Arakzul

Arakzul, often central to the doctrines of “The Cult of the Hallowed Veil,” is a divine entity associated with darkness and the deeper, often misunderstood aspects of the cosmos. While specific details about Arakzul can vary.

Nature and Domain

Arakzul is depicted as a deity of shadows, obscurity, and the unseen. This entity is believed to govern all that exists in darkness, from the night sky to the obscured depths of the mind and spirit. Arakzul is not merely about the absence of light but represents the profound mysteries and powers that reside in darkness—those elements of existence that are only revealed when the distractions and illusions of light are stripped away.

Mythology and Worship

According to the lore of the Cult of the Hallowed Veil, Arakzul was a primordial force present at the creation of the world, a counterbalance to the forces of light and order. In the cult’s mythology, Arakzul is often depicted as a liberator, freeing beings from the deception of light and guiding them to truth through darkness. The deity communicates through eclipses, shadow play, and cryptic visions, each a teaching or revelation intended to lead followers deeper into the fold of mysteries.

Symbolism and Representation

Arakzul is symbolically represented in a variety of forms, often as a figure cloaked entirely in shadows or as an amorphous presence surrounded by dark mists. Symbols associated with Arakzul might include obscured or veiled objects, black mirrors, or the image of an eclipse. These symbols are used in rituals and are often worn by the followers as tokens of their devotion.

Influence and Power

In the teachings of the Cult, Arakzul’s power is seen as both destructive and creative. The deity’s influence extends to the fomenting of chaos, where old orders are broken down to make way for new growth that aligns more closely with the truths hidden in darkness. Arakzul is also associated with protection, offering a haven within the shadows where followers can escape the scrutiny and persecution of those who worship the light.

Rituals and Ceremonies

Worship of Arakzul involves various rituals that emphasize communion through darkness. These include meditation in pitch-black environments, the recitation of chants during eclipses, and the performance of secretive rites that symbolize entering into deeper layers of understanding and commitment. The most sacred rituals are conducted during astronomical events that naturally darken the skies, believed to be the moments when Arakzul’s presence and power are most palpable.

Arakzul’s Visage

Arakzul manifests as a towering figure, standing at an indeterminate height that seems to shift with the shadows it casts. Its body is a swirling mass of darkness, dense and impenetrable, resembling a moving, breathing shadow. Occasionally, the shadows appear to pulse with a subtle, deep purple or blue luminescence, giving the impression of a heartbeat or life force within the void.
Face: The face of Arakzul is rarely fully visible, often obscured by a hood or veil made of what appears to be a cascade of dark mist. When visible, its features are stark and chiseled, almost statuesque, with eyes that glow faintly like distant stars in a night sky. These eyes are the only source of light within the form, piercing through the darkness with an intensity that can feel both unsettling and alluring.
Hands: Arakzul’s hands are long and slender, with fingers that taper into fine points. The hands float and gesture as if conducting the surrounding shadows, manipulating them with an artist’s grace. The fingertips emit wisps of dark smoke, which curl and dissipate into the air.
Voice and Presence: While Arakzul’s physical form is foreboding, its voice contrasts this with a deep, resonant tone that envelops listeners like a velvet blanket. The presence of Arakzul is felt before it is seen, with a chilling yet comforting drop in the ambient temperature and a quieting of the surrounding environment, as if the very air is waiting in anticipation.

Symbolic Elements

Aura: Around Arakzul, the air shimmers slightly with what looks like heat distortion, but it is cold to the touch. This aura seems to absorb light from the surroundings, making the area immediately around the deity appear darker than normal, as if light itself is hesitant to intrude.
Garments: Arakzul’s garments, if they can be called such, appear as extensions of its shadowy form. They flow and merge with the air around, edges indistinct and constantly shifting. The fabric, if it can be considered fabric, seems to be made of a material darker than the deepest night, swallowing any light that falls upon it. This cloak or robe moves with a life of its own, at times laying flat and at other times billowing out as if caught in a silent, unseen storm.
Regalia: Arakzul might be adorned with ancient symbols or runes that are visible only when it wishes them to be seen. These symbols could be etched into the edges of its garments or appear floating around its form, glowing faintly with a ghostly light. They represent the deep and ancient magics Arakzul commands—the forgotten languages of creation and destruction.

Mystical Accessories

Staff or Scepter: In some manifestations, Arakzul could be seen holding a staff or scepter, which serves as a conduit for its power. The staff is crafted from a material that resembles twisted black wood, capped with a gem that absorbs rather than reflects light, echoing the enigmatic nature of Arakzul itself.
Crown or Diadem: Occasionally, a crown or diadem might appear, floating above Arakzul’s hooded head. This crown is made from a dark, metallic substance and is studded with stones that look like voids—miniature black holes that seem to draw in the gaze of any onlooker.

Environmental Effects

Shadow Manipulation: As Arakzul moves, the shadows in the vicinity respond, stretching towards or away from the deity as if in communication. This manipulation of shadows is not merely a visual effect but part of the deity’s interaction with the world, a manifestation of its influence over darkness and obscurity.
Whispers of Darkness: Those in close proximity to Arakzul might hear whispers emanating from the shadows around them. These whispers could be prayers from past followers, secrets of the universe, or dark temptations, depending on Arakzul’s intentions and the listener’s state of mind.

Religions

• Hallowed Veil

Church/Cult

Hallowed Veil

Related Myths

• The Great Obscuration
• The Second Darkening