The Abyssal Veil

Name: The Abyssal Veil
Deities: Nyxora, The Shrouded Queen (Goddess of Darkness and Illusion) and Zelgor, The Ender (God of Destruction and Chaos)

Beliefs: The followers of The Abyssal Veil walk a path of shadows, deception, and destruction, guided by two opposing yet intertwined deities—Nyxora, the goddess of darkness and illusions, and Zelgor, the god of utter destruction and chaos. They believe that reality itself is a fragile veil, easily torn apart by the forces of darkness and annihilation. In their view, existence is nothing more than a fleeting illusion, one that must ultimately be consumed by the void of destruction.

Nyxora, the Shrouded Queen, rules over the realm of shadows and illusion. She is a deity of subtlety, deception, and control over perception. Her followers believe that all reality is subjective, a manipulation of senses, and that true power lies in bending the world to your will by exploiting these illusions. Zelgor, The Ender, represents the ultimate force of destruction—the pure, unbridled chaos that consumes all things in the end. His followers see him as the inevitable conclusion of all creation. While Nyxora’s domain is about manipulating reality, Zelgor's purpose is to erase it entirely, leaving only the void.

Followers of The Abyssal Veil do not see their path as one of evil, but of inevitability. Darkness and destruction are not to be feared, but embraced, for they represent the truth of existence—that all things must eventually fall into shadow and be consumed by the void. 

Teachings:

The Veil of Reality Is Thin: The world you see is an illusion. Nyxora teaches that perception is malleable, and those who can manipulate the illusions of reality hold the true power. Followers are taught to see through the veils of the world, and to bend those veils to their advantage.

 From Shadows, Control: Shadows are not just the absence of light; they are a tool of power. Nyxora’s followers believe that by mastering the darkness, they can control those around them, deceiving their enemies and guiding their allies through manipulation.

Destruction Is the Ultimate Truth: Zelgor’s followers believe that creation is nothing more than a brief interruption in the inevitable march of destruction. All things must end, and his followers seek to accelerate that process. They believe that by embracing destruction, they can bring about a new beginning—or at least a release from the illusion of existence.

Embrace the Void: The void is the ultimate reality. Followers of the Abyssal Veil view the void not as emptiness but as the purest form of truth. Everything returns to the void eventually, and those who embrace it will gain the power to shape or destroy what remains of the world.

Practices:

The Rite of the Shrouded Eye: To fully see through the illusions of the world, followers must undergo the Rite of the Shrouded Eye. In this ritual, they enter complete and utter darkness for days, deprived of sensory input. The goal is to break down their perception of reality, forcing them to rely on their inner senses, guided by Nyxora’s whispers. When they emerge, it is said that theycan manipulate illusions with ease, seeing through the lies of reality and bending it to their will.

The Call of the Void: To honor Zelgor, followers partake in the Call of the Void, a destructive ritual where they bring about ruin on a grand scale, whether by collapsing structures, igniting fires, or spreading chaos in battle. The greater the destruction, the closer they come to embodying Zelgor power. This is often done as a sacrifice, tearing down something significant to unleash the void’s influence.

The Dance of Shadows: This is a ceremonial practice honoring Nyxora, where followers gather at twilight to perform intricate dances, weaving between shadows and light. The dance is not just for worship; it is a display of their mastery over illusions. During the ritual, they conjure phantoms and manipulate light and darkness, making entire cities believe in false realities.

The Dance of Shadows strengthens their connection to Nyxora and sharpens their powers of deception. The Final Eclipse: A rare and terrifying event, the Final Eclipse is a cataclysmic ritual meant to summon Zelgor’s full destructive power. The sky turns dark, blotting out the sun or moon, symbolizing the end of all light and creation. Only the highest followers of the Abyssal Veil dare to perform this ritual, as it is believed to tear open the fabric of reality itself, allowing the void to seep into the world.

Sacred Symbols:

The symbol of The Abyssal Veil is the Black Crescent, a crescent moon surrounded by swirling shadow. The moon represents illusion, ever-changing and shifting, while the swirling shadows represent destruction and chaos that lies beneath all things. It is worn by followers as a mark of their commitment to unraveling reality and embracing the void.

Sacred Sites:

The Whispering Caverns: A labyrinth of underground tunnels where no light reaches, the Whispering Caverns are said to be Nyxora’s chosen domain. Followers venture here to receive visions and hear her whispers in the darkness. The caverns twist and turn, often leading to nowhere, testing the faith and cunning of those who enter.

The Pit of Annihilation: Located in a forsaken wasteland, the Pit of Annihilation is believed to be where Zelgors influence is strongest. Nothing grows here, and no sound exists beyond the wind. The pit is a vast, bottomless chasm where followers gather to offer sacrifices, both material and living, to the god of destruction. Some believe that those who enter the pit willingly become one with the void, gaining its power in death.

Hierarchy: The Abyssal Veil is led by two high-ranking figures: the Shadowseer and the Harbinger of the Void. The Shadowseer is the highest devotee of Nyxora, a master of illusions and manipulation. They can see through the layers of reality and twist them to their will, often leading theirfollowers in rituals of deception and control. The Harbinger of the Void is Zelgor’s chosen representative, a figure who seeks to bring about destruction on a massive scale. They are powerful, ruthless, and feared even by their own followers. The Harbinger holds the power to summon chaotic forces to tear down kingdoms, cities, or entire landscapes. Beneath these two figures are the Veilborn, skilled illusionists and shadow manipulators who serve Nyxora, and the Voidcallers, zealots of destruction who seek to bring about Zelgor’s apocalyptic vision.

Core Tenets of the Abyssal Veil:

1. Reality Is an Illusion: What you see, feel, and understand is but a veil. Learn to see beyond it and control it.
2. The Void Awaits All: Destruction is inevitable. Embrace it, for it is the only true constant in the universe.
3. Control Through Deception: Power lies not in strength, but in the ability to make others see what you want them to see.
4. Bring the End: Accelerate the inevitable. Where you walk, leave only chaos and destruction, so the void may take its due.
   
   Advantage: +2 in deception
   Disadvantage: -5 permanent in worthiness