“Why look to the stars for the unfathomable, when it has been beneath you all along?”

Bysmalinthes, more commonly known as Bysmalbats, are a group of ancient, primordial beings created by the Great「All-Mother」, a Being born from the Rifts- cracks in time and space, which lead into the Unknown and Indecipherable.

With their ominous wings and squirming tentacles, it is rumoured that their occasional sightings on the surface were the original inspiration for Lovecraft’s Cthulhu. Of course, the stories of old are only able to comprehend barely a fraction of the「All-Mother」's true eminence.

They reside under the surface of the earth, in a separate “plane” called Shambala'ha. Able to morph into a “wyrm” form, they are able to travel along its winding, narrow tunnels with ease.

Based on the “Allegories” they gain from making pacts with humans, their “Wonder” is able to aid them in taking on a preferred form.

WHAT? You wish to bring one to the surface to have tEA??? Unfortunately Bysmalbats have an aversion to the Sun… rarely would you ever see one out and about, and definitely without a disguise on.

But their “Wonder” is formidable, and their “Allegories” are many. So why don’t you stay a while, down in these caverns, and listen to their secrets?

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“Beholden we are to the esteemed one dressed in a white beast’s pelt- for at his feet, the flowers wilt then bloom again!”

This is a story that happened countless millennia ago, before the rise and fall of many moons and stars, before the creatures of earth had breathed their first breath. A story that occurred when the Great Beings of the Rift had yet to fall into their never-ending slumber, when they still rose and stood and ruled over empires.

It was during this time that the Revered「All-Mother」’s reach, oh so vast and expansive, had settled their grasps on a small, unassuming globe, drifting listlessly through space.


An existence with a beautiful face, elegant neck, and a long, twisting body. These worm-like creatures burrowed into the ground, creating homes deep under the surface of the rock.

Noticing their presence, the「All-Mother」watched them grow, and live, and thrive. Very much pleased with herself, she sent down the fourth of her seven children-「Bhahan-zanoth」- giving him the task of guiding and teaching them the eminence of their Great-mother. For their eyes- despite wide and filled with curiosity- lacked the wisdom from comprehending the Wonder of things both boundless and unknown.

In the beginning, these creatures could barely form coherent words, let alone a sentence. But with his discerning eye,「Bhahan-zanoth」could tell apart the brightest. With this, he chose five of their kind, to impart the most essential of his teachings, in hopes they would pass it on to the rest of them. These five were known as the Great Witches of Old.

Fuelled by their gratitude towards him, they, who were now known as the Bysmalinthes, built temples to honour his name. They were called White Wheel Temples, after his white fur and the sacred symbol of the「All-Mother」and her children.

✯

When he had taught them all he needed to know, he temporarily left them to their own devices, journeying to a distant place. However, these five Witches grew too smart and ambitious for their own good.



It is said that two of five of the Witches had taken the interpretation of their Eternal Brother’s gospel into their own hands. Where「Bhahan-zanoth」stood for rebirth, new beginnings, the folding of the passage of time, they saw stillness, a reflection of life that encompasses foreverness.

The remaining three Witches understood, of course, that this was not the road they were supposed to be led down, and that the end of that road was dangerous, treacherous, and most of all, unseen.


It was not their god who heard their scuffle, but others, from beyond. Where entropy exists, order will swiftly take its place. And so henceforth came the Gods of Order from the「Mirror World」.

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Their lands were shrouded in light. Yet this blinding brightness was darker than any darkness they were used to. For the Gods of Order not only demanded loyalty, but also absolute devotion, and those that refused to bend to their will were subjected to the fates if whatever lay beyond the refractions of this world.

And it seemed that whatever comforting shadow that had previously blanketed Shambala'ha had all but swifty disappeared as well- no matter how loud or incessantly they pleaded and prayed, their Eternal Brother gave no reply.



As the Gods of Order descended into Shambala'ha, they laid their eyes upon a land they deemed as imperfect, unacceptable. And, in their divine arrogation, they sought to reshape its very foundation. So bright was their light and so forcefully the ground did quake that the Bysmalinthes were driven further into the earth, seeking refuge in its deeper depths.

Those that did not do so swiftly enough were so overwhelmed by the Gods’ heavenly radiance that their very essence was turned to ash- the Gods did not smile kindy upon dirty creatures that marred their cold, clean-cut definition of excellence.

It was this ruthless order that had gripped Shambala'ha in its iron shackles for almost more than a century, filled with an unearthly silence that carried on.

✯

As their numbers dwindled to less than few, the Bysmalinthes resolved themselves to fading into the darkness, and turning into shadows themselves.


This was when she had appeared.

In the shape of a crown of flames, a ring of fire, adorned with eight eyes- the defining symbol of a Being of the Rift- she had gathered from the shade with a raging brightness.


She declared that she had come down to save them from their ghastly fate, to rid them of the hell that was eternal order.


She did not want any simple sacrifice.


At first, no one had stepped forward. They deemed the cost too great, and their corporeal too precious, even to save the lives of hundreds and thousands of others. These “others” were not them, and they were not these “others”- why should they perform such an onerous task?

In the end, it was none other than one of the Great Witches that stepped forward. A Bysmalinthe with a head of crimson hair, whose eyes flamed with a vigour so strong and furious that it was splendid enough to rival the blazing fire that embraced「Et’enhastogaroth」’s form.


It was this burst of Wonder that shook the lands far and wide, stunning the Gods of Order from their pursuit of foreverness. And from the pits, and the shadows formed from the spirits of those lost, did「Et’enhastogaroth」come forth.

“A liar can never deceive a liar, for they are equivalent in foolishness.”

With this, and the disappearance of「Bhahan-zanoth」,「Et’enhastogaroth」deemed it within her Great Mother’s allowance to take over his place as the watchful eye above the Bysmalinthes.

Her first decree was to call for the punishment of the two wayward Witches, who had been the catalysts for the Bysmalinthes near-destruction.


「Et’enhastogaroth」had also understood well that it took someone who knew folly, to see folly, and thus instructed the Witch to guide her peers down the unknown path of the future.

Her second decree was the eradication of all White Wheel Temples.


Her third decree was that she was leaving.


And thus, paying no heed to the reasonings and outburst of the Bysmalinthes, she delegated her work to the faithful underling that understood her designs best- a yet unborn Bysmalinthe, who would bear the ominous mark of her crimson sun.

Of course, many had lamented over this sudden change in events. The「All-Mother」had deemed them worthy enough of having one of the seven overlook them before- why had such a privilege been taken away? Perhaps She had forsaken them?




With the absence of the Gods, their roles have been divided among the remaining three Great Witches.

Yh’till, however, is run by Amelia Heartsworth- a noble Bysmalbat of mysterious lineage, advised by the Red Moon Saintess of the Red Sun Temple, Eto.


It is indeed strange, though, that Amelia would deign to ever lend an ear to the Saintess’ opinions, or any of their zealot lot- for the two parties are well known for their foul relationship.

Where the Saintess Eto believes in the new order of her Patron God「Et’enhastogaroth」, Amelia is stuck strongly in the days before the “Refraction”. With one still devoted to a lost deity, and the other wishing to turn to a new page in the history book, it isn’t difficult to discern how they don’t see eye to eye.

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(BACK TO INDEX)

Wonder is something indiscernible, something unable to be put into words. But, it is what flows through the metaphorical “veins” of those born from the「All-Mother」.


The only thing explicable about Wonder is that it is personalised towards its possessor. Indeed, all Bats might have Wonder, but it is a different form of Wonder. And this Wonder is what shapes and forms them into the beings they are.


However, too much Wonder also causes ill effects on both the body and the mind. It is rare, but not unseen, for Bysmalbats to go “mad” with Wonder.


In short: Wonder is an arcane power that Bysmalbats have inherited from the「All-Mother」. A Bysmalbat is able to alter or gain their Wonder through gaining Allegories. Wonder is able to affect a Bysmalbat’s appearance, personality, and even the abilities they may have.

In exchange for an offering,「a Human Heart」, Bats are willing to grant a human offerer a wish, fulfilled with the use of the enigmatic Wonder.

Regarding the contents of the offering, traditionally, Bysmalbats would grant wishes with the exchange of a human heart. There is nothing more cherished by a person than their mortal life, and thus it was deemed that there would be no better sacrifice to receive their ultimate desire.


However, they are unable to bring a dead person back to life- should they ever agree to such a task, it would likely be an illusion, a simple mirage. Something that would keep the person in an ignorant, but pleasant, dream forever.

With this, a Bysmalbat is able to gain an Allegory- a fragment of the story of how the offering was acquired.


Out of all the Allegories a Bysmalbat is able to obtain in their long life, the first is always the most significant, and the rest after usually follow along the same theme.

In short: An Allegory is the retelling of a Bysmalbat and a human’s exchange. The theme of their Allegories usually coincides with the overall “theme” of the Bysmalbat. This is because the Allegories gained affects a Bysmalbat’s Wonder, which in turn has an effect on the Bysmalbat’s appearance and personality.

There is usually one first Allegory and multiple subsequent Allegories.



A Bysmalbat who does not make contracts and gain Wonder typically has the same lifespan as a human, maybe even lesser.

However, Bysmalbats who do make contracts and regularly gain Wonder are able to increase their own lifespan. Wonder also makes it possible for them to appear younger or older than their actual age, although most choose the former.


The reproductive capability of a Bysmalbat is not barred by their gender. Typically, a Bysmalbat will stick with one partner for life, though not all bats follow this convention.




Bysmalbats that carry too much Wonder within their bodies tend to go “mad”.

A Bysmalbat’s body is like a sieve- over a period of time, the Wonder within the body is naturally lost to the environment. Thus, the Bysmalbat is required to regulate their Wonder through the gaining of Allegories.


As extraordinary as Wonder is, abusing its abilities and usage could potentially lead to some nasty side effects. After all, Wonder was never meant for those of mortal flesh, but for those beyond, whose powers are bountiful and endless.


Additionally, the way “madness” manifests itself is different for every individual, and it is impossible to predict whether you’ll gain some benefits from it, or only acquire great inconveniences.



When a Bysmalbat dies, it is said that their flesh and bones and Wonder will return to whence they came: to the「All-Mother」. The only thing they leave behind is their wing clips, as keepsakes for those that remember them.

However, there is an exception to this. The Wastes, the wargrounds marred by the eternal judgement of the Gods of Order, does the body of a Bysmalbat never fade away. These lands are, somehow, eerily far out of the「All-Mother」’s reach… the one place even the Priests of the Red Sun Temples are unable to hear her knowing whispers.



Originally, they did not have human-like figures. Instead, they were long, serpentine, and worm-like, facilitating travel through the many caverns and crevices they used to call home in the land under the earth’s surface. During this age, they were more commonly referred to as Bysmalinthes.


Despite still having access to their previous Bysmalinthe forms, they are rarely used in everyday means. Now, they are generally only used by those of the Temple for ceremonies of worship or prayers. Their true form ties them closer to their Great Mother.

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(BACK TO INDEX)

“Do you hear them rumbling down below?”

A sprawling network of caverns, tunnels and underground ravines. The depths of Shambala'ha are extensive and maze-like. It seems as though only the denizens of the deep are able to comprehend their winding burrows.

Underground, it is dark, damp and cold. As such, most of the flora and fauna have properly adapted to the lack of light. Bysmalbats are no exception. Though they may hang up lamps and lanterns to make their surroundings more visible, they have no discomfort travelling in the dark.



The capital city of Shambala’ha. Situated in a deep underground ravine, its towering spires and centrepiece castle are carved into the very walls of the earth. Paired with its overarching walkways and multilevelled nature, it has been labelled as a rather awe inspiring piece of architecture in and of itself.

Being the capital, the residents of Yh’till are mostly nobles and other important figures, as well as their servants. Due to this, there is also always a variety of entertainment and activities for those in Yh’till to enjoy. From casinos, to museums, and even some public parties held by the high society Bysmalbats who are feeling a little bit more generous.

Yh’till is also the home of the largest and greatest of the Red Sun Temples. Personally run by the Red Moon Saintess, Eto, it oversees Shambala’ha’s most important ceremonies and celebrations.



A city located under the Western Pacific Ocean, where groundwater is most commonly found. Due to this, most of the Bysmalbats in this area have an affinity for swimming, or a great liking of water in general.

Unlike the grand, macabre, Victorian-esque buildings of Yh’till, Manam’un possesses buildings that resembles a combination of Greek and Roman architecture, showing in their favour for both marble and lofty, arching structures, decorated by simplistic, but elegant carvings (similar to the city of Númenur in the Rings of Power).


Unlike others of their kind, their correlation with the waters have caused those of this city to worship an additional god-「Vythn’un’azaghar」.


They are one of the few regions of Shambala’ha that, unfortunately, do not have a Great Witch performing as their overseer. Thus, the residents of Manam’un find unique and ingenious systems and ways to look after themselves. After all, are they not from a city of inventors?

This led to them being the first region to implement a Government-like organisation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their citizens, instead of a figurehead or a religious body. Similar to many modern human societies, members of this government are voted in by the residents (you could basically call it a democracy at this rate). Not only have they laid down the laws of Manam’un, they also control the trading of goods, and various other capital that leave and enter their city.


Other than their very much so “out of the ordinary” leadership system in place, Manam’un is also to the biggest and most prestigious academy of the current time. It wasn’t that other places of education didn’t exist, no- other universities that existed were far more private, and students were only allowed to attend if their parents had prior associations to those that ran them.


The courses within Manam’un’s university mostly focus on the history of Shambala’ha, and the many lost ruins and architecture that litter the The Wastes.

Due to the semi-submerged state of the region, local Bysmalbats often possess aquatic traits, and are able to manoeuvre themselves through water very well.



An expanse of swamps, marshlands and mangroves. Full of brackish water, it contains many unique types of flora and fauna alike- ones that are unable to be found anywhere else in Shambala’ha.

But for the beauty of its rainforests are marred by the incessant sense of unease one would feel while traversing through it, nay, even beholding it within their sights. For the plants of The Wastes are all greatly discoloured in the most wrong of ways- greys, ugly purples- all seemingly withering away.


At the heart of The Wastes lies the abode of the Great Witch, Don Bellianta. Blanketed in the dreariness of the morning fog, it sometimes appears as a humble, little cottage, while other times it appears as a looming castle, made of dark stone.


There are no towns or residences present in The Wastes- only the remnants and shambles of them. The Bysmalbats of this region usually prefer to live in solitude, and within the wilderness, where they are best hidden from any unwelcome and unsuspecting peers.

Due to the strange colouration of the environment, Bysmalbats from this area are often strangely pigmented to match the environment. It is not uncommon to see them with traits that are similar to the local fungi in the area.



A region sandwiched between The Wastes and Manam’un. Make no mistake, it is still considered a part of The Wastes as a whole- where nothing dies and nothing truly is living.

Scharan’din, before the Refraction, used to be a beautiful rainforest, lovingly tended to by the Great Witch of the Deep. It is said to be where her Palace was (and still is), hidden deep beneath layers and layers and more layers of gold and crimson sand. Now, there is nothing more than the occasional oasis and patch of dry shrubbery.

Being an even tougher terrain than The Wastes itself, usually the only ones brave enough to frequent the area are Manam’un scholars searching for the dead Witch’s Sunken City. The historical archives describe that her tower was carved from white marble, and embedded with rows and rows of resplendent pearls, bearing all the colours of the sea.


Despite the eternal despair promised by cursed land, the land is surprisingly more populated than it is expected to be. Many researchers have found their homes beside the occasional waterholes, facilitating their discovery of the land, rather than making the long trek back and forth from Manam’un itself.

Of course, there is still more to Scharan’din than what meets the eye. On the surface of the region, the only thing present seems to be sand and dust, bones and dried tears. However, under the layers and layers of limestone is an entirely different universe. Beneath the stretch of Scharan’din, is the densest part of the Underground Market.

The Underground Market- a place that many know of, yet none seem to talk about. Taking full advantage of the extensive catacombs that stretch under Shambala’ha, they use these tunnels to advertise their wares, market their services.


But just because the Market operates outside the jurisdiction of the law, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its own regulations in place. All goods and amenities go through rigorous checks to ensure their authenticity.





Na-nhihiria, better known as the Northlands, is the coldest section of Shambala’ha, existing below the ice sheets of Antarctica.


The land is barren, filled with rock and permafrost, old as the dinosaurs. The region often faces hailstorms, snowstorms, and high speed wind, caused by the flat terrain and build up of ice. It is a truly harrowing place- the risk of death is high for those not familiar with travel, even for Bysmalbats who possess high amounts of Wonder.


The Bysmalbats of Na-nhihiria are known to dress in thick robes and luscious furs in order to stave off the cold. They’re often stylised in a similar manner as Chinese and Mongolian traditional attires.


The main city of Na-nhihiria is known as Katz’nhin. It is said the walls that surround this great city are made of impenetrable white rock, wintry as the land it resides on. Due to this, travellers don’t often see the city until they’re right at its main gates.

It seems as though there is a reason for this- it is said that the citizens of Katz’nhin are generally distrustful of outsiders. Whether it is due to the remnants of scars from the Division of Ideals, or due to something more, outsiders of the Cold City will likely never learn the truth.

Within is the palace that the Great Witch of Moonless Nights resides in, called NanShi Palace. It is said that the temperature within the walls of his castle are even frostier than the land outside, and even colder is the Witch’s heart. A cruel master, he’s known to freeze over entire sections of the palace when he’s in one of his especially foul moods.





The Echoing Hollows lives up to its name confidently- visitors say that the forest never stops speaking. Within the respite of its foliage, the wind carries the echoes of giggling, tittering voices. They say it comes from the trees, the earth, the grass, the soft gales that rustle the leaves oh, so gently- but of course, this is false. Because the true source of these whispers is the residents of the Hollows themselves.


The terrain of the Hollows is filled with woods, its floor usually cushioned with withering leaves. It is never too hot, and never too cold, just how the Bysmalbats of the region prefer it. Most residents live up in the canopies, within empty tree shells, or even in burrows further under the earth. Places difficult to reach, easy to hide, even easier to miss. That is how they love to operate- while they have a rather extreme penchant for gossip, they themselves prefer to go unseen and unheard by others.

There is no danger present within the Echoing Hollows either. In fact, it can be argued that the most dangerous creatures there are the locals themselves. Often mischievous, and cunning in slightly more malevolent ways, they are known to lead travellers astray within the brush. Should you chance upon one, the likelihood of getting wrong directions is equally high.


The Great Witch of the Groves lives beneath the Fair Glade, a large expanse within the heart of the Hollows where most of its residents call home. It is said that their throne is made out of silver branches, with white leaves and red berries, though few have been able to see it. It is said that playing a game of chess with the Great Witch of the Groves is the ultimate privilege in the Hollows.

Similar to Manam’un, the Echoing Hollows also worships their own, regional god-「Nem’nen-phis」.

The Bysmalbats of the Echoing Hollows have a particular affinity to insects. It's not uncommon to see them, if they’re ever seen, to be accompanied by tiny critters and the likes.



The only way to enter Shambala’ha is through deep holes in the earth’s crust- this can be underwater, or hidden somewhere above ground. Finding these “portals” is nearly impossible, and it is said that only Shambala’ha’s denizens have the capability of locating them.

It is said that they do so through a sixth sense. Perhaps a more scientific reasoning is they are particularly sensitive to seismic waves- vibrations, caused by the breaking of rock, which travel through the earth.

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(BACK TO INDEX)

Their society is not as modernised and developed as the surface. Thus, most of their items and tools have a very steampunk-esque vibe.



Original Bysmalbat fashion has a very similar aesthetic to Victorian era fashion and the Lolita dress style. This does not need to be followed to a T- they generally like anything frilly, puffy and gothic.

However, with their run-ins with the humans on the surface, and the ample time some spend there to gain Allegories, some have adopted the dressing style of the place they frequented most. Same can be said about the names and titles they may take.




Being organisms that primarily live underground, Bysmalbats don’t take too kindly towards light, especially if it's direct or too bright. They aren’t too keen on loud noises either. Hence, the light of the sun on the earth’s surface in daytime, as well as the bustle of cities, is more than discouraging to them. Those that are curious enough to wander out, or possess an objective that requires them to go above ground, usually stay in more remote areas, such as forests and rural villages at most.




The five Great Witches of Old, who had the pleasure to walk beside the King in White-「Bhahan-zanoth」. They commonly refer to him as their “Eternal Brother”. Each region of Shambala’ha is looked after by a Great Witch, with Manam’un being the only exception.

Although they hold less influence in the current era, compared to the one before, the Great Witches that still walk among them are still highly respected within Shambala’ha. New rumours and tales are constantly being spun about how they heal the sick, grant instantaneous wealth… but who can say for sure?




“The Refraction” is what most Bysmalbats refer to when mentioning the invasive coming of the Gods of Order. It is a highly taboo topic, it is rarely talked about, as well as discussed.


Bysmalbats lead long lives, and most of those that witnessed the Refraction first hand are still around. Who would want a repeat of the agony they had gone through?



As aforementioned, Bysmalbats that carry too much Wonder within their bodies tend to go “mad”. As extraordinary as Wonder is, abusing its abilities and usage could potentially lead to some nasty side effects. After all, Wonder was never meant for those of mortal flesh, but for those beyond, whose powers are bountiful and endless.


In most communities, most of the Bysmalbats inflicted with “madness” are shunned. Others, maybe treated with a sort of begrudging respect.


Nonetheless, most mad Bysmalbats end up running away, usually out of shame or alienation.

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(BACK TO INDEX)

Those that are external to her cult are supposed to refer to her as the「All-Mother」out of respect, while those closer to her, her children and her worshippers, refer to her as the, or their, Great Mother.

The「All-Mother」is a being born from the Rift. She wishes to encompass everyone and everything, so much so that part of herself stretches into both the past and the future.




The original Patron God of the Bysmalinthes. Known as the Master of Hounds, the King in White Fur. He represents rebirth and reincarnation, and the whiteness of his coat signifies new beginnings. After the “Refraction”, few remember what he looked like, for his silhouette has long faded into history.



The fifth out of seven of the「All-Mother」's children, and informally known as Et’en. Known as the Foolish King, the Great Deceiver. It is rather strange, seeing that she rarely partakes in trickery, and barely has a conniving bone in her body. She signifies the vigour and passion that stems from a strong belief in one's ideals.

As mentioned previously, she is a war god. It is said that a sweep of her black staff has the might to level entire armies. A formidable opponent that can hold her own against the Gods of Order.



The third out of seven of the「All-Mother」’s children. Known as the Great Wise One, the Lord of Infinite Wisdom. He represents bountiful knowledge. However, knowledge sometimes comes at a price- one more costly than just curiosity. Forbidden knowledge is what he deals in best, especially the things the universe hides from the unenlightened to keep them out of harm's way.

His most common depiction is similar to a Leviathan- he drifts through the cosmos, the void his ocean. With him follows the forbidden city of Udun’man- a towering temple hauled along by thick chains that stretch into the abyss. It is said that that ancient building holds the answers to every question, and is his life’s work.



One of the youngest of the「All-Mother」’s children. Unlike her older brother, she is not worshipped for something as concrete as “Wisdom” or “Knowledge”. Instead, she signifies a reflection of one's inner self, and an individual’s hidden desires that sometimes, they aren’t even aware of. There is nothing「Nem’nen-phis」loves more than to witness the hidden strife of mortal emotions.

She often appears to others in dreams, taking on the appearance of someone you might know, or even in mirrors, as yourself. When she whispers her wisdom, you will wonder: “is that a god’s guidance, or is that just my inner consciousness speaking?” One can never be sure what the heart years for most.



Regarding the matters of Beings from the Rift, entropy always reigns supreme, setting the world into disbalance. And at the instability of the universe, those that stand for order will appear. These are the Gods of Order, who appear from the「Mirror World」.

If not much is known about the Great Beings of the Rift, then less is known about those that belong to the refracted world beyond ours.

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(BACK TO INDEX)

There are two types of allegiances- one is to the individual and the other is factions.

Individual allegiances: A follower of the person, they believe in the person’s ideals and what they preach.
Faction allegiances: Can be either part of the group, or someone with an individual allegiance that has pledged themselves to the group. It is also possible that their views clash with the person they follow, but they believe in what the group strives for.

It is possible to be part of an individual’s faction, but not be a follower of them.
It is also possible to be a follow of an individual, but not part of their faction.
EG: C is a follower of Eto, but C is not part of the House of the Red Sun.

*For simplicity’s sake, dissolved factions will not be included in this list.
*Faction habits are just a guideline for the norm! It is possible for there to be outliers.

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The Red Sun Temples as a collective whole are referred to as the House of the Red Sun. As mentioned previously, they worship 「Et’enhastogaroth」- the war god that saved the Bysmalbats from calamity long ago. They pray to her for protection from future disasters, and often throw celebrations in her honour.

Compared to the other religious groups in Shambala’ha, they have the largest following, and have enough influence to almost stand on the same stage as the Great Witches and Yh’till’s ruler- Amelia. Of course, there are mixed opinions of this. Some believe they have earned their place among the founding Bysmalbats of Shambala’ha, while others believe the Temple is merely riding on the back of their departed God’s glory.

Due to the House of the Red Sun being a religious group, they do have a standard attire to discern themselves from the common individuals of society. Though their outfits may vary, members of the Temples are most commonly seen dressed in reds, whites, golds and blacks, the standard colours of Et’en.



【SKILLS】
The members of the Red Sun Temples learn a very unique skill, one passed down through the generations of priests and priestesses. It has no proper name in the English language, but it roughly translates to “Shadow Tongue”.

Despite its name, its usage is not what it seems to be. Tied back to the Refraction Era, where many Bysmalinthes were dispersed into intangible silhouettes of the past, this skill allows one to listen to the words of those still encased within the darkness.


Of course, such a vexing and infuriating art requires one of an amiable temperament to withstand. Those without patience will quickly lose focus- and with this, the shadows will cease to speak.

【VIEWS】
Great Witches - Neutral Regarding their opinions of the Great Witches, they seem to coexist peacefully, and try their best not to step on their toes. Nothing good comes from offending the Great Witches of Old.

Queen’s Court - Negative Regarding their opinions of The Queen’s Court, due to the strange rivalry between Queen Amelia and Saintess Eto, there is often tension between the two groups as well. They seem to be in each other’s tentacles to no end, and can commonly be seen bickering about the slightest issues- who said what, who insulted who, what was said about the Saintess, how they disgraced the Queen… the list goes on. Overall, it’s nearly impossible to appease both sides of the table.

Bellianta’s Brood - Neutral Regarding their opinions on Bellianta’s Brood, they have nothing against them personally, and the two factions co-exist quite peacefully. However, it would be lying to say the members of the Red Sun Temples don’t feel unnerved in their presence. Judging by the reaction of other groups, it seems they’re not the only ones who feel this way.

Shade Guard - Positive Like many of the Bysmalbats that had stayed faithful to the Gods, they have a great respect for the soldiers that had been at the front lines of the war during the Split of Ideals. Though they do feel anxious about the Shade Guard to a certain extent, it is more so awe of their fearlessness, than anything else.

Fae (Illusory) Court - Neutral


The Bysmalinthe from the tales of old, the one foretold by「Et’enhastogaroth」- she who bore the crimson mark of the Foolish King.

Formally known as Et. Despite being a kind soul at heart, and very passionate about the things she feels strongly about, her jaded and aloof exterior often makes her seem more prickly and rude. Yet she understands the burden of knowing more than most- even if she is ridiculed as irresponsible and unreasonable, her loyalty will always be to the wellbeing of Shambala’ha, and her faithful followers.

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The Queen’s Court is bereft of rules that aren’t of Amelia’s own making. Consisting of the nobles and prominent figures of Yh’till, they sort through every complaint, incident, and case of crime that takes place within the city’s gates. Nothing escapes their gaze, and even less escapes their calculative plans.

Of course, with so much balanced in the palm of each of their hands, it’s difficult to not want to take advantage of it for themselves. The members of the Queen’s Court are constantly at each other's throats- just like rabid dogs. Every session they dress themselves up, their armour the gold around their throat, and their swords their tongues. Seeing this, it is rather difficult to traverse such a terrain, especially when each one of them is more suspicious of the other than the last.

Alas, it seems as though the only one unbothered by the savagery of the court is only the Queen herself.

【SKILLS】
The members of the Queen’s Court do not possess any outstanding abilities- at least, none that are granted by the Queen herself. But it cannot be argued that all of them have very special standings among the citizens of Yh’till. There is little in the way of them, so long as they are within the walls of the city.

【VIEWS】
Great Witches - Neutral Regarding their opinion on the Great Witches, they like to act as though the Great Witches of Old are, as they say, “old news”. However, they are wily enough not to express such views openly in front of Amelia, as well as any other Great Witch. Even cowards know when to keep their mouths shut.

House of the Red Sun - Negative Regarding their opinions on the House of the Red Sun, as stated previously, the Queen’s Court does not deign to waste their time on “red rats”. What a cist in their eyes, bringing trouble to no end. Unfortunately, their influence does not spread so far as to reach the Red Sun. Thus, their only choice is to ignore the priestesses to the best of their abilities, paired with the occasional insult parrying.

Bellianta’s Brood - Negative Regarding their opinions on Bellianta’s Brood, though the Children of Rot haven’t outwardly caused any issues for them, that doesn’t mean they won’t purposely try to find a bone to pick with them. The Queen’s Court often complains about how their shabby appearances are hard to stomach, and how they’re deeply disconcerting, constantly up to no good. More than once they’ve raised concerns about the potential of the Great Witch of the Wastes reoffending in the near future, that she should be incarcerated, or watched closely, for her crimes.

Shade Guard - Positive

Fae (Illusory) Court - Negative





The Overseer of Shambala’ha, and the Ruler of Yh’till. Easily recognisable for always being dressed head to toe in garments of red. It is said that she earned her nickname through her voracious lust for Allegories.

Methodical, and highly organised, there is little that is missed by her keen eyes. A realist that follows the facts and evidence presented to her over her own heart- gut feelings are something left only for the weak-spirited. Despite this, why is it that the mere sight of the Red Moon Saintess makes her so inherently angry?

Perhaps the Queen of Hearts is not yet Queen of her own heart… where she keeps her secrets and grievances under cold lock and key.

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It is difficult to not have heard this phrase without being blind or impossibly daft: “This is where the mad ones go”.

The Great Witch Don’A Bellianta is well known for gathering the lost and forsaken under her motherly wing. She nurtures them, and does her best to heal the cracks in their poor, abandoned, and pitiful souls. Within The Wastes, she sits in solitary contemplation, perhaps in some age-old repentant isolation. Only her children know the way to her abode, as well as those chosen by the mist.

The Children of Bellianta take no particular side pertaining to religion- they are free to worship who and what they choose. Bellianta herself is not fussy with whatever god wishes to hear her prayers. If it is「Bhahan-zanoth」, she would be more than elated to accommodate his presence. But, she will take what she can get- it is a privilege for anyone to answer the call for mortals like herself, and it would do her well for her arrogation not to get to her head again.

【SKILLS】
There are none that know The Wastes better than the Children of Rot. Like the back of their hand, no mossy rock and crevice can ever be hidden from them. From the mist, Bellianta whispers to them the deepest secrets of her decrepit territory. There is nothing that misses their watchful eyes- you will not see them, but they will always see you.

【VIEWS】
Great Witches - Neutral

House of the Red Sun - Negative

Queen’s Court- Negative

Shade Guard - Negative Bellianta’s followers are usually pacifists that would rather shy away from trouble than approach it, much less cause it. But due to the two factions’ past occurrences, they do bear a certain amount of animosity for Siobhan’s Shade Guard.

Fae (Illusory) Court - Positive



Previously known as an omen of great darkness, the Witch of Decay, the now-turned Witch of the Waste is more comparable to a fat lazy cat rather than the vicious lioness of old. Preferring to recline by the fireplace with tea and a good book, she rarely leaves her house, and has turned somewhat into a shut-in. Overtime, the tales of her cruel deeds have long faded into fairy tales.

However, a tiger may lose its claws, but it will never lose its stripes. There is something in the air, she can smell it- something nefarious is afoot. Could she be behind it? An instigator in the chaos? You will have to wait and see, for she is always the last to play her cards.

You will know the answer when the Dominator of Decay tells you: “Sometimes, history is not quite what we believe it to be- fascinating, isn’t it?”

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Though thousands of years have already passed, hearing the words “Shade Guard” alone is still enough to make a calm person stumble, before looking around nervously. Their reputation truly precedes them. Indeed, there is no one who has not heard of the heroic acts of those within their ranks, of soldiers who did not shy away from violence, knew what needed to be done and did it.

At their head is their General, previously the Great Witch of Moonlit Nights, now known as the Great Witch of Moonless Nights- Lin ShiHan, known as “Siobhan” outside of the Northlands.


But it is precisely due to this that the Shade Guard has upkept its splendid reputation until the current day. While the General may be as icy as the frost that coats their swords all year round, the bite of cold this blade brings makes it cut all the more painful.

【VIEWS】
Great Witches - Positive

House of the Red Sun - Neutral

Queen’s Court- Negative

Bellianta’s Brood - Negative

Fae (Illusory) Court - Neutral

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The members of the Fae (Illusory) Court are difficult to recognise, and even more difficult to get ahold of. Equal parts mysterious, and more so elusive than anything else, they are known to take flight back into the undergrowth as soon as they’re called out to, or so much as seen.

Despite this, everyone knows more than anything else that they hold their Great Witch in the highest regard, and there is never a chance they won't take to sing praises for their Guardian Witch. The Monarch of the Hollows, Ruler of the Fair Glade, the Great Witch of the Sacred Groves, dressed in spider-spun silver silk and viridescent amber of the oldest age.


Despite their rather extremist attitude when it comes to the reputation of their Great Witch, the Illusory Court lives up to the word “fae” to a T- they believe strongly in enjoying themselves, and doing nothing more than having a good time.

【VIEWS】
Great Witches - Positive

House of the Red Sun - Neutral

Queen’s Court- Negative

Bellianta’s Brood - Positive

Shade Guard - Neutral

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