The Shadow Dominion of Orcus
The Shadow Dominion of Orcus is devoted to Orcus, a malevolent deity symbolizing death, necromancy, and the undead. Founded in the dark era of 1299 AoU by the infamous Archlich Mortanis Ghaun, this cult thrives in the shadowy margins of society, where fear and death hold sway. Its followers, known as the Nightshades, see death not as an end but as a path to greater power and eternal life through undeath.
Central to the Dominion's beliefs is the "Doctrine of the Eternal Night," which preaches that death is the ultimate state of existence and that life is merely a temporary illusion. The Nightshades perform dark rituals involving necromancy and the summoning of undead creatures as a demonstration of their devotion to Orcus. These rituals often involve the reanimation of the dead, with the ultimate goal of transforming the faithful into powerful undead forms, such as liches or death knights, to serve in Orcus's undead armies.
The cult is secretive, operating from hidden enclaves and ancient crypts spread across the land. It is involved in various dark activities, including grave robbing, assassination, and the spread of plagues. The Shadow Dominion's influence is often wielded in political undercurrents, manipulating leaders and kingdoms through fear or blackmail.
Structure
Deathlord: The supreme leader of the Dominion, believed to be directly chosen by Orcus.
Council of Bones: A group of powerful necromancers and undead lords who govern different sectors of the cult's activities.
Reapers: Elite warriors and assassins who enforce the will of the Dominion and eliminate threats to its secrecy and survival.
Crypt Keepers: Priests and mages dedicated to the maintenance of crypts and the performance of necromantic rituals.
The Shadow Brethren: Cloaked agents who infiltrate societies, spreading the cult's influence and recruiting new members.
Culture
The culture within the Shadow Dominion is marked by a deep reverence for death and the undead. Followers believe that life is temporary and that true liberation comes from embracing undeath. This belief permeates their daily lives, with followers often living among the dead, in crypts or abandoned places shrouded in darkness. The Dominion's members communicate in secretive ways, using coded messages and symbols related to death and resurrection. Art and music within the cult often feature morbid themes, celebrating decay and the macabre beauty of the undead form.
Public Agenda
The public agenda of the Shadow Dominion is to expand the worship of Orcus and increase the number of undead creatures in the world, ultimately aiming to overthrow the natural order and replace it with one where the undead rule. This involves secretive plots, the spread of necromantic practices, and the undermining of institutions that uphold life and health. The Dominion also seeks to recover ancient artifacts and lost necromantic texts to increase their power and knowledge.
Assets
The Dominion's assets include hidden crypts and temples filled with undead creatures, secret libraries of forbidden lore, and extensive networks of spies and informants. Financially, they are supported by hoards of treasure acquired through centuries of grave robbing and the manipulation of wealthy but morally corrupt individuals.
History
- 1299 AoU: Foundation by Archlich Mortanis Ghaun.
- 1356 AoU: The Night of Wailing, a significant event where a thousand souls were sacrificed to invoke Orcus’s favor.
- 1624 AoU: The Dominion's influence led to the downfall of the kingdom of Verenthane.
- 2378 AoU: A civil war within the Dominion was quelled by the emergence of a powerful Deathlord.
- 3245 AoU: Orchestrated the Plague of Shadows, spreading disease and raising an army of the undead.
Mythology & Lore
The central mythology of the Shadow Dominion revolves around the "Descent of Orcus," a tale where Orcus, originally a mortal of immense power, descended into the underworld and conquered it, transforming into the Lord of the Undead. This myth serves as the foundation for the belief in the transformative power of death and the supremacy of the undead. It also includes tales of epic battles between Orcus and other deities, showcasing his might and cunning, often used as parables to teach strategic and ruthless behavior.
Divine Origins
The Shadow Dominion was founded in the haunted ruins of Duskendale, a place long associated with dark magic and ancient curses. This location was chosen for its historical significance and its natural affinity with necromantic energies, which are said to seep from the ground. The eerie atmosphere and isolation from society made it an ideal ground for the cult’s secretive and taboo practices to develop and flourish.
Tenets of Faith
The core tenets of the Shadow Dominion emphasize the embrace of death and power through necromancy:
Embrace the Eternal Night: Life is fleeting; true existence begins at death.Seek Power through Darkness: Harness the dark arts to ascend beyond mortal limits.Serve Orcus Unyieldingly: Devotion to Orcus is paramount; his will is the path to immortality.Spread Decay: Promote the decay of the living world to prepare for the reign of the undead.Transform and Transcend: Aim to transcend life and become part of Orcus’s undead legion.
Ethics
The ethical system of the Dominion is antithetical to most conventional morality, focusing on the virtues of selfishness, the pursuit of personal power, and the glorification of Orcus. Ethical teachings discourage attachments to the living, promote the manipulation of others for personal gain, and view the non-followers as mere tools or obstacles. These ethics are often justified by a nihilistic view of life and a belief in the inevitability and desirability of death and decay.
Worship
Worship practices in the Shadow Dominion are macabre, involving rituals that celebrate death and the undead. These include necromantic ceremonies that animate the dead, blood sacrifices to empower spells, and dark festivals that coincide with celestial events believed to enhance magical potency. Central to their worship is the 'Rite of the Endless Night', a forbidden ceremony performed during a new moon, aiming to open a gateway for Orcus's direct influence into the world.
Priesthood
The priesthood within the Shadow Dominion is composed of necromancers and clerics who have shown extraordinary devotion and mastery of dark arts. They are often seen as the intermediaries between Orcus and his followers, tasked with the dissemination of his decrees and the conducting of the darkest rituals. The hierarchy is strict, with higher ranks given to those who demonstrate the ability to control more powerful undead or who have achieved feats of necromancy that benefit the Dominion.
Political Influence & Intrigue
The Shadow Dominion wields its influence through manipulation and fear rather than open governance. It infiltrates political systems using its members who act as advisors, courtiers, or even rulers in disguise. By promoting chaos, weakening state structures, and inciting conflicts, the Dominion aims to destabilize regions making them ripe for takeover by undead forces. This political strategy is masked by layers of secrecy, with only the highest echelons of the cult privy to the full extent of their machinations.
Sects
The Bone Scribes:
Scholars and historians who seek to uncover and preserve ancient necromantic texts, believing knowledge to be the path to power.The Pale Riders:
A militant sect that believes in spreading Orcus's influence through conquest and war, riding undead beasts into battle.The Veiled Society:
A secretive group that focuses on assassination and espionage to grow the cult's power from the shadows.
"Through Death, Ascend"
Founding Date
1,299 AoU
Type
Secret, Religious sect
Demonym
Nightshades
Leader Title
Founders
Deities
