Tenebrous

[erodedthoughts]

Core Beliefs:

1. The Power of Darkness: Tenebrous followers believe that darkness is the ultimate source of power and energy. They reject the idea of light as a symbol of goodness and instead see it as a weakness.
2. The Importance of Shadows: Tenebrous followers believe that shadows are the manifestation of the darkness within. They see shadows as a symbol of their connection to the dark energies.
3. The Cult of the Veiled: Tenebrous followers believe in the existence of a mysterious figure known as the Veiled One. The Veiled One is said to be the master of the dark arts and the source of all dark magic.
4. The Pursuit of Power: Tenebrous followers believe that the pursuit of power is the ultimate goal. They see power as a means to achieve their desires and to impose their will on others.

Rituals and Practices:

1. The Dark Invocation: Tenebrous followers perform a daily ritual known as the Dark Invocation. During this ritual, they invoke the power of the Veiled One and ask for guidance and strength.
2. The Shadow Dance: Tenebrous followers perform a ritual dance known as the Shadow Dance. During this dance, they move in a way that creates intricate patterns of shadows on the ground.
3. The Sacrifice of Light: Tenebrous followers believe that light is a symbol of weakness and that it must be sacrificed in order to gain true power. They perform a ritual known as the Sacrifice of Light, during which they extinguish a light source and offer the darkness to the Veiled One.
4. The Study of Dark Magic: Tenebrous followers believe that the study of dark magic is essential to achieving true power. They study ancient tomes and practice dark spells in order to master the dark arts.

Hierarchy:

1. The Veiled One: The Veiled One is the supreme deity of the Tenebrous faith. It is said to be the master of the dark arts and the source of all dark magic.
2. The High Priest/Priestess: The High Priest/Priestess is the leader of the Tenebrous faith. They are responsible for guiding the followers and interpreting the will of the Veiled One.
3. The Adepts: The Adepts are the most powerful and knowledgeable followers of the Tenebrous faith. They have mastered the dark arts and are responsible for teaching others.
4. The Initiates: The Initiates are new followers of the Tenebrous faith. They are still learning the ways of the dark magic and are under the guidance of the Adepts.

Symbolism:

1. The Black Candle: The black candle is a symbol of the Tenebrous faith. It represents the darkness and the power of the Veiled One.
2. The Shadowy Figure: The shadowy figure is a symbol of the Tenebrous faith. It represents the mysterious and elusive nature of the Veiled One.
3. The Dark Crystal: The dark crystal is a symbol of the Tenebrous faith. It represents the power and the magic of the dark arts.

Holy Texts:

1. The Book of Shadows: The Book of Shadows is the holy text of the Tenebrous faith. It contains the teachings of the Veiled One and the secrets of the dark arts.
2. The Dark Grimoire: The Dark Grimoire is a collection of dark spells and incantations. It is used by the followers of the Tenebrous faith to master the dark arts.

Places of Worship:

1. The Dark Temple: The Dark Temple is the main place of worship for the Tenebrous faith. It is a grand structure built in honor of the Veiled One.
2. The Shadowy Sanctum: The Shadowy Sanctum is a secret place of worship for the Tenebrous faith. It is a hidden chamber deep within the Dark Temple where the followers can perform their dark rituals.

Holidays and Celebrations:

1. The Night of Shadows: The Night of Shadows is a sacred holiday for the Tenebrous faith. It is celebrated on the longest night of the year, and followers gather to perform dark rituals and honor the Veiled One.
2. The Festival of Darkness: The Festival of Darkness is a joyous celebration for the Tenebrous faith. It is a time of feasting, music, and dance, and followers come together to celebrate the power of darkness.
3. The Day of the Veiled One: The Day of the Veiled One is a somber holiday for the Tenebrous faith. It is a day of reflection and contemplation, and followers gather to honor the Veiled One and seek guidance.

Taboos and Prohibitions:

1. The Forbidden Light: Followers of the Tenebrous faith are forbidden from using light-based magic or worshiping light-based deities.
2. The Prohibited Colors: Followers of the Tenebrous faith are prohibited from wearing or displaying certain colors, such as white, silver, or gold, which are associated with light and purity.
3. The Forbidden Knowledge: Followers of the Tenebrous faith are forbidden from seeking knowledge or power from sources outside of the dark arts.

Punishments and Consequences:

1. The Shadowy Punishment: Followers who break the taboos or prohibitions of the Tenebrous faith are subject to the Shadowy Punishment, which involves being shunned by the community and forced to undergo a period of darkness and solitude.
2. The Dark Curse: Followers who betray the trust of the Veiled One or the Tenebrous faith are subject to the Dark Curse, which involves being afflicted with a powerful and debilitating curse that can only be lifted by the Veiled One.
3. The Eternal Darkness: Followers who commit a grave offense against the Tenebrous faith are subject to the Eternal Darkness, which involves being cast into a state of eternal darkness and separation from the Veiled One.

Relationships with Other Religions:

1. The Lightbringers: The Tenebrous faith views the Lightbringers, a religion that worships light and purity, as sworn enemies.
2. The Balance Seekers: The Tenebrous faith views the Balance Seekers, a religion that seeks balance and harmony between light and darkness, as naive and misguided.
3. The Nature Worshipers: The Tenebrous faith views the Nature Worshipers, a religion that worships the natural world, as primitive and unsophisticated.

This is just a starting point, and there are many ways to develop and expand the Tenebrous faith.