Cult of Achlys
A dark cult lead by Sinister Maharana, their population and influence spreads across dimensions. Infused with Nether and vehement in their beliefs, they are a force to be reckoned with. They reside on the Enclave of Dusk.
Structure
There are various levels of power and influence within the Cult of Achlys with Sinister Maharana leading the pack:
Cult Leader - Sinister Maharana
The founder, savior and leader of the Cult of Achlys, Sinister Maharana's word is law. He is in charge of the final conversion, mass ceremonies and telling all who live within the cult what they can or can't do. Anyone within the cult who crosses him or challenges his point of view could find themselves subject to The Sanction, a public punishment that results in either obliteration or severe beatings. These powers and responsibilities also extend to Sinister's personalities and are called The Aphotic Tetrad within the cult's beliefs, giving each personality their own status and title.
Captains - Nether Beasts
The Nether Beasts are one step down from Sinister's power and authority, usually acting as the communicative bridge between common cultists and Sinister. They hold immense power that reflects their penance for chasing after the Nether and are sent to extinguish high-level threats Sinister deems to be beneath him but high enough to threaten the cult in general. Even within the captain ranks, there are unspoken hierarchies. The original eight Nether Beasts who guard Sinister's true body are seen as much higher than the Nether Beasts gained from Sinister's conquests. The only way one can become one of the latter is if Sinister believes that they have enough power and diligence to the cult to sacrifice absolutely everything for the sake of his deluded life mission.
Lieutenants - Talos Boys
The main offensive force of the cult, Talos Boys are Brothers who have developed special mutations from the Nether gifted by Sinister Maharana. They hold the responsibility of fighting any who wage war against the cult in any official capacity, acting as an unofficial army for Sinister. Should any military force or massive offensive threaten the cult, the Talos Boys are the first to guard the front line, viciously attacking any who pose a threat. Though they aren't as powerful as Nether Beasts and are typically seen as the Marines of the cult, they are absolutely vicious in their own right.
Grunts - The Brothers/The Sisters
These are the main guardians of the cult, as well as the main source of the organization's propaganda. The Brothers are a protective force, being personal bodyguards to Sinister whenever they can, while The Sisters are the nurturers who travel far and wide to spread the cult's message. Both work in conjunction as a way to strike out against the world while protecting those who have become indoctrinated.
Cattle - The Children
The Children are your everyday cultists. Although they are not as powerful or influential as those who rank above them, each cultist carries a fragment of Nether which can be harnessed throughout their lifetime. Many use such power to enhance their natural talents, such as going from doing crummy sketches to being magnificent artists or going from an everyday jogger to an Olympian sprinter. However, there are a choice few, handpicked by Sinister, who have the potential to move up in the ranks and become Brothers or Sisters. Otherwise, the cultists live their life in new freedom, awaiting the day of the Vantablack Genesis.
Culture
Core Beliefs
Every single cultist believes that gods, especially the Greek Pantheon, are the ultimate enemies. Conversely, they believe that Sinister Maharana is the ultimate savior. These beliefs are rooted deeply mostly because of both their gods' inactivity in their lives and Sinister's constant involvement in their lives, complete with his casual displays of world-altering power. Lastly, they believe that morality is a binary system used to divide people and justify the tyrannical nature of those who claim to be morally good.
Culture
Aside from some extreme and delusional beliefs, your average Achlysite isn't that much different than the average person. There is an altered curriculum taught in the Obelisk but there is education given to everyone from Kindergarten to Doctorate courses, taught by intelligent but philosophically marred professors. From scientific teams to culinary masters to entertainers, nearly every occupation held outside of the walls of the Obelisk can be found in the cult itself. For a vast majority, though, ancient ideals are seen as the most pure way of living as an Achlysite, ways that are seen most in Amish communities --- harvesting food manually, shunning modern technology and being completely self-sufficient. Technological ways of entertainment, communication and convenience are replaced by the multitude of abilities granted to Achlysites through their Nether mutation.
Additionally, the Cult of Achlys celebrates sex more than anything else. There are various nudist colonies within the Obelisk. There are some who have no qualms about having sex in public and there are some who, in the same vein, have no issue watching such acts from start to finish, sometimes joining in. Because of this, orgies are commonplace and create an intense, almost feverish bond between members. Conversely, anyone who is not of the cult is seen as a dangerous outside that should either be killed or saved so that they can join them.
Public Agenda
We believe that this reality has been fabricated, controlled by a Pantheon of gods who have dulled us and blinded us from the truth. We believe that arbitrary morality, "good" and "evil", "right" and "wrong" are elaborate systems ingrained in us by the Pantheon so that we can become embroiled in war and conflict for their amusement. We believe that they have inflicted our spirits with their desires without allowing us to proclaim our own, drowning us in consumerism, technological hypnosis and political schisms. We believe that these ills were foretold by the first being, the All-Mother, Achlys, and that she delivered a son that carries her power, her will and her ideals for a better future. We believe that through this man, Sinister Maharana, the forces of light and the misconceptions of darkness will be torn asunder. We believe that all will be freed from the paralyzing puppetry of the gods and live in a freedom unlike any before. This, we believe. Amin.
Assets
The best, and most plentiful, natural resource that the cult has is Nether. The Enclave of Dusk and the associated Obelisk have the natural element in abundance from negligible levels that tint everything to an eerie purple to pure sources which have the potential to kill in seconds. Because of the fluctuating dangers and effects of the element, only Sinister Maharana is allowed to imprint it on cultists, both settled and potential. Otherwise, small traces of Nether can be found in everyone and everything on the Enclave. Additionally, Sinister's power has allowed for him to to create an amalgamation of different climates, flora and fauna within the Obelisk, giving the cult unprecedented access to foods all across the globe. Some, however, still enjoy harvesting the unique altered crops that grow on the island proper, influenced by previous Japanese crops.
The only truly unique natural resource that can not be found anywhere else is Void Ore, a result of natural ore on the Enclave slowly melding with the Nether. The primary characteristic of Void Ore is its complete absorption of light. Achlysites use the Void Ore to create artificial shade or, offensively, to strip the light away from an area and escape predators.
History
Around 400 BC, well after the fall of the Athenian Empire, an underground group of exiles began hearing rumors of exactly how the empire fell. Sinister Maharana propagated the rumors, saying that the gods and those of a pious nature were being punished by the All-Mother known as Achlys. This belief was furthered by everyone outside of their circle telling them that Achlys never existed as well as the slow renouncing of the Greek Pantheon, bolstering their belief that what happened to the Athenian Empire was the retribution of a forgotten entity. Initially, they started gathering scant information and physical descriptions to worship her out of fear. However, in 390 BC, Sinister made his presence known to them and rewarded their faith with visual proof of their beliefs. He called them The Firstborns and promised that their seed would remain within the cult for eternity. It was this group of people, as well as their siblings, who made up various anti-religious organizations and vehemently fought against the resurgence of the Greek Pantheon as a legitimate belief structure. Conversely, they also conserved various pieces of historical information on Achlys while Sinister remained in the dark.
The Cult of Achlys was seen as a fringe organization without a clear leader, mostly existing on the edge of society with rare media mentions that usually included them as part of an incidental blooper reel or an example of degenerates by politicians. Because of this, barely anyone acknowledged their existence and they took pride in this, believing that they understood what it meant to be forgotten, just like their deity, Achlys. Though various dimensions have their own branches of the Cult of Achlys, the central sect in the Elysium Archipelago is the most recognized and continues to be to this day.
Demography and Population
Though the population fluctuates from day to day, the organization consistently boasts at least five-hundred million members across dimensions with one million residing in the Archipelago alone. Among these numbers are different ethnicities and races that span throughout the human and alien collective, creating a powerful sense of inclusion. Because of the cult's rampant encouragement to grow their numbers while remaining loyal to one another, the lowest number of cultist births recorded per day, just in the Archipelago alone, is fourteen thousand. Due to the Obelisk acting as a collection of dimensions with varying size and conditions, the tower itself has more than enough room to comfortably accommodate current and future members without the need to expand the Enclave.
Tenets of Faith
The Eight Nocturnes are the core tenants of the faith of an Achlysite. These are irrefutable truths and rules that are to be held on a daily basis. Breaking any of these tenants leaves one subject to The Sanction, in which a follower's Theta symbol is forcibly removed, leaving them to be destroyed by the pure Nether that otherwise fills their bodies. Without the Theta mark to act as a limiter, they suffer the pure wrath of the All-Mother. The Nocturnes are as follows:
Prime Nocturne
Achlys is the only path toward freedom, through Sinister. All other ways are illusions. There is no word or law above them.
Second Nocturne
The Mark of Theta is a blessing. All followers of Achlys must wear it and all Achlysites must belong to the cult alone. Whosoever casts off the mark through the power of the gods will be eternally shunned as a traitor of their brethren.
Third Nocturne
All gods must die or forfeit their godhood to Sinister. No exceptions.
Fourth Nocturne
All forms of moral purity are abhorrent and not accepted. It is an illusory and damaging force. No association with agents of the light will be allowed unless they are to be rescued.
Fifth Nocturne
Death is not feared, but embraced. We do not carry fear but incite it in the gods that have come against us.
Sixth Nocturne
All Children of Achlys are family. We are all equal through her glory and power. Internal strife is unacceptable.
Seventh Nocturne
Sexual acts and perversion are strongly encouraged among the Children of Achlys. It strengthens our bond, to ourselves, to Sinister and the All-Mother.
Eighth Nocturne
Any deception of any kind toward your family or Lord Maharana is detestable. We fight against the lies of the pantheon and illusions of the world; we do not encourage or propagate them.
Achlys be Praised
Founding Date
Somewhere around 400 BC
Type
Religious, Cult
Capital
Alternative Names
The Dark Family, Children of Achlys
Training Level
Elite
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Demonym
Achlysite
Government System
Theocracy
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Financially, the Cult of Achlys deals in ancient currency. The most commonly used currency are the Greek Drachma and Lepton, influenced by Sinister's love for Ancient Greek culture. Bartering is also done between cultists for services and wares but is mostly seen between the more elderly population. The rarest forms of currency, however, are precious jewels and gold. These are reserved for periodic exchange of goods from the neighboring city of Silverside and to pay for especially hefty services such as private meetings with Sinister, a guarded vacation from the Enclave and training from Nether Beasts.
Legislative Body
Sinister Maharana, through Achlys, is responsible for creating all laws and regulations for the cult.
Judicial Body
Nether Beasts, The Brothers and The Sisters are responsible for enforcing all laws and regulations as they are conveyed by Sinister Maharana.
Divines
Location
Controlled Territories