The Dustcloak Mercy

The Duskcloak Mercy is a roving, clandestine charitable order that operates in the shadows of the Southern Kingdoms. Their focus is on these deemed unworthy, impure or beyond redemtion by society.

They are considered saints by some, sinners by others. Society either curse them or whisper prayers to them.

Who they help:

• Women discarded by society, especially those banished for infertility, defience or sandal. They other refuse to those cast into convents or abandoned on the roads.
• The Unmarked Aetheri, who either never made it to the citadel or were too weak or unstable to pass the trials.
• The Diseased and Disfigured.
• Bastard children of noble blood, too troublesome to be acknowledged yet too dangerous to be allowed to roam free.
• Disgraced priests or priestess, especially those who questioned dogma or failed their calling.

Duskcloaks do not judge. They do not question. They help

In Kingdoms of Phaedorin, Tha'el, Treyshill, Abrarion and Amarexael, they are considered a threat to religious control, especially for sheltering women who fled convents. Concordant law considers Duskcloak act treasonous.

In A'nota, they are seen as blasphemers - harborers of the weak, the unwanted and the magically tainted. Their symbol is outlawed. Those found to be aiding the Duskcloaks will be sentenced to death.

In Seyalind, Aesharel and Eliond a few influential nobels support them discreetly. The Duskcloak mercy is whispered about in apothecary backrooms and night markets.

On Arevael Isle, the Citadel denies any assoication, though Aetheri-in-training disappear and return years later, changed, wearing dust-coloured cloaks.

The Duskcloak Mercy avoids permanence, but they do have sanctuaries. These are called Ashhavens.

Usually disguised as:

• Abandoned temples
• Collapsed castles, keeps or watchtowers
• Waystations along the trade roads, thought to be haunted or derelict.

Inside, however, they may house dozens of refugees, healing rooms, hidden libraries of forbidden knowledge and tunnels for easy escape. Each Ashhaven is self-sufficient and can be burned and abandoned within hours is discovery is imminent. Some are even kept behind protective wards or spells.