The Drowned Circle
The Drowned Circle is a reclusive and eerie cult of warlocks, shamans, and mystics who have dedicated their lives to the worship and veneration of the Everstorm, a powerful and chaotic force that they believe is a divine entity capable of both destruction and rebirth. Members of the Drowned Circle are deeply invested in the belief that the Everstorm is a cosmic force capable of awakening the dead, and they see the storm as a means of communion with spirits and otherworldly forces. Their rituals are mysterious, often dark, and carried out in the forsaken lands of the Howling Marsh
The Drowned Circle remains an enigmatic and eerie force in the Howling Marsh, worshiping the Everstorm as a divine, otherworldly entity. Through their secretive rituals and practices, they seek to bridge the gap between the living and the dead, believing that the storm’s power can not only raise the dead but provide new life and purpose. Their influence is whispered about, their practices feared, and their beliefs challenge the boundaries of life, death, and the forces of nature.
Structure
The Drowned Circle is led by a council of elders, known as the Stormbinders, who are the most seasoned warlocks and shamans in the cult. These individuals are believed to be the intermediaries between the Everstorm and the followers of the Circle. The Stormbinders are regarded as prophets, healers, and leaders who dictate the rituals and interpretations of the storm’s divine will.
Members of the cult often live in small, isolated communities built above the marsh’s rising waters, in stilted huts or wooden platforms designed to withstand the floods. They are often self-sufficient, living off the land through fishing, hunting, and foraging, but are also highly reclusive from the rest of society. The Drowned Circle has no formal infrastructure and is seen by outsiders as a dangerous and unpredictable group.
Public Agenda
The Drowned Circle is a mysterious and highly secretive cult that operates outside the control of any kingdom. Most neighboring regions view the cult as an oddity or even a danger due to their unpredictable rituals and violent storms. However, the cult has influence in certain pockets of society, especially with those who seek spiritual guidance or those who believe in the power of the Everstorm.
The Drowned Circle rarely makes contact with outsiders, preferring instead to stay hidden deep in the Howling Marsh, but their rituals have caused disturbances, and their influence is believed to extend to shadowy figures in neighboring villages or cities.
In some areas, the cult is regarded with fear or even reverence, as it is said that the storm holds the power of life and death over the living. Some villages may even make offerings or seek the cult's help during times of need, hoping to appease the storm and gain its favor.
History
The origins of the Drowned Circle are shrouded in mystery, though some scholars believe the cult formed centuries ago during a particularly violent storm that ravaged the marsh. Whispers among the locals tell of a prophetic figure—an ancient warlock who witnessed the Everstorm's fury and declared it a divine force of rebirth. Since then, generations of warlocks and shamans have adhered to the belief that by commuting with the storm, they could achieve not only a deeper understanding of the spirit world but also invoke the power to control the dead.
The cult operates on the fringes of civilization, far from any kingdom's grasp, where they are able to practice their forbidden rites without fear of persecution. The Howling Marsh offers a place of isolation, and the murky waters and swirling winds of the storm provide both shelter and an eerie sense of divine presence.
Mythology & Lore
The central tenet of the Drowned Circle is the worship of the Everstorm, which they believe to be a divine force capable of both creation and destruction. The members of the cult see the storm as the flooding of the dead, an entity that brings souls into the world in a new, transformed state.
Key Beliefs:
- The Everstorm as Divine Force: The storm is viewed as a god-like entity with the power to raise the dead and guide spirits to new purposes. Its violent nature is seen not as a destructive force, but as an act of divine cleansing that prepares souls for their next life.
- The Calling of Spirits: Warlocks and shamans believe that through rituals held during violent storms or at specific moments of the Everstorm’s arrival, they can commune with spirits of the departed. They view these spirits as guides and instruments of divine will who carry hidden knowledge of the past, present, and future.
- Rituals of the Flooding: The cult performs rituals of flooding during the peak of the Everstorm’s power. These rituals are designed to call upon the spirits of the dead, to ask for their blessing or insight, and to offer sacrifices of those who are prepared to die or are already close to death. The storm itself is said to wash away the sins of the living and the dead, giving way to renewal.
- Rebirth through Storm: The cult holds that the true form of resurrection is not through divine grace or divine judgment, but through the awakened storm. Souls that have passed through the Everstorm are reborn into the world, forever transformed. The Drowned Circle views the Howling Marsh as the gateway to this realm, a liminal space where souls may come and go.
Worship
The rituals of the Drowned Circle are considered dangerous and disturbing, carried out in the depths of the Howling Marsh. The cult has a deep connection with the storm’s energy and believes it possesses the ability to transcend the boundaries between the living and the dead.
Key Rituals:
- The Awakening of the Storm: During the most violent storms, members of the cult gather in hidden sanctuaries within the swamp, often in stilted huts or wooden platforms overlooking the rising waters. Here, they use arcane symbols and incantations to draw down the energy of the storm, hoping to invite the dead to return. The rituals often include chanting, bloodletting, and the sacrificial offering of animals or even condemned criminals.
- Flooding of Souls: When a storm reaches its zenith, members conduct the Flooding of Souls, a ritual believed to bring those on the brink of death closer to the storm’s power. These individuals may enter the marsh willingly or be offered by family members. As they wade into the deep waters of the swamp, the storm is said to transform them into vessels for the spirits, who can then cross the threshold into the physical world.
- Rebirth Through Rain: On rare occasions, the Drowned Circle carries out the Rebirth Through Rain ceremony, wherein those who have passed away are placed on wooden platforms and left in the rain and rising tide. It is believed that the souls of the dead are resurrected during this act, taking new form or becoming empowered by the storm’s chaotic energy.
- Storm Calling: During periods of prolonged drought or calm, the cult may perform a ceremony designed to call upon the storm and bring down rain. This practice is dangerous, as it may attract the attention of the Everstorm in full force, often resulting in devastating flooding or destruction.
Comments