Taintshapers
The Taintshapers is a cult of the deity Douglas. They aim to infect and evolve the world, believing that taint and metamorphosis can polish the body, mind, and soul, making them stronger, more adaptable, and ultimately worthy of becoming one of Douglas' progeny. Those who endure his trials receive even more intensified blessings, which are intended to test, break, and perfect them.
They believe it is Douglas' intention to transform each of them into flawless beings capable of spending eternally in fully matured, tainted forms. They claim that the old gods abandoned mortals, leaving them with weak, delicate bodies incapable of thriving in this harsh and brutal planet. But Douglas provides more. He provides metamorphosis via agony and power through corruption.
The Taintshapers does not hoard Douglas' gifts. They are anxious to share his blessings with the world—but only with those who are strong enough to bear them. In their sect, sacrifice is sacrosanct, and only those who survive the taint and return with it's blessings are truly accepted. Absorb. Evolve. Or die.
They believe it is Douglas' intention to transform each of them into flawless beings capable of spending eternally in fully matured, tainted forms. They claim that the old gods abandoned mortals, leaving them with weak, delicate bodies incapable of thriving in this harsh and brutal planet. But Douglas provides more. He provides metamorphosis via agony and power through corruption.
The Taintshapers does not hoard Douglas' gifts. They are anxious to share his blessings with the world—but only with those who are strong enough to bear them. In their sect, sacrifice is sacrosanct, and only those who survive the taint and return with it's blessings are truly accepted. Absorb. Evolve. Or die.
Tenets of Faith
To properly accept the taint, one must embrace Douglas' hallowed path.
You must not only accept the taint; you must become it. Utilize it. Let it reshape you. Whatever enters your body—food, water, poison, disease, or flesh—it becomes yours. The world provides everything you need to evolve. All you need is the will to accept it.
Do not stay static. Do not stay weak. Become more.
Consume the world. Claim it. Let it fuel your transformation.
And after you've begun to soar, lead others to the taint. If they refuse, give it to them. The planet must adapt. It must be taken, recreated, corrupted, and polished.
What doesn't kill you make you stronger. However, Douglas believes that this is insufficient.
What tries to kill you must absorbed. Owned. Transformed.
Only then will you be Douglas' sincere follower.
You must not only accept the taint; you must become it. Utilize it. Let it reshape you. Whatever enters your body—food, water, poison, disease, or flesh—it becomes yours. The world provides everything you need to evolve. All you need is the will to accept it.
Do not stay static. Do not stay weak. Become more.
Consume the world. Claim it. Let it fuel your transformation.
And after you've begun to soar, lead others to the taint. If they refuse, give it to them. The planet must adapt. It must be taken, recreated, corrupted, and polished.
What doesn't kill you make you stronger. However, Douglas believes that this is insufficient.
What tries to kill you must absorbed. Owned. Transformed.
Only then will you be Douglas' sincere follower.
Ethics
Let's just say they don't care about ethics in the way that the rest of the world does.
They are willing to inject anyone, believer or not, because they see it as merely passing on Douglas' divine blessings. Dougla’s followers believe that if they die then they were not meant to be and did not deserve Douglas’s blessings
To them, spreading the taint is divine—a mercy. It makes no difference if they're friends, strangers, or foes. All are vessels ready to be filled, sculpted, and broken again.
They are willing to do whatever to help the world progress. For Lord Douglas. For the dream of a stronger, stranger, and more perfect future.
They are willing to inject anyone, believer or not, because they see it as merely passing on Douglas' divine blessings. Dougla’s followers believe that if they die then they were not meant to be and did not deserve Douglas’s blessings
To them, spreading the taint is divine—a mercy. It makes no difference if they're friends, strangers, or foes. All are vessels ready to be filled, sculpted, and broken again.
They are willing to do whatever to help the world progress. For Lord Douglas. For the dream of a stronger, stranger, and more perfect future.
Worship
When a Taintshaper wishes to offer a heartfelt prayer or request a blessed vision from Lord Douglas, they must first make a sacred offering—a substance they have never consumed before, or one known to produce change, development, or power. Even poisons are okay, as adaptability is the first step toward evolution.
The ritual begins with quiet.
The Taintshaper kneels and places the syringe—or whichever vessel Taintshaper has carries the desired substance—before them. They then elevate their pinky and index fingers, curling the rest into their palms and pressing both hands together in reverence. This is the Sign we shown for showing our willingness respect and desire of Douglas to evolve. The sign is tends to be called DE.
With their hands in this sacred stance, the Taintshaper begins their prayer by speaking honestly to Douglas, asking, confessing, offering thanks, or begging for guidance.
When the prayer is finished, the Taintshaper uses the syringe to penetrate their body and inject the material. Pain and fear must be faced with devotion.
Hands return to the Sign of DE to finish the ceremony.
Then, with full intent and unflinching trust, they deliver the concluding words:
"With this taint, I implore you, Lord Douglas, to bless me. Transform me become the ideal vessel to carry your will. Please give me what I need to help the planet and myself become more. Amen."
The ritual begins with quiet.
The Taintshaper kneels and places the syringe—or whichever vessel Taintshaper has carries the desired substance—before them. They then elevate their pinky and index fingers, curling the rest into their palms and pressing both hands together in reverence. This is the Sign we shown for showing our willingness respect and desire of Douglas to evolve. The sign is tends to be called DE.
With their hands in this sacred stance, the Taintshaper begins their prayer by speaking honestly to Douglas, asking, confessing, offering thanks, or begging for guidance.
When the prayer is finished, the Taintshaper uses the syringe to penetrate their body and inject the material. Pain and fear must be faced with devotion.
Hands return to the Sign of DE to finish the ceremony.
Then, with full intent and unflinching trust, they deliver the concluding words:
"With this taint, I implore you, Lord Douglas, to bless me. Transform me become the ideal vessel to carry your will. Please give me what I need to help the planet and myself become more. Amen."
Priesthood
- The Unblemished are individuals who have only begun to learn about the deity Douglas and his heavenly path. They are taught how to rid oneself of weakness and perfect their body, mind, and soul through the first hints of taint.
- Squirt Presley, a newly recruited recruit, has absorbed a portion of the taint and survived. You too are on your way. Douglas has tainted you with corruption, borne your suffering, and marked you. Welcome to the future. You are reborn as a true follower.
- Tainted One, you have overcome the trials and ingested three or more sacred substances of power. You are now a full member of the faith, worthy, awakened, and prepared to carry out Douglas' plan. You've started to perceive the actual beauty of the world—not as it is, but as it could be. The taint has crept inside you and is now leaking outward, creating a radiant infection that will touch everything. The world must shift. It must evolve. You are now responsible with spreading Douglas' teachings—sharing his gifts and realities with those who are prepared... and those who are not. You are willing to do whatever is necessary, desired, and required in the service of Lord Douglas and the Taintshapers.
- Tide-Tainted are people who have been through numerous tribulations, embraced deeper levels of taint, and grown beyond their old selves. They frequently head sects or groups, directing the loyal and harvesting those who are both eager and unwilling to participate in the rituals. They hold the path's wisdom and exhibit the most apparent mutations, second only to the Vile Masters.
- Vial Master are people who have merged with the Taint. They've perfected the flow, chemistry, and mutations. They understand the full extent of Douglas' transforming power and the numerous directions evolution might follow. Vile Masters run trials, manage large districts, and care for everyone under Douglas' cruel grace. In many ways, they are the high priests of their region, albeit the structure of each cluster varies.
Initiation
When The Unblemished truly ready—when you are ready followed Douglas' path—you will be granted an audience with the Shaper of Taint.You'll be brought to the basement of the ritual house. The apartment is damp, the air heavy with moisture, and the walls gleam with condensation. In the center is a table draped in a dark blue fabric. Your test is located beneath it. Sitting on the opposite side of the table you're heading is a Vial Master, wearing a dark black and blue add robe with green and blue symbolist all around it.
You will be offered a seat a deep blue cushion your kneel on. The rite begins with worship for Douglas, invoking his direction and corruption. As your prayer concludes, the Shaper of Taint will slowly withdraw the fabric, revealing seven syringes, each loaded with a unique cocktail of mutagenic essence, meticulously created in Douglas' name.
You have an option right now.
You must seek Douglas' advice to determine which of the seven vials will start your journey to becoming a perfection being. Then you inject.
There are only a handful possible paths forward:
If you refuse or falter in your determination, the Shaper will take action. You will be apprehended, pinned, and injected with all seven. Most people do not survive this. But if you do, you are accelerated toward ascension and admitted to the ranks of the elite—those marked by fate and formed in anguish.
Choose one and inject yourself; you will live or die according to Douglas' desire. Survival gives you admittance into the cult. You are now a tainted child who has been reborn. If you desire more metamorphosis, the Vial Master will offer, "Would you like another?" If you are capable of responding, you can say yes or no. If you are unable to talk, the Vial Master determines your fate.
As long as you live, your form—whether twisted, empowered, crippled, or enhanced—is holy. You're one of them now. You have exposed yourselves to unlimited afflictions and magnificent corruption. You're no longer weak. You're no longer in perfect creature. You're on your way to becoming something more something glorious and Douglas name.
The amount of injections you take defines the extent of your potential. The more you endure, the more you will learn and grow. The more doors open for you.
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