Sgrios Mass: The Dubhaimid
Today I would like to turn an eye to the dark beasts
who patrol the cursed halls of this very castle; the Dubhaimid. I will
be examining a dusty tome borrowed from the Library of Loures written by
Aisling scholar Deskar, "The Society of the Dubhaimid". For those
seeking supplemental information, I will post the material on our temple
board.
While Deskar's work, which leans heavily on the
observations of Teirsaes, is the most complete study of the Dubhaimid as
a species, it is well over one hundred Deochs old at this point and, as
such, is not privy to the developments and discoveries that have been
made since Deoch 9. As he says himself in the text, this work should be
taken with a grain of salt and much of it is assumed through
observations without science or study.
That being said, let's talk about these nightmarish
forms that chase me through the grim corridors of this castle whenever I
seek asylum here. The naked eye is the only tool needed to report the
horrifying visage of these beasts. Their skin is hard and cold as stone;
their eyes flicker a sinister crimson hue, suggesting nothing save a
violent fire burns where a brain would reside among the living. A flurry
of fangs, razor sharp claws that glisten like polished steel. Adhering
to no common form, these monsters stalk all those who thrive in the
light as wolves stalk sheep.
Deskar suggests, in his tome, a working knowledge among
the beasts strong enough to coalesce into primitive societies and even
form basic religions. While this is, dare I say, a romanticized view of
the Dubhaimid and though I have seen first hand the suggested 'religious
symbology' peppered across the dark walls of this castle, I must assert
that there is nothing of intelligence within the minds of these beasts
and cannot accept that any should be capable of sustaining any semblance
of community, let alone a system of worship. This castle predates our
modern knowledge and is, to this day, as mysterious a presence as it was
in Deskar's day, so any number of cultures could have adorned these
halls with the mysterious symbology.
Before I set aside the teachings of Deskar -- which,
despite my critical approach to the material I still highly recommend
reading yourself, should you find this subject compelling -- I would
like to address his categorization of both the Succubi and Lich as
higher orders of the Dubhaimid, which, as we know now, are not members
of the species. The Succubi are an order of the Fae which have signed a
pact with our lord Sgrios and the Lich are abominations resulting of the
'forbidden art' of Necromancy.
All that being said, today's understanding of the
Dubhaimid -- where they came from, to what force do they owe their
allegiance and what source do they draw sustenance from -- remains
largely a mystery. Common mythology in the form of old wives' tales in
the city of Rucesion, which stands in the cold shadow of Castle Dubhaim,
claim that the dark beasts fuel their unholy lanterns with the blood of
disobedient youths. For generations there are records of all from
royalty to servants who dwell in the grand capitol of Loures being
stalked by the horrid creatures through an impossible dark maze in their
dreams. Farmers in Undine and Suomi, who share a regrettable proximity
to Astrid, have reported substantial loss of livestock and entire fields
going to rot after sightings of Dubhaimid in the area.
It has been commonly touted that when the first shadow
desecrated the holy land in which we dwell, it gave birth to the
Dubhaimid. It is also said by fanatics and detractors alike that our
lord Sgrios, or Deoch of the flames, or Chadul the supreme evil himself,
command the armies of the Dubhaimid; depending, of course, on whom you
ask and on what day or perhaps affected further by the weather or what
has been eaten for breakfast that morning. The theories are as fleeting
as a smile.
Sgrios and Deoch will never shake their association
with the grey ones, as they are of the same ilk. Just as such inspired
souls of the Aosda or Mundane might be elevated to the position of the
Gods, so might we see a divine creature of shadow. Ironically, coming
from a species who has yet to master even the simplest of majicks, we
find two reigning deities of the octave hailing from an order we have
yet to find even a single commonality with.
Does Sgrios command the unholy order of the Dubhaimid?
As one of his dearest servants, I can tell you that should this be true
he has, in all his divine wisdom, yet to inform them that I am not their
supper. I have sacrificed many of my favorite gowns to the teeth and
claws of these fiends. Similarly, I don't see how Deoch would benefit
from leading an army of deranged monsters that would seek to devour his
greatest creations. As for Chadul being the commander in chief of these
brutes, while it would certainly fall in line with his goals and
objectives, I have heard reports from those brave aislings who have
delved directly into Chadul's realm to do battle with the armies he is
amassing and not a single sighting of the Dubhaimid have been confirmed.
It must be noted that those acolytes who are favored
strongly by our lord are able to manifest these beasts through
recitation of ancient runes which predate our modern language. The
introduction of this supplement falls during a time in which the Sgrios
faith was being indoctrinated with a host of dark influences; a tale too
deep to tackle today, but one I would like to cover with my
congregation at a later date.
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