Summary
The Black Creed is the primary faith of the Dark Elves of Farenai. It is an atheistic religion, and many Dark Elves who have long shed their ties to Farenai still consider themselves to be cultural followers of the creed if they abstain from worship. In a religious sense, however, the Black Creed is a fair bit more than just a lack of reverence for the deities. Importantly, the creed emphasizes the god-like dominance of the Dark Pariah (known to followers as
Dethos'Karai).
In the Age of Destruction, Dethos'Karai led a flock of Elves out of Delos'Nordan, becoming a father-figure to the (then-labeled) Dark Elves. Followers of the Black Creed dedicate their lives to the Pariah and display their devotion by supporting their communities. Those who accomplish tremendous deeds in service of him may become his prophets, joining him eternally in the mysterious Black Palace from which he is said to rule. In local communities, the lesser title of sainthood is applied to prominent members as a means of recognition, further blurring the lines between civil society and worship.
Followers of the Black Creed regularly darken their skin with the ash of the bones of prey they have eaten and enemies they've slain. Historically, this ashening spanned the whole body, but the complexion of the Dark Elves has become naturally darker over time. Today, most who still practice ashening merely paint their faces dark. A practice of applying dyes and tattoos to the skin has also emerged among Dark Elven populations; religiously, this is considered equivalent in many ways to ashening.
