On Sgrios, A Reflection

An essay by Sister Ansk; Sgrios Acolyte

During my research and travels across the various sources of lore, philosophy and general knowledge, I have found many references that describe the basic concepts I have learnt as well as a simple, but an in-depth essay on Sgrios, as well as his direct opposition, enemies, enmities and allies.

This knowledge, while hidden and spoken about in hushed tones; is the fundamental wisdom one would require to become adequately inspired with a wide understanding of our faith. One of the lessons I was initially taught during my initiation was that despite our god's connection to decay, chaos; we as children of Danaan have the light inside us as well as the darkness.

This connection does not mean his followers need to embody the hatred of Chadul or to commit the evil deeds of the Dubhaimid, or Dubhaim. Only those Aislings who have truly been consumed by the madness truly enjoy the emotions associated with terror, hatred and depression. Conversely, we consider actions and feelings like lust and greed to be a part of our species that we can tolerate societally.

Each of his followers should make a commitment before admission to rise above the mundane darkness of the self while embracing the spark of light too. No matter how small or great this spark of light, the darkness will always be within. If one believes and dedicates themselves to the practice of prayer and introspective faith, the connection to the master grows.

((From Whence Nightmares Come by Hendle))

It has been said between Aislings that his followers are not necessarily evil by societal standards, nor do all of them desire total destruction and chaos. No matter what drew an Aisling to the faith, whether it be a suffering they have endured or simply a wish for greater power; it must be made clear that evil is not the intent of the temple, despite our connection.

((Theological Integration of an Aisling by Artadelanmir))

When looking at our pantheon and their intersections we can see that the second trinigram comprised of the more chaotic elements of nature and while the thought of curses, decay and death brings about thoughts of the dark master -- these forces again are cyclic and may not be thought of as necessary. This, of course, couldn't be more incorrect.

((The Hexagram: The Inversion of Balance by Grim))

The concept of life and death is deeply engrained within each Aisling, as we give birth; or life to more of Danaan's children. Birth, a giving of life has been considered to belong within the realm of Glioca and Cail but given that we have the light within us as well, that we were moulded in their image; is it not possible that we have the same capability to some lesser extent? If we give life nearing the end of ours, we are committed to the same cycle Sgrios himself has perpetuated over each deoch since our creation.

((Sexual Divinity, Sgrios Mass by Paramour))

Something I too have witnessed in my own adventures is that this concept is prevalent both within Aislings and nature itself, no much so than in mushrooms of Temuair; thus the connection to Cail stands to be deeper than at a first glance.

A mushroom grows giving life and is connected to an ecosystem that itself sustains life and perpetuates death too. When life decays, it again; takes life from the world. Another example. the deadliness of a mushroom when both nature and the Aisling spark combine can create both deadly poisons that kill instantly and healing potions that restore our vitality and lifeforce.

((Spring & Decay, Sgrios Mass by Paramour))

To quote some of wisest within our god's temple, I would first and foremost like to personally thank Vaegar and Paramour for their guidance and knowledge. The following thoughts come about purely through reading your sermons in depth. Interestingly enough, this intersectionality of beliefs continues further to main of the other gods within our pantheon. Deoch was once, in fact, Dubhaimid kin. This could be evidence of Sgrios's alliance with Deoch but this is speculatory in nature. Furthermore, Glioca, the daughter of Danaan is associated with replacing Deoch's subservience to Chadul to freedom of the light and her love through true martyrdom and altruism.

So loosely, there is an odd connection between Glioca and the Dubhaimid that needs to be addressed when discussing theological matters on the subject; this is a strange dichotomy to accept because, by Glioca's creation, Cail was born; if you do not know he is an enemy of Sgrios. One of the first mistakes initiates make is to assume that opposition means absolute enemies.

While it is easy to dismiss, there is a much deeper dimension than their aspects and form suggest at first glance. Glioca is considered the goddess of pure love and compassion is mirrored in some aspects by Sgrios; as he too is a god of love on a different spectrum.

A god that perpetually continues our cycle can be considered truly compassionate, and not only does he perpetuate our lives, he too touches his followers in a physical way that the other gods do not.

A scar from the dark master is symbolic to his followers as a mark of his compassion and love for Aislings. A proclamation to all other Aislings that one was saved from death and returned with forgiveness and love shown. From this, it is easy to conceive why an Aisling would seek to join the faith or show a connection to Sgrios.

To our master, it is an opposition to the hindrance of the materialisation and denaturalisation of the Aisling world. Nature, being destroyed by this process pleases Sgrios. Cail's natural world has no worthiness or place within the realm of our master. War, a primary cause of destruction and death is again and oppositional concept to Cail. Interestingly, the healing element of nature provides more darkness and decay in a roundabout fashion. We each cycle that passes, the darkness returns; casting a shadow over the world; a somehow infinite source of the element itself.

((The Goddess of Compassion, Sgrios Mass by Vaegar and Paramour))

Further introspection thought on the subject of the marks we receive from our master, it is clear that it is a conduit for faith and a perceivable presence that confirms our god's existence on a daily basis. Through the study of powerful Aisling wizards, we now know that a mark carries a small amount of the darkness. Through prayer, it is probable that these marks increase one's standing with Sgrios. These marks also stand as a lesson, teaching one what they must do to survive and prosper; taking energy from their creations just as Sgrios does. This observation gives credit to the idea that Sgrios must sustain himself as we go through this exchange in a mirroring way. Darkness, as an element, must be replenished somehow. It is not the darkness that feeds on souls, the element is simply attached to our faith in many ways.

Sgrios is referred to as the god of destruction, chaos and death; opposed by Glioca on the pages of men but otherwise still a connected being. Our religion is actively opposed in good-natured spirit by Gramail the god of law and Cail. While I previously discussed the connection to Cail; it is theologically considered to be correct in assuming he is an enmity. Briefly, the laws of man and nature oppose chaos and true randomness and nature itself recreating life; despite this being necessary to sustain Sgrios at a core level is still a form of defiance. Unfortunately, the ultimate denial of chaos is order and law, thus the dismissal.

We consider Deoch an ally too, as stated due to his relation to the dubhaimid and his creation of the Aisling spark that started the cycle, Ceannladir is obviously connected to us through the provision of death and decay that war and conflict creates. This is another source of replenishment for the fifth element, darkness. Glioca is the patron of priests and her teaching still translate to those of any faith; again another favour that benefits Sgrios despite the veil of hatred and direct opposition.

((Reflections on the Interactions Between the Gods by Chloe))

((Analysis of the Darkness, Light and Soul by Chaltier))

((Treatise on the Nature of the Dark Masters by Daravon))