LOCATION AND HOME

The Shadow Clan lives deep within the eternal dark forest, nestled at the foot of the western mountains of Saradié. The forest is dense with towering trees, creating countless shadowy places. It is a dangerous land filled with wild beings, making it an ideal hunting ground. The Laaki River originates in these mountains, flowing through Saradié before ending at the Lunar Clan's waterfalls.
 

Soratra, the home of the Shadow Clan, lies between the bases of three mountains. The settlement is rich in caves, providing an abundance of iron, crystals, and other valuable materials. A deep underground water source supplies fresh water to the inhabitants. Soratra is fortified by four massive walls: the first two are made of stone, while the rear ones are constructed from wood. The front gate is a two-layered structure, and beyond it stretch vast fields used for farming. Along the sides of the settlement are the mines, where many Raqions work daily to extract resources.
 

The front two districts house villagers with various occupations, including Soldiers/guards, farmers, hunters/butchers, blacksmiths, tailors, and miners. The rear districts are home to elders, the wealthy, healers, and individuals of high status. Before reaching the leaders’ quarters, there are training camps for both children and adults, with adults training on the right and children on the left. Men and women sleep in separate tents. The final area is reserved for the high council and the clan leader. All districts have access to the caves for emergencies or training. Rituals are conducted in the main plaza.

Beyond Soratra, smaller villages and camps are scattered throughout the Shadow Clan's vast territory, which includes several islands to the west. Their borders extend to the Woods Clan on the east and the Phantom Clan on the south.

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CULTURE

The Shadow Clan is one of the oldest clans in history, known for its strict and often dark traditions. Around 60% of newborn children are taken from their parents and raised as assassins, primarily male children. These newly hatched Raqions are forced into a life of intense training, preparing them to become elite warriors. Their training is harsh and varies based on age, with a heavy emphasis on survival in darkness. They are taught to rely on sound and energy rather than sight, sharpening their combat instincts from an early age. Close-quarters combat is one of the first skills they master. As their elemental abilities begin to manifest, they undergo specialized training focused on harnessing their powers. Once deemed ready, they are sent on missions, which may involve hunting creatures, assassinating intruders, or eliminating members of rival clans who trespass into their territory.

The Shadow Clan is feared for producing highly skilled assassins capable of striking unseen. They have perfected the art of moving silently and blending into the shadows, making them nearly undetectable. This mastery of stealth and deception has earned them a reputation as elite spies, with operatives scattered across Saradié.
 

As children grow within this strict system, they develop deep respect for the clan’s culture and traditions. At the age of 13, they are permitted to participate in events, celebrations, and rituals. By 17, they gain the right to own a home within the base and live among the adult members of the clan.
 

Children who are not selected for the assassin training program grow up with their families and take on regular occupations such as hunting, trading, healing, and mining. These trades are often passed down through family lines, though some are taught through master-apprentice relationships. While these children are free to explore the forest, they must avoid active hunting zones and mission areas to ensure their safety and avoid interfering with the assassins’ operations.
 

Raqions who are not part of the assassin program can still participate in events and celebrations at any age, but they may only take part in rituals once they turn 13. For those who wish to join the ranks of warriors later in life, an adult training program is available starting at age 15. Though demanding, this training is not as brutal as the childhood program. However, it still offers the opportunity to achieve the highest ranks within the clan. Regardless of whether a Raqion begins training from birth or later in life, their advancement depends solely on their determination, motivation, and discipline.

 

CELEBRATION

One of the Shadow Clan’s most significant celebrations is the Purple Full Moon Festival, a grand event honouring their dark god. Every two years, three purple full moons illuminate the night sky, marking the three darkest days of the cycle. During this time, Raqions with Dusk, Soul, and Gaia elemental abilities gain increased power and battle prowess.

The festival lasts for three days, during which the entire clan decorates their homes with purple banners displaying the Dark Star symbol, with a glowing moon behind it. In reverence to their god, all Raqions observe a strict fast during daylight hours, only breaking it at night.
 

First Day: The festival begins with three sacred rituals, each dedicated to one of the moons the Moon of Unity, the Moon of Duty, and the Moon of Destiny. These rituals are followed by a night of dancing, feasting, and storytelling, where the clan gathers to celebrate their heritage and strength.

Second Day: A grand hunting competition is held, open to nearly all clan members, though primarily dominated by male participants. Contestants must track and capture a designated creature of the year, chosen for its strength and rarity. The warrior who succeeds earns the title of Best Hunter, a prestigious honour lasting until the next festival. While clan leaders are forbidden from participating, they hold the authority to crown the champion.
 

Third Day: The festival concludes with a magical showcase, where Raqions demonstrate their elemental abilities in a mesmerizing display of power. This event serves as both a performance of beauty and skill, resembling an ethereal light show, and a demonstration of mastery over their abilities.
 

The Purple Full Moon Festival is a time of both reverence and competition, reinforcing the Shadow Clan’s strength, unity, and devotion to their dark god.

RITUALS

The Shadow Clan holds rituals in the highest regard, as they are deeply woven into their culture, symbolizing honour, loyalty, and devotion. These sacred ceremonies are performed for various reasons some are meant to heal the wounded, others serve as offerings to the gods, and certain rituals mark the ascension of a new clan leader.

Bloodshed is not uncommon in these rites, as the Shadow Clan believes that sacrifice strengthens their connection to their dark deity. Animal sacrifices are frequently made to appease their god, and blood-bound rituals are conducted to seal marriages and lifelong oaths.
 

Many of these ceremonies take place within Noracri Temple, a sacred and highly guarded site where only trusted clan members may enter. The temple's darkened halls, illuminated by eerie glowing purple crystals, provide the perfect setting for secret gatherings, oaths, and divine communion.
 

To a Shadow Clan Raqion, breaking a ritual bond whether a sacred promise, a blood oath, or an offering is considered the highest form of dishonour. Those who betray these sacred ties are seen as disrespectful and unworthy, often facing severe consequences.

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SACRED PLACES

Noracri, as mentioned earlier, is an underground temple sacred to the Shadow Clan Raqions. It’s located further northwest in a higher area of the mountains. Once in the area, it takes a long staircase to reach the temple. This area is guarded; however, you don’t just walk in at the start of the cave. You first need to confirm that you are actually a Shadow Clan member at the foot of the temple’s stairs. Once you’ve made your way up, you are free to enter the cave. There is only one way in and out of the temple, which is the front cave opening.
 

The cave has many paths, and it’s easy to get lost in them; however, every adult Shadow Clan member knows how to navigate with the help of the crystals. Eventually, a lever needs to be found and pulled to open the main doors. After pulling the lever, you make your way to the doors that need to be opened to reach the sacred area. Here, special rituals are held for various reasons, such as new leadership, connection to their gods, or festivals. Special meetings are also held here if they need to be kept secret. On the walls of the main temple area, there are writings and drawings about the Shadow Clan and their gods. The area is lit up with purple crystals and has a large mark on the main hall floor. This floor mark is also called the Scarilx Mark(named after their dark god), or Shadow/Dark Star.

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CLAN LEADER

A new clan leader is chosen the moment it’s confirmed that the old leader has died or is presumed dead. Then, young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 can volunteer to become the new clan leader. The volunteers must enter a circle, and drums will be played. Those who enter the circle must kill all other Raqions who also entered until only one remains. It is kill or be killed. They fight with no weapons, nor is magic allowed. It is bare-handed, brutal combat until the final man or woman stands.
 

This Raqion shall become the new clan leader. The clan leader will then go through a ritual at Noracri to test whether or not the god of darkness deems them worthy of leading the clan. This can also be the first time a clan leader comes into contact with the voice of the dark god. The ritual leaves a painful mark on the back of the Raqion, as if it had been cut into with a knife. All clan leaders have their own version of the scar, but it represents the dark star in the centre. After the ritual and the acceptance of the dark god, the clan leader is ready to lead their clan and serve both their god Scarilx and their people.

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RELIGION

The Shadow Clan’s beliefs are cantered around one main god and three lesser gods, with many other myths speaking of possible semi-demigods. As one of the oldest clans in existence, they hold the longest and most detailed scriptures of their gods.
 

Scarlix is the name of their main god, whom they worship. He is believed to be the bringer of darkness and, therefore, of the night itself. He is a ruthless and powerful god, capable of dominating any obstacle with an iron fist, yet he also embodies the beauty of small sparks in the dark, the peaceful silence of night, and the unity of a group when times grow difficult.

He is the one who blessed them with the Three Moon Virtues: Unity, Duty, and Destiny. The unity of the Raqions is said to create strength unlike any other; only together as one can the Raqions find true power. Duty lies in how they carry out their tasks, fulfil their occupations, and earn the rewards that sustain them through their work. Destiny is the path chosen for them by their god, meaning the Raqions believe their lives have been decided from the very beginning. Scarlix has always been their voice of truth and their proud, unwavering god.
 

The Shadow Clan Raqions commonly depict Scarlix as a towering, pitch-black Raqion being with two extra sets of glowing eyes and massive, elongated horns. He is shown with shadowy, smoke-like long hair, two ears on each side, and two or more thin, lion-like tails. Often, he is portrayed with three moons behind him, the central moon forming a halo behind his head. He is most often depicted as a male figure, though in some artworks he takes the form of a female Raqion. In sculptures and illustrations alike, the god is shown wielding a weapon of choice, always surrounded by a dark mist.

Solia is the name of the goddess of light. She is not a deity the Shadow Clan worships; in fact, she is the only god the clan truly despises. She is often described as the goddess who disturbs peace with burning light capable of starting fires the goddess who lies. She is seen as a jealous, hot-headed entity and the sister of their main god, Scarlix. It is widely believed that she was the one who betrayed her own brother.
 

This is not to say that the Shadow Clan wholly despises light itself. Many within the clan believe that a proper balance should exist, one in which the sun does not attempt to overshadow the other gods. However, in many of their stories and beliefs, this balance is never achieved, as their god is always betrayed. Solia is often portrayed as seeking complete dominance, which has earned her a reputation as the goddess of lies.
 

The Shadow Clan commonly depicts Solia as a smaller being than her brother, fully white and glowing, with a single eye that is solid black. Unlike Scarlix, she appears more softly shaped and less threatening. She is shown with a single horn upon her head, smaller horns along her body, long straight hair, two ears on each side, one lion-shaped tail, and a heavy amount of chest fur. She is often depicted with the sun behind her head, forming a halo. Though not considered a strong fighter, she is frequently shown with weapons woven into her hair in art and sculpture and is always surrounded by radiant light. She is most often depicted as a female figure, though in some artworks she takes the form of a male Raqion.

Read scripture of the gods tale.

Alongside these gods, one more deity holds an important place
in the eyes of the Shadow Clan.
 

Zielné is the god of cycles. This means Zielné is the god or goddess of the circle of life: the one who both gives and takes. Zielné is a deity of the afterlife, punishing the souls of those who have done wrong while blessing the souls of those who remained loyal and righteous.

The Shadow Clan commonly depicts Zielné’s Life Form as a tall female Raqion, covered in nature and blooming flowers. She is softly shaped, with a slightly larger build, and bears small, antler-like horns adorned with plants, while having no horns along her body. Her eyes are fully white, with only a single pair. She has long, drooping ears and a slender, elongated tail. She is often depicted with a single moon halo behind her head.
 

Zielné’s Death Form, by contrast, is depicted as a tall male Raqion covered in webs and tar. He is roughly shaped, thin, and lanky in build, with long, crooked horns and hollow-looking eyes, again only a single pair. His ears are long and angled backward, and he shares the same slender, elongated tail. He too is often shown with a single moon halo behind his head.
 

Zielné is the only god who canonically possesses both a life and a death form, each with its own gender while remaining the same being. This reflects the Shadow Clan’s belief that the female form is blessed with the gift of life, while the male form is often bound for battle and, therefore, associated with the ending of life.

 

Shadow Clan Raqions perform large rituals for their main god, Scarlix, often in great gatherings or during celebrations. Sacrifices of livestock are also made to their beloved dark god. Smaller rituals and offerings are given to the god Zielné, either to give thanks for a birth or to say goodbye to a loved one. Only clan leaders receive a grand ritual for Zielné, and only if the body is retrieved.
 

Some Raqions, however, perform rituals to Solia in order to “curse” someone, though this is generally viewed as a hateful act. The goddess of light receives little to no gifts or celebratory rituals; instead, rituals involving her are meant to drive her away. In the eyes of the Shadow Clan, the Light Goddess is seen as a figure similar to the devil.

 

LOYALTY, HONOR AND TRAITORS

Shadow Clan Raqions are known for not talking back to other clans, as they are more likely to isolate themselves. You can torture them extensively, but 90% of them refuse to talk despite their pain. They are used to suffering and can handle a lot of stress, pain, and pressure. Their loyalty to their clan is immense and cannot be easily shattered.

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Shadow Clan Raqions are also known for their howling noise. These Raqions have a few different versions of the howling technique to communicate over long distances. These howling noises can also be learned by others, but only the Shadow Clan uses them the best.

If an outsider chooses to join the clan, they will have to take part in a special ritual to swear an oath to the clan. They will go through a year of training before being considered a true clan member. If it’s a young child who joins, they are placed with the other children in the training program. If a clan member betrays the clan, assassins are sent to hunt down and punish the traitor, unless the traitor manages to survive the assassins and escape. If captured, they will not be brought back to Soratra but instead to a different area called Dograk.

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Dograk is a prison-like area for the Shadow Clan, located not far from the southern border. If a traitor is captured, the clan will perform a shame and dishonour ritual, which could lead to a selection of death or torture. If the traitor dies, they will be tossed into a pit that leads to the world core or lava.
 

If a Shadow clan Raqion dies and their body is found, the clan will perform another ritual that turns their body into ashes. These ashes will can planted, and from the location, a pitch-black flower with a soft glow can rise. These are called the fallen souls and represent those who were honoured and loyal until the end. Some Raqions place the weapon of the fallen one in the ground near the flower. This is a sign of respect and a way to identify who is buried at that location. For clan leaders, the process is different. These leaders are brought back to Soratra, where a ceremonial ritual honours their death and life. They are then mummified and placed in a decorated coffin. Afterward, they are escorted and laid to rest in the Clan Leader Gallery, hidden in the caves. Here, their body will rest alongside previous leaders.

 

TRADING, MATERIAL AND FOOD
The Shadow Clan collects a lot of material from the mines, along with food supplies. They often trade some of these goods with the Phantom Clan, with whom they have an alliance. If the alliance ever falls apart, they will close their borders and keep all resources within their own people.

Material found or made by the Shadow clan;
(note these are some of them)

- Onyx, - Hematite, - Chevron Amethyst,
- Turquoise germs, - Lapis Lazuli, - Bloodstone,
- Moonstone, - Zathrel Crystals (the purple glowing ones), - Wool,

- Obsidian, - Steel-Iron-Nickel Alloy,
- Carbon Steel, - Stainless Steel, - Tungsten,
- Titanium, - Titanium aluminide, - Chromium,
- Iron, - Toronium (strongest metal in Saradie),
- Porcelain, - kaolin, 

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Food farmed by the Shadow Clan;
(Note these are some of them)

-  cocarot (bitter, dusty a bit), - Trava (sour), - uniu (sweet),
- Yarka (sour, sweet), loupoki (Bitter, sweet), 

- Wheats, - Black beet (bitter, sweet), - Purple karto (sweet, earthy),
- potako (earthy, bitter, potato like), - Nucri ( Bitter), - Corn, - Pumpkins,
- Onion, - Peas, - Purple potao, - Bell pepper, (4 colours, in green, blue, red, yellow), 
- couscous, - durum wheat, - some fruits and vegetables,

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