Priests & Priestesses

The only other true branch of the Dhe'nar priesthood is the priests and priestesses themselves. Very little is known of this group, as a Dhe'nar priestess will not divulge any secrets regarding the temple, even under extreme torture or even during her death throes. No written manuscripts are kept, as all lessons, histories, and stories are maintained using the oral tradition that has become so prevalent among the Dhe’nar.

This has severely limited the ability of outsiders to get a close glimpse into the life of a Dhe'nar priestess.

It is rumored that the priesthood has always had a fascination with death. It is also said that Members of the Dhe'nar priesthood are masters of pain and pleasure, and all priestess and priests are masters of seduction. What is known is that anyone who has been entangled in the web of a Dhe'nar priestess has attested to their almost binding control over a man through dance, graceful speech, and other more erotic arts.

The Dhe'nar priesthood rites of entry are some of the most violent known to all civilized races. The acolyte is stripped of all worldly possessions and sent to bring back the skin of a sh'arom.

For those not familiar with this most deadly creature of the caves a description follows.

A sh'arom is an entirely magical creature. Rumor describes them being bred by the Dhe'nar before the great cataclysm as a hunting beast. That experiment may be one that either worked too well or was a complete disaster, depending on the tales one hears. It is known that the sh'arom feed on pain.

A newborn sh'arom is mauled by its mother shortly after birth. The mauling, instead of harming the kit, makes it grow stronger. This lesson is repeated time and again, with each near death experience almost doubling the stamina, constitution, and violent capacity of the sh'arom.

A sh'arom is considered full-grown when it can kill its parents. Very few sh'arom get to this stage. Most of the pups kill each other as a female sh'arom can give birth to litters as large as 10 at one time. Most sh'arom only whelp one litter.

The full-grown sh'arom is about the size of a large timber wolf with scaled skin, a spiked tail, and two sets of extremely sharp teeth. The head resembles a reptile and when standing on its hind legs it can stand as tall as an adult elf. Sh'arom can see in the dark and have a very keen sense of smell. They also seem to be sensitive to magic and extremely resistant to it as well. Magical spells tend to be absorbed and the energy put towards faster healing on the part of the sh'arom.

For the acolyte to be accepted as a full-fledged priest or priestess, they must succeed in bringing back the skin of an adult sh'arom. They begin this task unarmed and unarmored.

It does not matter to the priesthood if they kill the sh'arom through magic, might, or even cunning. All that matters is that a skin is returned. It has been rumored that when more than one acolyte is sent on this mission, the high casualty rate may not all be attributable to the sh'arom themselves.