Faith of the Dark Lady
Overview
The Faith of the Dark Lady is the religious organization devoted to Lilith, the Gandur of Darkness, Shadow, and Sleep. Known for its quiet power and clandestine presence, the Faith operates on the edges of society—neither reviled nor widely embraced, but always respected for its deep knowledge of dreams, death, secrets, and the mind’s hidden places.
Unlike more rigid and overtly structured religions, the Faith of the Dark Lady functions through circles of whispered tradition, dream visions, and shadowed rituals. The Faith teaches that darkness is not a force of evil but of balance, rest, and transformation, and that every soul must pass through the shadow to find clarity.
The Faith often shelters the misunderstood—those cast out by other faiths, the mentally burdened, and the seekers of forbidden truths. Despite being the most decentralized and fluid of the major faiths in Alandris, its influence is deep, and its rituals are ancient, tracing back even before the Fall. Worship of Lilith has only grown more prominent in the Age After, as mortals seek comfort in dreams, protection in shadow, and meaning in the night.
While the Church of Adamas seeks to control and define boundaries, and the Order of Everlasting Light strives for active justice, the Faith of the Dark Lady embraces the unknown, the forgotten, and the internal battles of each soul.
Structure & Hierarchy
The Faith of the Dark Lady lacks rigid hierarchy, reflecting Lilith’s own rejection of imposed order. Instead, it follows a circle-based structure, where authority flows naturally based on wisdom, age, or spiritual power.
- Mistresses and Masters of Shadow – Senior figures who interpret dreams, lead rituals, and serve as guides to the faithful. They are deeply trusted spiritual leaders, often chosen through prophetic visions rather than vote or inheritance.
- Veiled Dreamers – Acolytes and scholars who study the art of dreams and spiritual healing. They record sacred visions and counsel those tormented by nightmares or past trauma.
- Silent Sisters and Brothers – Monks and mystics who take vows of silence to deepen their connection to Lilith’s quiet. They maintain the secluded sanctuaries and dream-temples across Alandris.
- Wanderers of the Veil – Traveling priests and dream-speakers who spread Lilith’s teachings to the forgotten, the grieving, or the haunted, especially in war-torn or cursed lands.
Holidays & Observances
- Night of the Veil (First New Moon of Spring): A celebration of beginnings in darkness, where followers write dreams on black parchment and burn them, sending prayers to Lilith.
- Eclipsed Silence (When a lunar eclipse occurs): A rare, sacred time of full meditation and silence, when it’s believed Lilith herself walks unseen among her faithful.
- Dreamer's Solstice (Winter Solstice): The longest night is honored with communal sleep, dream-sharing rituals, and reflection on one’s inner journey.
Political & Cultural Influence
Though not often granted formal recognition, the Faith of the Dark Lady exerts subtle but deep influence throughout Alandris. While empires like Nathas may ignore or quietly restrict its expansion, the Faith persists in the cracks of society, offering spiritual refuge and emotional healing in places where no other order dares tread.
The Faith is often:
- Feared by those in power, due to its lack of transparency and its defense of secrecy.
- Sought after in private by rulers, nobles, and generals for guidance in matters of fate, prophecy, or guilt.
- Trusted by common folk, especially in rural or wild regions, where Lilith is seen as the protector of children, dreamers, and the mentally afflicted.
- Respected among magical scholars, especially those who study dreamcraft, illusion, or the boundaries between life and death.
