Slinneet

The keeper of knowledge, Keeper of secrets. The cult of Slinneet are commonly called snake worshipers or snake kissers. Slinneet seeks power through knowledge her cultists are taught to seek out ancient tomes and tablets. They will often sacrifice wizards and priests of other religions and cults to sacrifice and send their knowledge and secrets to Slinneet.   Not much is known about the Cult of Slinneet, outside of the few encounters as theirs is a secretive cult. What is known comes from survivors of their assassins and sacrifices. The priests of Slinneet are very charming and beguile inspecting victims. They are masters of poisons and when they strike it is unseen and swift. Each Priest carries a long thin curved dagger call a Fang of Slinneet. The most blessed of Slinneets followers are transformed into a serpentine creature befitting their station. Some say that she grants the power of shape shifting to her devout Priests but this is just speculation and rumor.   Core Beliefs: Seekers of Ancient Knowledge: The central tenet of the Cult of Slinneet is the pursuit of forbidden and ancient knowledge. They believe that true power comes from unlocking the secrets of the past, often hidden away in cryptic tomes and tablets.   Sacrificial Rituals: The cult practices dark rituals involving the sacrifice of wizards, priests, and scholars from other religions and cults. They believe that by offering the knowledge and secrets of these individuals to Slinneet, they gain her favor and further their own understanding.   Transformation: The most devout followers of Slinneet are believed to be transformed into serpentine beings, a sign of her blessing. Rumors persist that she grants the power of shape-shifting to her high-ranking priests, allowing them to assume serpent-like forms.   Rituals and Practices:   Knowledge Quests: Cultists are sent on quests to find ancient and forbidden texts, artifacts, and scrolls. These quests often lead them to hidden libraries, long-forgotten temples, or treacherous journeys through dangerous lands.   Sacrificial Offerings: The cult conducts elaborate and secretive rituals where captives are offered as sacrifices. The knowledge and secrets of these victims are believed to be absorbed by Slinneet, strengthening the cult's power.   Assassins: The cult employs highly skilled assassins who are trained in the art of poisons, stealth, and subterfuge. These assassins are tasked with eliminating those who threaten the cult's secrets or power.   Hierarchy:   Keeper of Knowledge: The highest-ranking member of the cult, responsible for preserving and expanding the cult's knowledge and overseeing its activities.   Keeper of Secrets: A trusted advisor to the Keeper of Knowledge, responsible for safeguarding the most closely held secrets of the cult. Knowledge Seekers: Members who actively seek out ancient texts and artifacts. They are often scholars and historians with a deep fascination for the arcane.   Serpent Whisperers: High-ranking priests who have demonstrated exceptional devotion and mastery of poisons. They carry the sacred "Fangs of Slinneet" and often lead sacrificial rituals.   Serpent Transformed: The most blessed followers who have undergone a ritual transformation into serpentine creatures. They are considered the living embodiments of Slinneet's favor and serve as her direct agents.   Symbols and Iconography:   The cult's symbol is a coiled serpent, representing their connection to Slinneet and the hidden knowledge they seek. Members often wear serpent-themed robes and jewelry, including serpent-shaped pendants. Goals:   To amass forbidden knowledge and secrets from the past. To gain power and influence through the use of this knowledge. To continue their secretive rituals and protect themselves from discovery. Enemies:   The Cult of Slinneet is shrouded in secrecy, and its enemies often include scholars, religious organizations, and adventurers who seek to unveil its hidden activities and stop its dark rituals.