The Cult of the Biting Gale

Structure

The cult is devout to their leader Qidove, whom many of the members consider to be an avatar of the Elven Goddess Amitsuru, Blue Lady of the Sky and Rain. After the lady a number of prominent figures from military and scholarly backgrounds have joined with the cult serving as commanders of the faithful, though all commanders answer to her will on a frequent basis.

Public Agenda

They believe that Qidove has returned to the mortal planes to right the wrongs committed by humans against elvenkind, primarily those committed by Carthagia during their long period of expansion into elven lands and their history of morally questionable tactics.

Assets

All converts are required to give up all possessions they own before being inducted into the cult. Thus with the large amount of elven refugees carying treasures that were unthinkable to leave in the hands of human oppressors this has left a large amount of the religious treasures of Bear City in their possession. Strangely many of the men that had ancestors in the conflicts between men and elves have joined this group, seeking a redemption for the sins of their forefathers.

History

The cult was relatively new in the realm having only sprung up in the past decade, though many groups of elven rebels have stylized themselves as holy avengers of their people for nearly a century at this point. They made a name for themselves with some high profile assassinations of political figures in Painted Shore but ultimately lacked the ability to hamper the nation they desired.... until a mysterious benefactor funded the group with coin, materials, and knowledge of how to make poisonous gasses and deliver them by air.

Mythology & Lore

This group believes that Amitsuru has finally sent an avatar to her people in the first wave of the return of the elven gods to destroy the blights that ail them and create a paradise they can share with their deities. Many of the humans in this group expect a level of forgiveness for aiding this crusade along.

Tenets of Faith

They seek to end the mistreatment of the elven people by annihilating those who have wronged them in the past and taken their lands. Any means available are permissible as the elven end times are soon upon us all.

Ethics

Anything on this plane is permissible in the ultimate removal of humans and reestablishment of elven empires that have long been forgotten. Commonly members will hold extended cover stories in attempts to get close to leadership of human settlements and then kill them, causing the body of government to reel without its head, and letting human pride and plotting weaken them through civil conflict and politics before they can sweep in with a cleansing breeze.

Worship

Gathering offerings for Qidove is seen as an ultimate expression of devotion. Anything one consumes, takes, or uses is something of Qidove's that she then cannot, and she will destroy for all time those that deny her or any other elves their rightful possessions.

Priesthood

The priesthood are comprised of those who are faithful to Amitsuru's avatar and those humans who have shown adequate repentance to be granted a modicum of power. The humans have to undergo long periods of fasting, usually about a month, while still completing any tasks given to them by their superiors. After this they are allowed to begin reading the holy histories provided by Qidove, corrected from any dilution by centuries of edits by mankind, and expand their powers of using the wind.

Granted Divine Powers

Control over the winds, the ability to hold breath for obscene timespans, temporary shedding of the physical form to become one with air.

Political Influence & Intrigue

The schemes they weave has removed many of the more prominent political figures from Carthagia, which is a problem in a republic. Unsavory and unpopular elements have since been able to take power and it is unknown how this fits into the cult's plans. The King of Genos has alluded to the importance of the elven people to take back ancestral lands, though he has been careful to voice doubts as to the divinity of this group and to condemn their methods publicly after the death of King Marcus of Blackmire.

Sects

Formerly the Feathergale Knights and their leader Thurl of Kentyuk though a mysterious group has decimated their HQ and forces.

Type

Religious, Cult