They Too Will Call Me MASTER

Conviction is paramount, above all else. Many people come to the Order of Shadow believing that they have what it takes to be the militaristic task force that is the Order, but Ionians were a very peaceful people before the invasion. Even if now they have seen death and violence, that does not always mean they are able to inflict it themselves. 

New initiates are tested well before they are ever allowed an opportunity to know the secrets of the shadow techniques. Trained only in martial arts at first, they will eventually be sent on a kill mission once they are deemed capable of being lethal. They must kill three or more people before Zed, or Kayn in the context of this blog, will consider them for gaining the shadow techniques. Plenty of new initiates prove to not have the capability or conviction to do so, and they are usually turned away. Some have begged to stay, to help out in some way, and they may be allowed to stay by filling certain jobs around the Temple–things like cooking or cleaning or maintenance. They are never trusted in combat again, however. 

If an acolyte proves their worth and conviction through lethal combat, they will continue onto the next stage, which is the Rite of Imparting Shadows. This is the ritual that involves accepting the Shadows into one’s body and soul. It is a dangerous magical ritual that involves the current Master of Shadows to reforge the acolyte’s spirit with the Shadows, and that acolyte must accept them into their body in such a controlled manner than they do not die to them. Accepting the Shadows too quickly into one’s body will cause the spirit to wither and perish to them, for the Shadows are an infectious and destructive magic. 

A successful ritual will give the acolyte access to the Shadows. From there on out, they are trained to utilize them in all manner of techniques, to ensure the protection of Ionia–to ensure another war never reaches its lands again. 

Commission from VITWIXT on twitter! 

Tagged by:  stolen from @narcisisto Tagging: @spiritsworn @lombra-dalla @shadow-acolyte @jaycetechmaturgics @get-rich-quickdraw

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