Cult of the Black Dawn

Author: Darklady2831

In sharp contrast to most of the established faiths on the continent of Al-Jura, the Cult of the Black Dawn believes not in a deity or higher power, but in the power of mortals to take charge of their own fates. Among their number are counted many cutthroats, thieves, con artists, and unscrupulous businessmen. These however, are merely jackals taking advantage of the resources and manpower that the Cult has to offer. The true parishioners of the Cult of the Black Dawn are the downtrodden and oppressed masses of the Free City of Tandem.

To believers of other faiths, the cult are irreverent, dangerous, seditious blasphemers. To the Cult, practitioners of other faiths are inept, irresponsible fools who depend upon beings who at best want to herd them like livestock. To the downtrodden masses, the Cult is one of the few organizations willing to extend a hand to those in need. The Cult's philosophy of personal and communal empowerment provides hundreds, if not thousands, with the motivation and spiritual assurance they need. The Cult is one of the fastest growing faiths in Tandem, and several of the more well established churches are growing more and more wary of the threat the Cult could pose both politically and religiously.

Among the Cult are many who practice or know of forbidden and esoteric arts. The Cult's philosophy of mortal improvement by any means draws many of the outcast and downtrodden fringe members of society to its numbers. The Cult has an unusual number of dark sorcerers, mad scientists, and unnatural beings within its ranks. Many of these members draw small followings of their own from within the cult, deranged and fanatical subordinates who are willing to do anything for the chance to learn from their chosen masters.