed to have direct communion with the storm’s power and are seen as spiritually and physically marked by the storm gods. Many Stormbinders are believed to be blessed with visions, prophecies, or otherworldly abilities that enable them to interpret the Everstorm's will for the rest of the cult.

Type

Religious, Cult

Parent Organization

The Drowned Circle

Location

The Howling Marsh

Related Traditions

• Skyseer Rite