The Tenebre

"**Tenebre** *(Latin noun, plural of* Tenebrae*).* - Darkness, night, death, obscurity, the shadows."

## The Tenebre

### Availability

Open

Following the events of *--* in YR 124, ERA 1, necromancy was banned in Apros, despite being a crucial magical art required to achieve divinity within the *Old Religion.* Determined to not abandon years of studying, and hard work, established necromancers pulled themselves into the shadows, and with due time, worked to create a hidden organization dedicated to the survival of their art: *the Tenebre.*

In the current time, the Tenebre acts as a hidden power, having made their way into the smallest of nooks and crannies, and into the upper echelons of society. Despite these changing times, the strict ban remains. Any form of studying, whether it be the possession of reading materials, or spoken lessons, or practicing is punishable by exile, or execution, depending of the severity of their crimes, and the verdict of the *Senate* after a public trial. Recruits are required to swear to secrecy upon initiation. Conversations relating to the Tenebre in any shape, or form may only be carried out in the safety of secret meetings, and with confirmed members. The Tenebre encourages you to be very selective of who you trust to ensure your safety.

The only way to learn necromancy is through the Tenebre. You might be hard-pressed to find a member to join, as recruiting is rare, but those truly determined within the magical societies shall find their ways inside.

## History

There was once a period of time that Apros offered refuge to necromancers, who'd been experiencing persecution for their practices for some time in modernized civilizations. Before *YR 124, ERA 1,* necromancy was an accepted magical study, limited to established mages, and the refugees who brought their knowledge, and comprehension of the dark art with them. Most natives held a positive mindset towards it; it is even rumored, though now met with negative responses, that *Vox* had practiced in the beginning of the first era; there was at least a very positive outlook towards it. This all worked together to solidify its permanent presence in Apros.

Destiny is inescapable though, a lesson we all eventually came to learn. Natives quickly came to realize the true reason that necromancy had been banned in other lands, *- the harsh side effects of failure becoming all too real, -* and in their fear, joined the ranks of those who had outlawed the practice. Where they'd once found solace, there was now the same persecution they thought to have escaped. Numbers dwindled as practitioners fled, stowed away in the holds of cargo ships towards uncertainty, or crossing the borders into the wilds to seek another place to hide. By *YR 320, ERA 1,* only fifteen practicing necromancers existed within the entirety of Apros.

Refusing to accept extinction, the remaining practitioners braved their demise, led by Elegia, *the Nightengale,* and created *the Tenebre,* agreeing to use their hidden group as an opportunity to teach like-minded scholars, and mages their art. Recruiting would be done with extreme hesitation, only extending invitations when members could be sure of capability, and loyalty. Children born to members post-recruitment came with the expectation of learning the same skills as their parents, beginning as early as age *six.* Magical prodigies bought their parents favor between other members.

## Culture

*"With great knowledge comes great pain, and suffering.* *It is the price that we pay to exist."* is etched into the culture of the Tenebre, stated by the founder Elegia -, *the Nightengale* at creation. It is the one of the first things heard upon acceptance of an invitation, a warning that the life of a hidden practitioner is cruel. Yet for those who are successful in their hunt, there is a garden of eden waiting to be discovered, for necromancy is crucial to achieve divinity in Apros. Death is the only thing that is assured in eternity, and Aprosians will do anything to spit in the face of it. One must first control, and halt the end before divinity can be claimed. For those who are truly determined, a life of serious studying lays ahead. Members must devote the rest of their lives to the sect, should they gain entry.

Due to the risk being outed, members are encouraged to limit intimate relationships outside of the Tenebre. It is not frowned upon to have friends who are not part of the sect, but choosing a partner outside of the Tenebre may receive sideways glances. Children who are born to a single parent in the Tenebre will be passed by on an opportunity to learn as a foal, but should they show the aptitude to succeed during their teenage years, an invitation would be easier received than others past foalhood. Foals born to members are to be home schooled, especially magical prodigies.

There used to be a preference towards mages who were reclusive in nature, keeping limited relationships, and sticking to their studies as much as possible. This method worked for a long period of time, changing as the needs of the Tenebre shifted with the times. After being taken over by the Nyred family to have an access point to Apros' elite society, members of a different type find themselves receiving invitations that asks for less secrecy within their lives outside of the sect. Times are changing. Young adult members are encouraged to participate in the push for change, while keeping their involvement in the group hidden. The intention of the Tenebre has always been to keep the dark art alive, in any form possible.

Meetings are held during each new moon in varying locations. For those who've received an invitation, full acceptance to the Tenebre is granted here. Future plans are discussed, and prepared for, as well as necessary announcements. Members are reminded that this is the only time that one can be sure that someone is part of the Tenebre. This is the only time that you can be aware of you can trust, should you choose to.

## Laws

Due to the need for the group's obscurity, strict laws have been written through the years to ensure the safety of the Tenebre, and its members. Punishment for breaking these laws is decided upon by the current Oracle(s), and will be decided during the new moon meeting.

* Leaking any information relating to the Tenebre, or the identity of a member is not allowed in any form. Members are never to speak the sect's name outside of meetings.
* Unless you have a reason to know another member outside of the sect, don't create friendships to avoid suspicion. All marriages, and friendships are expected to have solid foundations on how they began outside of the Tenebre, even if the Tenebre was the source of the
* Do not practice outside of safe places, such as study groups, secured homes, areas that are difficult to access, and during the new moon meetings.

## Gaining Membership

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### Standards

For those failing to be lucky enough to be born into the sect, the only mode of entrance now lies in receiving a personalized invitation. Rest assured, they don't come with ease. The Tenebre relies on their strict standards to keep them alive in a time of persecution.

* Personality-wise, the sect holds preference towards those who are reserved, and close to themselves, regardless of how often they may appear in the public's view. Those with a loose tongue, and a tendency towards emotional outbursts of any sort are considered automatic disqualifications. If you cannot be trusted to keep the Tenebre in complete secrecy, even from your partner should they not be of the order, don't expect a letter.
* The ability to practice magic is a must, though there is preference towards dedicated students, and battle mages due to their proven capabilities.
* Members are required to be able to read, and write, so that new information may be recorded by the discovering party, and so that the group can be sure that recruits can at least attempt to understand the written material on their own.
* There is a strong preference towards single horses, whether they are widowed, or not, and without foals to lessen the risk of being detected by family members. Hermits, orphans, and lone immigrants can find solace, and company in the group, should they have the capabilities.

### Recruitment

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### Magical Prodigies

Foals who are born to two accepted members of the Tenebre are a valuable commodity to the survival of the sect. Their innocence keeps them from having to unlearn negative views towards necromancy, and allows them to learn from a much earlier age than others. Such studies can take years before being successful, so the added opportunity gives them a boost against the adults. At the age of *six,* foals begin home schooling with their parents, and are expected to begin learning magical studies by the age of *eight.* By *sixteen* years, apprenticeship to an established practitioner is granted to further their studies as much as possible.

As times have begun to change so drastically, there is less hesitation to allow prodigies to join other schools of magic at age *eighteen,* though parents and family members are never safe from fears of being discovered. It can still be frowned upon by some members to be that far into sight.