The cult of the vigorous. A group of felines that dwell in the deep parts of The Inexorable Sands. They posess a mentality that is as strong as their physical strength. Their will to live and survive is immense; they do live in the desert after all. They are able to go days upon days without either food or water, both which are very scarce in the desert. They are neither good nor evil, they care none for the affairs of others but are usually associated with the Cult of the Cherubim. Their cult is close knit and members are usually seen together at all times. Their history is not a long one but one that is troubled... Silent black, the dawn, and time tells its tale.
Years upon years ago a lone feline had lost his way after being exiled from his previous cult; both he and his mate were chased off. Having no where else to go they fled to the depths of the desert where no living creature could disturb them. All odds were against the two but somehow they survived for years and word got around about this sanctuary of exiles and after a while the small community thrived. Needless to say the felines there reproduced but their cubs weren't all they same as the first ones that had come to this land. The anatomy started changing. Their bodies could now hold out longer in these horrid conditions, their pelt colors dulled out and lightened. Eventually original members died of old age and wear; their bodies simply couldn't last anymore but the new generation could live here. They had adapted and now they ruled the deserts. No one would take their homeland from them.
Cult of the Cherubim: (cher-u-bim n. : A winged celestial being. )
The cult of the cherubim. This is a group of felines that lives high in the Sublime Zenith tops; as close to heaven as they can manage. They are incredibly good hearted and definietly the kindest of all felines out there; ready to help at any given moment. The strongly despise the Cult of the Grotesque but feel no bad feeling towards the other cults. They are sometimes seen with the Cult of Vigor. They posess healing powers like no others and some even have wings. The wings are either transparent or opaque but even wings are a rarity among this cult. Their hearts are bigger than regular felines but not because they are so kind; it's becaue of where they live. The big hearts and big lungs absorb more oxygen with one breath than usual. Oxygen isn't very plenty in the mountain peaks and these felines need what they can get. Their coats tend to be light in color and usually quite bright and vibrant. They are truly angels. They have had it such easier than the other cults but their story is still plauged by sorrow. I call out these prayers to the sky, heavy with thought...
A very long time ago the first feline appeared on the sacred mountain peak. It had been sent to earth the better the place by the gods. "Round up more of your kind little one" the gods bade her, "We shall bless them with your abilities, your kind shall be safe here and from here you can steer clear of the great evil that dwells down below." The little feline was quite puzzled on what the gods meant by that for she knew nothing of this world yet. So she wandered down and what she found was not what what the gods had told her but it was different. She was still terrified of these new surroundings and wished to flee back up to the safety of the mountain; but she couldn't. She had a job to do and would do it. She rounded up a select few to which she showed kindness. This kindness went a long way and eventually she had a fair number of cherubim that lived with her in the mountain. One day something unexpected happened. She had wandered down in search of more to lead to the mountain. She wandered to far and came to a place of darkness and ash. It was the base of a still active volcano. This is where she found the evil the gods had warned her of. She was encounted by two brutes; two demons. The looks in their eyes were cold and soul-less. She tried to run but these two were much too powerful and they tore her to shreds in minutes. Their deep bellows of victory echoed out through the barren land. It rained for days after the first cherub's death and the great evil at the volcano is still at large and their cries pf suffering can be heard every where at night.
Cult of Necromancy: (nec-ro-man-cy n. : Black magic; sorcery.)
Darkened blood, it flows, the forest receives. This cult is very mysterious and has somewhat distanced itself from communication with the others. They are not necessarily evil, but they're not wallowing in good either. This cult lives in a dark forest with mammoth sized trees and thick, spongy, moss consuming most everything. It is a perfect place for an anti-social cult to reside and practice their masteries. It is true that this cult is most well known for its knowledge of the dark arts, magic, if you will. Every week they form circles to channel their power and the members can also make medicinal potions out of their luscious landscape. The Cult of Necromancy is known to be one of the most powerful cults, although they rarely engage in battle. Members have been described as shy and cold, and filled with only the thought of mastering their abilities. Although they are mostly an isolated group, they are closely aligned with the Cult of Acuity. These two cults are similar on some points, in fact, their territories are right next to each other: the Enigmatic Forest and Turbid Lakefront. They will often meet up and exchange potions or food for the Cult of Acuity's superior knowledge of the outer world and heavens. The Cult of Necromancy absolutely despises the Cult of Vigor, finding their ways primitive and their members filled with too much pride and ignorance. They don't seem to have any problems with the Cult of Cherubim, but they have all but condemned the Cult of Grotesquery, who's very name sounds shameful. They have evolved to be able to see in the dark, as light hardly ever finds its way through the maze of branches. The Cult of Necromancy has members with pelts characterized by darker colors and shades, such as greens, browns, and blacks. However, the markings on their pelts have wide range. Enter their territory without notice in advance, and prepare to have your skin blistered by horrible fire and then pierced by thousands of shards of sharp ice.
Cult of Acuity: (a-cu-i-ty n. : Acuteness of vision or perception; keenness.)
Look within the dark, as deep as you dare. There inside you'll find, destruction you seek. By far one of the most cryptic cults of them all. No one is exactly sure on the Cult of Acuity's intents, only that they quest for the supreme knowledge of everything. They are not strong, but they are not weak. Instead of reacting to an attack with an attack, they simply give you a puzzle or question that no one except members of this cult know the answer. It is said that some have spent all their years questing for some answer to a question they received from the Cult of Acuity, only to be driven insane by this quest. This cult would definitely be aligned with the forces of evil, although they will join any cause, good or bad, to help their own outcome. Their home is that of the Turbid Lakefront on the outskirts of the Enigmatic Forest. It is a haunting place with murky waters, said to be toxic to outsiders, and air as thick as the water that surrounds them. Disturbing noises can be heard in the depth of the night, and in the day they spend most of their time staring out towards the lake, deep in thought. Nobody wants anything to do with them anymore, except for the Cult of Necromancy. For a simple lesson, the Cult of Necromancy will give them potions (which of course they knew how to make, but resources were limited) and luscious red meat, a nice luxury to get away from fish. The members present themselves as being creepy, sarcastic, and somewhat heartless. Although the Cult of Grotesquery is banished by all, rumors have it that the Cult of Acuity has been in contact with them, questing for the reason of the strange transformation the members of the Cult of Grotesquery go through. Some even say that the Cult of Acuity wants to go through that very transformation in order to gain further knowledge of the underworld. In truth, this cult finds all others obsolete and easily disposed of, but of course, that wouldn't be in the best interest of them. Another disturbing factor about the cult is the fact that they have the ability to read minds, a great power that many fear. The cult's members are characterized by light, pastel-like, pelts with various markings. Try to prove one of them wrong and you'll find yourself mangled in the bottom of the lake.
Cult of Grotesquery: (gro-tes-que-ry n. repulsively ugly or distorted)
The Grotesque Ones. This cult is not actually a cult at all but a group of two brothers: Brutus and Fukuro. They dwell in and around The Forsaken Volcano; the most dangerous place on their earth. It spews toxic fumes all the time and is fully active, constantly erupting. These two brothers have evolved ways to live here. For one, the poison fumes do not affect them but make them stronger. Also the pads of their paws are extremely thick and their fur is wirey to protect them from the immense heat. Their paws allow them to walk upon hot rock and freshly blown lava just as a Cherubim would walk on the clouds. They were given the name 'grotesque' for an obvious reason. Both brothers are disfigured. But it isn't just the body that is deformed; it is the mind as well. Both possess horrible and knieving minds. Minds that are filled to the brink with blood-lust and murderous rage. They are looked down upon by most of the other cults for quite a few reasons, one of which is they will eat their own kind with no second thought. They also welcome no others into their land but occasionally leave and go on killing sprees. Hated by all except for the Cult of Acuity. The Acute ones want the secret to what the two brothers have though it is not a fate desired by most. They do not wish to have anything to do with the Cult of Acuity just as much as they do not want contact with the others... We burn in a basin of fire; watchers look on, as they dance, in their merciless sky.... Watching me.... Watching you....
They are the reborn souls of evil do-ers before them. Cold, ruthless, they let no one stand in their way. At night they bellow calls of rage to the open sky. The area around The Forsaken Volcano is abandoned for all others fear the two brothers. Brutus and Fukuro weren't the first Grotesque though. Funny thing is that the Grotesque Cult is always held reign by two brothers and sometimes the cult grows if any other cats get lucky enough to score a place there. Nuri and Eron were the first two to take residence at the volcano but were quickly wiped out by Fukuro and Brutus. Now they rule and will not be easily over powered.
Cult of the Empyrean: (em-py-re-an n. : heaven or the sky, adjective relating to heaven.)
If there ever were to be exact opposites of a Grotesque, this cult's members would be them. The origin of this cult (if it could be called so) is hazily known, but one thing is for sure; its legend is well known. Children's songs we sung, as soft as the breeze... Endless fields, our home... I long for those days.
It started long ago when a cub refused to grow up. He hated the ideas and responsibilities that came hand in hand with being an adult. He despised it and he wished day in and day out to never change. He wanted to be playful and lighthearted forever. His wish swelled so big inside his heart that the Heavens wanted to keep his innocence and sincerity preserved forever with them. In a turbulent storm that consumed all the sky, he was swallowed up in the plump clouds. The Heavens gave him what he wanted: immortality. Although the shape of his body changed to give him the ability to live in the Thunder Heavens, he remained virtually the same size. He gained deity-like abilities of controlling electricity, supreme speed, and excellent jumping ability. It's said that he can gain a sonic speed and propel himself into the Heavens and vice versa. It's also said that when he jumps in the clouds in his infinite play, a thunderbolt strikes the Earth. His favorite game would have to be leaping down to the Forsaken Volcano and annoying the big creatures. To remain a little nymph forever is his curse and greatest gift.
But alas, he became lonely. Everyone he knew faded away or got tired of his childish demeanor. Legend has it that he seeks more to join him. Little cubs tell fibs of seeing blurs of orange and yellow.... but can they truly be fibs?
*Special Note*
-YOU CAN ONLY TRANSFORM YOUR NACT INTO AN EMPYREAN IF YOU HAVE A CUB
-NO YOU CANNOT GOD-MODE WITH THIS CULT
The Eldritch Cult: (eld-ritch adj. ghostlike or spectral)
In a place where crimson rivers flowed,
Evil grins and eyes that glowed.
Sinister forms veiled in night,
Silenced those in woeful plight.
Blood sprung forth and to the land,
Feeding flowers to one day stand.
Decaying forms meshed with ground,
Lifeless bodies without sound.
And for each that was slain,
Flowers sprang forth,
a ruby red plane.
They rose from the land and swallowed it whole,
Just as the cult had done long ago.
A deadly red flower with leaves tainted red,
Poisoned the cult at fault for the dead.
Red had appeared on the beast that had killed,
To pay with their lives the blood they had spilled.
In frantic decision the leader decided,
That he must leave and could no longer guide them.
They buried his body in a deadly red grave,
As the leader slept in order to save.
The poppies remained and many still feared,
No quite sure that the curse had been cleared.
They fled from the valley in fear of their death,
But those who had murdered were already set.
Leaving only the young to live on their own,
The last standing elders fell with a moan.
Though now living in the Scarlet Prairie are some,
they have no fear that the death will come.
The leader still slumbers,
As the cult rises in new numbers.
And one day he shall wake again.
The Cult of Eldritch was a evil and brutal force that ruled the cults before memory, any who opposed them where dragged off into their fields and murdered, left to die as their blood soaked into the earth. Eventually, a red poppy appeared from the hearts of the innocent cats killed there, and the blood red flowers began to blanket the once desolate field. The flowers, however were unnatural, and caused all the cats to die off with mysterious red markings on their mouth, limbs, and eyes. So the leader set himself into a slumber to spare the remaining cats lives until a new generation awoke, as he would awake to rule them once again. Still, many members of the clan fled in fear, though many still died, leaving few survivors and heirs to the clan. Eventually the entire clan passed from memory and vanished. But now, the cult is stirring once more, coming back to life under the guard of a young cub, who has been currently left in charge. Enyo seems desperately out of place in such a position, but she isn?t alone. A haunting vicar is usually at her side, watching, even though she cannot see. Perhaps these two have what it takes to bring their leader back, or bring the entire cult to ruin once more.
**BIG THANKS TO CHIKAGI, SHE DID THIS WHOLE STORY! <3
Rogue: (Rō-g n. a large wild animal with destructive tendencies driven away or living apart from a group)
Wanderer, from whence do you hail?
Traveling here from afar
Did you come from a mighty family
That shines like a burning star?
Wanderer, where do you go?
Following the wanderlust in your soul
Did you come following some dream
To accomplish a long sought goal?
Wanderer, why are you here?
You have no place to call home
Will you simply travel on and on
Until you become one with the dirt and loam?
Rogues are the cult-less, those who forsook their homes for whatever reason. Sometimes they can find a new home with another cult; more often they wander, making a home for themselves where they may. Occasionally they group together in small bands, but these groups lack the size and stability of the cults and few hold together for long. Being that they lack cult structure, they don't really have ranks aside from being a Wanderer, or lone cat that is nomadic by necessity, or just a Rogue, which is a member of one of the small groups that may or may not stay in one place for long. Not to say that they necessarily lack the skills or abilities to be one of the given ranks within a cult, like a Contriver or Apothecary, but when they are alone most of the time and traveling from area to area with different and likely unfamiliar herbs, such things simply don't mean as much.
**BIG THANKS TO HAISYN FOR DOING THIS WHOLE STORY!