Church of Shadows

Information & Background:
The Church of Shadows was formed with the intent of uniting willing worshippers of the Forgotten Shadow into a fully organized religion, intended to establish and enforce Shadow worship throughout all of the lands currently controlled by the Forsaken and eventually all of the Eastern Kingdoms, by any means necessary.

It's members are primordially Forsaken Shadow Cultists, but it also features several other branches such as a military branch of "Lightslayers", warriors and rogues dedicated to eliminate Light Worship wherever they may find it, a branch that accepts Necromantic practices and Liches specialized in Frost magic and a branch dedicated into accepting cultists of other races, though thus only occurs on rare occasions.

The Church and it's cultists are probably amongst the least "trustworthy" Forsaken, or so remaining Horde members would see them as such, as they are known to even deal with members of opposing factions that share their beliefs. They're extremist religious views and dedication only to the ideals of Divine Humanism have made members of the Church... unpopular amongst those outside of their Cult.

Branches & Ranks:
Spiritual Branch:

Cultist: A title given upon those who have yet to pass their rite of initiation within the Church, they are promising cultists who worship the Forgotten Shadow and anxiously await their time to serve. Dark Cleric: A title given upon those who have already proved, outside of the Church, to serve the Forgotten Shadow's ideals actively amongst Forsaken ranks, their past serves as their own initiation ritual [Priest exclusive rank].

Brother: A title given upon those who have past the rite of initiation and prooved themselves within the Church, they actively serve it's ideals and participate in several matters regading future and current Church projects.

Father: A title given upon those who have proved to have fully grasped the notions taught by the Church, they stand to the right of the Dread Father, counciling him in his decision and actively providing aid in leading the Church and it's followers.

Dread Father: A title given upon Rowos von Shadowtongue himself, as founder of the Church [Priest exclusive rank]

Military Branch (Army of Shadows) :

Shadowblade: A title given upon initiates on the path of the Lightslayer, they answer to the Dread Father first and the Light Reaper second, they are intended to be trained within the Church, both mentally and physically in order to enforce it's ideals upon all of the Eastern Kingdoms... by any means necessary [Warrior/Rogue exclusive rank]

Lightslayer: A title given upon those who have been accepted by both the Dread Father and the Light Reaper to join the ranks of the Army of Shadows [Warrior/Rogue/Death Knight exclusive rank]

Light Reaper: A title given upon only one considered truly worthy by the Dread Father, to lead the Army of Shadows, his purpose is to maintain a constant siege upon those who seek to eliminate Shadow worship and those who worship the Holy Light over the Forgotten Shadow, he is also intended to assign Lightslayers to protect members of the Church.

"Special" Ranks:

Shadow Lich: A title given upon former Scourge Mages who dedicate themselves to serve the Forgotten Shadow. [Mage exclusive rank]

Uniforms:
Church members are expected to wear robes of different colours when in meetings or rituals, each colour representing their position within the branches of the Church.

White Robes: Are give to initiates within the Church after passing the Rite of Initiation.

Red/Scarlet Robes: Are expected to be worn by members of the Army of Shadows branch, with the exception of the Light Reaper.

Brown/Dark Coloured Robes: Are expected to be worn by members of the Spiritual branch of the Cult and the Light Reaper.

Blue/Dark Coloured Robes: Are expected to be worn by members of the "Special" branch of the Cult.

Tabard: The Church's tabard can only be worn by Church Fathers, the Dread Father and the Light Reaper, they are a representation of official power, on certain circumstances other members will be allowed to carry the tabard during missions were they represent Church interests.

Armour: Those following the path of the Lightslayer can wear armour when attending certain Church events, but never when attending rituals, this rule only affects those within the Army of Shadows who are under the Light Reaper, he/she is free to disregard this rule.

Acceptance:
Racial Limitations:

The Forsaken are the individuals preferred by the Church, due to being, themselves, a product of Necromancy and Shadow magic, they have a powerful affinity towards the Church's ideals. Certain other "races", however, can be accepted, it is known by the Dread Father that certain Trolls have practised Shadow worship since aeons past, these Troll Shadow Priests may be accepted into the guild under certain conditions; It is also known that certain Sin'Dorei have found the Forgotten Shadow to be a source of magic worthy of their respect and worship, not to mention the friendly relations shared by Undercity denizens and Silvermoon citizens, thus, under specific conditions, Blood Elven Priests may be accepted into Church ranks.

Death Knights:

Though they were born from useage of Necromancy and Shadow magic themselves, and have most likely learned to respect the power of those two forces, Death Knights are most commonly associated with the Ebon Blade, to enter the ranks of the Church would require a convincing... "tale" that would lead to the Dread Father approving such an exception. [Forsaken and Sin'Dorei only]

Warlocks:

Despite utilizing magic of Shadow origin, the Dread Father is not convinced that Warlocks respect the source of their powers, and that many would prefer to serve the Legion and continue to utilize Fel Magic and Demons. However, should exceptions arise of Warlocks who specialize themselves in skills of Affliction and who worship the Shadow and it's ideals of Divine Humanism, then they would most certainly be accepted into the ranks of the Church. [Forsaken only]

Mages:

Those who study the Arcane arts have yet to earn the favour of the Dread Father, but those who have learned the arts of Necromancy and of Frost magic, assuming, of course, they bow before the will of the Church and of the Forgotten Shadow, so that they can eventually be empowered by it, will be accepted amongst the ranks of the Church. These liberated "Liches" are useful and knowledgeable individuals. [Forsaken only]

Joining:
If you believe you are worthy of joining the ranks of the true servants of the Forgotten Shadow, it is recommended you directly contact the Dread Father, Rowos von Shadowtongue, through the Horde's postal service (it seems those Orcs are good for something afterall).

Members:

 * [[File:Rowos_Small_Icon.gif]] Dread Father Rowos von Shadowtongue