Belthanie Act, The (BELL-thann-ee)
The Belthanie Act -- also known as the Cleffedder Act -- was enacted to formally outlaw the practices of warlocks and shadow-work generally, and enable breaches of the Act to be criminally punishable (including being classed as a warcrime).
Purpose
To outlaw and publicly condemn and criminalize the practice of shadow-work, including specifying direct action with such against an opposing faction causing an individual to be decreed a war criminal.
Historical Details
Background
Belthanie Sumiari was an escapee of the Cleffedder Orphanage in Pel-dohest; before she died of the horrific side-effects, she revealed that the overseers had allowed morbidly curious Aré practitioners to experiment on the children there. Through the trial of the practitioners the term ‘shadow-work’ was coined when one described what they were doing as “beseeching both aspects of Aré – the shadow as well as the light – to aid in our search for understanding and mastery”.
Public Reaction
Despite the Act, there was a surge in warlocks during the War of the Six as the connection to Azgorach invigorated the field and their inclusion in the Host of Selephise allowed greater acceptance of the practice. Following the war's end their numbers have declined, but are arguably stronger than before the war -- if quieter.
Legacy
Dialogue spawned from the Act over a person’s need/right to understand or command Aré in this manner gave traction to Burning Crown beliefs, as well as the concept of a higher power generally.
Type
Decree, Governmental
Medium
Paper
Authoring Date
713AC
Ratification Date
713AC
Expiration Date
None
Location
Comments