Warlock
Warlocks are channelers who -- to one degree of deliberateness or another -- disobey widespread laws against training or using Aré abilities in a harmful fashion. They are usually (but not always) Aré practitioners initially. They refer to themselves as 'shadow-workers' and to their practice as 'shadow-work', with their shadow-work manifesting as vitria.
Many of these were responsible for the summoning experiments and ultimately successes in opening portals to Azgorach, which in the War of the Six enabled the conscription of the Azgorach Horde under Xa'aroch.
Prior to their arrest and dissolution post-war, some had gathered in the Beneath of Keismeb or else in the formerly-destroyed village of Kastis in the marshes at the end of the Tubisqu River in southern Unenshuut; it was in the latter that they conducted the most experimentation, including contact with Azgorach.
Career
Qualifications
None precisely other than being a channeler (usually -- but not always -- Are), though higher skill invariably leads to more opportunities.
Career Progression
Although little is known to outsiders about their internal ranking system or its management, it does exist:
- The Shade rank refers to novice warlocks, with the levels being Sixth Shade to First Shade. Progressing through these ranks seems to involve similar levels of power and control over vitria in the same manner that the Bloodsinger Codex scrutinizes power and control of Rel, Uon, and Are.
- The Lumina rank is given once a First Shade masters summoning and demonics applications of vitria.
- The Grace rank is given to especially skilled warlocks that are also overseers of others, typically in a militant or subterfuge capacity.
- 'High Grace' is an honorary title given to the individual -- or, rarely, two or three individuals -- regarded as the leader of an organized group of warlocks.
Perception
Purpose
Some may seek out warlocks in order to circumvent the ethical practices of a Cleric or Shepherd, or otherwise push the boundaries of Aré usage. For example, a bereaved individual may enlist the services of a warlock to attempt to bring a loved one back from the dead.
Social Status
Outlawed, disdained
History
The deviant profession has existed for as long as its legal cousins, but it was formally outlawed in 713AC with the Belthanie (or Cleffedder) Act. 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 Are 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 Are – the shadow as well as the light – to aid in our search for understanding and mastery”.
Despite this, 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.
Despite this, 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.
Alternative Names
Shadow-workers
Type
Illicit
Legality
Highly illegal, including direct action against an opposing faction causing an individual to be decreed a war criminal.
Famous in the Field
Other Associated professions
Related Locations
Used By
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