Sānctī Tenebrarum

Sānctī Tenebrarum is a monotheistic religion. Created in Ab immemorabilia and originally existing within the elusive end-dimension. Prior to the revelation of the process for creating, activating, and traveling through end portals, the realm of shadows both existed and did not exist. This phenomenon can be elucidated by the end-dimensional regulations of time existing autonomously from the rest. Consequently, the dimension did not come into existence until the first end portals were activated. In the primordial existence, a being surrounded by a dense shroud of mucus developed. Gradually extending its influence across the surface world and even further. Consequently, the first aggressive beings started to appear, which included the predecessors of the Phantom and Warden.

Cities were engulfed by the shroud, turning their inhabitants into creatures that sculked the remains of their desolate former cities. The individuals belonging to the working-class and influential class who were able to flee from this industrial humanoid society eventually settled in the overworld and slowly evolved into the villagers and pillagers. These two sub-species emerged from vastly contrasting living conditions: the pillagers, who were less privileged, and the villagers, the powerful and wealthy. Remnants of this persist with the villagers constant admiration for the rare-world metal Emerald. Content with remaining deep below the world and having dominion over the night. The Shrouded One, or Tenebrae, kept the status quo for millennia, growing in control with the introduction of more creatures of the night. With this growth, his ambitions would soon develop as he launched an invasion of the Nether. Successfully removing the lush-green environment and turning it into a barren wasteland of ash, flesh, and flames, as well as populating it with his essences, which would interact with the animals native to the Nether, turning them into the creatures we are familiar with.

Doctrine
The Shrouded One's cultural & religious embodiment on the mortal plane is the Pontifex Maximus, while his Tenebrae's voice is governed by a member who holds the title of Epískopos. Elections are held for positions within the Pontifex, which is governed by the Collegium Pontificum. Tenebrae's Hands are a secluded and shrouded group of zealots who are entirely unknown except for the Pontifex Maximus and Tenebrae's Voice. Known as the Council of Shadows, they enforce the doctrine and laws within the religion. Each position is based on a tier system in which the lowest rank, the Inchoare, operates on Primus Circulus, Augur, and High Augur on Circulus Secundus. The last and inner circle, known as the inner circle, holds the Collegium Pontificum and Epískopos, as well as the title of Pontifex Maximus and Tenebrae's Voice.

Prophecy of Shadows
Over the centuries, the official text of the Shroud has been written by several authors. Each of these authors was personally affected by the Shroudic Influence (or corruption) that has infected every living creature since the first incursions of worlds, or by forming a personal connection to the Shroud. The Overworld (also known as the plane of mortals) is the location of a complete solar eclipse and a planetary alignment as described in the Liber immortalium et umbrarum. This alignment will fortify the creatures of the Shroud and endure for seven days and seven nights, ushering in the formation of a New World Order.

The philosophy behind the New World Order is that the universe's rightful incarnation should have the authority to rule over everyone. The Shrouded One's claim and title are legitimate because it was born from the primordial mucus of darkness, which permeates the entire universe. Furthermore, because it is ubiquitous and the first matter to exist before the universe emerged, light came into existence as a result of the universe's creation, and all other subsidiary matters are descended from light. According to the Prophecy of Shadows, darkness, which existed before all other matter, must have supremacy over the lesser elements and matters. The prophecy encourages faith in the coming of the ideal moment when the Darkness will rule the universe once more.

Tenebrae's reincarnation to the Overworld is an event that occurs after the Shadow Prophecy is fulfilled, or prematurely in a less powerful form when it receives a host body called the Avatar, which is simply a vessel for Tenebrae and not its true form. Tenebrae's soul grants the host infinite vitality and knowledge. As well as the power or mastery of any magic. Although the host may die, Tenebrae cannot because it is an immortal being, which means that if he is killed, it will return to the shadow plane.

Mandate of the Shroud
The representative of the Shrouded One on the Overworld, Pontifex Maximus, and the Voice & Hand of Tenebrae are meant only to serve it and dedicate their lives. Tenebrae's wrath and fury will descend on the world if it is dissatisfied with the actions of his ambassadors. This divine retribution means they are unfit to rule the Tenebrarum. Succession of a new person within this position may only be through the death of the member which has been condemned.

Canonization
Pontifex Maximus FaveCookie


 * Pontifex Maximus during the War of the Comet and discovery of Abexilas.

Avatar Hello145 (TheLostone145)


 * Avatar during the War of the Comet and discovery of Abexilas.