Shroud Cults
Those who follow the Shrouded Ones, be they members of established Sou'elian faiths or power-hungry warlocks, generally hold some common beliefs. They tend not to view the Shrouded Ones as actual deities and accept that they have limited power, though many still refer to them as gods. They also tend to reject most forms of authority, though those who follow more lawful Shrouded Ones will generally bow to the will of their high-ranking followers. It is largely for this reason that Sou'elia is so decentralised and unable to exert its will over its weaker neighbours.
Mythology & Lore
The Shrouded Ones are beings of great power - essentially demigods. They are generally not worshipped as deities, but often cults will form around them, consisting mainly of those who are dissatisfied with established religions. The more powerful of them control their own demesnes within the Shadowfell, where they can bring the souls of their most devoted followers upon death, as long as said followers have undergone certain rituals. The majority of them are viewed with suspicion or outright hostility by both the Colossian pantheons and the Teghneist Church, but some exist alongside the established religions, sometimes being viewed as angels or lesser deities by their followers, and sometimes simply being respected as powerful and virtuous individuals. The Teghneists and Opitareans furthermore believe that the gods of the two Colossian pantheons are Shrouded Ones, while the Colossians argue that the Solars, and in some cases Teghne and Araw, are Shrouded Ones.
There are possibly dozens, or even hundreds of Shrouded Ones, but as their name implies, most are largely unknown, preferring to remain hidden from the mortal world.
Sects
The following is a list of all known Shrouded Ones, though it is believed that there are numerous others, and it could be argued that most Archdevils are technically Shrouded Ones:
Kujestar (LG):
The followers of Kujestar are tolerated by most major faiths of Ura, as Kujestar does not require complete devotion from his followers, and allows them to keep their religions. Known as "The Guardian", he despises undead and demons, which is another fact that makes him tolerated. He often grants power to certain individuals to act as his intermediaries and root out evil where they can find it. His symbol is a gauntleted fist, surrounded by flames.
Lamki (CE):
Known as "The Envious", Lakmi rarely interacts with mortals, but when she does, it is exclusively for her own self interests. Her followers are not at all tolerated by any established organisations other than cults, thieves guilds, and bandit gangs, whom she occasionally makes deals with, often granting their members supernatural powers in return for carrying out her wishes.
Ilune (NE):
Known as "The Betrayer", Ilune is believed by Mekonites to be the chief evil deity, and primary opponent to the good gods led by Bizitzum (Ettu). She is seen as power-hungry, ambitious, and sadistic, and her cults are often rooted out by Mekonite authorities with extreme prejudice, even outside of Mekonite territory. She is often worshiped by various peoples of the Underdark that find themselves at odds with the Drow, due to her longstanding rivalry with Lolth.
Laduguer (LE):
Chiefly worshiped by the Duergar, Laduguer is bitter and resentful, believing joy to simply be a meaningless distraction from productivity. He is known as "The Exile" due to his, and the Duergars', ostracism from Dwarvenkind. He fosters a culture among the Duergar that resembles his own personality, encouraging the use of slave labour, unethical technological developments, and callousness in general.
Lolth (CE):
Known as "The Demonweb", Lolth is principally worshiped by the Drow. One of the most powerful Shrouded Ones, Lolth was responsible for the breaking away of the Drow from the Elves of Sou'elia and Enoria in Time Immemorial, and has held dominion over them ever since. Her cult is one of sadism, tyranny, deceit, and ambition, and is tolerated nowhere outside of the Underdark and the Dusklands.
Gruumsh (CE):
Worshiped as a god by many Orcs and known as "The Assailant", Gruumsh values destruction and savage warfare above all else. Despite being a capable tactician, Gruumsh is short-sighted and hot-tempered. These flaws were utilised by Korarath Daymender to defeat Gruumsh's forces in the Battle of the Eidre during the fall of the Finorrian Republic. It is believed that Gruumsh was imprisoned by Kujestar following the conversion of the Orcs of the Icerim Coast to Teghneism during the Great Northern Winter.
Naemeri (CG):
Known as "The Liberator", Naemeri is one of the few Shrouded Ones that is not seen as evil by most. She commands little of her follows, except to overturn tyranny where they find it. Her cult is popular among the slaves of Sou'elia, and as a result is outlawed by the Empire. She is less popular elsewhere, but is venerated by some in both the Varofian and Sennorrian Resistances.
Betzal (LN):
Referred to as "The Enforcer", little is known of Betzal except for his strict adherence to laws and oaths. He is venerated by the Mekonites as the Squire of Gatazka. Cults surrounding him often also venerate Primus, and sometimes various Archdevils. The Imperial Cult of Sou'elia encourages his worship, supposedly due to his lawful nature, though critics have suggested he is included in the pantheon specifically because he rarely speaks to mortals, and thus is unlikely to contradict Casimda.
Bane (LE):
More commonly known as Zeilik by his followers, Bane epitomises tyranny and rule through might. He is referred to as "The Despot", and is despised by most non-Shroudists, as well as many Shroud Cultists. He is strongly opposed by Naemeri and her followers, and often comes into conflict with other Shrouded Ones due to his desire to rule over them.
Barzats (TN):
One of the more mysterious Shrouded Ones, Barzats is believed to have been a powerful wizard before ascending to the Shroud. Known as "The Ascendant", he is characterised by his neutrality in almost all affairs, and his lack of contact with anyone who is not a powerful mage. His cult is small, with members primarily being part of the Esoteric League and the Imperial Academy of the Shroud in Sou'elia.
Varevum (NG):
Known as "The Humble", Varevum is said to have unwillingly taken on the mantle of Shrouded One when the wizard he was apprentice to died at the hands of Ilune. He is venerated as a lesser deity by the Mekonites, and is included in the official Sou'elian pantheon, despite the fact that he has explicitly and publicly stated that he does not want to be worshiped numerous times.
Hanseath (CN):
Known as "The Merry", Hanseath's cult is surprisingly small given his love of carousing, brewing, and song. He is called a trickster by his opponents, while his followers insist that any deceitful actions he takes are all in good fun. He stays out of conflicts between the Shrouded Ones, and has a various times been subject to Bane, Ilune, Kujestar, and Gruumsh. Due to Hanseath's Dwarven heritage and love of merriment, his only real rival is Laduguer.
Type
Religious, Cult
Demonym
Shroudist
Permeated Organizations
Location
Related Myths
Comments