Elun'shalla, Oath of the Long Night

## **Found on a tattered parchment paper taken from the Darkmoon Scriptures, which recites what is written...** (Headcanon lore)

The Elun'shalla or "Shadow of Elune" (also called Elune'xaxas or "Fury of Elune" in primordial tongue, Paladins of Elune) was an initiative brought forth by the ancient priestesses of the Darkmoon Coven. The first purpose of the movement was to train warriors in the Old Faith to offer the Sisterhood protection on their travels throughout the Kaldorei Empire.

Elun'shalla served as stalwart guardians in a subdivision of the Sisterhood and were trained in both martial warfare and Elunarian spellcraft, and unlike the clergy of the days of yore, were composed of not only women but men. They learned to embellish their martial prowess with divine magics and rituals of war granted to them by the White Lady and the Dark Coven, and through that they became fiercesome foes.

In ancient times the Elun'shalla devoted themselves to the protection and preservation of the coven. Some Elun'shalla were assigned to one or more priestesses, while others watched over a shrine that was tended to by the coven and never were servants. They were shadows of the Old Faith, the ones ready to stand in the fire of coven's foes by casting their blessed blades and holy spells. And while most of their ritualistic practices were rooted in physical and protection, they also eased burdens on a priestess’ shoulder by becoming close confidants in a sacred bonding made from both war and love.

During these terrible times, The Coven of Darkmoon was a cabalistic clergy that situated in the Temple of Lathar'Lazal, off-centered from the Kalimdor Landmass with their city fractured by dark forests. They were preyed upon by neighboring troll empires and other evil beings, who were frequent aggressors against the already diminishing and independent coven. Of all the enemy empires, none were more aggressive against them than the Amani.

When the remnants of the coven settled in the City of Darkmist south of the City of Eldre'thalas (Dire Maul) the Amani led regular raids against the distanced city. During this time, the Darkmoon Coven set forth a forbidden ritual of war that birthed the legendary Highborne warrior-priestess known as Nightsinger (the Forgotten Night Warrior), who was said to be a Scion of Elune, rose up to oppose the oppressive invaders and won the Highborne (Kaldorei) lands in the south and, while being blinded by ire of the Moon Goddess, cut a swath all the way to the jeweled city of Suramar, in a path of conquest and glory, was the Darkmoon Coven ascribed their own destiny. Yet there are nearly forgotten fables foreshadowing a second coming of this Darkest Face, and it reads as such:

"When the crying moons rises, on either side of the paths stand two pillars, marking the entrance to this sacred, mystical ritual of war or love. One pillar is black as night, and the other is white as salt. The black and white colors of the pillars symbolize duality, paths of darkness and light.

When the sun dies, a High Priestess with a name both new and old will rise, wearing an ivory robe and dark diadem with a moon-touched blade in one hand, while the other will carry the scriptures of the lost coven.

Her moon-kissed face graced with both the Mark of the Blade, which are glaives etched through each eye, and Mark of the Mender, which is a crescent moon and star engraved on the forehead. Both sides represent the masculine, while the other is feminine, for both darkness and light, stating that knowledge and acceptance of duality is required to enter this sacred space."

## **The Oath of the Long Night**

The light of the transparent moon has shown, and at long last, will we honor the Elun'shalla and Nightsinger and set forth the Oath of the Long Night upon the Children of the Night. The dusk draws nears, when one will walk the Night Run road, like Nightsinger once did, where there is a fork in the path that acts as twin fates. Explained as such...

An adherent, also known as acolytes, is a male or female Elunite, that offers to swear themselves into the protection of his or her High Priestess or Coven for a lifetime. The bond between an adherent or acolyte and their High Priestess is more intimate than an imprint, and more lasting than even that of a relationship with a mate. A Warrior's or Healer's spirit becomes intertwined with their High Priestess.

- **Mark of the Blade**, a Warrior pronounced Adherent(Paladin)can sense the needs and emotions of their protected, allowing them to know when their charge is in danger and possess formidable strength and tenacity. This is shown as a glaive engraved through each eye and cheek bone.

- **Mark of the Mender**, A Healer pronounced Acolyte(Priestess)can perform miracles of faith by mending wounds and performing blessings while empowering those in the coven. This is shown as an upturned crescent on the forehead with a star in the center.

This is coven-based ritual that is an initiation in one of the first of three steps to joining the coven. It is also used to pass on energy from the priestess to the adherents and acolytes, and to begin changes on a spiritual and energetic level which will prepare that person for the revealing of deeper knowledge. A three-degree system of initiation, which is based upon the three-degree system of the Darkmoon scriptures. Light(Full Moon), Gray(Half Moon), Dark(Dark Moon).

**The Oath of the Long Night** is to be treated only with the utmost respect and solemnity. It is never to be given or accepted lightly because it is a life-altering bond. At the end of this Nigh Oath, the High Priestess will see which marks rests upon one's forehead given by faith.

## **Adherents and Acolytes**

The Coven of Darkmoon is honored and blessed to have its first set of Elun'shalla announced as below. May the road of the Long Night remain steady in their destined paths as they walk in not only the Dark of the Moon, but also the Light of the Moon that guides them.

* ***Remy "Alvireu" Moonstrike***
* **Cai Tsu**