Cult of Anshara
Until five years ago, the name Anshara was entirely lost to time, erased from the annals of recorded history. However, the recent discovery of an ancient relic and hidden mosaics beneath the grand halls of Tatharia Capitolina has rekindled interest in this forgotten celestial entity. Known as Anshara, the Unblinking Witness, she is said to be a divine force that does not judge but simply reveals—an entity whose sight pierces through illusion, uncovering truths long buried beneath the weight of secrecy and time.
The Cult of Anshara has swiftly risen to prominence in the wake of these discoveries, drawing adherents from all corners of the empire. Their doctrine, built upon the belief that truth is immutable and revelation is an end unto itself, has positioned them as both a beacon of clarity and a source of deep unease among the powerful. The cult does not seek vengeance or enforcement of laws—it merely illuminates the hidden, forcing those who dwell in shadows to reckon with their own deeds.
This resurgence has not gone unnoticed. The Imperial Courts and the Church of Alessandra regard the Cult with suspicion, wary of its potential to destabilize long-established power structures. Meanwhile, the nobility remains divided—some seeking the Cult’s insights for personal gain, others working to suppress its influence before their own secrets are laid bare. With a formal petition to join the Pantheobule under consideration and whispers that even the Empress herself secretly supports their cause, the Cult of Anshara stands at a precipice. Will they cement their place in the Empire’s spiritual and political fabric, or will their revelations bring about their own undoing?
This article explores the mythology, ethics, divine powers, political intrigue, worship practices, and sects of the Cult of Anshara, shedding light on an enigmatic faith whose very nature demands that no truth remain hidden.
Mythology & Lore
Anshara, known as the Unblinking Witness, is a Celestial being revered for her unwavering gaze upon all truths. Unlike deities of judgment or retribution, Anshara does not pass sentence—she merely sees and reveals. According to ancient records, she existed before the Extinguishment of the Stars of Power, a period marking the fall of many primordial gods. Her worship was nearly erased from history, suggesting that her sight was feared rather than celebrated. The newly discovered mosaics depict her with radiant, many-layered eyes, often gazing through veils of light, symbolizing her ability to perceive what others wish to remain hidden.
Divine Origins
The Anshara emerged following the unearthing of an ancient relic, dating back more than 2,000 years, and a series of mosaic murals deep beneath the halls of Tatharia Capitolina. The relic, believed to have originated from the fabled waters of the Emerald Sea, was uncovered alongside depictions of a Celestial being, known now as Anshara, the Unblinking Witness, whose radiant eyes perceived all truths. Unlike other deities of justice, Anshara did not wield scales or wear a blindfold—her vision was absolute, piercing through deception and revealing reality as it truly was.
The Relic of Anshara
Recovered alongside the mosaics was an artifact of unknown metal, a polished disc that reflects more than mere appearances. When bathed in starlight, the disc reveals hidden inscriptions and grants visions of past events, though prolonged gazing into its surface is said to unravel the mind. It has become the heart of the Cult, a tool through which Anshara’s will is revealed to her followers Scholars believe that Anshara’s worship predates the Extinguishment of the Stars of Power by several centuries at least. The discovery of her murals, deliberately buried, suggests that her faith was actively suppressed in ages past. The most devout adherents whisper that Anshara’s sight was not simply metaphorical—that those who sought to obscure the past feared her power to expose all things.Tenets of Faith
The Cult of Anshara does not claim to judge but rather to uncover. Theirs is not the justice of punishment, but the justice of revelation.
"Light cannot be deceived." Truth is not subjective—it exists beyond perception.
"To see is to know; to know is to act." Once the truth is unveiled, it must be acknowledged.
"No history is truly buried." The past echoes through time, waiting to be revealed.
Ethics
The Cult of Anshara does not concern itself with morality in the traditional sense but instead follows a doctrine of illumination and acknowledgment.
Truth is immutable. What is seen cannot be unseen.
Deception is the greatest corruption. To obscure truth is to defy the natural order.
To witness is to bear responsibility. Those who see wrongdoing and remain silent are complicit.
Revelation above judgment. Truth is an end unto itself, requiring neither punishment nor pardon.
This stance has created ideological conflicts with imperial magistrates and religious authorities, who believe that certain truths must remain buried for the good of the realm.
Worship
Initiates of the Cult undergo a ritual known as the Unveiling, where they stand before the relic and face their own reflection—not as they believe themselves to be, but as they truly are. The experience is harrowing, and not all who undergo it remain within the Cult.
Higher-ranking members, known as Witnesses, claim to receive visions from Anshara herself—glimpses into hidden truths, lost histories, and the concealed machinations of the powerful. They keep detailed records of these revelations, believing them to be vital pieces of a greater puzzle.
Granted Divine Powers
While Anshara does not actively intervene in mortal affairs, her most devoted Witnesses claim to experience gifts of insight:
- The Unveiled Sight: Allows one to perceive hidden truths, illusions, or falsehoods.
- Echoes of the Past: A trance-state in which visions of past events unfold, revealing lost knowledge.
- The Piercing Gaze: Some Witnesses claim that, when invoking Anshara’s name, those who speak falsehoods before them feel an overwhelming compulsion to confess.
Political Influence & Intrigue
Since the discovery of the Relic of Anshara, the Cult has gained influence in Tatharia Capitolina’s courts and scholarly circles. Their growing presence has stirred unrest among:
Imperial Bureaucrats: Fearful that their hidden dealings and secret allegiances will be exposed.
The Church of Alessandra: Unwilling to accept a divine force that does not bow to their doctrine.
The Nobility: Some seek the Cult’s power for personal advantage, while others work against it to preserve their own secrets.
The Cult has formally petitioned to join the Pantheobule, the governing body of religious affairs within the Empire. However, their acceptance remains uncertain, as many within the Empire’s power structure see them as a disruptive force.
Sects
Though the Cult remains unified in purpose, ideological rifts have given rise to distinct factions:
The Witnesses of the Unveiled: The most devout followers, acting as keepers of the sacred archives, documenting visions and revelations.
The Seekers of Lost Light: Adventurers and historians who travel the world seeking hidden records, lost artifacts, and buried truths.
The Silent Chorus: A secretive sect within the Cult, rumored to deal in espionage and strategic revelation, exposing corruption through carefully timed unveilings.
With their growing presence and the secrets they uncover, the Cult of Anshara has become a force that cannot be ignored—for in a world where power often lies in what remains hidden, truth is the most dangerous weapon of all.
Founding Date
1520
Type
Religious, Cult
Demonym
Cutlists, Ansharites
Deities
Location
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