Sodron
The Shrouded Sodron
Description
Sodron the Shrouded, the Eclipsed Bonetaker, They That Sow Orphans' Tears, is perhaps the most directly antagonistic Divine in the pantheon of Arcanorum, one might perceive they seem bent on the destruction of the Eye itself. Whereas other oppositional deities like Nastil seem to delight in the destruction of the mortal breeds, Sodron's machinations tend towards outcomes that would seem to harm the very fabric of the Eye itself, launching coordinated campaigns that span years, generating existential threats to mortals and Divines alike.
While few are privy to the Eclipsed Bonetaker's mind, adherents' of the Shrouded seem most often quietly rational: each action taken in-of-itself seems, if not harmless, at least not directly problematic. It is often only at the end, when the sum of a great many actions comes to a close that the threat becomes apparent, and bold, swift action must be taken to avert calamity.
Most often opposed by Voxus, the two Divines are often portrayed as seated across from each other at a table, between them some variation of the game Go, with the stacks of chips engraved with the names of cities. The metaphor is rarely lost on the adherents of The Well and The Guardians whom all take their responsibilities with utmost severity.
Of note, Sodron's forces have been unusually quiet in the past few years with the upswing of hostilities in the Ayoric Lowlands. While many are glad for the apparent respite, few fool themselves into thinking that it is simply anything other than the calm before the storm.
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Dogma
“Offer blood to the soil as sacrament, souls to the sky as alms, smoke from your enemies’ monoliths as incense. The battlefield is your temple.”
There are few places in the world where Sodron’s name can be spoken with anything but fear or disgust. Public houses of worship do not exist, and the followers of The Shrouded congregate in secret, avoiding the ears of magistrates and gaze of mainstream religions.
Instead, acolytes of the Eclipsed Bonetaker offer personal reverence, gather in secret at temporary shrines, or congregate in designated holy places outside of civilized society.
Often those lusting after revenge, power, and domination seek out the the gaze of They That Sow Orphans’ Tears. It is well known, that Sodron does not cultivate and raise up those with noble intentions, or visions of a strong, united, future, but rather empower those who seek to slake their bloodlust and wreak havoc. While The Shrouded does not oppose warlords reigning over that which they conquer, thier interest is quickly lost in those who end their campaign of war-seeking, moving on to those whose ambitions have yet to be fulfilled.
Blind the Eye
The unenlightened cast aspersions against the Eclipsed Bonetaker, stating they seeks to destroy the Eye itself. While the true machinations of The Shrouded are unknown, devotees have created (or perhaps just leaned into) this stereotype with metaphor in their rituals.
The sacrifice of an eye is considered to be a worthy one of They That Sow Orphans’ Tears attention. While a captive enemy, unworthy acolyte, or innocent youth are all common and appropriate subjects, true devotees and/or desperate seekers will offer one from their own body. The faithful speak quiet words of fear and reverence for those who make such an offering without seeking to heal it, and whisper rumors that The Shrouded holds these particular fanatics in higher regard than their peers.
The rituals differ in execution, but the process typically involves a sermon calling out to Sodron for favor, strength, wisdom, or guidance in their current struggles. When their needs are made clear, the offering is taken from a willing or unwilling participant. Veteran priests of the faith believe an unwilling sacrifice is second only to a personal gift of the ritualist, though a quieter majority argues an eye is an eye. Regardless, the eye is removed, burned, and the blood let flow until the subject loses consciousness.
Adherents vary in the execution of the next steps. Some partake in the spilled blood via food or goblet, seeing the spilled blood as a vessel for Sodron’s wisdom and power. Others paint crimson sigils on their bodies, shrines, or within the borders of their targets. Some simply coat holy implements and weapons, drawing a direct connection to the implements they wish to see empowered.
Those who offer a personal sacrifice swear that upon losing consciousness they hear voices and feel power coursing through them, awaking with a tenuous hold on the whole truth they have been given, and struggling to regain physical strength from their wounds so they can capitalize on the well of spiritual power imbued within them.
Shake the Pillars
While Voxus has a reputation for acting with deliberation and great import, one cannot build a castle on a foundation of sand. What’s more, decisive action with absolute loyalty is wonderful if sustained, but The Light From Afar often lays dormant, allowing the Eclipsed Bonetaker to enact Thier will.
Seekers of great power appeal to The Shrouded for an understanding of how to shake their enemies’ cities to rubble, undo their alliances, and see edifices of opposition seized. Unlike Nastil, who sees these things destroyed, Sodron’s followers look to conquer and control after a victorious campaign. Though quiet in the last years, veterans of armies remember followers of They That Sow Orphans’ Tears carving bloody furrows into otherwise peaceful domains, and caution green troops from downplaying threats from a foe they have not faced.
The truest form of worship to Sodron is on the battlefield. Overcoming an enemy, burning sites of worship, and the sacrifice of those who do not supplicate themselves are means to cultivate favor with The Shrouded. Rituals conducted within hours of a battle’s conclusion are common, desecrating newly conquered land and christening the victory in the name of the dark god. Those that do not prostrate themselves to their new rulers find knives at their throat, eyes plucked out, and/or hung from archways and castle halls by metal spikes. Blood from the unworthy is encouraged to drip and flow, washing away the stink of the righteous who have been removed.
Blood spilled in the name of power, dominating an enemy’s people, taking their towers for your own, and using it as a platform to spring to your next campaign boils the blood of They That Sow Orphans’ Tears, whetting Thier appetite for more, and adding spiritual momentum to a hopefully long and bloody warpath. Followers should beware of waning ambitions, however, as times of rest and peace are not looked upon well by the Eclipsed Bonetaker. Those using Thier blessings to seize power and sit on their laurels find themselves bereft of favor from The Shrouded, who seems to take exception with those taking advantage of Thier power only to find comfort in the very stability They abhor.
- Shrouded
- Eclipsed Bonetaker
- They That Sow Orphans' Tears
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas