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Vhaeraun's ClergyMost within his priesthood are males, with a few exceptions to that rule. A few of his followers are fallen from grace priestesses of Lloth, now intent to help his cause to bring down the Spider Queen. His clergy are known simply as The Masked, due to his symbol of the half black mask. Novices of Vhaeraun are simply known as the Uncloaked, as all the other members of the clergy are known as Nightshadow, as a tribue to the Masked Lord's black longsword same.The titles that the Masked Lord's priests carry varies from temple to temple, but typical names such as Ascendant Darkness, Black Moon, Dark Mantle, Deep Rogue, Enveloping Night, Raven's Caw, Shadow Hunter, Silent Sable, and Twilight's Herald, but those of a higher rank have unique individual titles. Specialty priests are known as darkmasks, and those priests of Lloth that had turned against her are knowned as masked traitors. Within the Masked one's clergy are: priests (55%), thieves (25 %, even included nonpriests), clerics (10%), cleric/theives (7%), crusaders (2%), and masked traitors (1%). Vhaeraun prefers to appear before his loyal followers in the shape of an avatar, but only when a certain magical ritual of summoning is performed, for he forbids his priets from using spells to summon any other than him or his creations. If the ritual is not performed, he will not send his avatar but in it's place a fleeting black shadow, hiding a favored being with the face similiar to the half mask. That favored one will possess true sight and power to strike creatures with their magical weapons. Ironically, this being will never favor the same being more than once per day. No priest of the Masked Lord is permitted to wear any sort of armor except leather armor, and dark garb. His clergy are allowed to favor daggers, short swords, and long swords, but they must always use poisons. Typically they prepare several varieties of widely varying onset times, methods of application, and strengths before embarking on a dangerous undertaking. Those of this clergy often outfit themselves in half-masks, loose silk shirts, form-fitting pants and leather boots all of which are jet black. They are never without at least one black edged blade someplace on their person. Preists of Vhaeraun need only to be within a mile of their holy symbol to use the Masked Lord's spells. The holy symbol needs not to be on their person or brandished in spellcasting or dealing with the undead. If you manage to displease this god, he extract his vengence with impunity. He will often send a legion of dark creatures: black cats, ravens, or dead spiders to mock Lloth's worship of arachnids. Sometimes these can also show his favor as well. Sometimes Vhaeraun also acts through the appearance or presence of elments (air, smoke, and earth), shadow dragons, shadow fiends, hell hounds, and undead shadows. ChurchesIn the Underdark, Vhaeraun is worshiped in deep caverns shadowed in dozens of darkness spells, as such temples are typically natural amphitheaters, with deep soaring ceilings dotted with sparkling beljurils to resemble stars. Up above on the surface, his temples are in shallow woodland caves hidden by layers of leaves of deep forest canopies to allow little light to reach inside. Ironically, these holy shrines to the Masked Lord are situated near or in small communities of surface-dwelling ilythiiri, who believe in the return of drow to the surface like Vhaeraun wants. One such temple and community can be found in the (enter name of possible Vhaeraun citadel)All Priests of Vhaeraun may not cast any spell from the sphere of summonings or the school of summonings that do not directly involve creatures under his sphere of influence without requesting his favor. Spells are strictly of the evokation and illusion schools, however, are permitted. The Masked Lord is not truly well known on the surface world among the nondrow or in Lloth dominated cities of the drow. Often enough among his followers on the surface, many non-drow associate and confuse him with the human god of thieves, Mask. It has been whispered that "the Mask" is merely an illusion crafted by Vhaeraun himself to furthur his power among the realm of humans, but none can attest to this speculation with any certainty. Down below in the Underdark, Vhaeraun's expanding power and influence are slowly growing and earning respect. Vhearaun's way of life often lures dissatisfied drow males who somehow learn of the Masked Lord and how his faith offers a means of escape from the tyranny of Lloth. Holy Days/Important CeremoniesThe most important attacks, negotiations, and other activities of the clergy mostly occurs during the night. Priests of Vhaeraun utter prayers to the Masked God of the Night whenever they wish to further his aims. They often offer wealth and weapons of those they destroyed (enemies of the drow, or regalia from Lloth's priestesses). Those weapons are then melted in black, bowl shaped altars. Offerings of magic and wealth are made on a regular basis. The more valuable, the more Vhaeraun is pleased. He favors daily diligence more than rare huge hauls.Midwinter Night: this is known among the Masked Lord's clergy as the Masked Lord's Embrace. This is the most sacred time of the year for followers of Vhaeraun. This annual holy day is celebrated by the Masked Lord's followers with daylong introspective rituals of total sensory deprivation. Each worshipper is expected to cloak himself in a region of magical darkness and levitate at the middle of the effect for a full 24 hours while contemplating Vhaeraun's teachings. All followers of the Masked Lord who wish to perform this ritual are granted the ability to employ both spell-like effects on this day, with the necessary extended duration, by a special boon from Vhaeraun. Up above on the surface, nights of the new moon are considered sacred to the followers of the Masked Lord. Such occassions are observed with midnight stag hunts that range over miles of shadowy woodlands. Packs of the Masked Lord's worshippers, mounted atop their chosen rides of lizards {brought up from the Underdark, of course} run down a noble hart and then sacrifice the creature's rack of antlers and still-beating heart to their god in dark rites that pervert the ancient ways of the surface elves. |
