The Cult of the Three Moons

This usually seclusive cult has branches across the continent of Valar, each respective branch being an embodiment of one of the three pillars. Certain members of this cult have become influential political figures throughout history, but as a general rule, most cultists are reclusive and tend to stay in the secluded sanctuaries scattered through the continent. The cult is separated into three pillars, The Pillar of the Black Moon, The Pillar of the Crimson Moon, and the Pillar of the White Moon.

### The Pillar of the Black Moon​

The Pillar of the Black Moon is the most widely known, as this branch resides in Stalor and can predict an opening event for the Gate of Alberose. They have a sanctuary built near the gate and recruit members by offering the immense power of a demon to them. All pillar members have a demon possession of their own, making being able to survive a gate opening a rite of passage for them. The black pillar considers all who have survived the gate eternal members of the pillar, making anyone who abandons the pillar a fugitive who they will actively hunt down.

The reception of this pillar in Stalor is mixed, with some people in the community feeling that since the pillar moved into the city, more shady characters have shown up and they don't believe that the teachings of the pillar are morally acceptable. Others feel that the pillar is the best thing to happen to the city, turning more people to believe more in personal power than some higher being.

### The Pillar of the Crimson Moon​

The Pillar of the Crimson Moon resides in Dracia. They live in a richly decorated and highly religious temple on an island in the middle of Lake Lucian. The temple can be accessed by a bridge from Waldstone, a town lying at the western edge of the lake. A representative of this branch is always present in Kingsrest. They are easily distinguished by their bright red hooded robes. The crimson pillar members are collectors of all knowledge, holding learning and history to the highest degree. They have a fast library of items varying from books to statues to scriptures. High-level members guard their most sacred collection and don't allow anyone into the chapel.

The crimson pillar has an exalted that lives within the chapel in Lake Lucian. The exalted, Ephnin the Unbreakable Light, is a goddess dragon who crossed into the human realm long ago. She can bestow her hard light art like a god possession by splitting her power among multiple recipients. The amount of light given to each recipient directly correlates with their own strength. She is one of the oldest exalted and her body is aging due to her long absence from Illador, making her unable to engage in combat.

### The Pillar of the White Moon​

​The Pillar of the White Moon resides in Wrathmire on the slopes of the Numoth Volcano. The volcano erupts quite frequently, spewing clouds of bleached white ash. The sanctuary for this branch is constantly dusted in this white ash and the area around it is covered with the stuff. Lava and rocks have rarely been recorded to come out of this volcano, making it relatively safe except for the poor air quality.

The white cultists create a lifelong partnership with Vargavoles, large mythical energy beasts that inhabit the wild volcanic landscape on which the sanctuary is built. These beasts possess the cultists and allow them to generate the beasts tough armor on themselves.

## The Lunar Paragons

There are three Lunar Paragons, one for each pillar. Each paragon is named after the pillar that the are associated with, so the pillar of the black moon has the black moon, and so on. Each moon is a magical item that holds great power individually, but when all three moons are combined, they can bestow unimaginable power. Combining the power of the three moons grants the user The Creation of All Things magic, the purest form of the potential affinity. This magic grants immortality as well as all affinities to the user.

### The Black Moon

The Black Moon can be found at the temple in Lastris, Stalor. It is a round black orb that seems like an infinitely deep dark void when you try to look into it. This orb is considered the embodiment of the soul and therefore has many properties dealing with magic. The Black Moon can bestow and remove affinities from any person, but there are repercussions with using these abilities. When removing affinities is that the persons life is also taken, and only so many affinities can be added to a person, depending on their strength, before theyre body gives out. This moon is the source of how the cultists understand the gate of Alberose and the mechanisms of demonic posession.

### The Crimson Moon

The Crimson Moon can be found at the temple in the middle of Lake Lucian in Dracia. It is a round red orb that seems to pulse with energy, almost as if it is a living thing. This orb is considered the embodiment of the mind and acts as an immense repository of knowledge. This enables the user to know and understand every form of magic that has existed from the beginning of time. Within the orb is also knowledge of many ancient spells and rituals. This moon is the source of the cultists hardlight, as it is a unique combination of light and fire affinities only ever seen in The Obelisk.

### The White Moon

The White Moon can be found at the temple that lies at the base of the Numoth Volcano in Wrathmire. It is a round white orb that seems to be constantly shifting in its core. This orb is considered the embodiment of the body and therefore can grant a form of immortality to the user. The user of the orb can no longer be damaged by normal physical or magical means, but will slowly lose their consciousness and life force until they are essentially a hollow husk, only knowing of fighting. This moon is the source of the cultists chant that enables their abilities to not be damaged.