Sisters of the Moon
While smaller than some of the other religious organizations in Astoria, none would ever consider the Sisters of the Moon to be any less dedicated. Clad in silver-adorned armor and wielding silver weapons enchanted to glow when undead are near, these sworn champions of Sehanine hunt any and all who practice necromancy, and can be found all across Astoria, though their order halls are few and far between. As their name implies, they only accept female petitioners.
The Sisters of the Moon view werewolves and other types of lycanthropes with the utmost of pity, seeking not their eradication, as they do the undead, but rather to aid them in what they view as a "transition period" of their lives. The different phases of the moon are what cause the curse of lycanthropy to take hold of its victims, transforming their bodies and sending them into a wild frenzy, and who better to help these poor, tortured souls than the worshipers of the goddess of the moon?
In addition to eradicating the undead, many Sisters of the Moon are stalwart champions of the ancient elven art of Bladesinging, acting as the female counterparts to the Sons of Larethian. As Bladesinging is an ancient elven art and tradition, elves of all types make up the majority of the Sisters of the Moon, however exceptions to this rule do exist.
Bladesingers
Bladesingers are wizards who master a school of sword fighting grounded in a tradition of arcane magic. In combat, a bladesinger uses a series of intricate, elegant maneuvers that fend off harm and allow the bladesinger to channel magic into devastating attacks and a cunning defense. Styles of Bladesinging are broadly categorized based on the type of weapon employed, and each is associated with a category of animal. Within that style are specializations named after specific animal types, based on the types of spells employed, the techniques of the master, and the particular weapon used. Styles that employ a sword belong to the Cat family, including the longsword-wielding Lion style and the scimitar-wielding Red Tiger style. Styles that focus on the use of hafted weapons belong to the Bird family, including the handaxe-throwing Eagle style or warpick-wielding Raven style. Styles that use whips, chains, or flails are included in the Snake style family, such as the whip-wielding Viper style. Bladesingers who apprentice to a master typically get a tattoo of their chosen style's animal. Some bladesingers learn multiple styles and bear many tattoos, wearing a warning on their skin of their deadly skills.Bladesong
The bladesong itself is an extremely demanding martial art, the epitome of elven sword mastery. The bladesong is a primarily defensive style of combat, with devastating strikes considered less important than a superior guard position. From this superior defensive posture, magical attacks and spells may be used without fear of successful counter-attack, when performed by one fully proficient in the style. In addition to the violent purpose inherent to all martial arts, the bladesong is uniquely elven in the fact that the aesthetic components of the style are as important as its martial efficacy, with its dance-like movements and the haunting whistling sounds produced by the sword blade cutting through the air being the source of the name bladesong. These dedicated warriors take their craft seriously enough to have created a uniquely elven fighting style. Unlike the martial arts of other races, the elven fighting style, also known as the bladesong, emphasizes beauty and economy of movement over sheer destructive power. However, the elven bladesong is deceptively dangerous, for all its seeming gentleness and apparent grace. Bladesong is so named for several reasons. The first and most obvious is because of the whistling of the blade as it slices through the air when this style of fighting is used. The second, according to some, is for the haunting, wordless tune many of its practitioners are said to sing as they fight. Other sources indicate that Bladesingers practice an ancient elven variant of the art of Spellsong which they have adapted to suit their uniquely elven arcane-martial style. Those who practice the bladesong appear as if they are dancing when they fight. Their movements seem misleadingly slow and elegant, deflecting opponents' blades while lazily drifting back to score hits themselves. The technique requires, above all, misdirection and subtlety. The bladesingers do not believe in smashing blows or strong and crushing offense, but rather in guiding their opponents to anticipate a different attack entirely, thus overbalancing the foe and making him seem clumsy.Structure
The Sisters of the Moon are led by a Moon Augur, who resides in the Temple to Sehanine in Theogonia. While this position is, for the most part, merely a figurehead, the Moon Augur is generally one who has spent decades (if not centuries) in the service of Sehanine. As such, Moonsingers will often seek advice from the High Moon Augur.
Each Moonsinger is responsible for the management and command of their individual temple to Sehanine, overseeing the day-to-day operations of their Moonpriests and the missions of their Moonchasers.
Culture
Each Sister of the Moon bears a tattoo of three teardrops under her right eye, symbolizing the tears Sehanine wept after the betrayal of the Betrayer Gods during the War of Creation, the tears she wept at the loss of her people to Gruumsh, and the tears she weeps for those who suffer the curse of lycanthropy, who curse at the changing phases of the moon.
Public Agenda
Aside from undead hunting and the aid of those suffering from lycanthropy, the Sisters of the Moon offer traditional services in the name of Sehanine for those who seek it. These services are usually conducted at the turning of each phase of the moon, and are centered around the idea of change, and offer solace to those who are struggling with some aspect of change in their lives, whether it be the death of a loved one, the loss of a home, a crisis of faith, or simply facing their own mortality.
Comments