Kanen; The Destroyer

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"It was his elegance that caught her eye. An emboldened gaze of power and lust, calling for her to take his hand. For he would lead her on a path of beautiful destruction."

— The Chronicles of The Bride

About

Kanen; The Father of Demons, The Destroyer, God of Darkness, The Beautiful temptation of power and domination.   Sprung from the heart of Tenegrim, Kane's essence swirls with the hues of the worlds greys. Though many see a divine possessed by need and fury, others understand the layers of dark beauty that surround Kanen. Known as the father of demons, the bringer of destruction, and purveyor of the powerful; Kanen has brought his faithful victory through domination.   Complex in motivations and loyalties, despite his reputation as the God of Darkness; Kanen is not pure in cruelty or evil. The adoration of his people is repaid in success and power while his enemies are wrung empty of will and blood. If his most loyal are to believed, Kanen's constant message is for the betterment of the deserving and the service of the unworthy.  

Description

It is said that the beauty of Kane could overwhelm even the most unfaithful. With stark white skin, flawless and painted sharp angles, his enticing appearance would fool many mortals into believing him of elven descent. A dark aura surrounds his mortal form, like a flicker of a shadow one cannot quite see.   Through the ages Kane is depicted both as the beautiful God he is and the terrifying ruler of darkness. The twisted demonic form he is said to don in war is painted upon the walls of his cities to press fear into any who would cross the Father of Demons.  

Origin Story

Birthed from the very crown of Tenegrim, Kanen was born of shadow with sorrow set upon his quiet heart. A beautiful creature drawn to the ebbing light of Myria, the two found one another in a twisted harmony of light and darkness. Through their union sprung forth the first of the elves, molded with the facets of color and shadows. Myria, tempted by the beauty of their creation, fell away from her former love and found purpose in another's arms.   Abandoned and broken hearted, Kanen swore vengeance against the very one he had loved so dear. Wrath and fury called dark magics to his command, bringing to life the twisted demons that would answer their father's call. Embracing the wound of lost love, Kane would draw darkness from the heart of Tenegrim and rise to war against the very elves he had helped create.   Centuries would pass, the dwarven army risen against his demonic children, life lost, a land torn and burned. Only as he found his way to the garden of their first union would his fury be sated. The beauty of Myria's first mortal daughter drawing the wound slowly closed. Enthralled and in love once more, Kanen would pluck at doubt of the truth that light hid in its shadows and take her as his beloved bride.  

Relationships

Despite the terror that many associate with Kanen, when it comes to his interaction with his faithful, he is quite merciful. Preferring to interact and influence his children directly, Kane has a tendency to reach out through prophecy and visions or other presences to guide his people. Because of this, his followers personify him as a fatherly God. Even during his time locked away from the mortal realm of Tenegrim, it is said he would do anything he could to ensure that his people triumphed.   Though the relationship with Myria and her pantheon is in tatters, Kanen can usually find common ground with The Keeper and his pantheon on occasion. As it was in the first age, he continues his love and adoration for his bride. It is believed that her tempered demeanor is the only thing that keeps Kane from seeking to mold the whole of Tenegrim in his image.  

Religion

Dogma

"Submit to the word of Kanen, for you shall be granted great power."
"It is a mercy for the powerful to make use of those ignorant of their potential"
"Adapt to the shades of shadow that life offers you, for arrogance is death"
 

Clergy

Due to the nature of Kane and his followers, the Clergy tend to be zealous in their devotion. Consistently seeking to gain favor in the eyes of their God and the power that he offers, the Clergy tend to do whatever is necessary to see that Kanen's teachings are upheld.   Most if not all of the faithful clergy of Kane are taught in the ways of deception, domination, and strategy. Many of the highest ranking priests are also warlords or politicians. Devoting oneself to Kanen as Clergy is seen as a lifetime contract. Rules and laws are consistently enforced to ensure the compliance of both the congregation and the clergy themselves.  

Temples

In countries where Kanen is openly worshiped, his temples are at the center or near center of the cities with their towering black and silver spires. A place of ritual, training, and imprisonment; Kanen's temples are a breeding ground for the power hungry and faithful. Despite the belief that the temples are only devoted to the passion of progress, many double as a refuge and school for those that are seen as Kane's children.   Outside of the openly displayed monuments, the temples of Kanen hide underground or in graveyards on the outskirts of society where the markings can only be found by the faithful or determined. Guarded by dark magic and the most devout of clerics, these smaller temples serve the same purpose as those in the larger cities just with a larger emphasis on deception and stealth.  

Worship

Offering a sacrifice to Kanen is not unheard of. What kind of sacrifice depends on the perception of importance and power that it gives. These offerings tend to be gold, weapons, blood of a fallen enemy, and even ritualistic sacrifices for the purpose of his blessings. Most worshipers of Kanen are not casual in their acceptance of his dogma and power. Seeking out Kanen as a patron opens doors to darker magics that are nearly impossible to close.   To live a life in honor of Kanen, the faithful act in accordance to his well-known dogma. Seeking dominance and power, failure or incapability is seen as a weakness to overcome to be worthy. Despite that most who worship Kane are those in power, many who serve have accepted the mantra that even in their enslavement they have a higher purpose. This twisted lifestyle has influenced a strict acceptance of the ideal of the strongest rule and the weakest serve.