Cult of Mending
The Sundering came. It illuminated the skies. It showed mortals the height of their greatest achievement. The mountains trembled in fear of it. The seas rejoiced, unleashing furious exaltation for the majesty of it. But it was all for naught as the gods intervened and brought low the glory of Kaitos Diraegon’s genius creation. Armies faltered. Cities buckled and crumbled in the wake of the devastation as the fallout of the Godspire’s activation swept across the world. The people of Ransera were left at the mercy of a world gone wonderfully, beautifully and terribly mad. For nearly two hundred years the world was blanketed in an insurmountable cascade of horrifying events that seemed without end.
Until they came.
Dressed in the white and red that symbolized the blood the world had been bathed in and the purity of the Sundering’s cleaning light, they called themselves the Menders. They promised one thing: to heal the world of its broken parts and from the horrors of devastation, bring about a new paradise. They brought with them the power to change lives, the power to harness the chaos and subdue the monsters that lurked in the darkness. They brought with them the belief that mortals could harness the carnage and chaos that had been birthed from the Sundering and from it, a golden era could be created.
The Menders brought with them a promise upon which they delivered, a cleansing. A terrible cleansing, but a cleansing nevertheless. This was their gift to the hapless and hopeless souls that eeked out an existence in the shadow of the Sundering’s storms, the promise of being able to rise above the seemingly insurmountable tide of destruction and not only survive...but thrive.
The Rune of Vitalis
Gifted to the worthy among the ranks of the Menders was the Cardinal Rune of Vitalis. While the exact origins of this rune of magic are lost to the ages, it is clear that it was central to the machinations of the Menders. Blood magic was the cornerstone of everything they performed and it enabled them to achieve things that other powers during the Age of Sundering could not have hoped to accomplish. Through it they were able to purify the poisoned bodies of entire villages and thus recruit its forlorn inhabitants to their ranks. With it they could revitalize the dead lands around them and thus breathe life into a realm that was otherwise lifeless. Bearing the Rune of Vitalis was not a prerequisite for joining the ranks of the Menders. To be gifted the rune was to be chosen as one of the truly blessed among the ranks of their Order.
But let none be fooled, history has proven exactly what the goals of the Cult of Mending was. With the use of blood magic, they accomplished things wondrous but things horrifying as well. With a wave of the hand, a blood witch of the cult was able to drain the life and vitality from any who stood before them. They were then able to use that vitality to put toward their darkest machinations. With blood magic, they were able to toy with the forces of life, perverting the vitality of living things in a way that helped them spread their dire afflictions in pursuit of their dread agenda.
Theology
The core, fundamental belief of the Cult of Mending is that the world is unclean, filled with the filthy stains of those who are unworthy to bask in the glory of an eternal paradise. They posit that the pantheon of Ransera is missing one of its most crucial and powerful deific figures. Where Eikaen, the Dragon King, represents Light and Order and Naori, the Masked Queen, represents Chaos and Darkness, there is a third power that represents the bridge between both and is greater than either of them. They believe that the Godspire was the instrument that was going to be used to open the doorway and enable this all-powerful deific figure to take their rightful place as ruler of all the cosmos. This would see them sweeping aside the imperfections left behind by the lesser powers and ushering in a New Paradise. It is not that this deific power needs the Godspire in order to enact their will. They believe that through its true and rightful activation, mortals will have demonstrated that they are ready to receive this deity and obey its commands.
Menderism is an apocalyptic religion that pushes its followers to strive for an idealistic version of themselves. It pushes this narrative by teaching those who follow it to believe that they are and forever will be imperfect until the coming of the New Paradise. The world will only be perfect when every corner has been “Mended” and welcomed back into the embrace of the Aetherium. The division of the planes is seen as an act of ultimate betrayal. When there no longer is a division between the many planes and the material plane, only then will the True Way be revealed and the worthy ones shepherded to the New Paradise.
The Great Cleansing
Good and Evil mean nothing to the precepts of Menderism because in the eyes of the Almighty, everything in Ransera is stained and must be wiped clean. As such, any and all acts done in the name of the True Way are good and righteous. This is because they are done with the intent to bring the world closer to the ideal version of itself. The penultimate demonstration of faith in the eyes of the Cult of Mending is what is known as The Great Cleansing. This is where the glorious legions of the faithful gather together to purge the world of its true evils. This is necessary because the amount of mortal corruption in the world prevents the activation of a pure and holy Godspire. As the Godspire is a mortal creation, only when mortals who are pure and righteous use it, will it be able to reach its truest potential.
Notable Members
The miracles and atrocities of the Cult of Mending were numerous. In their own, warped way, perhaps they truly believed that they were working toward a better world. Whatever the motivations of the Cult as a whole, the achievements of its individual members were noteworthy enough to be recorded in the pages of history. For better or worse.
Imrae, Maiden of the Roses
“They begged for blood. I gave them rivers of it.”
Her origins are unknown but the stories surrounding her are many. A woman of quiet countenance but fierce determination, Imrae was the Red Rose of the Cult of Mending. Wherever she went, death was sure to follow. She single handedly proved to be one of the deadliest agents that the Cult could dispatch. She was a prodigy in the use of the magic of Vitalis and an undisputed master assassin who was reputed to have slain a dragon and even one of the last True Giants. One of the most horrifying examples of her skill and power was the slaughter of an entire city. It is believed she accomplished this through the careful use of toxins released throughout the city. She then harvested the blood and vitality of its inhabitants to enact one of the most brutal displays of dark power the Cult of Mending is known for, the Black March. It was this act that most historians point to as the beginning of the Graveplague. Imrae and her followers released it upon the world and for that, she is known as one of the Cult’s most bloody agents. Her calling card was to leave a scarlet rose with those whom she killed.
The Doctor
“Data collection complete. The preliminary test displays promising outcomes. Regrettably, new materials are in order, this one seems to be preoccupied with screaming. Perhaps a human instead of an elf. More analysis is required.”
If he had a name, it was never spoken. If he had a face, it was never seen. He was known only as the Doctor. He was the foremost alchemical genius that the Cult had among its ranks as well as a necromancer that was virtually peerless. To this day, there are scholarly circles that go to extraordinary lengths to find or recover any mention of the Doctor’s works. Each of them striving for just the chance at seeing even a glimpse of his research. The Doctor was known to wear all white, a face mask and covered every inch of his skin at all times. Whether this was because he suffered some horrible affliction is unknown. What is known, is that he is the mind behind the development of the Cult’s practices with both alchemy and necromancy for which they were widely renowned. Their achievements were as both healers and terrifying meddlers in the forces of life and death. The Doctor’s most notable achievements are the creation of the Way of the Walking Dead that ultimately formed the foundations of the Graveplague as well as instituting some of the alchemical practices that are still widely used to this day among alchemists.
Rynvidar, the Instrumentalist
"What world is better than a world where dreams come true?"
None so embraced madness than Rynvidar. A figure that made even other cultists uncomfortable, Rynvidar was referred to as many things, The Harlequin, The Jester, The Puppet Master but above all, he was the Instrumentalist. The Mad Musician played many an instrument, his favorite being the screams of his victims used to create a horrifying cacophony of voices that he delighted in calling "music". He was the Cult of Mending's most feared and terrifying mindbreaker, second only to the Archmender himself. A noted practitioner of sorceries used to manipulate, control and crush the enemies of the Cult, Rynvidar used his powers to very sick and twisted ends. The entire world was one big circus to him, a stage fit for the greatest of shows with him as its grisly ring-master. His apparent insanity however, hid a very insidious genius. He was, without a doubt, one of the primary reasons the Cult of Mending managed to spread its message far and wide and so effectively.
Archmender Kaelin Rand
“This world is filled with cruelty and darkness, so it is darkness I shall give it.”
Little is known about Kaelin Rand. He was a powerful sorcerer who arose to take the helm of the Cult of Mending and through it, he attempted to reforge the chaos of a post-Sundering world in his image. At the height of his power, he commanded the full might of the Black March and the entirety of the Cult of Mending and its fanatics. He sought to finish what the Mage King of the Clockwork Empire started. He and the rest of the leaders of the Cult of Mending were ultimately defeated by the knights of the Dawnmartyr Order.
The Graveplague
The Rising Death. The Black March. The Gravebound. At the height of their power, the Cult of Mending did what many believed to have been impossible; they raised armies of the dead to do their bidding. For centuries, the practice of necromancy had only been able to accomplish the creation of very focused and careful amounts of thralls. Through their efforts, not only was the Cult of Mending able to discard the need to create a full thrall, they were able to do it en masse. The Graveplague became the nightmares of any and all who lived through the Age of Sundering. It seemed, it did not matter where one was but it infected the dead. Those who died would soon rise from the grave, a mindless servant to the interests of the Cult of Mending. Any who were killed by the Black March would meet the same fate as well. It became an endless nightmare where in the span of a day, a few dozen would become a hundred, a hundred would become a thousand and so forth.
The Black March saw the destruction of what remained of the fledgling cities that still clung to Clockwork Imperial culture. This terrible event was what led to the creation of the Clockwork Wastes and the Deadlands, regions of the continent that still bear the scars of the horrors unleashed there. To this day, ghosts and remnants of the horrifying creatures unleashed by the Cult still roam those places. This stands as a testament to what many believe to be true even to this day, that the Cult was merely diminished and not truly defeated.
Regardless, the endeavors of the Cult of Mending met their end at the conclusion of the War of Souls. The bulk of their organization was dismantled and uprooted by the Knights of the Dawnmartyr.
Legacy of the Menders
The consequences of the Menders quest to reforge the world in their twisted image has left its mark upon the denizens of Ransera. There are cultures to this day that do not bury their dead, rather, they cremate them out of culturally ingrained fear that they might yet rise. The Graveplague has not been seen since the defeat of the Cult but there are those who remain ever superstitious. The dark mages of the Cult cast an even greater pall upon the already weary souls of Ransera’s people. Where once magic users might have been seen as those widely able to help combat the threats of the Sundering, the astronomical rise of New Atheism and anti-magic zeal can be traced as a direct result of the Mender’s actions. Whether this was intentional on their part is unknown. However, persecution of mages and those displaying anything remotely resembling magic, soared in the aftermath of the War of Souls. The practice of necromancy was outright banned in many places, whether it was for healing or not.
Indeed, there are those who attribute the resentment and distrust that eventually followed the Order of the Dawnmartyr, to the legacy left behind by the Cult of Mending.
Characterization of a Mender
Menders came from all walks of life. One of the primary recruitment tools utilized by the Cult of Mending was to approach those in disadvantaged areas. They would take them into the fold, uplift them, teach them, guide them, and indoctrinate them into the beliefs and methods of the Cult. This fostered a strong sense of loyalty. Where conventional methods of recruitment did not work, the Cultists were not above torture, brainwashing, and outright mind control to suit their agenda. However, among the core members of the organization there were a few hallmark traits.
Outcast. Many of the most accomplished and dedicated members of the Cult began their journey as outcasts. They had suffered at the hands of the society they came from. Whether by circumstances of their birth or otherwise. The Cult offered a family, a people who embraced them and helped them realize their full potential as individuals. Menders were known to be staggeringly loyal to their cause, going so far as to sacrifice themselves to either spite those who tried to stop them or to enable their comrades to defeat those same opponents.
Cunning. The Cult of Mending did not accomplish the bloody and sometimes miraculous feats associated with its name because it was inept. Members who proved themselves resourceful, cunning, intelligent and capable were rewarded either with more authority or more resources. Either way, the upper ranks of the Cult were filled with minds that, while depraved at times, were possessed of an undeniable genius.
Zealous. The Cult of Mending’s philosophy centered around the belief that Ransera was a broken world. In many ways, this belief is true. There are disparities across the many nations, ages and even pantheons of Ransera that feed into this belief. Indoctrination into the ways of the Menders fostered a sense of “us vs. them” where anyone not working on behalf of the Menders was an outsider and thus not worthy of trust, not even tolerance in some cases. This created a mentality among many of its members that the Cult was something to be supported, to be spread, to be fed, even if it meant crossing all moral boundaries to do so.
Give and Take. Nothing is given. Everything is earned. It was a foundational element of the Cult of Mending to perpetuate the belief that anything and everything in life must be earned through one’s own merits. There was and is no saviour that is going to soar down from on high. The world must be forged according to one’s own ability to forge it. As a result, Menders were taught to view things through the lens of a near transactional nature. A mercy today, is a favor tomorrow. Indeed, the Menders did perform a great many good deeds but with each miracle...there was a cost. That cost came due for many in the end and it was an end that still haunts the world to this day.
Divisions of the Menders
The Cult of Mending did not operate through the utilization of a central hierarchy. While there was a common structure to be found in each sect of the Cult, ultimately the only singular figure with command over all of them was the Archmender. As a result, each sect was able to operate independent of the other and was thus able to adapt its structure based on the dynamics of the environment in which it took root. This decentralized nature was one of the things that made their organization so difficult to dismantle. The following are some of the established roles that cropped up in each sect.
Archmender- The leader of the entirety of the Cult of Mending. He coordinated with each of the “Grand” prefix bearers to direct the motives and operations of the Menders at large. Additionally, he accepted the nominations of individuals to the role of “Grand” title bearers where the need arose. If he did not see the need for a “Grand” prefix bearer in a particular area, the title was not awarded.
Prelate- Each sect had a Prelate. This individual was the most senior professor of the Cult’s propaganda. The role of the Prelate was to study and understand the psychology of that sect’s area of purview. They would tailor the more benevolent activities of the Menders to suit the needs and agenda of the area in order to appeal most readily to the population, in whatever capacity that might be. They were the chief mouthpiece of the Cult in that area, often with many assistants.
Magister- Each sect had a Magister. The role of the Magister was to serve as the chief advisor on matters of the arcane. They were most commonly the most powerful mage associated with that sect in particular. It was assumed, but not always required, that the Magister bore that sect’s Rune of Vitalis.
Traveler- Each sect had a Traveler. The role of the Traveler was that of the sect’s primary shadow operative. Whether that was simply as an information broker, a smuggler, or an assassin, depended largely on the requirements of that area in particular. Regardless, the Traveler was expected to be the Eyes and Ears of the sect in the way that was most needed for them.
Champion- Each sect had a Champion. The role of the Champion was that of the leader of the sect’s militant arm. They were the type of warrior, fighter, or guardsman that the sect needed based on the demands of the area. Some were cutthroat, ruthless warlords. Others were men or women of a dark kind of honor. It depended largely on what the environment required.
Together, the above individuals comprised the leadership of each sect and guided the collective activities of their group according to the demands of their area of purview. Following this, members of the Cult had a loose hierarchy. The key thing to remember is that each role held different levels of importance depending on where that sect was located. The leader of the sect could be any of these individuals. As the Cult of Mending grew and their efforts began to span greater swaths of geographic area, the need for more definitive direction presented itself. The chief advisors to the Archmender were put forth via a conclave of their peers. Meaning, the chief representative of all the Champions in a given area would be put forth by the collective Champions of that area.
It was left to each area to determine how they sent forward their most worthy nominee. For Travelers, it might have been the one who was most adept at missions of stealth and reconnaissance. For the Prelates, it might have been the one who was most cunning and charismatic and so forth. Those nominees who were put forth ultimately had to be accepted by the Archmender, passing whatever test he envisioned was appropriate. Failure meant rejection. Success meant being awarded the prefix of “Grand” and thus being granted a seat in the Archmender’s inner circle. To be referred to as “Grand Prelate” implied that this individual directed and coordinated the Prelates of numerous sects spanning a large geographic area.
Vicar- The Vicars were the representatives delegated the authority to act on behalf of one of the upper four. They were their direct lieutenants who often took charge of more important missions or endeavors as was required.
Mother | Father- More senior members of the sect who were typically charged with leading and directing the efforts of a particular area. Cities typically had numerous Mothers and Fathers whereas a village might only have one or two.
Brother | Sister- A general member of the Cult of Mending. These individuals have typically proven themselves supportive and willing to devote themselves completely to the ideals of the Menders.
Foundling- An initiate member of the Cult of Mending. They have been “found” by the Menders and are thus welcomed into the fold of a new family to be guided to the True Way.
Playing as a Mender
The Cult of Mending is alive and well in the world, make no mistake about that. The modern day Mender must practice their faith in secret a majority of the time. Their meetings take place in locations hidden well away from prying eyes. The lessons learned in the aftermath of the War of Souls are ones they have learned well. Players are welcome to play as a member of the Cult of Mending. They are advised to keep the following in mind.
Secrecy. The Cult of Mending is not something typically welcomed in polite conversation outside those who are either members or who study it for various reasons. Those individuals who are avid and faithful practitioners of the True Way do so where they know it is safe. The belief that they are chosen scions who are wrongfully prosecuted because of mortal follies is something that is heavily leaned into in order to explain away the diabolical acts of the past. They have learned to speak in code where seemingly innocuous statements can carry different meanings depending on the circumstances.
Zealous. The Cult of Mending has survived only because of the zeal and tenacity of its followers. The War of Souls saw a significant setback in their goals of ushering in the New Paradise but it is a setback that they have used to regroup, study, and more readily understand navigating the challenges ahead of their great journey.
Adaptive. Menders have not managed to survive as well as they have because they are incapable of adapting to the circumstances. It takes cunning, intelligence and ability to meet the demands of their arduous path. Generally speaking, members of the Cult are groomed to be individuals capable of navigating a variety of circumstances with a level head.
