Church of Shar

Shar is the goddess of darkness, and as such she represents the physical darkness as well as the darkness that exists within the soul of mortals. She is the keeper of dark secrets, brooding and negativity. Her followers are often nihilistic and struggling with a growing darkness within.
The Church of Shar consists of individual cells that operate independently focused around a temple, shrine or other place of worship. A cell is led by a single priest of Shar who also communicates with other cell leaders. A cell member is not given information about other cells.
Members of the Church of Shar is actively being hunted in Phlan.

Tenets of Faith

The Church of Shar exists to spread the influence of the Godess of the Dark by converting worshipers to her faith and performing dark deeds in her name. Shar's worshipers advance these goals by undermining and corrupting authorities, spiritual communities, and organisations dedication to good or beliefs that differ from their own.
A cell may undertake a variety dark undertakings, as ordained by its priest. Members are usually kept in the dark as to the actual reasons. The secrets are only disclosed to those who absolutely need to know. Murders, hostile business take overs, information thefts are all common tasks of the cells.
Information and secrets are the most valuable commodities available to a follower. Members offering information expects a return in kind. Information and secrets are used to further the goals of the Church. For example letting a prominent merchant know that her husband is cheating, saws jealousy and tragedy which creates fertile grounds for initiation. The secrets are seldom fabricated or simple lies. As the latter is usually frowned upon and not worthy a true believer of Shar.
So does the influence of the Godess of the Dark grow, one soul at a time.

Worship

• Reveal secrets only to fellow members of the Faithful

• Never turn to hope, or follow promises of success

• Quench the light of the Selûne whenever you find it, and hide when you cannot prevail

• The dark is a time to act, not wait

• Consorting with the faithful of good deities is a sin except in business dealings, or to corrupt them from their beliefs

• Obey ranking clergy unless it would result in your own death

Priesthood

The priesthood of Shar often battle with their own tragedies or dark secrets, which in their minds allow them to connect with people suffering a similar fate. Historically followers of Shar have performed very dark deeds in her name; hence the tragedies and losses brought about by radical followers have caused many places to outlaw her worship. As a result most of her priests and cells are shrouded secrecy and away from prying eyes.

The Dark Initiation

In order to become clergy within the Church of Shar, a potential initiate undergoes trials of faith and commitment which pushes the boundaries of moral ethics, such as cold-blooded murder. An initiate not showing willingness to perform the wicked acts find themselves becoming the victim of another initiation.

Ceremonial Garb

During ceremonies and sacred rituals the priests of Shar wear long-sleeved robes of deep purple. Worn beneath the robes are black tights or pantaloons. The dress is complete with a black skullcap covering the entire head.

Symbol

A jet black circle with a border of deep purple.

Favoured Weapon

In some of the Church's cells their initiates are taught to fight with chakrams also named "The Disk of Night". It is primarily a throwing weapon but can also be used as a melee weapon.

Ceremonies

Rising Dark: The followers of Shar celebrate the Rising of the Dark at the same time as the widespread Feast of the Moon between the final night of Uktar (November) and the first day of Nightal (December). During this dark ceremony the cell leaders plan the coming year over the body of a live sacrifice.
Nightfall: This reoccurring ceremony is held once every tenday and requires its followers to engage in an act of darkness and depravity following a several hour long ritual of nocturnal dancing and feasting. The dark act itself depends on the local cult but is almost exclusively something wicked.

Granted Divine Powers

The clerics of Shar is usually associated with the domains of Death and Trickery. A cleric pray to Shar during the night, between sunset and dawn to be granted spells.

Type

Religious, Cult

Alternative Names

Nightbringers

Deities

• Shar, Mistress of the Night

Divines

• Shar, Mistress of the Night