Church of the Night's Shadow
It's a secret.
The Church of the Night's Shadow is concerns itself with the directives and philosophies of the goddess, TaCheen. They are not as visible, or demonstrative, as other temples or beliefs but they are as active. In some regions, they are the most active of any faith-based organization, yet still they try to refrain from being noticed by the general public, if possible.
Misty Beginnings and What Most Know
The saying goes that for as long as there's been shadows and secrets, there's been the Church of the Night's Shadow.
There have been mentions of the goddess TaCheen, her avatar, and her temples as far back as the 1st Age of Illuria. But no record of how the church began or was founded. Persistent rumors say the church has a record of its founding, and by who, but that information is not open to the public. Like many things with the Children of the Night, it's a secret.
What is known is their particular approach toward life and the world. TaCheen is known as the goddess of the night, deception, and mischief. Her church and congregation are often branded a thieves' guild wrapped in religious trappings. Throughout history, the Church of the Night's Shadow has been restricted or even outlawed in one region or another. This holds true today.
The Church of the Night's Shadow dogma states that the what happens in the night, what is said in the shadows, who they are in shadows is the true self. Deception, misdirection, and accumulation of information is a better path to solve problems than any use of direct force. Stealing was a tool to be used sparingly but is a tool when necessary.
Plans Behind the Curtain
Everyone has a secret or two. These people? It's their bread and butter. But they've a reason for it...
Their public reputation may be a ‘House of Secrets’ or a glorified thieves' guild, but the truth is far from it. They hide behind their reputation and the rumors, using them as a shield so they are better able to pursue their actual goals.
Their public dogma, like many aspects of the Children of the Night, is another misdirection. Plans within a plan. The 'true self' of the church is that they seek to help people find the truth inside themselves. To find their True Self within the Shadow of Life and through that, improve life for those around them. They try to protect the downtrodden either by diverting the dangers or helping the downtrodden to stand up on their own. More often the latter than the former.
This often calls on the clergy to work against tyrants and similar who look out only for themselves. The powerful that seek to gain wealth and power at the expense of others, especially the downtrodden, quickly find themselves a target of TaCheen's followers.
Against the powerful or wealthy, the clergy make bargains and deals. Extract favors. All to manipulate events quietly to ensure those powerful people will not achieve their goals on the blood and backs of the helpless. For mages, especially Lich Lords, this takes an even more drastic turn.
Mages who crave control, from Mind Lords to Lich Lords, the situation is different. Those are not people who are easy to manipulate and often take drastic measures to protect themselves from such. They are also quick to use innocents for their own self-centered or bloody plans. Yet, even these dangerous individuals have a weakness in the shadows the clergy can exploit.
This comes down to the acquisition or creation of powerful relics. In this case, the clergy use their skills at thievery, gadgeteering, and magic to slip in and damage a relic, making it useless. If a magical relic is too powerful to add a flaw to ruin it, the Children of the Night steal the item, then hide it away until they can permanently seal it off in one of the many vaults across the lands.
Churches Within Temples
The Church of the Night's Shadow rarely maintains an independent temple, save one. Records from early ages talk about the city of Rikkam, located deep in the Shattered Lands. It lies on the southern edge of that region, near the edge of portion of the Cursed Lands left over from the Final War.
That temple is a place of study and worship. In the ancient city of Rikkam, the Children of the Night are given respect, a rare gift for them. According to Rikkam's history, if it had not been for the Church of the Night's Shadow, Rikkam and its populace would have ceased to exist.
Beyond that one location, other temples are called "chapels". They use these chapels as places of worship, meeting halls and more. They are not independent buildings but always a hidden section inside either a Glassblower's Guildhall or one of the Craft Temples of the god Grimpelshir.
As the story goes, or so my ancestor recorded it, Grimpelshir lost a bet to TaCheen. Since then, the upper echelons of his clergy are required to maintain a location for the Church of the Night's Shadow and keep it a secret. All because Grimpelshir owes TaCheen a favor...
Sects and Divisions
This organization has a long history across many ages. As with any group, schisms and disagreements can and will happen. The Church of the Night's Shadow is no exception. What is different is how they handle this.
Sects, to the church, are simply a new way of thinking. New thoughts on old ideas. Unlike some organizations where a division or a sect will break off on its own, sects in the Church of the Night's Shadow are recognized as a Halat, or 'school of thought'. As per the mandate of TaCheen herself, new thoughts on old ideas are encouraged. So 'sects', or Halats, are just regional schools for the Church of the Night's Shadow.
All clergy ascribe to one Halat or another and since all are encouraged to visit and learn from other Halats, this allegiance often changes over time. The members use this flexible arrangement to their advantage as well, making it difficult for outsiders to pin down the exact size of the Church of the Night's Shadow.
Structure of the Church
The church's organization rather simple. First, there are the Ageans, sometimes mispronounced as 'agents'. These are the travelling priests and priestesses that go out to make the deals, create flaws in dangerous relics, and otherwise carry out the needs of the church among the people.
Next are the Prioret, which in the church's language of 'Eiv means "One Who Does Study". These individuals manage the chapels and other permanent safe-houses and religious structures of the church. The Prioret are the ones who work with the Ageans on various jobs and missions for the church, but they are not entirely 'in charge' of the Ageans.
Priorets are simply Ageans who through age or injury can no longer perform ‘field work’. Therefore, they maintain the safe spaces for the faithful to come to in times of need.
Last are the Longshadows. These are members of the church who have been elevated to help manage records, events, and more in a region. They are selected from among the Ageans and Priorets who display the most skilled ability at tactics and planning.
There is a rumor, even to the Children of the Night, that there is yet a fourth rank. A rank that speaks directly with the avatar of the goddess herself.
Really, it could just be the goddess TaCheen, throwing yet a little more shade over the whole thing so no one knows really what the structure really is...
Founding Date
Unknown, presumed 1st Age
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Alternative Names
Children of the Night
Deities
Clergy, no matter the rank, all wear the symbol of the order. This is a coin-sized black felt patch surrounded by a dusk-smoke gray circle, making the symbol resemble a dark moon ringed in smoke.
Symbol of the Church of the Night's Shadow by CB Ash
Comments