Crescent Shapeshifters
The Shapeshifters are a Zeribian cult worshipping Ingfahtar, and able to transform into animal form. They are often used as soldiers.
History
After the Crescent eruption 620AH the previous inhabitants was scattered around the islands. Many of them took a new name and became the Šiwke (Zeribian Great House). Remainings of the old priesthood stayed on the nearby islands.
At some point the sacred caves on Small Moon are discovered. The coven gains divine powers.
Later the House Tyršan finds out about the discovery. They found the new Crescent (city state). A new priesthood is set t control the powers.
Worship
The rites of the cult take place in the sacred underwater caves on Crescent. The waterlock tunnels circle under the sea into the hearth of the volcano, until they reach the God's nest. Only the initiates of the cult and high nobles are allowed to enter the caves.
What happens in the caves is not general knowledge, but the locals have seen and heard terrible beasts of many kinds transported to the caves and never out. It is believed that an offering must be made to the god, in order to gain the powers of transformation. Zeribian soldiers go through great hardship in orded to catch the wild beasts and transport them alive to the caves. The most sought-after form is the dragon, but it is very difficult to catch, because the beasts are furious and not even native to the islands.
Sacred rites (Only for the initiated!)
To gain the power of transmorfation, the cult follower must slaughter an offering of his patron animal, and mix it's blood with an offering of his own blood. They burn the blood offering and then inhale the sacred fumes to gain the powers.
Priesthood
No everyone can gain the divine powers. Only people who have some connection to the Old Moons can shapeshift.
Granted Divine Powers
The cult followers can gain the power to take the form of a predefined animal. The powers are unpredictable and possibly dangerous. When they transform, they also lose a part of their humanity. They might be dangerous to their own side or themselves. Their powers are used for war and conquest involuntarily, which is mentally damaging.
The power gets weaker and more unpredictable over time, and need to be regained.
Comments