Cult of the Mind
Fervent followers of Qetzel, the once-god of Sight and Mind
Joy, oh wondrous joy! My blessing arrives! Watch as the crystal tumbles from our lord Qetzel above! Watch as my blessing strikes me and--Patronsclicktaphere for bonus info
The Cycle
The Cult of the Mind is currently on its 5th iteration; having led themselves into ruin or destroyed themselves with internal politics four times already since the group's initial conception. Each time they meet their end, these most fervent of Qetzels followers vanish, going dark for hundreds or nearly thousands of years. Their strange ritualistic artifacts and disturbing sacred texts lay lost and forgotten in ancient meeting places for decades -- rotting like discarded corpses, withering away and obscuring their true purpose through the passage of time. Eventually, these items become rediscovered. Whether by someone totally unaffiliated with Qetzel, or some form of a "mild" follower of the mirthful God-husk, doesn't appear to have mattered throughout history; no matter the case, the unlucky person brings attention to this ancient cult once again. Like a stain on humanity itself the cult is never truly gone, as it violently blossoms into existence once more.Once More, With Aberration
Each iteration of the Cult of the Mind returns to power with more strangeness and peculiarity about it; each time they're relearned the cult's rituals grow more twisted and repellent. Time is not kind to the Cult's sacred texts, and much of what was originally explained or reasoned has been lost -- interpretation and faith are left to fill in the gaps on each go round. The only constants throughout the entire cycle have been Qetzel himself, and the unnatural blue crystals that grow from his twisted form. Some, outsiders mainly, believe that the mind-altering humming emanating from within the blue crystals, as well as from Qetzel himself, is the main reason for the cult's continual rebirth. Victims effected by the hum become more susceptible to suggestion, more open to outlandish ideas; perhaps just enough so that when the previous iteration of the Cult's objects are found once more, it takes but a small push to have them begin descending into the ritualistic depths all over again.Iterations
They of Mind and Sight
Est: 317aw
50 ppl.
Cult of the Mind(1)
Est: 529aw
1500 ppl.
Cult of the Mind(2)
Est: 570aw
400 ppl.
Grand Conspirators
Est: 1529aw
50k ppl.
Cult of the Mind(3)
Est.: 2899aw
1m+ ppl.
Main image by Tolga Ahmetler, edited by Stormbril
The Arrival of the Blessing
I've been walking for days. For what feels like weeks. But it's worth it. It's all worth it. I've been getting close to him. I'm following my lord, the architect of the Grand Conspiracy. I can see him close now, finally. Finally I've caught up to him. To Qetzel. To receive my blessing. His joyous laughter has kept me company on my pilgrimage. For months now it's all that I've been able to think about -- it's all that anyone ever says to me. They tell me of the great gift, the joy that comes from being blessed by Qetzel. They tell me I should do it. They tell me that I'll become blessed. That the danger of the blessing means only that the ceremony is more powerful. Those who die simply didn't deserve the blessing, anyways. I won't die, though. I've seen 7 crystals fall from Qetzel as I've walked behind him, trying to catch up as he floats across the landscape. He floats so quickly, so smoothly, it's always a surprise when a crystal falls. I've felt each one falling -- not in a physical sense, but emotional. It hurt me deeply to see those wasted blessings tumble to the ground. To not be there in order to receive one for myself. Each time a blue crystal fell to the empty landscape below, I shed a tear and quickened my pace. At times like those I can't decide if Qetzel's laughter is mocking me, or encouraging me. Either option would be typical of my lord, for he is a trickster, but one that is fair for he adapts his trickery to his great plan, his Grand Conspiracy. I'd been told to cut all communication with those I knew, before embarking on this journey. Told to simply not go home, and not listen to them -- I was told to not let their words poison my mind. "You're in a vulnerable state," my elder had told me. "You're like unfired clay, any touch but that of the master craftsman and you will not end up as you are meant to be." It made me feel special, like I had a purpose. He didn't mean actual touch, though, but rather the words spoken by those untrained in our ways. Those poisonous, corrupting words. I never went home again, after that advice. I stayed with those just like me. The ones who believed in me, and told me how great it would be to receive my blessing. Some of them had even already received theirs -- I could see it on their arms, their torsos, great gleaming scars of blessing. The divine areas where Qetzel's crystal had touched them, and uplifted them. A glorious humming interrupted my reverie. I'd been hearing it off and on for the last couple days, as I was getting closer to my lord. I'd noticed that sometimes the humming hits a certain rhythm, a particular pitch, just before one of the crystals growing breaks away and drops divinity to the surface. I'd been walking in his shadow for almost a full day now, listening intently to the pleasant and relaxing hum that fills the space around him. Smiling, repeating the lessons I'd been taught, over and over. Remembering the kind words of encouragement from other people just like me. I looked up to see a twinkle above me. Light danced joyously through a massive chunk of blue crystal; it danced with the joy I felt in my soul. My heart skipped a beat. I was right below him -- I was in the shadow of our divine dead god. I was perfectly positioned for my blessing Joy, oh wondrous joy! It was time, finally time! I stood, face upturned, towards my lord. I was smiling bigger than I'd ever smiled before. I was laughing in time with the endless mirth echoing from Qetzel. I watched briefly as the crystal tumbled down from lord Qetzel above. I smiled, and closed my eyes. There was no one around and yet still, I spoke aloud, my joy bursting forth from my own voice. "Watch! Watch as my blessing strikes me and--"
Impact
There's no telling what kind of stain this cult has left on Cathedris. The carnage they spread could be bloody everwhere.At a surface level the motivations of the cult are obscured. It seems as if their main desires are to see chaos and carnage spread into the world as far as they can reach; each step simply a part of Qetzel's Grand Conspiracy. Their actions are hard to predict, and their followers are steadfast in their faith. To some, there is no meaning beyond this. Yet things start to take on a more sinister tone when the strange effect of the humming is taken into account -- and the power that the modern Cult of the Mind wields suddenly becomes something of concern.
Infiltration
The modern cult spreads through a simple method; the humming crystals dropped from Qetzel's body. Followers carry these blue fragments with them on their goal to meet and talk to as many people as they possibly can, attempting to discover if their mark is someone significantly influenced by the hum of the crystal or not. The suggestions and requests start innocently at first; "Hey, can you pass me that?" or "I'm new here, why don't you show me around?". If there is a favourable response to those, the suggestions become slightly more outlandish as the cultist pushes to see how far their mark will go.Ever think of climbing the face of that building? I bet you could do it.
Of Sound Mind
One question troubles many that keep an eye on the Cult; why now? The records show that the modern iteration of the Cult of the Mind is the largest it's ever been, with the most followers, growing at an unprecedented pace. Qetzel and his crystals in their current state have existed since the carnage of The Seven Day War; thus an assumption is made that the humming emanating from the crystals surely occurred throughout history as well. This seemingly perplexing problem has lead people to two different conclusions; two different reasons to as what makes the modern day so different. Either the crystals have newly begun to hum, to effect people with the power of suggestion... or humanity has simply become more susceptible to its power. Both options seem undesirable. Both open up yet more questions. Whether it's due to some cosmic force, or some powerful object unearthed on Cathedris, there must be a reason for this increase in the Cult's recruiting power. Either way, it's surely all just a part of Qetzel's Grand Conspiracy.Ritual
Most of the Cult's rituals are kept relatively secret. Some fragments of information have been smuggled out, however; just enough to get an idea of some of the horrific rituals undertaken within the realm of Qetzel's endless and frightful laughter. Often these actions mimic actions the God-husk once took; other times, they seem to be related to his actual physical form. In all cases, they send shivers down the spine of non-believers and give strange welcoming goosebumps to those that are most afflicted by the powerful hum emitted by Qetzel's crystals.
To see as he sees
With singing blade in hand we join the chorus of Qetzel and mirth overflows the collective as it carves and splashes and soon the chosen shall be free from sight and thus open of mind...
To cut, to poke, to prod
Glee and joy is of the body and thus must be spread of the body, for only when we are open can we strengthen our connection and become more devout in our worship, thus open the bodies of the willing and unwilling...
"Watch! Watch as my blessing strikes me and--" aaaaand splatsch! Nice reading and I really love the way that was executed. And I love this aloud-box, nice colouring. :)
xD Thank you Eddie! <3