The Shadowknights of Necrucifer

"My life was that of a vagrant, a wanderer, and a watcher of men. Gray is the word for my existence, a cloud of fog in perpetual motion. I saw little that surprised me and even less that brought hope to my troubled mind. It was a time of bleakness that I do not look back upon with favor."

Malcom drak'Martys

"The red and black moons hung high in the sky, foretelling of their rise and trying to ignore the unavoidable intent of their fall. Nevertheless, they shone down upon Algoron like the sun, lighting it with that eerie, milky tone that made everything all that much more surreal. However, there was something more surreal headed towards the dusky mountains that rose up before the coastline north of New Thalos, the snow-capped peaks already suggestive of the coming winter, as if the brooding clouds were not enough. Two riders, coming from the south, both cloaked and shaded in darkness like it was their second nature, long tendrils of cape billowing behind in a fury, suggestive of their speed. Their mounts, no less foreboding, left trails of hellfire from hooves and mane that sparked and crashed upon the riders themselves, yet they seemed unshaken by this, their gaze aimed solidly towards the mountains and what lay within."

Ishamael Rinji

The Pre-History of Eclipse according to Shadow

You can find Gareth's own version of the pre-history here.

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Reklah: The Brotherhood Lesson in Review

Tue Oct 18 03:59:35 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow ( Cahlizna Kyri Imm RP )

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There are many tales which attest to history that cannot be substantiated

one way or another. The most famous of these works is called the Sunset

Dawn. It recites the tale of San Gohdam and Targetter and the Eclipsian

rise.

The Sunset Dawn must be considered a fictional work because of our inability

to confirm or deny the claims within it. Nonetheless the story does serve

us a valuable moral -- that is to say, the imperative of Brotherhood.

What we're going to go over tonight is what can be substantiated not only

due to the Sunset Dawn but excavated documents from the cities of Althainia

and Arkane and Verminasia.

San Gohdam successfully left the Serpantol Empire with units of knights who

aspired to his same dream and with Targetter, or so it would seem. His name

is given as Dar Getter in the Kayen texts. The knights of Eclipse traversed

across the continent and similar to Storm's own action they built a stone

foundation southeast of the Verminasian city and fortified.

There is an absence of historical text but San Gohdam did not immediately

declare war on Serpantol or Gareth and in all likelihood he had to reserve

time to prepare. His revolution was in its early productivity and needed

time to manifest.

During this time Serpantol already had their hands full with the yaenni

empire of dae'Tok and might not have pursued because of this. It is also a

fact that at some point in the early Eclipsian history Gohdam endured a

religious conversion and his knights followed him into Necrucifer's service.

This might appear initially surprising to some, like Azheri converting to

Necrucifer in modernity -- but on thorough inspection it would have been

sensible. Gohdam was a young revolutionary, brilliantly gifted in military

strategy, but he found Austinian and Serpantol's methods too passive.

An example of this was Serpantol's inability to defend themselves from the

dae'Tok empire. The yaenni were fierce fighters and Serpantol had time to

establish a prodigious empire that might have gotten lax in its hubris.

As it turns out, Gohdam and Necrucifer were a perfect fit. Tailored even.

Necrucifer was a god who by historical action confirms the "ends justify the

means" theory that Gohdam developed while Austinian was viewed as "weak and

ineffectual." Those were the words of Shay's "What is Shadow?" But the

similarities are there. Shay planted the idealistic seed that Gohdam

created and now here we are.

During his time living Gohdam did one incredibly important thing. He

borrowed Gareth's concepts of honor and respect and the prime virtue of

Brotherhood. For Gareth that is all it is: honor is their god either

directly or indirectly through Nadrik.

Brotherhood is one of Storm's prime virtues even today. We will not bring

the Prophecy to fruition without Brotherhood. But what Gareth and Serpantol

was missing is that Brotherhood will not suffice as the only thing. In

order to merge the world into One united land under One united deity, the

ends must justify the means. They must. What else is it all for? And for

us the end is Finality. The Prophecy fulfilled and the unity of worlds

under one god.

I believe it was fate that Gohdam found Necrucifer. Like threads woven and

predestined it was the alpha seed of the Prophecy. Some beginnings take

centuries to get to the middle and this is one such incident.

Gohdam would have succeeded and likely become a profound general but it was

not to be. The same innovation he made was wrought with his doom and by

recruiting the Malicians who misinterpreted the "ends justify the means" as

anarchy, he was murdered in his tent by his perfidious brothers.

Had he time he might have seen the flaw, but his brotherhood was in its

early stages and he did not have the advantage of time that Shay did. Our

principles are complex and some would even say contradictions, but it is the

only way to divine providence.

In the end and despite Gohdam's assassination, he was able to found the

Eclipse and fortify the keep prior to his death and the knighthood endured

for centuries until the Cataclysm even after its concepts had been

bastardized.

After the Malicians formed yet another splinter faction, and after Gohdam's

assassination, it set loose the proverbial hounds of war. These were

barbaric men who saw no value in knighthood and saw every value in the

material loot they could procure.

Gaar Volen, or Malice, staged its war against Serpantol and against Gareth

and were able to weaken Serpantol considerably. All the while the impending

threat of dae'Tok loomed overhead until it finally culminated in dae'Tok

sacking the Thalosian capital and Old Gareth under Croyden Vesuvias's reign.

RK

The Kayen Texts - The Foundation of the Shadowknights of Necrucifer

Editor's note: I have included the Kayen Texts as the founder of Shadow's vision of what his Knighthood ought to be. Kayen always believed in the nobility and virtue for his lawful evil order which we find so contradictory. The refute for these texts and what Shadow are today are found in the Falsehood of Necrucifer. However I include these so that younger knights understand what the founding basis was for the Shadowknights of Necrucifer and to assist them understand why we fight evil. St John.

* Independence breeds chaos. Submit and be strong.

* Death is patient. It flows both from without and from within. Be vigilant in all and skeptical of all.

* One who follows the heart finds it will bleed.

Prophecy foretells the return of Necrucifer, who will slay both Austinian and Kwainin and take the land as his own. The Shadow Knights seek to ensure that the world is prepared for his coming.

Any who would enter into the Shadow Knights must begin as a Petitioner in the Legion. They must remain in the Legion until they are deemed ready to advance to the rank of Novice. At this time, members may choose entry into either the Templar, the Crimson Rose, or the Gray Robes, or remain in the Legion. The Legion is the military might of the Shadow Knights and the center of political power as well. The Templar form the clerical order of the Shadow Knights. They practice the healing arts and are dedicated solely to Necrucifer. The Crimson Rose is in charge of both external intelligence and internal security. They work their art by stealth and quick, deadly force rather than brute strength. The Gray Robes are an order of wizards. Theyoperate completely outside the conclave of Algoron, refusing to swear allegiance to any of the three robes. They work with the Templar in maintaining order both in conquered lands and their own home territories.

When joining the Shadow Knights, each member dedicates his body and soul utterly to the cause. All thoughts of self are submerged, sublimated. Yet this does not mean that members cannot think for themselves, which brought about the creation of the code. The code is complex in the extreme, yet elegant in its detail. Strict adherence to the code is required, but each case is considered on its own merits, and exceptions can be made. A Shadow Knight is allowed to lie, cheat, steal, and commit murder, as long as it can be proven to advance the vision. Since a knight who violates the code is seen to have also violated the vision and broken the blood oath, the punishment is usually death.

History of the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer

The roots of The Shadow Knights began when the Knights of Gareth's Keep accepted a young applicant into their page initiate program, Shay Kayen, son of Ryen, a wealthy merchant of Verminasia. Ryen had forced his son into the Knighthood, fearing that the young boy's growing curiousity and studies of the founder of Eclipse, San Godham, would turn into something much more morbid and sinister.

As a page initiate in training, Shay learned all that he could about the structure, organization, and mentality of the Knights. The youth, however, did not gain the favor of the Knights of Gareth's Keep. His rebellious attitude and lack of respect for their oath and their gods won him few friends amongst his peers and mentors.

Shay continued to study the Knighthood as a warrior studies his enemy. In less than a year, he grew to know more of their politics and infrastructure than many who had lived within it for most of their life. His studies complete, he left Gareth's Keep under the cover of darkness, returned to Verminasia, and was accepted into the Eclipse.

It was here that he crossed paths with his childhood friend, Ishamael Rinji. As children, the two had dreamed of San Godham and his ideals, wearing mismatched pieces of armor and waving swords nearly too heavy for their youthful builds to lift. Now, it seemed, those dreams might become reality.

It was then that the two met Malcom drak'Martys, Prophet of Necrucifer. It was Malcom whose visions would spur the movement forward. Little is known of exactly what the Master of Darkness revealed to his prophet, although it is said he foretold much of what was to come.

Malcom, though quiet and reserved, taught them much of their destiny. They learned more than the biased histories of the Knighthood could ever possibly reveal. Most importantly, they learned that San Godham had never intended for the Eclipse to accept any race other than humans. It was Targetter who had made this change, among others, after the Dark Knight's death.

The three worked together in secrecy, speaking in hushed whispers to those around them who might support their cause. In time, their following grew, as did their influence within the Keep of the Eclipse. They set about building a new order of Dark Knights and made preparations for the day when they would overthrow the current leadership of the clan and rebuild it in San Godham's image.

On the day of the Great Betrayal, the Yinn Highlord of Eclipse, Vokkyn dra'Har, was slain by Ishamael. The generals of the keep and those still loyal to them were caught completey by surprised. Although they outnumbered the rebels, they did not possess the organization to defeat them. In the end, the Keeper of Eclipse, Martyr Drashe, surrenderd the clan in exchange for his life. Shay Kayen was chosen as the new Highlord of the rebels. Those who remained that were not of human blood were made slaves, and the humans who remained within the keep began the arduous task of rebuilding its infrastructure.

Their rule did not last long. Those exiled from the Eclipse gathered their forces, hiring soldiers and mercenaries to aid them in retaking their home. The battle which followed was one of the bloodiest in the history of Algoron. Athough they fought valiantly, the Shadow Knights were outnumbered nearly three to one. The sun set upon nearly the complete destruction of the forces they had gathered.

Driven from the keep and abandoned by many of their former allies, the Shadow Knights all but collapsed. More than three-quarters of their number fell in the war or deserted afterward. The people of Algoron regarded them as remnants of a lost cause and took little to no pity upon them.

In the span of less than one month, the Shadow Knights had been reduced to a small handful. Many of its original founders had survived the war, however, and the following year, they began the construction of a massive citadel of marble and granite hidden deep within the Ivory Wastes south of New Thalos. Pirates were hired to transport the supplies necessary for its construction, doing so stealthily under the cover of darkness. Although rumors spread rapidly, no one was able to confirm them. Once its construction was complete, the Shadow Knights then began slowly collecting the fragments of their order and reforging them once again into San Godham's image.

Not long after, the prophet, Malcom, received a vision. Necrucifer would return. They vowed to deliver Algoron to him as a gift when he came.

What is Shadow?

We are more than a group of hoodlums who run around fighting and killing. We have a purpose and a code by which we live. We are Knights.

There are many citizens of Algoron who consider us "bad people." I, however, do not. It is my firm belief that what we do, we do for the betterment of this world. Austinian and Kwainin are both weak and ineffectual gods. With the coming of Necrucifer, everything that they stand for will cease to exist, and the world will be a better place.

It is not our intent to cause death and destruction. It is not to terrorize innocent men, women, and children. It is not to spread hatred.

Then what is it?

Enlightenment. Unification. The end of Anarchy. The end of Chaos. The end of balance.

We are Knights of Necrucifer, and thus we are held to a higher standard than any other. We act with compassion towards our enemies. We treat them as we would wish to be treated. We fight with honor. We aid those weaker than ourselves.

Our code states that a Shadow Knight is allowed to lie, cheat, steal, and commit murder, as long as it can be proven to advance the vision. What does this mean? A Shadow Knight will never lie to a superior officer, or anyone of the clan for that matter. These acts will NOT be committed over trivial matters. These exceptions will only be made in matters that will aid in the fulfillment of the prophecy. Short of an event causing the death of Austinian himself, I do not expect a Shadow Knight to lie, cheat, or steal.

Then end of struggle. The end of light. You fight only to prolong the inevitable... Peace. In the meantime, innocent people die for nothing.

Submit or die.

Shay Kayen

----Ambactus a Caligo

----Extinguishing the Sun

----Dark Lord of the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer

Sects

The Legion

Any who would enter into the Shadow Knights must begin as a Petitioner in the Legion. They must remain in the Legion until they are deemed ready to advance to the rank of Novice. At this time, members may choose entry into either the Templar, the Crimson Rose, or the Gray Robes, or remain in the Legion. The Legion is the military might of the Shadow Knights and the center of political power as well. The Templar, the Crimson Rose, and the Gray Robes are separate with their particular skills and areas of responsibility. While it may look to an outsider as if the Legion is the dominant force in the Shadow Knights, all three orders provide necessary functions and are considered equal in power and authority, differing only in jurisdiction and function.

The Templar

This sect forms the clerical order of the Shadow Knights. They practice the healing arts and are dedicated solely to Necrucifer, to the exclusion of all other gods and goddesses, including other dark deities.

The Crimson Rose

The Crimson Rose is in charge of both external intelligence and internal security. To this effect, most are skilled diplomats with quick witted tongues and the ability to line many a pocket if the need so arises. Theywork their art by stealth and quick, deadly force rather than brute strength.

The Gray Robes

The Gray Robes are an order of wizards. They operate completely outside the conclave of Algoron and refuse to swear allegiance to any of the three robes, including black. The Gray Robes work with the Templar in maintaining order both in conquered lands and their own home territories.

Tenets

The Vision

The Vision is, in simple terms, a statement of the ultimate goal of the Shadow Knights. It is embodied in the phrase, "Ambactus a Caligo." It is no less than the total and unquestioned domination of the entire world of Algoron.

The Blood Oath

The Blood Oath is simple. "Submit or die." When joining the Shadow Knights, each member dedicates his body and soul utterly to the cause. All thoughts of self are submerged, sublimated. Yet this does not mean that members cannot think for themselves, which brought about the creation of the code.

The Code

The code is complex in the extreme, yet elegant in its detail. Strict adherence to the code is required, but each case is considered on its own merits, and exceptions can be made. Unlike the Knights of Gareth's Keep, the Shadow Knights are allowed to lie, cheat, steal, and commit murder, as long as it can be proven to advance the vision. Since a knight who violates the code is seen to have also violated the vision and broken the blood oath, the punishment is usually death.

The code is divided into three major precepts:

1) Independence breeds chaos. Submit and be strong.

2) Death is patient. It flows both from without and from within. Be vigilant in all and skeptical of all.

3) One who follows the heart finds it will bleed.

Editors note: This is challenged in the "Falsehood of Necrucifer".

The Test

For all sects, continuation past the rank of Esquire requires that the individual pass a test of loyalty. The test is dangerous and often cruel in the extreme, and failure usually results in death. The nature of the test is determined by the individual's sect leader. The sect leaders understand and appreciate the fact that a Dark Knight must be strong in order to fulfil the vision. There can be no weak links in the chain. Therefore, the test is never made easy. Quite the contrary.

Following the completion of the test, the individual is kept in seclusion, fasting and praying, for four days prior to the ceremony. At the end of this period, he or she is blessed by dark clerics and sent forth. The Dark Knight comes before all those currently in residence and is formally promoted by his or her sect leader.

Warning: Those who do not successfully complete this test will be no longer be welcome within the ranks of the Shadow Knights.

The Legion

Legion Esquires should excel in three areas before they can be promoted to Dark Knights. The ways of combat, knowledge of weaponry, and tactics.

Combat: To show superiority in combat the Esquire must alone defeat 4 different enemys. One of the mage classes, one of the thief classes one of the clerical types and one of the warrior types. Every victory must be proven by a member of Shadow, above rank Supplicant. Defeat in these one on one situations will not be accepted. Defeat to a multitude of enemies will be frowned upon but accepted.

Weaponry: To prove that the Esquire knows his way around weapons and knows where they can be obtained, the Esquire must retrieve two weapons. These two weapons will be different for each test.

Tactics: The Esquire will take a group of Petitioners and Novices and he must use his tactical knowledge in organizing them. Positioning for an assault, flank attacks, ambushes. With his select group of 3 he must cause notable damage to enemy lines.

The Crimson Rose

First, the esquire must compile a list of the immediate heirs to leadership in each of the world's clans and kingdoms. Next, the esquire must report who each clan wars, and the looting policies they have, as well as reporting each declared war between kingdoms. Finally, the esquire must defeat a paladin in combat, to be verified by any of rank supplicant or higher. This need not be done alone.

The Templar

The test for the Knighting of a Templar Esquire is as follows:

The first three tasks will be to spend a weeks time (5 RL hours) doing each of the following: Preaching Necrucifer's glory in the Church of Austinian, remaining in the walls of Storm Keep, prepared to assist any of the order in healing, rescuing or equipment gathering, and finally providing direct assistance to a younger, less experienced member.

To further explain... we seek to prepare this world for the coming of Necrucifer. In order to do this, the common populace must be made aware of certain parts of the Prophecy as well as other pieces of information regarding His return to Algoron. The Esquire will further this end by speaking for all who so choose to hear. What better place to accomplish this than the Church of Austinian. It is my desire that the Esquire also build his own character by being subjected to what will surely be a hostile audience. Perhaps some of the unbelievers can be converted as well.

Secondly, the Templar is responsible for support magicks on the battlefield. To instill this duty in our young Esquires, they are to remain at a ready status within the walls of Storm Keep. They are to accomplish no personal tasks and not venture out unless called upon. Their primary purpose is to assist any members that should find themselves in need. This need may be the curing of a simple curse or disease, the procurement of a specific piece of equipment or the organization of a rescue attempt for one of ours that finds himself in trouble. While serving this duty, the Esquire is obligated to attend to the needs of all, no matter how small or trite it may be. He of course will prioritize his tasks so that the most imperative are accomplished before the more mundane. Assumption of this duty however does not make the Esquire a slave to the masses of Storm Keep. If a task is requested that the individual can just as easily accomplish himself, then he will be informed of such and sent on his way. If the individual still cannot perform the deed, then the Esquire will assist him.

Thirdly, the continued training of our younger members is of extreme importance to the longevity of the order. The Esquire will spend a period of time mentoring and training a single member of Storm Keep in what is more or less an apprentice/master type relationship. The Esquire is to instill the values of Storm Keep such as honor and duty within the young soldier and he is to assist in molding his faith so that he becomes a true servant to the Father.

Finally, the Esquire is to approach two individuals who's path has not yet been chosen. He is to inform them of the goals and aspirations of Storm Keep and attempt to get them to join our fight. He must successfully bring in one new member to complete this portion of his test.

When the above four tasks are accomplished, the Esquire will report to the Warder and myself for a final interview. At this interview we will test his faith as well as his knowledge of the realms and survival within it. When we are satisfied with him, he will be promoted to the rank of Dark Knight.

The Gray Robes

The quest for the Knighting of an Esquire of the Gray Robes consists of five parts, to represent the unity of the Shadow Knights and it's four sects.

As the Gray Robes are the magical backbone of the Shadow Knights, the Esquire must spend some time in the Keep to assist the younger clansmates or the unskilled in the magic arts.

Secondly, to prove their magical knowledge of this realm, the Esquire will be sent out to collect a number of warp stones, depending on the Esquire's level of training.

Third, the Esquire must rescue a clansmate out of high danger, or at least take part in the rescue in some shape or form.

Fourth, to prove the members of the Gray Robes are at least as powerful as the mages in the conclave, the Esquire must defeat a mage of the tower. Whether this be by a duel or live combat, the mage must be of approximately the same training as the Esquire.

Finally, the Esquire must spread the wisdom that he or she has gained to all members of Shadow. To do so, the Esquire must write of their experience on the way to becoming a Knight.

Requirements to Join the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer

Ensure that, when looked upon, we may see a description of your appearance.

Write a missive to the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer describing your past, history, or travels in Algoron.

Walk the world on your own for a time. The duration is not as important as being sure that, during that time, you learn something of either yourself or the world around you. It must also be sufficiently long enough to impress whomever you speak with when you contact us and are ready to join.

Once you feel that you have walked the world alone for a sufficient amount of time, contact a recruiter of the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer. You will be given, and must pass, an entrance interview.

After completing the interview successfully, you will be asked to recite the Code of the Shadow Knights for all clans to hear, at which point you will be guilded into Shadow.

Ranks

Petitioner

A Petitioner is any new recruit of Shadow who has not yet chosen a sect.

Novice

A novice denotes a member of Shadow who has chosen and joined a sect. In order to join a sect, the member must be able to explain, roughly, the purpose of their chosen sect. Information on the sects of Shadow can be found within the library of Storm Keep or in the 'Sects' section of this web page. To join a particular sect, the Petitioner must speak with the leader of that sect, gain their permission to enter, and write a note to the Dark Lord and Chancellor for their approval.

Supplicant

The rank of supplicant is given to those who have proven themselves not only in combat but, most importantly, in faith. They have demonstrated that they have the potential and dedication to aid in the fulfillment of the Prophecy. This rank is given by merit and at the recommendation of the appropriate sect leader.

Esquire

This rank designates a member of Shadow who has completed all of the prerequisites to become a Dark Knight. Upon promotion to Esquire, the member is immediately granted their Knight's Quest, which is determined by their chosen sect. This rank is given at the recommendation of the appropriate sect leader, once that leader feels that the individual is ready for their test to become a Dark Knight. You may find more information on these tests here.

Dark Knight

Upon finishing the Knight's Quest, an Esquire is promoted to the rank of Dark Knight. At this time, the member is allowed for the first time to wear a uniform other than the standard issue "{wRank{x of the {wSect{x." The rank of Dark Knight is not given out lightly, and is a highly respected position within the ranks of the Shadow Knights.

Warder

Dark Knights of an exceptional caliber are granted a promotion to Warder, at which time they become involved in recruitment, as well as any leadership duties as assigned by the sect leader.

Elder

An elder is granted to those Warders who have sacrificed their lives to the Shadow Knights, the Prophecy, and Necrucifer. Generally, they have spent a great deal of time within the walls of Storm Keep, and are granted even more authority within their individuals sects.

Sect Leaders

The four sect leaders are each in charge of their own appropriate sect. There is the Field Marshall of the Legion, the High Templar of the Templar, the Master of the Crimson Rose, and the High Mystic of the Gray Robes.

Chancellor

The Chancellor is second in command of the clan.

Dark Lord

The Dark Lord is the leader of the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer.

Leaders from the time of Kayen

Field Marshall of the Legion: Harold Na'vor

Lord Templar of the Templar: Verias Wa

Master of the Crimson Rose: Nikolae Kayen

High Mystic of the Grey Robes: Gwendolyne Dulac

Chancellor : Sorcia Kayen

Dark Lord : Shay Kayen

The Prophecy of Malcom drak’Martys

Introduction

Long have the shadows of time crept over the Prophecy of Malcom drak’Martys. The legacy which lies in the library of Storm Keep I find to be an inaccurate insult to his memory, and a distraction from the pursuit of the goal of the Shadowknights of Necrucifer.

I capture this to set the record straight as the true legacy of our Prophet so that we do not lose the singularity of our purpose.

Ibiza le Toad.

History of the Prophecy

To understand the Prophecy we look to the personalities of the time and events of ancient history to the Purist War.

San Gohdam was the Lord of the Knighthood of Serpantol. According to the mythical Sunset Dawn he spurned Serpantol, and set up Eclipse to reflect Knighthood, only with Necrucifer in the place of Austinian. Gohdam attempted to build Eclipse with the virtues and morals of Serpantol, but he found many challenges and conflicts in his dealing with those of evil, who were not noble and honourable by nature. Although he brought with him many from Knighthood who were noble and true to his values of Higher Evil, most of his following comprised of those of Lower Evil from the Sons of Malice who saw no value in Gohdam’s vision. The Sons of Malice wanted to take what they wanted and slay whom they wished, to be free of the leadership of Eclipse. Gohdam could not control the Sons of Malice who slew him in his tent as he slept.

After the brutal murder of Gohdam by the Sons of Malice, Malice split from Eclipse in pursuit of pillage and murder. Targetter of Eclipse set about his plan for the domination of Algoron. He knew Eclipse were too few in number to challenge Serpantol, so he took a decision. Up till now, the war between Knighthood and Eclipse had been a human affair. Evil humanity was not enough to win victory. An alliance must be struck between other races to overcome Serpantol. The opportunity fell into his lap when Sah’ron the Demon summoned Targetter and matched Eclipse with Ogres and Minotaurs, and a plan to steal the Draconus, the magical, ancient artefact which allowed mortals to control dragonkind. In the interests of Eclipse he joined with them in the Triple Alliance in hope that together they could defeat the Empire of Serpantol. As history shows us, this was not to be. After the coup of stealing the Draconus, and the domination afterwards, victory seemed all but assured. Alas, upon its loss and the loss of control over the dragons, the Triple Alliance was overcome by Serpantol and their allies.

To the Purists, Targetter was a traitor to the human cause joining with Ogres and Minotaurs, and even taking a dark elven wife. It was these things that Shay, Ishamael, Gedral and Malcom found in the archives of Eclipse. Inspired by the history, Malcom experienced his divine revelation and shared his Prophecy with Shay, Ishamael and Gedral. The seed was sown.

The Purist War was fought because of a difference of opinion of what Eclipse ought to be. After the Triple Alliance, Eclipse had become a bastion for all races that were evil, but there were those within who felt that it ought to be true to the vision of San Gohdam. Purists sought a return to the roots of humanism where they had succeeded challenging Serpantol. To them, the multiracialism had failed to win the Dragonwars. The Purists wished to return to an order based upon the Knighthood of Serpantol, rather than what had been spawned from lesser, tainted values.

The Purists challenge to Eclipse took the leadership completely by surprise. Ishamael slew Highlord Vokkyn, and Keeper Martyr relinquished control of the Keep to save his own life. Those non-humans of Eclipse were given the choice to stay as a slave, or be cast from San Gohdam Keep.

The battle had been won, but not the war. The non-humans attempted to reclaim San Gohdam Keep by force. The Purists faced impossible odds in the Purist War and fell according to the songs of the warstorian Terrance Harpman.

Yet they were not defeated. Their faith in their purpose was so strong, that Necrucifer himself recognised this strength as an asset to his cause, moreso than any other he possessed – including his previous jewel of the Eclipse. As such, he granted the Shadowknights of Necrucifer his blessing, and our fortress of Storm Keep.

Many fell in the Purist War, and during the time of Exile, even prominent purist Gedral Sehin. But the ideals of Gohdam were resurrected by Shay Kayen and his following in the Shadowknights of Necrucifer. Shadow which would outlive both the Sons of Malice who had brought about Gohdam’s demise and Eclipse which had not lived up to Gohdam’s and Necrucifer’s expectations.

Shay Kayen – Extinguishing the Sun

“Enlightenment. Unification. The end of Anarchy. The end of Chaos. The end of balance. Submit or die.“

Shay Kayen was the leader, the rock which brought the founders together. He took Gohdam’s premise, tied it to drak’Martys’ dream, and made it into something all men of Necrucifer could follow. Kayen was the charismatic leader all would follow to Hell and back. Before Kayen, others thought drak'Martys was a crackpot.

Having come from Gareth Keep, Shay sought to have an order of Honor, It was more important to be honorable than anything apart from the Prophecy of his Seer Malcom. He never considered Shadow to be evil, and insisted that he was doing the right thing in the name of the darkness of Necrucifer. Kayen led a fractured movement from inception, those who would follow honor, and those who cared little for it. He held honor as secondary importance to the Prophecy, although there were many which only cared for seeing the Prophecy fulfilled, and cared not for the nature of how it was achieved. Kayen himself learned from Necrucifer himself that the Prophecy was above all else, even his wife – Sorcia Kayen.

Shay thought long and hard about his creation as we can tell from his original writings in the ancient library of Kayen. What we are today is the product of his vision for Shadow and we have hardly changed our ways since.

He is the only man I know of to form a warlike following of mortal's own volition.

Ishamael Rinji – The Assassin

"The red and black moons hung high in the sky, foretelling of their rise and trying to ignore the unavoidable intent of their fall. Nevertheless, they shone down upon Algoron like the sun, lighting it with that eerie, milky tone that made everything all that much more surreal. However, there was something more surreal headed towards the dusky mountains that rose up before the coastline north of New Thalos, the snow-capped peaks already suggestive of the coming winter, as if the brooding clouds were not enough. Two riders, coming from the south, both cloaked and shaded in darkness like it was their second nature, long tendrils of cape billowing behind in a fury, suggestive of their speed. Their mounts, no less foreboding, left trails of hellfire from hooves and mane that sparked and crashed upon the riders themselves, yet they seemed unshaken by this, their gaze aimed solidly towards the mountains and what lay within."

Ishamael Rinji did not care for honor, rather saw it as a useful tool to advance the cause, and pull in more recruits. In the early days, Kayen could not have held it together without Rinji. Ishamael was the strength of enforcement Shay needed. Ishamael Rinji saw what Shay Kayen and Malcom drak'Martys had, and saw the power and potential that lay there. He saw great power for himself, and he earned that with his time as Dark Lord and as a Shadowknight.

He felt the burden most heavily after Kayen left. Rinji worked the background to ensure all the pieces kept falling into place. The assassin was not best placed in the limelight of leadership. There are many that did not care for Ishamael, nor his history here within Storm. He was not charismatic, nor sought the friendship of others. He was only interested in the power. Rinji had a powerful following and Kayen needed Rinji to keep the Purists and the Sons of Malice together in tight and rigid Order.

Gedral Sehin - The Osenwaza Purist

Lost from modern knowledge of the Purist Wars, little is known of one of the initial leaders of the Purist rebellion against Eclipse. He was intimate with the founders in their search of Gohdam’s vision. After playing a major role in the revolution of the Purists, he was missing in action after the Purists lost and presumed slain in the flight from San Gohdam Keep, or while wandering the deserts where the new Storm Keep would lie.

Some say that they have seen Gedral upon Algoron in many different guises, yet he has not made his home in Storm Keep.

Malcom drak'Martys – The Prophet

"My life was that of a vagrant, a wanderer, and a watcher of men. Gray is the word for my existence, a cloud of fog in perpetual motion. I saw little that surprised me and even less that brought hope to my troubled mind. It was a time of bleakness that I do not look back upon with favor."

The most enigmatic of the founders was of course, the Prophet Malcom drak’Martys. Malcom was the spiritual catalyst, the visionary whose prophesying led to the conception of Shadow. Without him, the nature of evil on Algoron would be in a very different place.

After his research of the Eclipse archives, he had his divine revelation, the Prophecy.

In the Purist Wars he was an influential figure, leading the Purists along with Shay, Ishamael and Gedral to their defeat.

During his time in Storm Keep, he was a reclusive man, not speaking much, though sometimes would start raving, perhaps showing what the divine revelation did to his mind. He would go on at some length in his babbling, speaking in tongues and of things which no one present understood. This would often follow by periods where he would sit completely still, reacting to nothing around him.

There were those within who considered him a liability, but his contribution to the Shadowknights of Necrucifer was so profound that none dared move against him.

He vanished alas, without any one capturing his ramblings for future study. Being present, I curse my lack of foresight in capturing these words of Shadow’s great Prophet.

The Prophecy of Malcom drak’Martys

Unlike the book that sits in the library of Storm Keep, the Prophecy contains only one Singularity of purpose. Malcom did not receive his divine guidance when Ishamael slew the Highlord of Eclipse, Vokkyn. This happened after the research of the Eclipse library, otherwise why would there have been a mutiny? It was not till Shay Kayen had harnessed Malcom’s Prophecy that the revolution had begun.

Other fanciful ideas of what the Prophecy might include are stretches of the truth and cheapen the message. It says nothing of winning Eclipse, nor losing Gohdam’s Keep, nor their exile or the creation of Storm Keep. Malcom said nothing of the coming of the Godson Malachive.

The Prophecy is ONLY the Singularity.

“Assist Necrucifer return so that He will rule Algoron.”

The Shadowknights of Necrucifer wish to bring this to fruition because of the power that He will grant to us, his loyal servants. He will need His faithful to assist Him in governing His dominion of Algoron, and we will do His bidding.

The Prophecy and the Singularity of the Knights of Necrucifer

The Prophecy has but one purpose, to return Necrucifer to Algoron. Likewise, we are singular in our purpose, to do whatever is required to see this done. We act in a way that delivers the Prophecy which will define actions as right or wrong, because the ends justify the means. We do what is required to see it done, using the way of San Gohdam. The ends are greater than the means.

Some of us will walk the way of Gohdam and Kayen, to seek honor, to be noble. In Evil there are those who will follow the paths of Antithesis, Reflection/Finality and Singularity as written in the Book of Evil. Those of Singularity consider the other ways reasonable, but they have distractions which must be forgotten when considering the Prophecy.

In order to achieve the Prophecy through our Singularity of purpose, we must come together in Unity, through the Brotherhood of the Shadowknights of Necrucifer, to see the Prophecy come to Finality.

Singularity allows us to act with only this one goal in mind, and in doing so, we shall reap the rewards of our faith and loyalty, from the rewards that Necrucifer will heap on us in his gratitude to our service. Nothing will distract us from seeing the Prophecy fulfilled.

The Book of Evil

This book was produced to bring together a number of ideas as to the often

misunderstood subject of Evil. It shows the three major schools of thought upon

evil. That is how most people choose to act under the auspiciouses of evil,

and then some supporting evidence of how One might choose to live under the

principles of 'Reflection' or 'Singularity'.

The Will and the Way is the best known source of 'Reflection', but the main

reason for this tome was to show the power of Singularity - The Principle of

Self.

Ibiza le Toad.

The Three Major Schools of Thought on Evil

After walking the world for many years, I have observed three prevailing

yet differing stances of Evil. Ta'plak the Heretic wrote that Evil may have

free will, so any may choose their own path, but ought to be aware of the

consequences of their choice.

Anti-thesis

This approach is to consider the position of Good and then act the opposite.

If Good tells the truth, then Evil must lie. If Good is honorable, then

Evil must show dishonor. Take any tenets of good or virtues, then the polar

opposite would represent this approach. This encompasses doing evil for

evil's sake, but neglects reason. For example, a Malician might torture a

kender for the sake of being cruel, rather than doing it for their own

pleasure. The limitation in this dogmatic approach is that it is

reactionary, shows little creativity and it becomes defined by (the opposite

of) what is good.

Reflection

The reflection approach is to be a 'greater' good under the auspices of

'darkness'. Those who believe in reflection do not consider themselves to

be Evil. This has roots in the legend of San Gohdam and the founding of

Eclipse. San Gohdam came from Knighthood to form his own knighthood of

Evil, yet retaining all the principles of Good and using them to the benefit

of Evil. The Will and the Way represents this approach. Ta'plak the

Heretic wrote that the 'three eternal were brought to the High God ... None

of them were good, evil, or neutral. They were beyond being classified. '

At any rate, if they were not considered in this light then, they are now.

Under reflection, they consider the Prophecy to define the moral code, so

they do not consider what they are doing to be wrong, rather that they are

doing the right and moral thing because the outcome will bring Necrucifer

to Algoron.

The Shadowknights of Necrucifer certainly prescribe to this position,

surplanting the position of Eclipse based from the Knighthood of Serpantol.

Although there are minor differences in some ethical positions, the moral

principles of the "Will and the Way" remain the same to the Virtues of

Knighthood. This position raises the question, "If Evil and Good are the

same, that is trying to be of a better moral position than the other, then

why is there conflict?" Certainly there appear to be real differences

between Austinian and Necrucifer. However in the absence of the personality

of the Gods, would good and evil be the same?

His Will

Known they are as His Will and His Way. His Will doth guide the Spirit

and Mind of His Chosen. His Way doth guide the actions of His Chosen. Mark

well and remember His Will and His Way, for so shall His Chosen bring forth

His Return.

1. Live only to Serve Him in all ways.

2. Give Praise unto Him in daily devotionals, upon waking, daily activity,

and return to rest.

3. Show respect unto those higher, equal, and beneath thee. All who do stand

to follow the Lord, do stand provided for by His blessings.

4. Never demean Him by boasting, whining or taunting unto His Enemies. Show

unto them the truth of His Dominion, not the falsehood of those that

would defy it.

5. To Honor the Lords of Darkness is to Honor Him for They are of Him.

6. Never speak ill of Him, His Chosen, or any of His Darkness to the Public

or to the Clan.

7. Seek Always to build Unity in His Darkness. As One, His Return shall be

made present. As One, His Dominion shall come upon His Realm.

8. Never involve knowingly or unknowingly be party to treachery that

tarnishes His Glory.

9. Never covet the possessions of others for personal gain.

10. Never speak or use words written to confer an air of impoliteness unto

others.

11. The Honorous are judged by the company they keep. Associate with those

of Honor, limit thy associations otherwise.

12. By His Will shalt thou seek to fulfil His Prophesized Return.

His Way

1. By His Way shalt thou seek to fulfil His Prophesized Return. Above all

things placed before yae, none holds more importance than thy desire to

further the cause which shall bring forth His Return. All duties that

thou dost go forth upon, all laws that thou dost uphold, should bear in

mind that the mandates of the prophecy do come first.

2. Slay only those whom have refused to or no chance of coming unto His

Darkness and who refuse to surrender otherwise. Know within thy soul

those which thou dost battle against, for some may hide well their

defiance of Necrucifer's Will.

3. The flesh may perish but His Darkness is Eternal. Honor Him by thy

sacrifices of thyself for His Chosen. Know that all things from within

thy mortal form do attest to the Dominion of His Will.

4. Allow the surrender of His Enemies and take prisoners if deemed

redeemable unto Him. Understand that there do stand those upon the realm

that shall hide their true purposes to thee, and know that surrender for

some may mean only an increased chance of defeating those of His Chosen

that fight for His Cause.

5. Announce unto His Enemies thy intentions of combat before thou dost

engage thus. Do not allow that His Enemies may strike thee down unwarned.

The shadows around are makings of Him, and should be made use of

accordingly at such times as thou does deem such worthy of the Cause.

6. There is no Honor in stealth. There is no truth in Necrucifer's faith for

those that do not use the shadows to further His cause. Thus, a balance

shall be defined, for the Knight to decide. The use of shadows shall be

determined by how best the Knight feels His cause shall be brought forth.

7. There is no Honor in a poisoned blade. The blades by which all Knights of

His Faith do stand shall be untarnished, so as to better provide that thy

slain enemies are given unto His Dark Will with the blessings of His

Chosen.

8. There is no Honor in the heating of the metal His Enemies. The items

which an enemy does hold upon themselves have no worth to His Chosen

beyond the abilities to keep those enemies from returning to battle.

Should any items be found which may give an enemy of Him greater ability,

such should be removed in battle and scarified to Him.

9. Slay not thy Brethren. Only as One can His Chosen be strong. Only as One

can the Prophesized Return come forth. To turn upon one another damns

thee in the eyes of the Lord.

10. Fight along side those only deemed Honorous in His Darkness. To place

beside thou those that would fight with the same ideals, and the same

paths forward that would bring forth His Prophesized Return, His Chosen

shall grow ever stronger. As well though, should any need arise in which

an individual, or group of individuals, be found useful to further that

Cause, His Chosen shall make efforts as needed to see such accomplished.

11. Fight only one blade to one blade with His Enemies lest they call more

blades to their aid. His Chosen shall judge the place before them of

duels and battle within the realm. Should conditions upon the field

dictate that an enemy must be defeated in due haste to further His

Prophesized Return, then all means shall be come to bear to see such

defeat occur, be they singly, or otherwise.

12. Remain to protect the corpse of those slain in Honor, from the honorless

who would defile it otherwise. The fallen do fall with the blessing of

Him, and their forms before them shall be given such blessing as well. A

true Chosen of Him, shall, by providing the corpse a return to those

defeated, show those of His Enemies the truth of the Cause.

13. Pray for the souls of those slain by thy hand, for may their souls be

consumed by His Darkness. In Darkness only can truth be seen, and only

through the blessings of Prayer before Him can those of His Enemies be

shown the path to that truth.

It is By His Will and His Way that His Chosen shall find Honor In Darkness.

Singularity

The principle of the self is less of a doctrinal approach and stems from one

thing - motivation. The 'Higher/Lower Principles of Evil' represents this

approach. Lower Evil wishes the self to advance at the expense of all in

the short term. For example, a Bloodluster seeks an item from another, so

he steals it. The self gains, and others are not considered. Higher Evil

forsakes the immediate advance to self, and seeks to advance the position of

their God in the hope that should they be successful the favor of their God

and the reward received will be a worthy advance of their self. For example

of a Knight of Necrucifer assists in the delivery of Algoron to Necrucifer

for His coming. This results in the knight rewarded with great power in the

new order. This approach allows the lowest common denominator of Malician

evil to thrive and distract Good, while providing the framework for a Higher

Evil to go about working towards the will of Necrucifer.

The Question of Evil

There are feeble insulting positions which call the majesty of Evil, "darkness"

or attempt to pass it off as a pathetic trinket of Good. Make no apologies, we

are Evil. Be proud of the fact that you serve Necrucifer and do not disrespect

Him with a moral position. We who hold red auras have chosen our path and we

stand true to that affirmation.

The question of Evil is best defined by motivation.

Good is Altruistic, the others come first. Good offers in the spirit of

giving. Good takes its pleasure from virtue, morality and Nadrik's expected

honor.

Evil is Egocentric, the self is greater in importance to everything else.

Evil takes with little regard for consequence. Evil ought to seek out no

principle which Nadrik nor any God of good offers.

Lower Evil is the lowest common denominator which all might conform to. The

egocentrism is immediate and self-serving.

Higher Evil is no less self-serving but it is more ambitious and risky.

Those who follow Higher Evil subject themselves to service to the Evil Lord

forsaking their immediate selves. The reward for this service is magnified many

times when Necrucifer comes again to Algoron and rewards His chosen.

The Principles of Lower Evil

Lower Evil adheres to the singularity of the Self with no restriction. All

benefit is derived towards the self at the expense of others. Necrucifer will

bless those taking this lower road as followers in His evil as they tax Good,

but his higher honors are not for the egocentric, but those offering themselves

to Him and his evil purpose. When the time comes for Necrucifer to return to

Algoron, the call for Unity will require all to follow Higher Evil till this

goal is attained.

1. Self interest - When making any decision, the question of benefit lies

only with the individual and others are disregarded. The Self may claim what it

wants, when it wants it.

2. Self preservation - Good may call it cowardice and argue for honor, but

it offers little to the Self where preservation is key to survival.

3. Hatred - The rage of emotion which accompanies Mencius is a powerful

weapon which serves the passion of the Self. To let the Self give in to hate

will drive the Self forward intensity and perseverance.

4. Wrath - Any target which has aggrieved the Self becomes the target of

furious anger till it feels placated. Once the outburst of anger is abated, the

Self may feel fulfilled.

5. Falsehood - A well placed lie may cause more damage than a sword.

Spreading Devion's deception towards the enemy is a powerful weapon.

6. Pride - The Self is proud of accomplishment, which builds more

confidence to the ego making the Self more powerful.

7. Prejudice - Disrespect for the beliefs and rights of others, as the

beliefs and rights of the Self are paramount.

8. Apathy - The spirit of hopelessness retards positive action. The Self is

entitled to sloth should it wish.

9. Ruthlessness - The Self is entitled to take actions without regard to

the wants or needs of others.

10. Anarchy - Chaos serves Evil rather than Good. Those who survive and

succeed will regard the Self as paramount. A lack of standards of conduct in

law degenerates towards Evil, and ties the hands of Good.

11. Wantonness - Acting without self-restraint and goal. The Self may

express itself capriciously for its own pleasure towards any earthly desire.

12. Avarice - The Self desires to keep all they possess for their disposal.

There is no gain to an Evil Self for despised charity.

13. Envy - The Self desires and believes itself entitled to the possessions

of another, which the Self may set about gaining by any means.

The Principles of Higher Evil

Higher Evil adheres to the Self but with restriction, as Necrucifer has imposed

discipline for His purpose. Necrucifer has offered great reward to those

motivated enough who give up their Self for Him. Followers of Higher Evil serve

Necrucifer in fear of His wrath and eager for His reward to the Self in his

service.

With regards to the Knights of Necrucifer, the Prophecy from drak'Martys offers

the preparation of Algoron for the coming of Necrucifer. Shadow holds itself to

the standards of Higher Evil, and does not to mingle with the moral and

virtuous misnomers of Good. The Principles of Higher Evil are the path to

enlightenment, unification, the end of anarchy, the end of chaos, the end of

balance in service of Necrucifer who will bestow his divine reward upon each

Self.

1. Discipline - The Self must be disciplined and ignore desire to see the

work of Necrucifer done.

The Evil Lord will give unholy reward to those who have shown discipline

greater than what the Self could attain without His assistance.

2. Diligence - In the service of Necrucifer the Self must be unswervingly

committed to Necrucifer both body and soul.

3. Control - The end of anarchy, the end of chaos, the end of balance.

Extensive preparation is required to create the new world order with Necrucifer

on high. Submit and be strong.

4. Order - Structure is essential to the hierarchy of control. Necrucifer

will place Algoron in his tight fist and bend it to His will. Those who have

prepared Algoron for his coming will become His favored lieutenants.

5. Unity - To bring all from Algoron under His domain will require unity.

This will require discipline, diligence and persistence from both the Lower and

the Higher Evil to achieve.

6. Obedience - Know the place of the Self in the His order. Those above are

to be feared and respected, those below you may bend to your will.

7. Strength - Submit and be strong. Join those who have come to Necrucifer

and serve Him together as the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. Evil

has no place for the weak.

8. Fear - Be motivated by both fear of His wrath and the reward that His

blessings will bring to the Self. Should Algoron be delivered to Him, then His

blessings will be without number. The fear of failure will make us succeed.

9. Persistence - Never give up. Never give up. Never give up, whatever the

cost. Our mortal shells are weak, but our souls and faith in Necrucifer shall

be our crutch.

10. Vigilance - Be vigilant and skeptical of all in the absence of trust.

Let not your guard down, for a moment of weakness may be the undoing of the

Self and Unity.

11. Conformity - Upon choosing the path of Higher Evil, the Self concedes

its authority to Him and His Order, where role is strictly defined.

12. Ambition - To aspire to Higher Evil requires the Self to forsake Lower

Evil and aspire to greater rewards at greater risk.

13. Devotion - To follow the evil Father, the Self expires and gives full

devotion to Him whatever the cost.

The Tenets of Necrucifer

At the Celebration of Unity and Symbolism, a Symbol was given by each Dark

God to Their followers. Each of the children of Necrucifer attended to hear the

words of Their chosen speakers. Necrucifer Himself came down to bless the

Psalms of Necrucifer as they were read out by His Bishop Anastormia Taba -

Miete and Necrucifer was instrumental in the creation of the last Tenet formed

at His command. He gave His blessing upon the conclusion of the Bishop's

address.

The Tenets of Necrucifer reference the Principles of Higher and Lower Evil in

accordance of explaining to His followers a basis for their actions in His

name. The Tenets themselves simply focus around the path towards the ultimate

goal, His coming to Algoron and how His followers ought to act to achieve this.

The Psalms of Necrucifer

1. Loyalty to Necrucifer is paramount.

And only to Him. Neither His wife nor sons rise higher. His rewards are great,

but do not stray or vengeance is terrible.

2. Let Evil manifest itself in a way that it is true to the Evil of

Necrucifer.

In following The Tenets of Lower and Higher Evil we seek to please Necrucifer.

Those seeking to walk in the way of His enemy will suffer His divine wrath.

3. Necrucifer grants those who follow Him the free will to choose a path.

As is written by Ta'plak the Heretic in the "History of the Gods" this is why

Necrucifer suffered to give His blood to the lands of Algoron. He suffered to

bring His gift to Algoron, do not disrespect it.

4. Fear Him and seek immediate material reward and He will bless you with

it.

Those who are the lowest common denominator follow the path of Lower Evil for

themselves alone. Necrucifer blesses this behaviour as it is a focus for His

enemy leaving Higher Evil to do His work.

5. Love Him and seek something greater than immediate material reward if you

dedicate your soul to Him.

For those who seek a more ambitious, but riskier reward or loss, Necrucifer

will bless with both earthly and divinely spiritual rewards. Upon His return to

Algoron Higher Evil will assist in administering His domain.

6. Assist His servants in preparation for His coming to Algoron.

The Knights of Necrucifer are His chosen assisted by His followers of the

Cloth. Hearken unto them for they are His messengers. With failure will come

pain.

7. When time is ripe, Necrucifer will call for Unity to assist in His

coming.

Hear the Call and do your utmost to fulfil your contract to Necrucifer.

Dreadful will be the suffering of those who fail in this most important of

tasks. Put aside your petty desires and He will bring you great reward.

8. To assist in His coming, serve, unite, and conquer.

Serve those who lead those who would see Necrucifer come again to Algoron.

Unite those willing and unwilling to see the task done. Conquer those would

would stand up to Necrucifer and His followers.

The Cursing of Storm Keep

These are the words of one Mynnerva Drakemor, formerly an Esquire of the Rose of Storm Keep. I was able to purchase this piece for a hefty price from a tradesman in New Thalos. It speaks of the Cursing of Storm Keep, of a similar dilemma and timing to our Breaking of Gareth Keep.

The Quest

Storm Keep was cool after the heat of the day. As the night drew on,

many gathered in the Chamber of Rest to converse and rest from their labors.

Several were in the hallway, when suddenly the Godchild Malachive appeared.

His attitude of haste was infectious as he outlined his quest to those

present. He needed three items. The first two were a crystal from a Wraith

or Lich in the Spirit World, and the second, the blood of a dragon by the

name of Tiamat freely given. She was located in the Dragon Tower. The

third item would be revealed after the first two had been gathered. The

Godchild then said He would return shortly to pick up the items.

The Dark Lord, Hsai Wa, immediately formed two elite task forces to retrieve

the items. The Wraith or Lich wished to feed off the life forces of those

that attempted to battle it. By sacrificing themselves to it willingly,

they were able to obtain the crystal that it held fairly quickly. Lord

Templar Lerost Atennim, Field Marshal Eldyn Amaricus, High Mystic Ilusen

LaFortinas and several others from the Keep returned victoriously. But the

dragon was more difficult. On their way to the dragon's lair, Reklah Kayen,

then Captain of the Shadow Guard, began to hear whispers. The voice claimed

to be that of the Godchild Malachive, and stated that the one who had

appeared in the Keep was a decoy, an act of Devion. Although Reklah was

suspicious of a voice that only he could hear, he felt it required further

investigation. The dragon, upon hearing their request, immediately demanded

that they do some favors for her in return. She wished food for each of her

five heads. While the others members of his party were out hunting the

beasts she required, Reklah took the opportunity to question her. She

became guarded with her answers when asked about previous meetings with the

Godchild and soon said that she would not help them if Reklah did not leave.

This made Reklah suspect foul play even more. But the amount of time it had

taken was pushing them very close to the deadline the Godchild had given to

obtain the items.

Questioning the Godchild

On Reklah's return to the Keep, he discovered that others had also heard

voices and whispers telling them not to trust what they were seeing and

hearing. The officers met briefly and discussed the different happenings.

The consensus was that there was something fishy about the whole quest. The

possibility was put forth that perhaps Malachive was attempting to overthrow

the Master, and the items were to brew a spell for that purpose. In the

past, the Godchild had not always seen eye-to-eye with the Master, making

them somewhat skeptical of his intentions. There was also some doubt as to

whether it was truly the Godchild who had appeared to them in the Keep.

With all these thoughts running through their minds, they determined to act

cautiously.

When the Godchild reappeared in the hallway, His pleasure in the items being

gathered was short-lived. Dark Lord Hsai Wa began to question Malachive's

motives and His purpose for the items. The Godchild was angry and began to

voice His displeasure. He said they should shut up and do as they were

told. When they continued with the questioning, Malachive caused Hsai to

stab himself repeatedly in the abdomen with his own dagger. Jaerlach

Kesepton, warder of the Templar, attempted to hold Hsiu's arm back, but

Malachive continued to compel Hsiu to stab himself and gave him unnatural

strength. Then Reklah started to explain the reasons for the questions.

'There were doubts among the soldiers', he said. Infuriated, Malachive

caused unholy flames to engulf Reklah. Lerost succeeded in extinguishing

them, but not before Reklah was badly burned.

The Master

At this point, Lysana Antecote, a petitioner of the Keep began to pray

for the Master's guidance and direction in what she should do. Several

others followed her example, and after several moments, the Master of

Darkness appeared. He was extremely displeased. He told them that it was

not their place to question His Son. Even though badly wounded, Hsui

attempted to explain that they were simply following the code which taught

them to be skeptical of all, even His Son, so the Master's rule would always

remain supreme. This angered the Master even more. That part of the code,

He stated, was written by the hand of man and not by His Hand. He then told

them they were worthless to Him. By questioning His Son, they had

questioned Him. The punishment He decreed would begin in three days time,

and would involve Storm Keep being laid waste. The Master and His Son then

departed.

Reflection

Hsiu and Reklah were injured far to badly to continue their duties, so

the Lord Templar Lerost Atennim began to give orders. Chancellor Fritzgrad

Kayen, formerly known as Fritzgrad Holtzenbach, was in shock over the

incident. Lerost shook Fritzgrad by the shoulders and told him he was still

needed by the Keep. Fritzgrad then began to regain his composure. During

the meeting to decide what to do, Lerost prophesied that "Even in this time

of trial they must not forget the lessons of Eclipse Keep. That even at the

worst, when all is going to ruin around you, hope still remains once faith

stands firm." The meeting ended and Fritzgrad ordered all members of the

Keep to remain within the Altar of Darkness for the next two days to prepare

to meet their fate. The time was spent by all in prayer and discussions of

what must be done to appease the Master. A sense of shame for their actions

and the feeling of actively disgracing His Will permeated the room. During

this time, many members of the Keep tended Hsiu and Reklah's wounds, nursing

them back to health. Reklah was unconscious for a time, but when he awoke,

it was to find his powers were still intact.

Deathmeer's Visit

On the third day they were visited by the Abhorrent Deathmeer, General of

Necrucifer and Malachive. He informed them that Necrucifer had given them

to Malachive to do with as He wished, and in turn, Malachive had passed them

to Deathmeer. At this time, the cursing of Storm Keep was complete and all

who wished could enter, although few there were who dared to do so. While

Deathmeer was there, Mantaroth, a minotaur and Takt, a dwarf, came with

intent to mediate. They were both notable followers of the Darkness and had

dealt with Deathmeer before. Since they were in Malachive's favor, they

were quite arrogant in speaking with Deathmeer. This resulted in Takt being

placed in a magical slumber for the duration of the meeting, and Deathmeer

taunting Mantaroth, referring to him as Mantacow, before slaying him.

Deathmeer then instructed those of Storm Keep to go forth and slay in His

name, to bring the word of His fury to the world. Furthermore, he said,

this would help redeem them in the Master's eyes. The members of Storm Keep

were unleashed upon the world. Even in their weakened state, they sent many

souls of those who fight for the Light to the Master's Darkness. The riding

forth of Storm Keep's Knights was a terrible and glorious thing. With their

official enemies cowering in their holes, they turned their attention to

other clans. War was declared on all clans with the exception of their

brothers in Bloodlust. They killed anyone they came across. Deathmeer was

pleased by their efforts, and rewarded them with 'housing'. Eclipse Keep

was brought back partially restored from the past.

Eclipse Keep

To the Arkanian continent, east of Verminasia, is where the Shadow

Knights relocated their base of operations. Though the Knights now had a

place safe from other clan members where the roof did not leak, it had no

other redeeming features. The spring was dry, and no permanent healers

could be found to work there. There were no merchants that would set up

shops within the Keep and there were no working portals for transportation.

The bindstone did not change and the Knights would return north of New

Thalos and either swim the ocean or take the boat to return home. Needless

to say, the Keep as a whole became much better at swimming than before. Odd

happenings were periodically reported. Ghosts of servants would be seen on

occasion cleaning the Keep. One day, a hole appeared in the wall of the cot

room and hundreds of rats poured out. There were so many that one could not

see the floor. Jessabelle, a druid, cast a spell of fire to kill them. Not

only did it kill many rats, but it set the cots ablaze and drove the rest of

the rats back into the hole. Lysana peered into the hole and could smell

the scent of the sewers. After sealing the hole, Lysana made a trip into

the Verminasian sewers to see if she could find the source of the

infestation, but nothing that seemed to connect to Eclipse Keep was found

there. After this, rats were seen often in the Keep.

Change of Leadership

During this time of trial, Hsai determined that his decisions and failure

as a leader had been the cause of the curse on Storm Keep. His intolerance

of mistakes made by others applied to himself also, so he did not feel he

was fit to lead after that. Hsai attempted to transfer leadership to

Skardin Varze. Skardin had only recently returned to Storm Keep after a

lengthy retirement and although he had served as Dark Lord in the distant

past, many within Shadow did not feel him qualified to lead during the

current crisis. There was talk of mutiny and Lerost Atennim was nominated

to contest the position of Dark Lord. He was chosen partially because the

Council and members of the Keep knew him better than Skardin and also

because his actions during the initial cursing of the Keep and thereafter

had made a favorable impression upon many. However, with all the other

trials being heaped upon the Shadow Knights, the Council determined that a

mutiny would not be in Shadow's best interest at that time. Chancellor

Fritzgrad Kayen stepped in and mediated. Skardin relinquished the title of

Dark Lord to Fritzgrad and Lerost was made Chancellor. Lerost gave Lysana

the authority to call the Keep together for prayer at any time. She was

instrumental in establishing a routine of daily prayers in which all would

participate, as well as regular monthly sermons. In additon, specialized

tasks were assigned to many within the Keep designed to spread the Master's

Darkness throughout all of Algoron.

The Restoration of Storm Keep

After several years of painstaking obedience, prayers and slaying of

those who refused to honor the Master's Name, Lysana was granted the favor

of the Master. She ran to the Altar of Darkness and ordered all the Keep to

come pray with her. The Master appeared while they were praying, and held

them all in excruciating pain. He used His Darkness to envelop Lysana, and

told her that He was pleased with her efforts and that it was His Will that

she should lead Storm Keep in religious matters and further His Will. Then

He left and the pain lifted from their bodies.

The next day, a messenger delivered a letter to Lerost entitled 'a letter

from Malachive. ' Inside was written "Welcome back to your home, Shadow

Knights. In acknowledgment of your suffering, you may keep the Eclipse hall

as an out post ... For now."

signed - M

Shadow Keep had been restored.

The Conquest of Dojia

As penned by Lillymae Lawrence of the Templar.

The time had come

For the world to see

The merits of

The Prophecy.

On Dark Lord Lanival Illithi,

The notion had often weighed

How best to fulfill the Prophecy.

He thought this each time he prayed.

Over time the idea was conceived,

Kingdom by kingdom to convert the world.

This great plan of conquest

Into action finally was hurled.

The Dark Lord issued his orders

To go to Dojia and plainly see

Weaknesses and stratagems for victory,

To begin fulfillment of the Prophecy.

The Rose, Gray Robes, Templar and Legion

Took the message into their hearts.

They wished each other the Master's blessings

Before their ways did part.

Each had a specific target.

No duplication arose.

To gather information or strategic placement,

No matter who should them oppose.

Hisae Darkseeker's plan was elegant.

As a member of the Crimson Rose,

He recruited several men to help him

Offering great riches to all he chose.

His thugs laid in wait along the main road

A nobleman's carriage to intercept

Hisae watched with trepidation,

Would his plan work as he'd expect?

They carried out their mission,

But then much to their surprise

Hisae began to kill them

Their shock evident as they quickly died.

With eight men dead before him,

Hisae's six, the nobleman's two,

Hisae asked the nobleman if he was injured.

The nobleman thanked him profusely for his timely rescue.

And further asked if he'd join with him

To escort the noble safely home.

Hisae could hardly keep from smiling.

The first part of his plan was beautifully done.

Blaeloch Hakonsen D'arian

A different approach did take.

With shorn locks and ragged clothing

A hobo's appearance he did make.

While on the boat to Dojia,

To motion sickness he did pretend.

While setting explosives both aft and stern

The boat to completely rend.

His plan went off without a hitch.

(Meaning he was not killed.)

The boat and all else on it died.

Yet his body floated to shore, barely alive, as he willed.

The healers made quite a fuss

Over this lone survivor of the wreck.

Who seemed to have lost his memory

And had nasty gashes on his face and neck.

They called him Seido (meaning bronze)

Since he could not remember his name.

They treated him extensively

In hopes his memories to reclaim.

He seemed to heal quite rapidly.

And before very long,

They sought to find work for him to do

Because he was so strong.

Perhaps a guard, they thought at first.

But when they considered more,

They sent him to the palace

To dust and scrub the floors.

This suited him quite perfectly

As he did his daily tasks

He found others would answer any questions

He did care to ask.

He sent information back to the Keep

And even a palace map

But he knew there was much more to do

As he carefully avoided each and every trap.

He began to court one of the princesses

In an anonymous sort of way

He left her a flower and a note

Inviting her to meet with him the next day.

On that one long perfect rose

Was powdered poppy dust

Guaranteed to fill her that sniffed

With an enormous amount of trust.

So she went to meet him

And under the dust's influence,

She thought that she had found true love,

Strengthened by Seido's performance.

She persuaded the Emperor

On him nobility to proclaim.

Blaeloch found he could do whatever he pleased

By dropping the Emperor's name.

Mynnerva Drakemor of the Gray Robes,

An enchantress of some repute,

Looked high and low around Dojia

Some magical threat to elute.

But Dojia had none to be found.

Primitive spells were all that did exist.

She was pleased at the early indications

The Gray Robes' magic would be hard to resist.

To confirm her suspicions,

Since she did not wish to be wrong in her guess,

She set up a complex scrying spell

To make the final test.

Dojia had no hot spots

Where magic did congregate,

But further north, in Tokaido,

Magic seemed to proliferate.

As well as among the Ogre Magi,

For when the scrying spell rested there,

The mechanism flared up and exploded

Giving Mynnerva quite a scare.

Mynnerva returned back to the Keep,

This information to report.

High Mystic Kaiyan Lin returned to Dojia

Her findings to further support.

Kaiyan was a Shokonese native,

Many of his family did still there dwell.

The possibilities of the mission's success

He would be far better able to tell.

Lillymae Lawrence of the Templar

Went to Dojia with an attitude of caring

And wishing to learn of their religions

While news of the Master sharing.

She visited their Temples.

She spoke with young and old.

She learned about their culture,

Hoping to bring them to the Master's fold.

She found they worshiped gods

For every reason under the sun.

And had difficultly understanding

Why they should limit themselves to one.

Among her many conversations,

Was one Xiao the Samurai.

He agreed to allow her teaching

In the Temple of Black Pearls by and by.

Dark Knight Zorreau de la Vega

Was not known for his subtlety.

He went directly to the palace

And introduced himself quite brazenly.

Somehow he ended up invited

To the Emperor's evening dance.

With the charm that he exuded,

He left little as he could to chance.

That evening he attempted

To make an impression of sorts

On the Emperor's oldest daughter

Who he desperately wished to court.

Unfortunately, he also

Stirred resentment from another source.

Captain Xiao of the Samurai

Was intent upon the same course.

With the Princess' increased interest

In the Knight from Storm Keep,

Xiao began countermeasures

For his suspicions ran very deep.

Xiao did have many suspicions,

For he was far from dumb.

Most of the Knights from Storm Keep

Stood out like a sore thumb.

He carefully did background checks

On each and every one he could see

To his mind they seemed

A pre-invasion force to be.

Just for insurance

A hostage he determined to take.

Lillymae Lawrence seemed

The perfect hostage to make.

He had met her in the Temple

She wished to teach there too.

He agreed and invited her to his home

To hear what sermon she would do.

A potion of sleep he had made.

He just needed to persuade her to drink.

Since it did not taste bad,

It should not be too difficult, he did think.

He had a room prepared,

An ancient magical place.

That would suck up magic from any spell,

Any mage to incapacitate.

This is where he left Lillymae

In hopes that he could discover

All she knew about Storm Keep's plans

By keeping her undercover.

He sent a message to the Keep

Advising of his plans

To kill Lillymae if they did not

Accede to his demands.

He made a point to visit her

Every day to see what impact

The isolation had had on her

Whether her resolve would crack.

But she was true to what she believed

And instead taught His Way and Will

To Xiao each time he visited her.

Yet he thought to convince her still.

Shugo Senriar took Hisae into his home

And treated him as an honored guest.

Hisae assumed to further gain his confidence,

He would have to pass some test.

It was not too many days later that Hisae heard

The Shugo's voice in anger raised.

Storm Keep was at the root of what

Set the Shugo's emotions ablaze.

Hisae admitted that was from where he came

And immediately got a distrustful stare

The Shugo became most wary

For reasons of which Hisae was unaware.

It seems the Shugo had heard

Of the Darkseeker name before.

He demanded to know why he was in Dojia

And accused him of crimes galore.

Hisae met these accusations

With a bit of mild surprise.

And assured the Shugo none of it was true

As he looked him in the eyes.

The Shugo appeared appeased.

As he left the room again.

But Hisae knew his time was short

To finish his preparations.

Xiao had the Emperor's ear.

To Xiao's tales of threats to his reign,

The Emperor did listen and consider

Then ordered Xiao the Shadow Knights to detain.

Xiao then spread the word

The Knights were to be arrested on sight.

Anyone caught helping or hiding them

Would be executed as traitors outright.

It did not take long at all

For Hisae's Shugo to hear the news.

He went to arrest Hisae to save himself,

Thinking the lessor evil to choose.

But Hisae was prepared with evidence

That showed the Shugo had done much wrong.

The Shugo, now totally frightened,

Immediately changed his song.

Hisae informed him matter-of-factly

The only way to keep his head

Was to take over the government,

Or if the Emperor was dead.

The Shugo agreed to unite his part of the army

With that coming from Storm Keep.

But Hisae knew he would have to watch him closely,

His distrust of the Shugo ran quite deep.

The eldest princess was charmed

By Zorreau's flamboyant airs.

She rushed to warn him of the danger of

The arrest warrant of which he was unaware.

Will you not come with me?

He stopped long enough to ask.

She shook her head slowly, 'For you, by yourself

Getting away will be a difficult task.'

He nodded, leaving a kiss on her hand

Before he vaulted off the balcony.

Only to find Xiao and seven others waiting

Below in the dark where he could not see.

'You are under arrest,' smirked Xiao.

'Please come with us peacefully.

Or for you it could get quite painful.'

As he pulled out his sword gracefully.

Severely outnumbered, Zorreau started fighting.

He knew that escape would be best.

So he vaulted to the low wall near him,

Thankful for the talents with which he was blessed.

Xiao was angered greatly

By his unaccustomed defeat.

At the hands of Shadow Knight Zorreau

Who was very fleet of feet.

He returned to the secret room

Where Lillymae was hidden away.

He woke her up demanding

Her comrades she would betray.

He drew his dagger as he approached

And said that he would kill.

Unarmed, and with no spells that worked,

Lillymae left it to the Master's will.

She knelt before him with bowed head

And said if it must be so

To please do it quickly,

Then waited for the killing blow.

She finally looked up at him

With a question in her eyes.

He sheathed his dagger and said,

At this time I will not benefit from your demise.

'But when I return today,

You'd best be ready to tell me all

For I shall bring my whip with me

And beat you until you talk.'

Lillymae looked quite scared

Until he had left the room.

And then she uncovered the hole she had dug

To escape the spell of doom.

Knowing she could do no more

She left Xiao a note and to him a second disaster.

'The Master giveth and the Master taketh away,

Blessed be the name of the Master.'

As Kaiyan met with the Lin elders,

A traditional tea ceremony he did brew.

Information he did gather there

In a most symbolic way too.

An onlooker would not have known

It was more than tea leaves of which they spoke.

The news seemed quite promising

Favoring the Dark Lord's master stroke.

The Legion had been preparing

As the information from Dojia came in.

Plan after plan was made and discarded

For the Master, there was no option but to win.

But beyond the conquering of the city

Its defense once conquered they reviewed.

The gates and walls were defensible

With reinforcements, no army could get through.

Field Marshal Jalm Kato

Along with Warder Abram MacNeil,

Worked their forces night and day

Until their mission they were ready to fulfill.

With all the pieces set in place

Dark Lord Illithi knew

That it was time to make his move

Without further ado.

On a fast ship borrowed from Bloodlust

He sailed with three trusted knights,

Hoping to gain entrance by stealth

Without having to use Storm Keep's might.

The legion army followed behind

With a gap of two hours or so.

Their leaders would take them north of the city

Ready, if needed, to deal a final blow.

The four knights were quietly rowed to shore

Four leagues north of the Dojian port.

To allay any suspicion their presence might invoke.

This seemed wise according to their last report.

The rendezvous spot was reached

But the assigned soldiers were not there.

They had been sent to acquire Daimyo Ieyasu's armor

As a disguise for the Dark Lord to wear.

The Dark Lord looked around and found in the dark,

A large sack leaning against a tree.

Inside was the armor and a note

Explaining that the soldiers thought it best to flee.

The Dark Lord put the armor on

Other than being short, it fit him fairly well.

High Mystic Kaiyan Lin with his magicks

Cast within their helmets a dark and concealing spell.

Kaiyan would play his herald,

So there would be no mistakes made.

They set out for Dojia's northern gates

Their plans at this point well laid.

With their first obstacle at the north gates

Easily passed through,

The Knights breathed a small sigh of relief

Now for obstacle number two.

They told the palace guards that they were there

To consult with the court immediately.

A crisis was brewing in Tokaido

And Daimyo Ieyasu -must- the Emperor see.

The palace guard in charge did not wish

To admit the four until dawn.

Kaiyan did fairly loudly insist

The crisis was far from gone.

Just then Kuge Seido

Came out of the palace for a stroll

Kaiyan immediately petitioned his help

And he got them past the guard's patrol.

Inside the palace news travels fast.

And in a very short while

The entire court was up

Their wish to be asleep, futile.

Damio Ieyasu, what is the meaning of this?

The Emperor was heard to say.

Kaiyan responded that he was too ill to speak.

'Too ill to take off his mempo in my presence?' the Emperor responded with dismay.

At that, Lanival and his Knights arose,

And he removed the ceremonial helmet.

The Emperor recognized Kaiyan now,

But the Dark Lord he had not met.

Kaiyan said some magical words

Outside a thick fog began to spread.

The Emperor then recognized Zorreau

His face showed anger, betrayal and dread.

Kaiyan selectively cast waves of weariness

And immediately all were asleep and unaware.

Except for the six conspirators,

The Emperor and Hisae's Shugo, Senriar.

Lanival announced in an emotionless tone

Dojia's divine overlord, Necrucifer, requires your reign to end.

The Emperor told Lanival he would not survive

As he called his guards, his person to defend.

Blaeloch, known as Seido

Was near the Emperor's side.

Before the Emperor said any more,

Blaeloch's knife to the Emperor's neck did glide.

Just then Xiao burst into the room

With ten other guards in tow.

From the amazement and concern in his face

What was best to do he did not know.

The Dark Lord pulled out an ancient Viking horn.

While Zorreau appeared to give Xiao a wink.

Kaiyan made a portal link to amplify sound.

Then Lanival blew the horn once into the link.

The sound carried well beyond Dojia's walls,

Where under the cover of thick fog,

Storm Keep's troops were gathered,

Awaiting the results of the Dark Lord's dialogue.

'One blast of the horn to dispel the fog,

If a second came, then city entry.'

Field Marshal Jalm Kato reminded

Esquire Mynnerva Drakemor what the signal would be.

At the first horn blast she waited a bit

To see if a second would sound,

When it did not, she raised her hands

And immediately no more fog was around.

Their large army was then visible

From Dojia's northern gate.

For the news to reach the palace,

Lanival did not long have to wait.

With Blaeloch's knife still held to the Emperor's throat,

Xiao looked to the Emperor before giving the word

To stir the imperial army to battle.

Then quite clearly, Hisae's voice was heard.

That would not be wise

And the Shugo Senriar who was under Hisae's control

Admitted his troops would support the Shadow Knights fully,

Leaving the imperial army far less than whole.

Lanival turned back toward Xiao

Knowing Xiao knew full well the futility of war

When faced with such overwhelming odds

And asked him to surrender once more.

Lanival watched him expectantly

Knowing also of his turmoil within.

Lanival did not wish to exterminate all

Leaving Dojia a ghostly ruin.

Perhaps some of Lillymae's teachings

Finished persuading him that night.

But whatever the reasons,

He laid down his bo without a fight.

Kaiyan sent another wave of weariness through

And all fell to the floor

With the exception of the Knights in the room

And the dethroned Emperor.

Lanival took his hunting horn

Out of the mouth of the portal then

And spoke into it carefully

That the Emperor's reign was at an end.

And of the opportunities to be had

By belonging to the Master's fold.

The chance for advancement and power

With meritous living these gifts they would hold.

And as for the Emperor and his family,

They were provided a place on a boat

Taking them away into exile

Leaving Storm Keep's attentions on Dojians to devote.

The Dark Lord assumed the Emperor's throne.

But one item of business remained to do.

He asked his Chancellor, Xuerin K'ycer,

To conduct the crowning ceremony without further ado.

So we see by small and simple means

The Master's Will is orchestrated.

And great blessings come to those

Whose lives to Him are dedicated.

Purist Policy of Storm Keep - Ibiza le Toad

Introduction

This paper outlines the case against the Purist policy of Storm Keep, and relates how it is inconsistent and fails our purpose, our principles, our vision and most importantly the Prophecy of Singularity.

History

"Shay was disappointed in what he found in San Gohdam Keep. Divided among many gods and permitting even balance-keepers to walk with them, and of such diverse race as to resemble a zoo or circus, their discipline was a faint shadow of their rivals. With Ishamael Rinji and Malcom drak'Martys, he sought to find ways to remedy this.

The three perused Eclipse's library for days, seeking records of the old times to determine when Eclipse had ventured from true discipline. And in their research, they learned much. They learned that Gohdam had founded Eclipse as Necrucifer's own, and with only his own human brethren, but Targetter in his power-struggle had changed it all. They came to believe that Targetter's changes were err, and sought to rectify them. With their human brethren, they planned a revolution."

These are the words spoken in our early history of the foundation of our defining event - the Purist Wars.

What our founders discovered in the ancient text of the Sunset Dawn was that San Gohdam had left the Knighthood of Serpantol to form Eclipse. He took the Serpantolian Knights who were loyal to him and built up a following to do war with Knighthood. Alas, Eclipse's founder fell quickly to the lawless murders of Malice who had become a large part of their army. Gohdam's vision failed because of the quality of the army which joined him. The more numerous Malicians lacked law and discipline and sought only plunder. This was not because they were human, but because of their quality and lack of dedication to the cause.

From this point, Moderate then Targetter assume control. Targetter is responsible for Eclipse growing in strength, partly because he opens Eclipse to all races and those who are neutral. Through the Dark Alliance of Eclipse, Ogres and Minotaurs, complete world domination was all but assured. Then the control over the dragons was lost when the Draconus was retaken by the Conclave. The furious chromatic dragons vented their rage upon Eclipse for having enslaved them and drove them from the field with crushing loss. Would Eclipse have held the line if the same vision of Evil and strength of Brotherhood was true? That question is consigned to history.

The Singularity - The Prophecy of drak'Martys - The return of Necrucifer to Algoron

Consider the nature of the Prophecy to the Knighthood of Necrucifer. Everything else stands beneath the return of the Lord to Algoron. Honor, friendship, truth, honesty, racial purity and other things we might hold dear because of our beliefs, our nature, or relics of our history would fall by the wayside to see the Finality of His Return. By clinging to our historical relic of human purity, the Knighthood of Storm Keep are limiting the potential of our power to deliver the Prophecy.

The Proposal

There are those of other races and of Necrucifer who are capable of being held to our high standards who remain underutilized in advancing the Vision. When Shay Kayen refers to Eclipse being like a zoo or a circus then this is more an issue of recruitment policy than race purism.

I propose that our founders made both wise and unwise decisions to form the basis of our Order.

Wise

1. San Gohdam decided to split from the decadent Serpantol to follow the way of Necrucifer

2. Targetter allowed capable beings of any race to join Eclipse to increase their capability and likelihood of success.

3. Shay Kayen, Ishamael Rinji and Malcom drak'Martys returned Eclipse to be an order of Evil to return the focus of the order and to share the common vision.

Unwise

1. San Gohdam sought the lawlessness of Malice to defeat the order of the Knighthood of Serpantol which he lost control of, which led to his downfall.

2. Targetter allowed those of neutrality to join the Eclipse, which led to a lack of discipline, focus and common vision and collapse during the Dragonwars.

3. Shay Kayen, Ishamael Rinji and Malcom drak'Martys concluded that San Gohdam's reasoning for a human-only order as a divine mandate, rather than the historical relic of Serpantol. Eclipse only began as a human-only order because that Eclipse had roots in the human-only order of Knighthood of Serpantol.

The proposal is that we adhere to the outcomes of the wise decisions, and renounce those which were unwise: An independent Order, judged by their capability rather than their race, forged in the common purpose of Necrucifer's Evil for the Singularity.

The Three Principles - Unity, Brotherhood, Finality

This position is constant with the Three Principles.

To show Unity, we must be inclusive to the followers of all paths of Evil, though only those of Necrucifer will have absolute loyalty to Him and the Vision. Inclusion will increase the scope and popularity of our movement. For those of Evil who are racist against humans, this will increase their desire to be a part of our world order. In order to maximise our potential, this should be done regardless of race.

To show Brotherhood, we must all be of one mind, for the purpose of achieving the Singularity - His Return. Just because they are Evil and of Necrucifer does not guarantee them a place in Storm Keep, and knights are expected to be of that quality. As unsuccessful humans are turned from Storm Keep, so should it be for any race. Those who would have a kinship with one another and would see a stronger bond forged between this band of brothers. This should be done regardless of race.

To show Finality, we must be willing to sacrifice all to achieve the Singularity - His Return. To be best-placed to deliver this, our membership should be open to all regardless of race.

Evil

Those of Neutrality will not stand with us at the Final Battle. Targetter was wrong to allow those with such meek views of balance to become part of Eclipse. It is only those who are capable of the Lower Principles of Evil who will do the Lord's bidding, and only those who are capable of the Higher Principles of Evil who will be given the glory of leading the armies of Evil at Necrucifer's behest. Only those who are capable of delivering on the Higher Principles of Evil ought to have a home in Storm Keep, regardless of race.

Conclusion

Wise and unwise decisions have been taken by our leadership in the past which have shaped the Orders of Eclipse and Shadow. Some of these decisions have catapulted Eclipse and Shadow to the apex of its power from being a breath away from complete world domination, while others have left few of the faithful in empty halls dreaming of former glory.

It is important that all decisions the Council takes to be well-reasoned, and to serve the Prophecy of Singularity.

In order to maximize the power of Storm Keep so that the Singularity of the Prophecy can be achieved, the Shadowknights of Necrucifer would do well to consider the application of disciplined, ordered, spiritually and physically strong believers entry to Storm Keep regardless of their race.

Ibiza le Toad, Umbrian Mystic

The Journey to Purism

I have not previously written upon the established concept of purism within Storm Keep, as I disagree with the intention of the founders' veneration of San Gohdam and have argued against this interpretation.

Long have the thoughts upon the Purism of the Shadowknights of Necrucifer been guided by the founders of Shadow. That because Serpantol was a human-only order of knights, that Eclipse ought to be the same. Necrucifer never championed Kwainin's human creation, although He did grant these singularly driven Shadowknights His mandate to form a new order of knighthood, that He could use to match the might of Gareth Keep. Not because they were human, but because of their Singularity of His purpose.

What follows is a number of points which will lead to my conclusion on Shadow's purism.

Ibiza le Toad

Kwainin's Creation

Long ago in the Age of Creation, Austinian created elves, Kwainin created humans and Necrucifer created ogres. Upon the Fall from Grace, these three fell out of favor with their creators, and several sublevels of these races were created, with none more favored than another.

Serpantol's human roots

The principles of knighthood were born in Serpantol to Knighthood. Under San Gohdam, Necrucifer bore His opportunity to steal this powerful military entity from His hated brother Austinian, and bind them to His own cause. In this He was partially successful. He did not steal the whole order from Serpantol, but created a powerful splinter faction, the Knights of Eclipse. At this point in history, only humans had mastered the discipline required to hold militarism foremost in their thoughts. Shortly after the conquest of Serpantol by the yinnish empire of dae'Tok, this knowledge became widely available to into all races and cultures on Algoron. Every kingdom in Algoron now has these military divisions.

The Dragonwars

San Gohdam was slain early in the Dragonwars by his own men. Although he delivered Eclipse to Necrucifer, Gohdam was incapable of controlling the Sons of Malice who ended up destroying him. The true hero of Eclipse is Targetter (also known as Dar Getter) who took the few remaining knights loyal to the Higher Evil of Eclipse, when most followed the Lower Evil and joined with the Sons of Malice.

Targetter reforged Eclipse from Necrucifer's shining purpose and turned it into a power which dwarfed the accomplishments of San Gohdam. Targetter had the vision to create an organization which could take over Algoron, so that it might be gifted to Necrucifer. It was Targetter who showed the leadership required to bring not only Gohdam's followers, but all that followed in the way of Necrucifer. As a calculated risk he accepted those who were of Kwainin, as he feared his numbers would not be sufficient for world domination. Neutrality would be willingly 'used' to deliver world domination to Necrucifer.

The Might of Eclipse increased hugely when the demon Sah'ron demanded unity of Necrucifer's new champion of evil, Eclipse with His creation the ogres, and the minotaurs. It was Targetter's leadership that bound the destinies of Eclipse, ogre and minotaur together under the militaristic control of Eclipse.

It was Targetter's planning and direction which brought the might of dragonkind behind the armies of the Dark Alliance with the acquisition of the Draconus. None could withstand Eclipse and world domination was in Necrucifer's grasp.

The rest is consigned to history. The Gray Robes failed Targetter by failing to protect their most potent weapon - the Draconus, and this lapse cost Necrucifer all of Algoron. All that would not bow down would have been destroyed. This is the failure Shadow seeks to remedy.

The Rise of Shadow

"Most importantly, they learned that San Godham had never intended for the Eclipse to accept any race other than humans. It was Targetter who had made this change, among others, after the Dark Knight's death." - Shay Kayen's history of Shadow.

As we see from the history of the Dark Alliance in the Dragonwars, I believe the founders of Shadow have embraced the wrong hero.

San Gohdam succeeded in only one thing, a break from Serpantol. It is written that Gohdam was inspiring and courageous but he was not politically inclined which doomed his bid for greatness. He fell at the first hurdle.

Compare that with the accomplishments of Targetter listed above from the Dragonwars. There are too many to repeat. One step removed from world domination.

The founders of Shadow, venerated leaders - Shay Kayen, Ishamael Rinji and Malcom drak'Martys - understood the cause of Gohdam, militaristic knights and the prowess they held in battle over rabble. But the world has moved on. All organisations have a military now. Purism in the antiquated and traditional sense, that they be Kwainin's human creation is only a relic of a long dead empire. If anyone is Necrucifer's heir then it is His creation, the ogres. But Necrucifer saw the sense of broadening His appeal to move away from his heirs of creation, to embrace a larger following in order to reach His goal.

Ogre, human, minotaur or dragon. It makes no difference. It is only their ability to add to the Singularity and the Finality which counts.

Shadow has something much stronger than racial purism which only seeks to divide Necrucifier's marshaled forces. Purism encompasses the Prophecy, the Singularity and Finality.

The Prophecy of Malcom drak'Martys

We are single minded in our purpose - to follow the Singularity of the Prophecy and complete the world domination which Eclipse started, so we can gift Algoron to Necrucifer under our New World Order.

What do the Shadowknights of Necrucifer need to do to be sincere to their concept of purism, to be singular in their purpose of world domination?

What is Purism?

Purism is the adherence to the Singularity of the Prophecy. To let nothing get in the way of our final goal of Finality. As with all things, all are reduced to one thing prophesized by Malcom drak'Martys a long time ago.

Ibiza le Toad, Umbrian Mystic and visionary of Necrucifer.

Targetter (Dar Getter) – Necrucifer’s most favoured servant

Introduction

Throughout the history of the ages, many have strived to serve Necrucifer. None have come as close at Targetter of Eclipse to deliver unto him the thing he wants most – domination of Algoron.

The seminal work of Eclipse is Saravhana d’Fale’s “Sunset Dawn”. While it is acknowledged that not all agree of the validity of the work, and much has passed into myth and legend, there are many truths within. The old loremaster of the crown, Sehvelarious Iolius of Knighthood has unwittingly done the research to critique and prove what is true and what is not, so it will be these two works are central to tell the legend of Dar Getter. Also used are some works from the Kayen and Eclipse libraries.

There are two variations of the Sunset Dawn, the one which was released to the libraries of Algoron, but what Shay and Malcom found in the archives of Eclipse before the Purist Wars was an edition by d’Fale which has key variations from that which was shown to the wider public. It is in this version that I chose to put my faith, that this is a secret version which contained more fact than fiction so that the wisdom of Eclipse could survive intact for those who were the favoured servants of Necrucifer.

As this true variation refers to Targetter as “Dar Getter” throughout, I will refer to him by this name.

Dar Getter’s Destiny

“It is written that, in the beginning, there was neither good, nor evil. Necrucifer spilt his blood into the seas so that all creatures could choose whether or not to be the pawn of someone else's destiny... Man is the measure of all things, and there are a great number of men who place our lord Necrucifer's values above those of his anti-thesis. Necrucifer lets men chose and create their own destiny, without limits.

This is the story of a man who did just that -- and nearly succeeded; a man known to the world only as Targetter of Eclipse.”

Dar Getter was no ordinary man. Even before he became a manatonic through the slaying of d’Astaroth he displayed examples of divine guidance from Necrucifer. Some might call this intuition, but the powers he held came from the divine. Necrucifer guided him to his destiny.

Some will say that it was fate that led to the initial meeting between Dar Getter and San Gohdam, but Necrucifer’s wisdom guided his favoured servants towards his goal of world domination – the actions of all his servants lead to this.

Necrucifer needed Gohdam to start his movement, based on the Knighthood of Serpantol as a firm basis for his power, and this figure of paragon of virtue and leadership served the vision well and many flocked to his banner. The aspirations that the Knighthood awoke in the people was exactly the tool which Necrucifer needed to create a comparable power capable of world domination. We know from the Sunset Dawn that Dar Getter rescued San Gohdam from hanging, but this is not true as we see from the critique. Knighthood splintered and Dar Getter followed Gohdam to Eclipse.

Dar Getter was the envoy who presented demand to Emperor of Serpantol, and was able to use his considerable skill to evade capture when the emperor demanded that he be seized. He would go on to fight beside Gohdam at the Battle of Serpantol.

Dar Getter exhibits a great many divine intuitions before he became manatonic. The insight which he receives is beyond any mortal man.. He was able to detect deeds of evil being committed from a distance, and the presence of cultists. His intuition tolds him that Gohdam had been murdered, which resulted in gathering those loyal to the Eclipse and fleeing the Sons of Malice. It was only when Dar slew d’Astaroth that he became manatonic, so it does not explain the divinity within his powers. Truly, he was chosen as a vessel of Necrucifer in order to see His Will done.

Dar Getter’s power beyond mortals

“His ability to read the minds of others grew slowly each day. He knew the movement of his enemies, he could see what others appeared to not be able to, move objects with his mind. It was bewildering to him, but he kept it a secret... He spoke of it only to Jobe, who told him of a portal that allowed access to a plane of ethereal dimensions.“

Dar Getter rebuilt Eclipse after the collapse following the murder of Gohdam. There is evidence of Dar’s divine channelling when he begins to read minds above what the powers of manatonism grants. His companion Jobe alludes to the direct connection to Necrucifer through ethereal dimensions.

Dar Getter’s design for Eclipse

“Peace. Unity. Power. Those who have the power now are dooming themselves...They would either have to be embraced, or fought off by the entire world. The world beyond warred with each other, but would resist the change Eclipse could bring for their benefit. It would have to be torn down, shattered, to be built back up in the image of darkness. Eclipse would be both the hammer, and the anvil, of the future.”

It is in this that defined the destiny of Eclipse, and what Shay Kayen and Malcom brought from the Eclipse Library to shape the Shadow Knights of Storm Keep. Necrucifer’s plan for world domination last attempted by Eclipse built into the founding premises of Shadow. Dar Getter would lead the greatest attempt to conquer Algoron since Necrucifer himself. And it would be done according to Malcom’s yet unspoken Prophecy. In time it would become inevitable.

Eclipsian Policy for Domination

Though of different race, and though her name be not documented in any intact lore, the two reportedly fell in love, thus breaking the racist attitudes that Eclipse had still carried from its Serpantol days... and indeed, it seemed destiny for these two to join in love, as the future would soon reveal.

"It is truly God's work, Elsumzi," She spoke the dark elven word for lover, "We should have faith in it.. I have faith in you.. more than anything."

It was Dar Getter’s understanding of what would be required to deliver “Peace. Unity. Power.” which brought him so close to domination. He understood that in order to get Algoron to deliver Necrucifer’s prize, all would have to be able to sign up to it to take part. All races of evil intent could deliver the prize to Necrucifer, even those who were wavering neutrals. Dar would have to step outside the bounds of what he was given to achieve these ends.

Sah’Ron delivers

"I offer you a tool, for God is watching, and he approves of your cause, Targetter. " – Sah’Ron the demonlord. "Your peoples shall join in a great Alliance." And silence.

The minotaur was infuriated. With his bovine like head, and temperament of a bull, he snorted: "Why should the minotaur nations align with these weakling peoples?"

"The champions that are given to Eclipse's forces in the name of darkness shall receive God's blessing... Many times they shall be struck down, but shall rise again, and be immortal. Their flow shall never end, they shall be as a waterfall upon the world... as the night upon the sky. And the world shall tremble in their wake."

"Lord Sah'Ron, demon of Necrucifer... what would you have us do with the Horde..?" Targetter said. -Necrucifer will let you chose your own destiny, mortal.

Necrucifer saw what his most favoured servant had done, to open the membership of the Knights of Eclipse to all who might serve Him, and understood that this was the critical mass He would need to achieve His goal. He sent Sah’Ron to provide to Dar what he needed to meet his destiny. Necrucifer sent his children the ogres, and bent the minotaurs to his will to follow Dar in the Triple Alliance in the Dragonwars.

Dar claims the Draconus

“ When the moons align in three months from this day, those known as the Conclave will be waiting for the barriers around a great relic to fall for a brief instant. You probably should be there to take it from them.- The temple faded, the dark plane again stretched before the three, out into oblivion, and Targetter gazed around in awe.

Shown the way to amass more power for Necrucifer’s attempt at domination, Dar ordered the raid on the Golden Citadel. He who controls the mighty firstborn will control Algoron – and the draconus was the key to their control. In the daring raid, Eclipse successfully secured the draconus whilst the mages of Conclave fled to preserve their own lives. Mere men could not have embarked on such a venture.

Dar was ready to launch his campaign.

The Dragonwars

Sah'Ron had treated him almost too much like an equal...Legions of barbarians, possessed by Sah'Ron's power, were now at his command. But something was wrong... and Targetter couldn't place his finger on it, even though he knew it would lead to his downfall.

Dar could tell that something significant was coming to stop him. Had Kwainin not intervened, Algoron would already belong to Necrucifer.

In the battle, Dar used his powers to control armies with his mind and the armies of the Serpantol could not hope to organise themselves fast enough to match it. His dragons controlled by the draconus held the air above the field.

While the conventional story from Angelfire tells us that the dark elven woman was slain in the battle, and Dar fled the field to save her, the Eclipsian version is far more telling. Dar is slain in combat in a dragon battle, and his cause lost due to Kwainin’s intervention, and Serpantol’s breaking of his control of the dragons when the draconus was recovered. The failure to protect the draconus cost Eclipse total victory.

Although Necrucifer admits he has lost and withdraws his horde from Algoron, he has not finished with Dar Getter.

The Future

Dar could see the future. He could see a time when the darkness held control over the world, and he smiled to himself. It would never be within Kwainin's power to stop the right combination of men that might seize the world.

It might be that this was the key piece of information which Malcom found which lead to his prophesying. Is there a link between Dar Getter and Malcom drak’Martys? Very little is known of the origins of Malcom drak’Martys.

Return from the Abyss

"You see me as you see yourself, because in order to revive you, I have filled your veins with a single drop of my own blood. You are just that, Dar: a drop of my blood. You are my Avatar, now. Although your efforts lay in waste, your city in ruins, and your body lay dead at its center, your service to me is far from complete, nor shall it go unrewarded."

Dar is reborn in the abyss by Necrucifer, so favoured that He rebuilds His most favoured servant with divine blood. Dar returns to those who led to his undoing and destroys them while reclaiming his dark elven lover. Dar vanishes from history at this point, but leaves it a demigod, with the blood of Necrucifer flowing through his veins. Necrucifer had marked him out for greater purpose, his most favoured servant.

"I am Necrucifer." He spoke levelly. (as he destroyed all his enemies around him)

Conclusion

Dar Getter is the most successful follower of Necrucifer ever, achieving more than any evil soul in history. Yet he foresaw that he would be unsuccessful in delivering the domination of Algoron to Necrucifer before it came to pass.

Importantly for Shadow, he foresaw a time when his vision would be delivered, and that it is this end which was also seen and prophesised by Malcom drak’Martys.

The Shadow Knights of Necrucifer are the natural heirs to Dark Knights of Eclipse, but have always been limited in their appeal to deliver their goal – world domination to Necrucifer because of adherence to tradition which they have been unwilling and unable to sacrifice for Singularity.

The means justify the ends, and the end is the Singularity.

Until Shadow can understand how to unlock power as Dar Getter once did, and earn the honor worthy of a hero, Necrucifer will bide His time for Algoron to be delivered to Him by one as worthy.

A hero who can amass such things equivalent to the recovery of the dracons and the rebuilding the draconus, as Eclipse once did to control the firstborn. Who can earn the attention of the demon horde. Who can appeal to not just the Knights of Necrucifer to follow him, but all Evil beings behind them.

Until Necrucifer sees in a Knight of Necrucifer the destiny powerful enough to deliver Algoron to Him, His Shadow Knights will not have proven their Singularity of purpose or Finality required to earned Necrucifer’s favour.

Long ago, Dar Getter showed us what it takes. Are there any within the Shadowknights of Necrucifer who will reach his plateau and ascend higher?

Ibiza le Toad – Visionary of Necrucifer

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Lanival: Why We Fight.

Mon Dec 15 01:56:29 2008

To: all Shadow Verminasia Necrucifer Religion RP Imm

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World at large,

There has been some question of late from outsiders regarding the nature of

my order. Normally, I would dismiss such curiosity as little more than an

annoyance. However, given the recent spread of some decidedly white

propaganda, I have been roused to pen this letter. Consider yourselves

fortunate.

Some presume that the Shadow Knight seeks death and destruction for their

own sake. This is false. Some presume that the Shadow Knight loves war,

and would relish a world rife with endless battle. This is false. Some

presume that the Shadow Knight will lie or cheat to gain an individual

advantage. This is false.

The Blessed Order of the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer seeks an end to chaos

and strife. Our ultimate desire is Order; our fighting days will be over

when a new world system is in place to ensure that every responsible subject

is fed, every last shilling is accounted for, and every last outlaw is put

down. Our faith dictates how this will be accomplished: we are certain that

only one deity has the strength of will to impose this system upon the

world.

Only through the power of Necrucifer can this dream be made reality.

We know that we, mere mortals, lack the fortitude to maintain such a system

even if we are successful in implementing it ourselves. Thus, we work to

unite the world under His dark banner, whether through negotiation or

conquest. Success in this venture is of supreme importance to our goal, for

only once that work is complete can His Coming happen; we must give unto

Necrucifer a world ready to extinguish chaos.

And that, citizens, is why we fight. Some may respond to this letter with

boastful taunts and pious guarantees of our failure, but we will care not.

Ours is a higher purpose--nay, the highest purpose. Nothing will distract

us from the task at hand, and we will sacrifice our very souls to succeed.

Power to Necrucifer.

Lanival Illithi

Chancellor of the Shadow Knights

Guardian of the Abyss

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Lanival: The Early History of the Shadow Knights

Tue Oct 30 11:42:20 2007

To: Corwaen Piousiim Crelius

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Our story begins after the Purist War. Defeated by the sheer numbers of the nonpurist force, many survivors simply gave up on their ideals and retired to a less adventurous life. But the founders of our order, Shay and Ishamael, vowed to press onward. With the few remaining true believers, they wandered like nomads for many months, quietly collecting funds from those sympathetic to our cause. To outsiders, it looked as though our flame would soon be extinguished. But we knew better.

Money began pouring in from all corners of Algoron. Our defeat did nothing to diminish our stature around the world; indeed, it perhaps had the opposite effect. Common men and women romanticized our work even more than before. With our funds growing daily, a new home was our chief goal. The desolate sands south of New Thalos were chosen as the location, and soon shipments of black marble began to come in from across the world, thanks mainly to our allies in the Pirates. Wizards were hired to maintain cloaking spells on the construction, so that we might build our new home in peace.

Once the construction of Storm Keep was completed and blessings were placed upon the structure by a variety of holy men and women, we entered our mighty fortress for the very first time, and the Shadow Knights of Necrucifer as you know them today were formed. These were heady days; the mightiest followers of Necrucifer from all over the lands heeded the call to join His most holy and knightly order. On fire with faith in god, the first generation of Shadow Knights produced of number of great and dark heroes whose names should not be forgotten. Some are honored in our statuary, such as the Shay Kayen, Ishamael Rinji, Ihsan Madaur, and Shay's bride, Sorcia. But let us also never forget the contributions of men and women such as Harold Na'vor, Cragesh Torlang, Gwendolyne Dulac, Verias Wa, Lu'ther Kestyll, Seethe, and many others. I was honored to serve with each of them.

But not all was perfect in our earliest days. Less than a year after the completion of Storm Keep, the earth beneath the fortress began to shake violently, and all about the Keep a ghastly hiss could be heard repeating the word, "Leave." Dark Lord Shay Kayen ordered all Shadow Knights out of the Keep and onto the old trade road that ran south from New Thalos. Just as the last remaining Knights made their way from Storm, the sand around and under our castle began to rapidly sink into the Abyss. Storm Keep would soon be swallowed whole by the gaping maw of earth. As we looked on in horror, an invisible force took hold of Shay and dragged him down with Storm Keep into the nothingness. The hole filled with sand and was gone as quickly as it had come, but there were no traces of Storm Keep or of Shay Kayen. We were without a home once more.

Days passed without word from Shay or sign from above. When it became clear that neither were forthcoming any time soon, Ishamael Rinji accepted an offer of safe haven from Gaar Volen, known in those days as Malice. And such was our fate for quite some time: to live alongside those murderers and thieves. What we had done to anger God, we were uncertain. Months passed, and it seemed that we would lose Knights on a daily basis. Some believed our order was cursed. Others believed Necrucifer simply had no use for us. But the most zealous among us remained, and spent each day in quiet penance, beseeching the heavens above to give us a sign. Our prayers were ultimately answered, though in a rather unexpected way.

The gods of all pantheons, disgusted with mortal greed, destroyed all of the world's currency and many of the world's tangible possessions. A messenger of Necrucifer came unto us and said that Storm Keep had been financed with the most ill gotten of gains, and that our Lord Himself was offended by its very stature as a grand battle-temple to Him.

The most egregiously offending parties, the messenger said, were suffering quite appropriately, and would do so for All Eternity. We asked if Shay Kayen was among these hopeless souls. No, the messenger said. His sins against our Lord were of a different sort. Would he be returning to us, then? No, said the messenger with a grin. But as a reward to those of us who had stayed faithful to Him through these trials, Storm Keep would be restored. And then the messenger returned into the ethereal darkness from whence it came.

Still under the leadership of Ishamael Rinji, we returned to our fortress once more, again faced with the task of rebuilding our strength. The days were difficult; few wanted to join an organization so obsessed with order that had suffered through such a turbulent and brief history. But I remember vividly that there was one young Petitioner who came to us in those days who bore a spark in his soul that was evident to any who got to know him. The young man's name was Kylan Crown. As devout and determined as any Petitioner we had ever seen, Kylan rose through our ranks at a pace heretofore unseen. Mighty in battle and unshakeable in faith, Kylan gave us hope that our order would not die with the passing of the first generation. Give us a legion of Kylan Crowns, the older among us would muse, and we would conquer half of Algoron.

One fateful day, the gods issued forth a challenge to all of Algoron: a combat tournament would be held. Single participants only. The prize was unclear, but the chance for glory was enough to draw multitudes of combatants. I intended to be Storm Keep's representative in the tournament, so certain was I that I would be victorious, but as I was about to leave Storm to sign up, I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Allow me to represent the

Shadow Knights, Sir Illithi," said the voice behind me. I turned to face Kylan Crown with the intent of brushing his request aside. But when I looked into his eyes, I saw the dark fires within his soul burn with an intensity the likes of which I had not seen before, nor have I seen it since. Truly, I could not stand in his way.

My decision proved to be a wise one. With the determination of a man possessed, Kylan Crown defeated all comers, dwarves and elves, Armadans and Marauders. When Kylan had dispatched his final opponent, a loud thunderclap could be heard in the distance. All spectators looked towards the heavens in amazement, and a dark, booming voice could be heard. Your faith is true. Return, Shay Kayen. There is much to do. When the crowd looked back into the arena battlefield, Kylan Crown was gone. Standing in his place was the founder of the Shadow Knights himself, Shay Kayen.

Restored to his own body, Shay explained to us that God was angry with him for putting his love for his wife, Sorcia, ahead of the well-being of the Shadow Knights, and his trials as Kylan Crown were his penance. Had he not proven his dedication to the Prophecy once more, he would have been doomed to walk the lands as Kylan Crown for the rest of his mortal life, and would then suffer in the next. Shay had succeeded in proving himself, however, and naturally nearly all of us rejoiced at Shay's return. Ishamael was happy to hand the reigns of our order back to his old friend, and we believed we were on the path to righteousness once more. But this sentiment was not quite unanimous.

The first (and to that point, only) Master of the Crimson Rose, Prospal Jhanan, did not believe that Shay could change. Prospal feared that in an hour of critical need, Shay would once more place his wife ahead of his knights. He voiced his concerns to Shay and to the other sect leaders, but Prospal found himself alone. Disagreement soon gave way to outright rebellion. Prospal now intended to slay Shay and take control of the Shadow Knights himself. When we caught wind of his plan, we chased him out of Storm Keep. He escaped our grasp, but a manhunt was underway. It was at this time that I, Lanival Illithi, was made our order's second Master of the Crimson Rose. Prospal proved quite elusive. A simple seek and destroy mission would not do the trick against such a wily foe. Knowing this, I crafted a plan to ensnare him.

Shay sent word to all corners of Algoron that Prospal would be given a chance to voice his concerns to the collected body of Shadow Knights at Storm Keep in one week's time. No such opportunity truly existed, of course. We had hoped that his hubris would drive him to attend, thus making his capture quite easy. Our calculations were correct, and sure enough, we were able to apprehend the traitor and hold him captive. Shay intended to publicly try, convict, and execute him, and place his head on a pike that would stand at the entrance of Storm Keep for all time. On the day of the trial, the slippery Prospal escaped once more. To this day, I am uncertain what happened to him. I have heard that, years later, Prospal sought Shay's forgiveness, and that Shay, in his munificence, granted it. But this would be the last true internal conflict Storm Keep would face for many years.

Many relatively uneventful years would pass, though we must not forget the knights who made names for themselves during this era, among them Skardin Varze, Nikolae Kayen, Hsiu Wa, Jurann of Desormes, and others. This era of stability also featured the coming of that most pious of priests, Isadore Schwartz, to Storm Keep. I am honored to say that I served as Chancellor during the reign of Isadore as Dark Lord. This was a time of great faith within the keep, as we were honored to hold Necrucifer's two highest-ranked priests, Abbott (later High Priest) Isadore and Bishop Seethe, within our walls. The tenure of Isadore, the Voice of Necrucifer, as Dark Lord was not long, but it left a lasting impact. To this day, Isadore's policy of requiring a sacrifice of all of one's earthly possessions upon joining the Shadow Knights lives on. But it would be Isadore's final decision as Dark Lord that would lead to the next period of instability within the Keep.

Rather than choose a successor, Isadore appointed a Council of Three to pick who would lead our order next. The three men chosen to comprise this council were Falidor of Gyrax, Jurann of Desormes, and myself. The council's first vote saw each man vote for himself. The second vote saw Falidor change his vote to Lanival, and I was appointed Dark Lord, much to the consternation of Jurann. Jurann quickly moved to challenge my leadership through the old rules of mutiny, though I will not discuss his motives here. Rather than fight him, I chose to depart Storm Keep, and this is where my knowledge of the history of our order ends.

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Beydalar: The New World

Tue Oct 12 15:07:19 2010

To: Caenarfon

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The New World Order as summerized by Beydalar of Shadow, should they be given the chance to shape Algoron should Necrucifer return and seize the world. Corwen.

What will the world look like after the Prophecy is fulfilled? Our

enemies would maintain it will be a world of darkness, of servitude,

a dystopian nightmare with no freedom, only slavery. One of endless

suffering for the innocent, endless pain, and no joy.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

To begin with, the future they describe is little different from the

present. The innocent already suffer, there is too much bloodshed

now. It is difficult to even conceive of a world with more

violence and chaos than Algoron has now. We seek to bring order,

peace, prosperity, justice, equality, and unity.

Order. The world is dark and shattered. Bandits and beasts roam

the land, terrorizing the innocent. In the New World, this will be

no more. The beasts will be kept at bay, the bandits will be

locked up.

Peace. Endless wars and strife plague the lands. Kingdom against

kingdom. Empires rise and fall. Needless bloodshed, and the

innocent farmer, sailor, merchant gets drafted and forced to fight

and die.

Prosperity. Prosperity cannot flourish where there is war and

chaos. The most basic services such as farming, forestry, mining,

are all disrupted by stife. Once strife is gone, once we have

peace and order, prosperity is sure to follow.

Justice. Likewise, where new order flourishes, so too new justice

will grow. Those who have complaint against their fellow being

will have that complaint dealt with in an orderly and efficient

process, available to all.

Equality. When all are equal before God's law, we will no longer have

children starving on the street, mother's will no longer need to beg for

scraps to feed their babies. Honest laborers willing to work will no longer

worry about if they will sleep another night on the street. All who work

and follow God's Law will be taken care of by that Law.

Unity. No longer will nation take up arms against nation. No

longer will fanatics fight each other in the street. We will

be one Algoron, united under One God.

Beydalar Yildiz

Warder of the Templar

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Ibiza: The Code of the New World Order

Thu Sep 13 15:18:38 2012

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Unity

Unity is demanded by the Gods of Evil. Feed your own desires at your peril,

for the wrath of Necrucifer is worse than death and not worth your own

personal gain.

Punctuality

Punctuality is a habit to be formed by all those who call Necrucifer their

God. It is the commitment to being prepared on a moment's notice to carry

out Necrucifer's orders.

Obedience

Obedience is something required of all within the New World Order. It is

complete submission to any and all Necrucifer's demands and wants.

Vigilance

Vigilance is the constant state of mind any servant of Necrucifer should

maintain. It is the backbone of the Storm Keep's defenses, to watch for

foreign and domestic foes.

Conformity

Conformity is complete acceptance of all Necrucifer's beliefs and values.

It is the lack of desire to succeed or surpass any person's accomplishments

or ideas.

Efficiency

Efficiency is the prevention of any waste. It applies to every function of

life, from food, energy, money, even lives.

Silence

Silence is the need for all within the New World Order to not speak against

the New World Order. It is essential for the stability and safety of

Algoron.

Diligence

Diligence is the ability to seek out a goal and continue toward it. It is

especially important to the armies of the Storm Keep to ensure victory.

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Ibiza: Moral Laws of Virtue for the New World Order

Fri Sep 14 07:43:12 2012

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The New World Order will require morality for society to function in a

lawful fashion. As such, and not without a hint of irony, I have taken the

virtues of Gareth Keep and turned them to the purpose of the New World

Order.

Virtues by themselves are weak propositions, but applied within the law of

the New World Order, they will have meaning and define the way all live

under our peaceful and prosperous iron fist of control.

Honesty: Do not lie, or you will lose your tongue.

Compassion: Help those in need, or you will suffer the same need.

Valor: Fight to the death if challenged, or you will be banished as a

coward.

Justice: Confess to your crime and suffer its just punishment, or you will

be put to death.

Sacrifice: Donate half your income to the New World Order, or you will have

no income.

Honor: If you lose your honor, you will take your own life.

Spirituality: Enforce the laws of virtue, or you will die as a heretic.

Humility: Humble yourself to your superiors, or you will suffer their wrath.

le Toad, Umbrian Mystic

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Caenarfon: The Challenge to Storm Keep

Tue Oct 19 13:08:44 2010

To: Knighthood Shadow Imm Nadrik Necrucifer Storyline Religion Nazca Kyri all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hail,

My charges against Storm Keep are threefold.

1. Storm Keep has lost the detail of Malcom drak'Martys' Prophecy, and past

doing anything they can do to bring Necrucifer to Algoron, have little

understanding what this might bring, or any idea if Necrucifer will support

the 'Shadow's New World Order'. They gladly risk evil Necrucifer to keep

His word should He return.

Shadow's original purpose is contradictory and flawed. Because Shadow must

do anything to see the Prophecy, Shadow is:

2. Not Lawful - Shay Kayen's original texts describe the creation of a

Lawful order. Shadow cannot claim to be lawful if they can break any law,

lie, cheat, murder and steal to see the Prophecy fulfilled. This

contradicts and makes a mockery of their vaunted "Enlightenment.

Unification. The end of Anarchy. The end of Chaos. The end of balance".

Either you follow the law, or you don't. When you can break any law to see

the Prophecy come to pass, you are not lawful.

3. Not Honorable - Shadow cannot claim to be honorable if they disregard

morality and virtue to see the Prophecy fulfilled. Evil has little use for

the morality which drives honor. To lie, cheat and steal is honor's

antithesis, and allowable under Shadow's code. 'The Will and Way' mentions

'honor' ten times. "It is By His Will and His Way that His Chosen shall

find Honor In Darkness." Shay Kayen's original texts describe the creation

of an Honorable order. "We are Knights of Necrucifer, and thus we are held

to a higher standard than any other. We act with compassion towards our

enemies. We treat them as we would wish to be treated. We fight with

honor. We aid those weaker than ourselves." Warder Beydalar asserts that

"We Knights of Shadow do not serve honor."

Shadow has little idea of the detail of their purpose, and their founding

principles are contradictory and flawed.

Corwen, High Clerist

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xuerin: The Dark Nine

Wed Jan 26 07:20:13 2011

To: All of Necrucifer's Darkness ( Necrucifer Immortal RP Kyri )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As time steadily unravels itself, the fulfillment of the Prophecy closes

in. Mortals and their legends are washed away by the trials of time, yet

the will of Lord Necrucifer always remains. Let the Dark Nine guide your

body and mind as you walk this world within His darkness. Only on this

path, will truth be found.

1) His will is absolute, His word is infallible.

2) The eternal Father of Darkness is unrivaled in power and wisdom. All

aspects of darkness are found within Him.

3) Praise shall be given to Him each passing day. Never shall His blessings

be taken for granted.

4) Praise shall be given to the Dark Pantheon, for they are all of Him.

5) The paths within His darkness are many, and He has given us the

opportunity to chose one for ourselves. Find your way to further His cause,

do not let it go to waste.

6) Seek always to build unity in His darkness. The cohesion of the faithful

shall pave the way for His prophesied return.

7) Through the trials of His darkness, weakness shall be purged.

8) Constantly seek ways to better your service onto Him. Never shall your

hunger for improvement be satisfied.

9) Always work to bring forth His return. Heed the calls of His Chosen and

assist in the preparations for His coming. Through His servants shall the

truths of darkness conquer every corner of the world.

As Lord Necrucifer returns to claim the world as His, the light will forever

be extinguished and the world of chaos will heave its final gasp. A new era

will begin, and darkness will forever prevail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reklah: The World As It Is

Tue Feb 15 21:13:32 2011

To: Shadow all

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hail, Algoron.

There has been an insurgence interested in our way. I condone it, and I

welcome it, and I want more of you to find me.

I was a boy of twelve summers once, living in a household who paved their

faith in Austinian, when a man of purpose found me. He told me of the need

for new blood in the hallowed halls of which I am now apart.

Shay Kayen taught me much about his philosophy. He was a prodigy, and a

hero the same as Gohdam. He understood astutely the bare bones of what

Gohdam sought, an order that would bring honor and integrity, but more

importantly, finality. I implore you to look at Algoron now, as it is. The

soils of these lands has been marred with blood, and for no good reason,

other than neither side will abide the other.

Hearken.

Peace can be found at the end of bloody roads. But it will not be found in

Austinian. Those regarded regarded in the faith of Austinian will tell you

that the ends do not justify the means, and those who find faith in Kwainin

will only further spur this war, because in Kwainin, an eternal balance will

result in war neverending.

There is no such thing as Higher Evil. That term cannot be justified

because in it lies an admission of wrongness. We are not wrong. We are

bold and veracious men who say that, "Yes, the ends do justify the means."

Find me if you are the same.

RK

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Reklah: Unity

Wed Feb 16 00:46:01 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Principle of Unity

Unity.

Tesalon Gareth believed in many of the traits we do. Storm Keep and Gareth

share many similarities. Honor is held high among both sects, as is

kinship, and even a desire for peace. Of all the organizations on Algoron,

Gareth is the most similar and the most different to Storm Keep.

There are three concepts which have developed into black and white

viewpoints. Storm Keep is viewed by our opposition as a Higher Evil. That

term must be put to death. Evil implies a wrongness, and we do not think

ourselves wrong, do we?

In actual fact, the difference lies in the three main viewpoints. Kwainin

dictates that there must be eternal balance. In balance war is neverending,

and bloodshed will subsequently occur for centuries to come, or even

thousands of years, if Kwainin's flock has its way. That would be much more

"evil" than our own perspective.

Austinian's flock preaches that love and peace will pave the way to Unity,

and claim that Necrucifer's pantheon is the Oppressor, yet Shay Kayen once

offered peace to Gareth, and they refused him. Therein lies the hypocrisy,

but that is not the most important difference, which is that Gareth does not

share Finality.

If a knight of Gareth were asked to do anything in order to procure peace,

there would be a point at which they would stop and say, "No, I will not do

that."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reklah: Brotherhood

Wed Feb 16 00:47:23 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Principle of Brotherhood

This principle reminds us that we remain one entity. The creation of Gaar

Volen serves as reminder that Man is fickle. It is in Man's nature to

betray, to steal, to murder, for the benefit of self gain. San Gohdam's

efforts were successful and he became a feared revolutionary. It was

through his own men that he was deposed.

Brotherhood dictates that in order to accomplish the Alpha principle, we

must be steadfast to our purpose. We must incorporate all virtues which

will keep us from Gohdam's fate. In this principle lies an adherence to

honor, integrity, and veracity, and highest of all, a kinship to one

another. Without these things, we are like so many stones in the water,

segregated by racism or greed or other personal failings.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reklah: Finality

Wed Feb 16 00:48:29 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Alpha principle, this provides the basis of our being. We are here

by God's grace, and it is through His gift that we must reward Him. The

principle of Finality dictates that if any action will directly or

indirectly bring about Absolution, or victory, then that action must be

taken.

All other principles are made by Man and must be cast out thusly if Finality

can be attained. Be mindful of the blood and soil of where you stand, the

tune the wind sings as it sweeps through Storm Keep, and of your own flesh

and bone. You were Created to serve, there is only You and Him at the end.

If God speaks, you must listen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reklah: Post-Purist Revolution

Sat Feb 19 20:24:12 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow ( Imm RP Kyri Cahlizna Necrucifer )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Keep,

I'll do all that I can to ensure my words bear witness to fact and not

fiction in this history. Mortal minds are subject to degradation just as

leaves through the seasons. I remember things through diaphanous windows.

I came to Storm Keep, eighteen summers of age, and versed in Storm Keep's

ethos by Shay. I had been granted a thorough education through my first

cousin, schooled in the art of swordarm and in the old laws of San Gohdam.

During the time of my induction, Ihsan Madaur was Dark Lord, and I saw his

reign throughout the duration of my aspirations to knighthood. There was an

insurgence of interest, and fellow officers Arinas Schwartz and Kulinar

Atennim came with me. We were all of us ambitious under Ihsan's tenure, and

we all rose to knighthood within three months, the sons of our ancestors

before us.

Soon after came Madaur's absence. Those who know him will say he was a

heroic visionary, unyielding in his faith, and a fallen paladin who held to

his virtues. He was believed to be either missing in action or a prisoner

of war at this time, though he returned to Storm Keep later and approved

Storm Keep.

"He's dead," came whispers through Storm Keep for weeks. Morale was

destined to failure, and men of action sought to act.

Skardin Varze was the first officer, respected universally in Storm Keep

despite a past in Gaar Volen. Varze was a man of order. We all respected

him, and with the aid of the Kingpriest Isadore Schwartz, Varze's campaign

was successful. We pledged our allegiance to him.

Many men of repute served with distinction at this time, among them Hsiu Wa,

Keric Na'vor, Kulinar Atennim, Arinas Schwartz, Eldyn Amaricus, and Crelius

Atennim.

Isadore's word carried the weight of omniscience. He was the Voice of

Necrucifer, dictated so by God, and it was through Him that God spoke. He

announced Mass, and through this meeting, His Will and His Way was

incorporated into Storm Keep's ethos, co-written by the Kingpriest and the

Bishop Seethe of the Templar.

Necrucifer came, and we felt His presence descend. We were ordered

to take our belongings and sacrifice them in His name. We were

ordered to fast for two weeks while studying His will and His way. We would

not leave Storm Keep, until every man had remembered it entire.

After we were called by God to charge His crusade. There was a fire in the

soldiers of the men I fought. It was Godfire, and through it, it burned

with the eternity of Man and all his Purism, fiercely, as never before.

Shay Kayen returned to Storm Keep for his final tenure. After Varze's reign

and the morale of Storm Keep restored, I was announced his heir to the

legacy he wrought. I bestowed it to Hsiu Wa, and Hsiu Wa to Fritzgrad

Kayen. From there, the history falls into Modernity.

RK

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reklah: Dark Lords of Storm Keep

Sun Feb 20 05:11:42 2011

To: Beydalar Shadow ( Imm RP Necrucifer Cahlizna Kyri )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Keep,

I've received excellent feedback, and a special appreciation goes out to

Winnetou for his aid in confirming some of these early names. If no more

corrections are made, this list will be submitted to the library.

Shay Kayen

Ishamael Rinji,

Jurann of Desormes,

Isadore Schwartz,

Lanival Illithi,

Jurann of Desormes,

Falidor of Ghyrax,

Ihsan Madaur,

Skardin Varze,

Reklah Kayen,

Hsiu Wa,

Fritzgrad Kayen,

Lerost Atennim,

Jaerlach Kesepton,

Crelius Atennim,

Lanival Illithi,

Zorreau de le Vega,

Xuerin K'ycer.

RK

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Reklah: Shadowknights of Necrucifer

Thu Mar 3 04:53:24 2011

To: Shadow ( imm rp Cahlizna Kyri Necrucifer )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Keep,

The past history of the Shadowknights nears it completion. There may be

gaps to fill in, so I ask that you look over it one more time for me. Below

is the final list, pending corrections that may be made near final

submission.

Shay Kayen

Sorcia Kayen

Reklah Kayen

Fritzgrad Kayen

Krystlyn Kayen

Nikolae Kayen

Ryeth Kayen

Crelius Atennim

Imrahith Atennim

Kulinar Atennim

Lerost Atennim

Dae'ni Atennim

Eraden Atennim

Arinas Schwartz

Arivion Laisi

Denna

Falidor of Gryrax

Jurann of Desormes

Lanival Illithi

Keric Na'vor

Khethus Mavelle

Hsiu Wa

Ihsan Madaur

Jaerlach Kesepton

Skardin Varze

Ilusen LaFortinas

Eldyn Amaricus

Beydalar Yildiz

Abram MacNeil

Tet Vi'Lar

Zorreau de la Vega

Xuerin K'ycer

Jazaren Maltese

Treffa Kent

RK

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Reklah: The Brotherhood Principle

Sat Mar 5 12:25:44 2011

To: Shadow Ibiza ( imm rp Cahlizna Kyri Necrucifer )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm Keep,

I've outlined the three principles and their purpose in Storm Keep. These

are Unity, Brotherhood, and Finality. One begets the other. In order to

achieve Unity, we must possess Brotherhood - the achievement of honoring and

respecting one another, and a kinship with each other that will never fall

prey to Man and what dark sins belie him.

Many of the virtues that Gohdam and Shay saw in Gareth are applied here at

the alpha stage. Both Gareth and Storm uphold honor, justice, and Law.

Storm Keep does it as means, and Gareth as the end. In Nadrik, Honor is

bred of His soldiers as the end itself. In Necrucifer, we may utilize Honor

as an effective tool with which to keep our men pure of intent and focused

on no less than the Prophecy fulfilled. This makes us no less honorable, as

we called to God, in which every meaning is found.

In our Lord Necrucifer, both Gohdam and Kayen found a Higher purpose, but in

order to establish a knighthood to portend His coming through Unity and then

Finality, we must uphold a Purist morality not found in those in past

history.

The Brotherhood principle is the first of three. We, as fellow peers,

uphold the Law justly, respect, honor, and even love. As in the Shay

outline near the beginning of the Purist revolution, we fight for those

weaker than ourselves. Certain laws have set the frontier, like Gohdam's

early laws, or later, His Will and His Way, which upholds honor as a chief

virtue.

The primary purpose of Brotherhood is to abolish the seed of perfidy

manifested in Man, which brought about Gaar Volen and the other renegades

who fought only for self-interest and glory of self. Storm Keep aspires to

a higher morality, those riches found in spiritual servitude and comradery

among men.

This paves the path to Unity, no less than one World, one People, United to

bring about Finality upon Algoron in His name.

RK

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Ibiza: The Umbra and Shadowmagic

Mon May 21 10:20:48 2012

To: Shadow Verminasia Imm Necrucifer RP Religion

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the birth of the land, Necrucifer, one of the chosen, was given

tertiary rule by the High God. The Father of Darkness was never born,

rather eternal: always was, always will be.

In an attempt to seize the world, Necrucifier sought to assassinate

Austinian, the Father of Goodness. Their battle spanned the heavens and

land alike, carrying from the immortal stars to the lands below. Each

struck blows to one another, causing their immortal blood to flow freely

upon the land. The blood of Necrucifer tainted the rivers and oceans, its

very essence permeated everywhere in the land, spawning evil creatures and

beings alike.

Necrucifer is alone in this, His gift to Algoron. This is why evil has a

greater hold upon Algoron.

Our Lord's unholy essence has permeated Algoron and found its way into all

physical things when long ago, the sacred blood fell to Algoron and blessed

all it touched.

The wild magic of witchcraft operates in direct opposition to the

conventional magics of the Conclave. They consider this magic

irresponsible, but in it lies a source of great power. Mages draw their

power from the moons, and Necrucifer's mages from the Black Moon.

The theft of conventional magic from the Conclave using wild magic and

witchcraft draws upon the unholy essence of Necrucifer upon Algoron. We use

wild magic to augment the power of Drakkara's black moon, making it more

powerful that anything which the Conclave possess.

Though the use of wild magic, we have discovered the 'Umbra' - a dark and

shadowy realm and state which allows a mage to sink into the very shadows of

Algoron, where this dark mirrored reflection of Algoron exists.

The Black Winds have played an important part in the history of showing the

way to many of our leading figures.

The Umbra was discovered through the use of wild magic when brewing a

physical manifestation of the Black Winds through the use of wild magic.

When the liquid Black Winds is poured back into the cauldron, this is what

makes the transcendence between Algoron and the Umbra possible, as it

awakens the divine essence of Necrucifer on Algoron.

The Black Winds entered the Chamber of Mysticism under the full Black Moon,

and showed the way wild magic adds to the Black Moon of Drakkara from which

all Gray Robes draw their power. Through the theft of magics the Black

Winds had found a way to use the essence of Necrucifer to enhance the power

of the Black Moon, making the power of the Shadowmage greater than any

other.

Algoron has long been tainted by the essence of our Lord. When the full

potency of the Umbra is discovered by Storm Keep, the art of Shadowmagic

will be at our disposal to deliver to Him upon His coming.

le Toad, Umbrian Mystic