Shadow Acolyte

The Light in which many priests bathe is brilliant and effervescent, bestowing enormous holy power upon them. However, the brightest light casts the darkest shadow, and a rival power dwells within this darkness. **Shadow Acolytes** fully embrace this diametrically opposed polarity, their will as steadfast as that of their holy counterparts—but more focused on shadowy magic and mental manipulation. However, unlike priests, they devote much of their lives to learning and understanding the Void—they derive their power from the Void, straying dangerously close to the realm of Darkness in order to satisfy their curiosity.

To truly comprehend such an ancient, corrupting influence, however, is to be driven insane. This is the state in which these dark acolytes thrive, embracing insanity and feeding off their opponents' minds to reach terrifying new heights. It is unknown why these acolytes are so obsessed with insanity, but research has revealed that it has something to do with the dark beings of the Void. The more they look into the Void, the more knowledge and power they can gain, but it also makes them vulnerable to the Void's corruption and the horrors it contains. After all, knowledge is power. Any price is worthwhile.

## **History**

### **Background**

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(Need to connect the lore from the Lizardfolks)

## **Characteristics**

Shadow Acolytes, unlike their holy counterparts, concentrate on casting powerful shadow spells from afar on their enemies. To eliminate enemies, experienced acolytes can strike a balance between sinister Shadow magic and terrifying mental magic. Surprisingly, these dark acolytes, like all magic users, use Mana to channel their spells, but with a dark twist. Every time they cast a shadow spell, they lose a fraction of their sanity, but this increases the potency of the spell. To put it another way, the crazier, the better.

Every acolyte must learn how to control their sanity because, if left unchecked, the Void has the potential to devour their minds, turning them into the eternal spawns of Darkness. Unlike priests of the Light, these acolytes do not worship the Void. The Void does not give them power; they must delve deep into it and learn it for themselves. As a result, it creates an intriguing contrast between the two. As previously stated, there is only one true path in the Light, but many paths can lead to the truth in the Void.

Due to the secrecy of their history, there aren't many accounts or writings about Shadow Acolytes' specializations or paths they can take. All we know is that they can deal massive amounts of immediate damage or agonizing pain that punishes foes over time. According to research, acolytes can feed on their opponents' minds, completely draining them and leaving their victims in a state of derangement.

Most scholars agree that these dark acolytes are masters of mind manipulation. Most of the time, putting their enemies in a trance slowly kills their minds in the most horrifying way. However, despite being quite sadistic, one of their favorite ways of using shadow magic is efficient. They communicate in an otherworldly language that no one has been able to decipher in order to instantly cause immense pain to their enemies. This is something that acolytes enjoy seeing. More research is required to fully comprehend this horrifying yet fascinating form of magic.

## **Morality**

In the eyes of the general public, shadow acolytes are evil, but is this true or are they simply misunderstood? Many acolytes are literally insane as a result of their dangerously close connection to the Void, and they frequently tread the path of evil. The High Deacon of the Lizardfolk civilization is the best example of this. However, this does not imply that all shadow acolytes are evil, as their source of evil is often attributed to the corruption of the Void. Some acolytes are able to resist these maddening effects and remain morally ambiguous. So, in the end, shadow acolytes walk a morally gray path that we will never fully comprehend.

## **Gears**

Shadow acolytes, like most mages, wear lightweight cloth armor to avoid disruption. Grimoires, sacrificial daggers, and staves are frequently their preferred weapons.