The Tezirah Division: The Philosophical DifferenceByKvott Ki'jinn
One of the most basic conclusions of Elanthian folk is to immediately believe those who are members of the Progeny of Tezirah as evil people. This is not a completely unfounded belief. But then, it is not always wise to assume; all sects have varied members. It turn, the sect philosophy becomes defined by its members, not the other way around. Therefore, if the Sect teachings were for Tezirites to be evil, it would eventually change if all it's members were not. That's just the way of the void; all things will be as they eventually should. Therefore, without hindrance, I would like to define what you are truly seeing. For, in actuality, it is a war; a shadowed, subtle, war that constantly struggles like a fly in the spider's web.
The Followers of Tezirah
The Children of Shadow gather and listen to their mother's calling. The song of eternal darkness calls us to serve her. The Dark Lady will rise again.
What appears to be the strongest faction of the Progeny are the followers of Tezirah, also known as the Dark Disciples. A majority of them are evil and power driven. They are, no less, intending to bring Tezirah back by any means possible. If any one of them have a direct hand in this act, all the better; for it places them higher in the hierarchy when she assumes her mantle of power.
To assume automatically that a Dark Disciple is evil would be wrong. However, by nature, one has to wonder why a person would seek to bring Lady Tezirah back. A curse from her lips is still in effect on our Guild of Moon Magus. I have spent hours speaking with one of the Progeny's more distinguished members, who desires to remain unnamed. It was entirely her belief that the texts that document Tezirah are wrong and that the lady has been besmirched by the public into looking like an evil villian. The Bat-Winged cursed visions that plague us from time to time are, she says, a result of the vile magic that banished Tezirah...not from Tezirah herself. It would not be fair for me to judge my friend, right or wrong....to say the least.
With all these things said, the emergence of Lady Tethia, daughter of Tezirah, has brought estatic glee from the Dark Disciples. Factions within factions are begging for acknowledgement. I have had the fortune of walking my sect hall to inquire the thoughts of my brothers and sisters. In most instances, our sect believes that Tezirah is returning, and that Tethia will be her new form. There are certain speculations that the Arte of the Black Cockatrice may be involved here. Tethia has assured us that she will remain in control, but secretly, there are already whispers to have her prepared for the transformation. By all rights, none of us are capable of matching Tethia's raw magical demesne; however, the true power of the Tezirite does not lie in magic.
The final commentary of the Dark Disciples rest in those who truly are evil. In all my occult and celestial studies, only one person was continuously mentioned by each sect member. I will not name him, due to respect, and a fear of the truth. Yet, it would be proper to mention that I found him last in the waste dump of the Middens, playing with lost children. I am honored that he and I have figured a manner to co-exist...yet sometimes it burdens me, for I am a formerly trained Monk of the Crystal Hand, fallen from the discipline.
My acquaintance confided with me that he will certainly take every measure to bring Lady Tezirah back, including the destruction of any former council member that stands in this goal. This caused some wonder in me, knowing this man's power. He merely snickered, though, whispering that the Lady of Shadows will serve him when the time truly comes....
In the end, let this be a testament that the Dark Disciples are real and should be feared.
The Shadow Walkers
I am the shadow, the umbra's umbra. Dinezen gathers on my every breath. See me not, but feel my touch.
A smaller part of the Progeny is composed of those that actually follow her philosophical teachings. This does not necessarily mean good or evil-ness. We are known sometimes as the Manipulators. Upon joining this sect, I learned the path of shadow and illusion, apparency and transparency; the ability to turn things into something they were not. In all my days as a former Monk, these teachings have aided my lore to practice both arts with deadly efficiency.
The Progenic philosophies are many, but comprised of two basic concepts. The first one, which has always touched the spirit of the Manipulators, is the art of Politics. Typically, this is the acquisition of power; to be the puppeteer behind the strings of politicians, influencing the sway of votes, opinions, and the fate of many commoners. Political influence denotes power, even if this influence is hidden. For only then are your desires brought to fruitation.
The second concept is called the feign. To appear as that which is not. This practice strongly disagrees with many Dark Disciples. They will rarely hide their power, which I believe is a weakness. The ability to feign is more powerful than the eye truly knows. Not even the G'nar Pethian can see me when I choose, for it is beyond magic. The Manipulator knows the value of patience, witholding, taking a lesser blow to win a greater challenge. These are the rewards of those who feign. And, as other things become apparent, the ability to cause influence and draw resources collectively increase and cumulate with this.
Do you wonder what the goal of a manipulator is? It cannot be effectively described for each member chooses his or her own reason. They prefer to have their motives completely hidden; the public figure is merely a front. To see the designs of a manipulator is to defeat him. Appearance is all. It is entirely possible that a Shadow Walker is vile, just as much as his counterpart in the sect. However, it remains true that their designs are varied. I have have many conversations with those I believe to share my interests. It is duly noted that some seek to prevent the arrival of Tezirah, should this time come again. Others have sworn that they will protect Lady Tethia from the Disciples should she ever require it.
Final Words of Contrast
Speaking of a fellow sect member does not bother me; I cannot judge what I will do when the skies darken and the ground trembles. The spirit of the hidden dragon has called me here to serve my family and the sect. This is enough for me. Yet, as I attempt to cateagorize these two different factions, I begin to draw a circle. What makes them so different? In technical terms, each one can be evil or good, greedy or selfless. In the end, I believe only one factor truly causes our distinctions: the reflection of what is primarily important. In other words, one seeks, most importantly, to bring forth a legendary icon of the past, while the other seeks to secretly influence the present and future.
The End
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