The Emerald Pact
"One root, many veins. One soul, many mouths." — whispered creed of the Pact
Overview
The Emerald Pact is an ancient and deranged cult operating in the shadows of Gorundia, now surfacing dangerously within the city of Bard’s Gate. The cult’s origins lie deep in the forgotten groves of the Elvish Twin Kingdoms, where old rites and twisted philosophies took root among those who believed themselves connected to a "True Elf"—an ancient being of impossible age and power, now believed to be held in captivity and leeching energy into the Pact.
What began as a heresy in secret elven circles has grown into a corrupt spiritual collective, but ironically, there are no known elven members in the cult. Instead, the Pact preys upon the desperate, the broken, and the deluded, drawing followers from all races and walks of life, binding them through pain, ritual, and the promise of unity.
"The Emerald Pact talks about roots and unity like it's some kind of salvation. But I’ve seen what they plant—nothing holy about it. Just rot dressed up in green and whispering madness. You don’t join the Fold… you get swallowed by it." - Sorek Redmarch
Power Through Unity
Members of the Emerald Pact demonstrate disturbing and unnatural powers:
- They can voluntarily transfer vitality (hit points) to one another, even across distances.
- Their souls do not pass into death, but are absorbed into the collective—returned to the so-called Fold.
- Cultists display unnatural resilience, healing, or sudden strength during battle, drawn from the life force of other members.
This collective power is made possible through a deeply unnatural spiritual link, one that seems to grow stronger as more souls are added to the Fold.
The Brand
Each member bears an arcane brand, a glyph of roots, spirals, and thorns etched into the flesh. This brand serves as a physical and spiritual conduit to the collective—linking their life force, their dreams, and their deaths. It is said that the brand burns when the True One stirs beneath the world.
The Fold
Cultists refer to their congregation as the Fold, claiming they are not individuals but branches of a singular soul. They chant of “blood sap,” “the sleeping root,” and “the emerald breath” in tones of eerie reverence.
They believe death is a gift, not an end—each soul lost returns to the Fold and strengthens the whole. Some willingly sacrifice themselves in rituals where their bodies vanish, leaving only thorns, ash, and unnatural energy behind.
Origins and Spread
The Emerald Pact originated in the Elvish Twin Kingdoms, where fringe mystics first conceived of the True Elf as a divine source. Though elven society cast out such beliefs, the cult survived in hidden hollows and broken minds. Over time, their practices became more corrupt—leeching vitality from their supposed source and spreading their influence like creeping vine rot.
Now, the cult seeks to spread into Gorundia, using Bard’s Gate as a gateway. Whispered rumors speak of hidden sanctums, branded converts, and ritual gatherings among the city’s outcasts and fringe communities. The danger is no longer distant—it is rooted in the very streets.
Despite its origin, the Pact is a bitter irony: there are no known elves among their ranks. Whether the elves reject the heresy or the cult no longer dares to touch its ancestral source is unknown. What is certain is that the Pact welcomes any who are desperate, broken, or foolish enough to join.
Connection to Orin Kharne
Unbeknownst to many, Baron Orin Kharne’s family once served the Emerald Pact, and he was marked for branding before he escaped. Though he bears no sigil now, he is still tied to the cult’s twisted designs.
They refer to him as “the Branch Severed” or “the Brandless Vein”, and their messages—spoken or whispered—always carry the same refrain: Return to the Fold. Whether they seek his soul, his strength, or something deeper remains uncertain.
Purpose and Danger
The Pact’s ultimate goals remain shrouded. Some say they wish to awaken the True Elf. Others claim they hope to spread the Fold across the mortal world, erasing individuality in favor of unity. What is certain is that they are growing stronger—and every soul they claim adds to the rot.
"We are the Fold. We are the bloom. We are the deathless sap that flows beneath the skin of the world."
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