Steps to Esh
"Legend claims Esh to be the home of the Dark Lord and his minions. Those that join the Dark Lord and rebel against the White Lord end up in Esh. The White Church claims it is a place of eternal damnation where your soul can never be purified; Remaining forever tainted by the touch of darkness."
Each step of Esh represents how far you have descended from the pure path. Every year tainted costs you one extra step towards Esh (unless you are in the process of redeeming.)
The original documents (called the The Nonaments - from the time of the White Lord's arrival) were destroyed in the Great Fire and the burnt remains were translated as closely as possible before being written as the ‘new’ Church Law to create the steps you see below.
The further you descend, the further you move from the pure path and must follow the redemptions to guide yourself back. You must complete each step, in order, for true redemption. For example, if you stand at stage 6: steps to violence then you would need to complete 6 redemptions, one after the other, to save yourself.
Path to Esh:
1.) Steps to Deceit:
While lying will not taint you, it is still something that should be quelled where possible. However, if you lie under oath of Purity’s honour, you take the first step towards Esh. Redemption: Path of Truth2.) Steps to Decadence:
To live for one's own machinations not considering those around you. For example, living in a state of excessive wealth and blissful ignorance to the pain of others. Redemption: Path of Benevolence3.) Steps to Greed:
Stealing from others without justification nor caring for your victim’s feelings. Redemption: Path of Generosity4.) Steps to wanton lust:
An excessive desire for sexual gratification that leads you to deceit or treacherous behaviour. For example, lying to your partner to sleep with another. Or using manipulations to deceive someone into sleeping with you. Redemption: Path of Temperance5.) Steps to mental abuse:
Extreme mental abuse on someone for your own personal gain. This includes vengeful behaviour against a past assailant who wronged you and attempting to make someone feel intense painful guilt. Redemption: Path of Forgiveness6.) Steps to Violence:
To use extreme physical force other than as self-defence. This includes violence for anger, fun, curiosity, or revenge. For example a balter revelling in the pain they inflict on an opponent. It is for this reason many balters refuse to show joy during a defeated opponent’s suffering. Redemption: Path of tranquillity7.) Steps to Maniacal behaviour:
To manipulate the innocent into forced subservience for personal gain. Examples include, dealing in slavery, building an army of fanatics by physically or mentally abusing them to support your cause. Also includes extreme acts of egoism where you deceive many to do something you do not want to do yourself. Redemption: Path of Humility8.) Steps to Terminance:
To kill (for reasons other than self-defence or protection) or to cause extreme irreparable torture even if it’s vengeance for crimes committed against you. It is important to note, killing when under orders from the Crown will not taint you unless you enjoy the act or cause unnecessary suffering. Redemption: Path of Salvation9.) Steps to Excessive Gratification:
To fuel ones sexual desires through physical force on an unwilling recipient will bring you 9 steps towards Esh, and 9 paths that must be satisfied for a return to the pure way. Redemption: Path of Empathy10.) Step 10:
The last step and the one an individual cannot come back from. If you take another step beyond step 7 without ever attempting redemption will place you straight to this step. At this point you are fully immersed into the Dark Lord’s Esh to be known as Tainted Dark and church ministers will shun you as your soul will remain forever tainted until the White Lord purifies you. Redemption: No Path available. Your light essence is lost forever to the dark of Esh.
Author's Notes
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by Adam Neve-Dunn
