Time's Veil
Public Agenda
All they care about is carrying out the will of Aionexus, the elder god of time. A major part of that includes warning about the end of days.
History
Onyomia Kynos, a prophet whose cryptic verses and haunting visions have become infamous, foretold the Armageddon that would shatter the foundations of the world. According to her prophecy, Aionexus, the Devourer of Eternities, would bring about the end of all things. Yet, there was a glimmer of salvation in their dire words- Aionexus, it was said, would spare those who devoted themselves to it utterly and without question. This promise of survival amidst annihilation gave rise to a dark and pervasive religion, rooted in fear and desperation. Its followers believe that unwavering loyalty and acts of devotion can earn Aionexus's mercy, while others see their faith as a form of defiance against the natural order.
Despite its outright illegality in every nation, this cult has thrived underground. Over the centuries, it has evolved from scattered whispers in shadowed corners to a sprawling, highly organized network with secretive temples hidden in the wilderness, urban catacombs, and even beneath the ocean's depths. The cult’s rituals are shrouded in mystery, but tales of blood sacrifices, temporal anomalies, and chilling chants that warp the minds of those who hear them have become the stuff of legend.
The roots of the religion can be traced back to a time known as the Blightforge Age. This was when coal based technology had been disocvered, and corrupted the souls of those exposed to it, including animals and plant life alike. Onyomia used this as an example of his doing, that he was there to expel the "corrupted" ideologies Abija and her pantheon brought.
Divine Origins
It developed from an oracle named Onyomia Knyos, who was visited by Aionexus and gave her the grave visions that her plaent would soon face annihilation and be reborn under the true goddess, Lady Merthicz.
Tenets of Faith
- The Eternal Cycle Must Remain Unbroken.
The flow of time is sacred, and no mortal or god may alter its natural progression. All efforts to transcend mortality are a betrayal of existence itself. - All that is Built Must Crumble.
The creations of the Starhaven Pantheon and their mortal followers are affronts to the natural order. Their works must be dismantled so time may reclaim what was stolen. - Mortality is the Only Truth.
Life is fleeting by design, and mortals must accept their finite nature. Seeking immortality or godhood is a sin against the temporal fabric. - Time is the One True Sovereign.
Aionexus is the keeper of the timeline, the ultimate arbiter of fate. His will is absolute, and his servants must enact his designs without hesitation or doubt. - The Past is a Shackle, and the Future a Void.
Clinging to past glories or dreaming of future triumphs distracts from the present, where Aionexus’s work must be done. All focus must remain on fulfilling his will in the now. - The Pantheon’s Spark Must Be Snuffed.
The ascension of mortals to divinity is an unforgivable crime. The Starhaven Pantheon must be undone, and its influence eradicated from time. - Oblivion is the Gift of Time.
The end is not to be feared but embraced. Aionexus offers freedom through destruction, a return to the purity of the void before time began. - The Threads of Time Must Be Untangled.
Temporal anomalies and distortions caused by divine or mortal interference must be corrected. This sacred duty falls to the faithful, the Veilkeepers. - Chaos is the Servant of Time.
Disorder is a tool through which the timeline is restored to its rightful state. The faithful are agents of necessary upheaval to purge unnatural order. - Devotion is Proven Through Sacrifice.
True loyalty to Aionexus requires the willingness to give up everything: love, life, and legacy. Only through total submission can one hope to align with his will.
Ethics
Sinful Acts:
- Threadbreaking
Attempting to alter the natural flow of time, whether through magic, technology, or divine intervention, is the gravest sin. Such actions are seen as defiling the sacred timeline and earning the wrath of Aionexus. - Idolatry of the Starhaven Pantheon
Worshipping the Pantheon or acknowledging their authority is a direct betrayal of Aionexus. The faithful are expected to shun all temples, symbols, and followers of these false gods. - Seeking Immortality
Efforts to transcend mortality, whether through divine blessings, alchemy, or other means, are considered an affront to the natural cycle and an attempt to usurp the power of time. - Hoarding Time
Engaging in selfish or wasteful acts that squander the finite time allotted to mortals is a sin. Laziness, procrastination, and indulgence in meaningless luxuries fall under this category. - Temporal Disobedience
Ignoring the guidance of the Veilbound Oracles or failing to act upon their prophecies is seen as a failure to uphold the will of Aionexus. - Binding the Threads
Building structures, legacies, or systems designed to endure indefinitely is considered hubris. Mortals must accept that all things decay and should never seek permanence. - Desecration of Relics of Time
Destroying or misusing objects deemed sacred to Aionexus, such as ancient hourglasses, clocks, or other symbols of temporal passage, is a blasphemy.
- The Breaking of Chains
Destroying creations of the Starhaven Pantheon, such as temples, artifacts, or icons, is one of the most honored acts of devotion. This includes sabotaging mortal projects that strive toward godhood. - The Devouring of Moments
Participating in rituals that involve the symbolic destruction of time, such as shattering clocks or erasing records of history, demonstrates loyalty to the idea that all things must fade. - Temporal Vigilance
Dedicating one’s life to identifying and correcting temporal anomalies caused by divine interference is considered a sacred duty. Veilkeepers who serve as enforcers of this tenet are highly revered. - Sacrifice to the Void
Offering something of great personal value—whether possessions, memories, or even a loved one—is a powerful act of devotion. The cult believes that such sacrifices strengthen Aionexus’s connection to the mortal realm. - The Chant of Unraveling
Reciting the sacred mantras of Aionexus during significant moments, such as the birth of a child or the death of a loved one, honors the god’s dominion over the cycle of time. - The Woven Veil
Creating temporal art, such as intricate tapestries or songs inspired by the flow of time, is seen as a pious offering, provided the creation is destined to decay or unravel. - The Empty Vigil
Spending hours in silent meditation, focusing on the transience of life and the inevitability of oblivion, is a revered act. This vigil often involves staring into a void-like space, symbolizing the infinite nothingness Aionexus promises. - Chronal Baptism
Undergoing the Chronion Baptism ritual, where initiates are immersed in a pool of reflective liquid to attune their souls to time, is a mark of deep faith. - Acts of Chaos
Disrupting mortal efforts to establish order or permanence, such as sabotaging government projects or destroying libraries, is celebrated as aligning with Aionexus’s desire to unravel false constructs. - Guiding the Lost
Converting new followers to the faith and spreading the teachings of Aionexus is an honored act. Oracles are particularly revered for their role in leading others toward understanding the will of the Elder God of Time.
Priesthood
The priests of Time’s Veil occupy a unique and fearsome role within the enigmatic cult that serves Aionexus, the Elder God of Time. Unlike traditional clergy, these priests are not mere scholars or spiritual leaders; they are individuals chosen for their extraordinary gift of prophecy, capable of glimpsing the intricate threads of time. Known as the Veilbound Oracles, they serve as both conduits for Aionexus’s will and guardians of his sacred tenets. Only those born with—or cursed by—the ability to perceive time’s fractured flow can ascend to this revered yet harrowing role, making their ranks as rare as they are feared.
To become a priest of Time’s Veil, one must first exhibit the gift of prophecy, an ability believed to be bestowed by Aionexus himself. These individuals, often identified as oracles in their youth, are plagued by visions of past, present, and future events. While many view such gifts as blessings, within the cult, they are seen as both a sacred calling and a binding curse. The oracles’ visions are fragmented and chaotic, frequently accompanied by excruciating pain and moments of madness—a reflection of the tumultuous nature of time itself.
Once identified, an oracle is approached by members of the cult and offered a choice: embrace their destiny as a Veilbound Oracle, or risk being consumed by their gift without guidance. Those who accept undergo a grueling initiation ritual known as The Veiling. During this rite, they symbolically sever their ties to mortal concerns, pledging their minds, bodies, and souls to the service of Aionexus. It is said that those who survive the ritual emerge irrevocably changed, their connection to time deepened, but their humanity diminished.
The Veilbound Oracles serve as both leaders and advisors within the cult. Their primary role is to interpret the will of Aionexus through their visions, which often manifest as cryptic riddles or fragmented glimpses of the timeline. These revelations guide the cult’s actions, from the destruction of Pantheon-aligned temples to the recruitment of new followers. Oracles are also responsible for identifying temporal anomalies—moments where time’s flow has been disrupted by divine or mortal interference—and devising methods to correct these disturbances.
In addition to their spiritual duties, the oracles perform rituals to strengthen the cult’s connection to Aionexus. These ceremonies often involve intricate temporal symbolism, such as the destruction of clocks, the weaving of time-themed tapestries, or the recital of chants designed to mimic the cadence of a ticking clock. The priests also administer sacraments to the faithful, including the controversial Chronion Baptism, a rite where initiates are submerged in pools of liquid infused with alchemical substances believed to attune their souls to time’s flow.
Though revered by the faithful, the life of a Veilbound Oracle is fraught with hardship. Their constant exposure to the temporal fabric takes a heavy toll, both mentally and physically. Many priests suffer from Temporal Fracture Syndrome, a condition characterized by uncontrollable shifts in their perception of time. They may relive moments from the past or experience fragments of the future without warning, leaving them disoriented and vulnerable.
Despite these challenges, the oracles embrace their suffering as a necessary part of their sacred duty. They believe that their pain is a reflection of Aionexus’s own burden as the guardian of time and that through their suffering, they draw closer to his divine essence.
The Veilbound Oracles are both feared and despised by those outside the cult. Their visions, while accurate, are often delivered in ways that sow fear and chaos, aligning with the cult’s tenets of disrupting the works of the Starhaven Pantheon. Many oracles are hunted by agents of the Pantheon, who see them as dangerous heretics spreading Aionexus’s influence. Despite this opposition, the oracles remain steadfast, believing that their ultimate purpose transcends mortal comprehension.
The Veilbound Oracles are the living embodiment of Time’s Veil, and their existence ensures that Aionexus’s will continues to shape the timeline. Through their visions, they guide the cult in its mission to dismantle the Starhaven Pantheon and restore the natural order of mortality. Their influence extends beyond the cult’s inner circles, as even those outside Time’s Veil cannot ignore the eerie accuracy of their prophecies. Whether seen as prophets of doom or agents of chaos, the Veilbound Oracles stand as a testament to the inscrutable power of time and the indomitable will of Aionexus.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Corruption is unfortunately common within the political sphere, and it's purposely implanted by Time's Veil to try and sow chaos, and bring about the end of the world.
Founding Date
5-30-1180
Type
Religious, Cult
Alternative Names
Dial of Doom
Demonym
Chronian
Leader
Founders
Deities
Notable Members
Comments