Church of the Children of Zalgo of Wistvale

[Ansel]

Sitting on a corner in one of the older district of Wistvale, this church cuts an imposing figure against the darkening night's sky. Built 5 years ago when Brother Ansel moved to Wistvale, seeking to gain followers for the Children of Zalgo, the church is a relatively new building for the area. Built out of the remains of an older stone building, the Children worked hard at converting it into a place of worship.

The insides are almost always coved in shadows, although lamps are scattered through, in case the inside needs to be lit up. A large statue of Zalgo, a faceless and vaguely humanpiid thing Stan's behind the altar, looking out over the place. Brother Ansel delivers sermons here on regular occasion, and lives in a room set off to the side. Rumor also has it that certain individuals make use of another space at the church, though the exact details are only know to a select few.

[Ansel]

Brother Ansel mounts the darkened altar, the setting sun streaming into the church from the front. Standing before the small crowd of Children sitting in the pews, he clears his throat, and then begins to speak of one of the Parables of Zalgo.

"This parable of Zalgo begins in a far distant land. In a town once ruled by chaos, the priests of Zalgo brought order. The rule of Ordered Chaos has lasted for many generations, to this very day. At the time, though, only those in power accepted Zalgo. The king of these lands strove to venerate Zalgo by using his power to build a great monastery for His children. Zalgo only asks that each do what he can in the name of Zalgo."

"He pressured the thieves and rouges of the town to kidnap builders and donate funds for the cause. In his devotion however, he became blind, and pushed too hard. Do what you can for Zalgo, but do not upset the balance, keep the Chaos in Order. His followers decided that his order was not the correct one, and so he was eliminated and his son was put in power. The son was also His son, and shared his father's belief in Zalgo's cause. He, however, was not blind and slowly gathered the builders and funds, taking longer but without removing the Ordered Chaos."

"Progress on the monastery slowly continued, moving much slower then in his father's day. The line taught their sons to take time in Zalgo's service, so over the course of several generations, the monastery was built, and the Chaos remained Ordered. Zalgo is beyond time. If you do Zalgo's work, do it as carefully as needed, for even canyons are carved by the slow work of a river."

[Loreburn]

A tall figure in the front row was feverishly scribbling in a large book, looking up at Ansel, around at the church, the "Children." He'd never taken courses on Outsiders and Outsider worship, but it fascinated him to no end. To have an actual cult in the area where he was assigned was great luck. No, not luck, narrative causality.

He kept quiet, not wanting to disturb the service, wanting to remain an impartial observer.

[Ansel]

After the main sermon and the rest of the service, Ansel goes up to Loreburn as the rest of the Children begin to leave. He stands next to him, and looks down at the book he was writing in, a curious look on his face

"Excuse us, Brother, but we were curious as to why you were writing during the service. We noticed that you did not take much part in the service, nor do we recognize you right off the bat. Might you be new to the Children, or are you just interested?"

After saying that, he stops for a second and then scratches his beard

"Or are you one of those 'reporters' we keep hearing about? The ones that seem to think we sacrifice puppies and kittens on regular occasion. Because we do not."

[Loreburn]

Reporter? Oh, no, sir, not at all.

He put down the book and hung it at his side, taking Ansel's hand in a shake.

Investigator. Manrick Loreburn of the Noctis Venator. I heard of your church and just could not pass up the opportunity to observe an Outsider belief system with.

He was careful not to use the word 'cult.' People got touchy with that.

Rest assured, I am not sure to cause any trouble...unless I find you practicing banned magics. But so far, just professional curiosity.

[Ansel]

Ansel shakes Loreburn's hand, but cocks his head to the side, and seems a bit puzzled. He then smiles and chuckles a bit.

"We are afraid that we do not know much about he 'Noctis Ventaor' beyond the odd rumor or two. Would you care to inform us in return? We would be quite grateful. As for your curiosity, the Children of Zalgo welcome all who wish to learn, even if they do not believe. As for Zalgo being an 'outsider' as you call him, we refer to him as a god, although we will admit that we is outside of this plane. As for 'forbidden' magics, we do not know what you refer to. We believe that if Zalgo has given you a gift, use it. We, however, are but a simple preacher and pugilist, as these are the talents granted by Him."

[Loreburn]

As Ansel spoke, Loreburn wrote in his book: "Refers to himself in the plural third person. Possibly the result of extradimensional exposure warping perception of reality, or perhaps low-level possession by Outsider entity influencing and eroding sense of self." He smiled back up to Ansel.

The Venator are an organization dedicated to the pursuit of magical knowledge, and the containment or destruction of phenomenon we deem dangerous to life, health, and/or dimensional integrity. IT's my job to deal with the darker aspects of magic.

He looked around the church at the decoration.

But I must admit I skipped my Outside classes. Or...

He waved his hand vaguely.

Elder Gods. It's fascinating. Forbidden magics are things like...necromancy, duplication of currency, wanton circumvention of thermodynamics, forcing a dependent emotional state or "making someone fall in love," summoning of Outsider-category beings, unlicensed demonic summoning, blood magics, some shadow magic. I don't see any of that here. Not yet.

[Ansel]

Ansel listens intently, quite interested in what Loreburn had to say. After he finished, Ansle thinks for a bit, and then speaks up

"A thought occurs, brother Manrick. You say that it is your job to watch over these 'dark magics', such as blood, shadow, and emotional, yes? Does this mean that you also practice them, or do you learn through pure knowledge, and not experience? Because the Children teach that you must hold yourself to your principles, before you can force them on others. You must Order your own Chaos before you can Order other's. We believe in this. That is why we were considered worthy to leave our monastery and spread the Children's teachings where we felt they were needed."

[Loreburn]

He nodded eagerly, fully willing to explain his job.

Oh yes, I practice them. I've been given special permission by the Venator to practice forbidden magics on the conceit that I must be able to use them in order to identify and combat them. Has worked remarkably well so far!

He thought a moment.

I will agree it is a bit of hypocrisy, but it's needed hypocrisy. If everyone practiced blood magic willy nilly, or broke the law of thermodynamics on a regular basis, we'd be in a very sore spot. For all the world's heroes that, uh....hold a candle against the dark, there must be at least one that snuffs his candle out, in...order to see in the shadow more, ah, clearly.

[Ansel]

Ansel listens intently, making a mental note to use the candle metaphor during the next service

"We must say, we definitely appreciate your reasoning on that last note. We feel that hypocrisy is not good, but we do understand how practicing can be used to combat it. However, we then ask if you feel that this means that all of these magics are then instantly, and inherently evil. Because we would say that you yourself stand a proof against this. If one may use these magics and stay as a hero, then why not more? Does your organization think on this when judging these 'dark mages' or do they blindly categorize them all as evil, despite the many that how used these magics for good?"

Finishing this monologue, Ansel grins and scratches his head

"We must admit that we are enjoying this conversation. We do not often find one such as you to have dialogue with. We invite you to continue coming to the services, and me even find us at the church or out feeding the homeless or volunteering labor if you ever wish to ask questions or continue to talk."

"Besides, one day you might decide that you believe in Zalgo's teachings after all, as you are a prime example of his primary directive. Order the Chaos. Use the chaotic, the dark, and the 'unattractive' and use them for good. Use them to improve life for all. Prevent stagnation, and complete destruction, by having balance."

[Loreburn]

He hissed, rubbing the back of his head, speaking slowly. The political correctness bit was not his strong suit. He was a people person, deep down, but sometimes the policies of the Noctis where tough to explain.

It is the...belief of the Venator that these magics, whether by way of narrative causality or choice on the practitioner's part, are so seldomly practiced by benevolent forces that most often it is better to act first and then perform an in-depth inquiry, if needed. We will, every so often, provide dark magic licenses to qualifying practitioners--

He pulled a small scroll from the inside of his robe, flashing it to the priest.

--like this one I have, but, uh...typically we don't give them to...

He hesitated.

Non-recognized religious organizations. We have, in the past, neutralized mages of other magics, even light magics if we had to.

He cleared his throat and his voice rose in a smile.

Of course, I would love to participate in further religious ceremonies, charity work, whatever. It would be fascinating.

Aaaand he would be able to keep tabs on them, but he left that part out.

[Ansel]

"So guilty until proven innocent? That's a dangerous policy to have, brother. It may come back to bite you all in the end. For instance, we heard that a few years ago, there was a doctor here in this very town who was a bloodmage, who worked for the good of the community. Would you kill him for his 'sins' despite his saving many people's lives? Besides, what intrinsically makes one magic holier and more righteous then another? Judgement, that's what."

Ansel smiles, looking almost predatorial in the dim shadows of the church

"That is the same reason that the Children are, as you put it, a 'Non-recognized religious organization". You're organization has judged us from a subjective standpoint, and decided that because we are different from them, that we must be some sort of 'cult' instead of just another religion. Because these mages practice spell of darkness and blood, instead of light and fire, they MUST be evil, no matter why they use these spells. They must have chosen to use these magics, and thus be evil, it's not like someone could be born with talent in only one school of magic, no matter what their personality is."

Ansel stops himself for a moment, the vivid sarcasm from the previous rant slowly fading

"At any rate, what we meant to say is that your organization, despite claiming to be one of knowledge, seems to be but another ham-fisted bully. Another example of what happens when Order becomes exclusive unto itself and stagnates. Surely you must have been persecuted by others at some point in your life? You are a dark mage doing good, but surely others must not have seen it that way. How hard did you have to struggle to get that license? How many years of persecution and being taunted by your fellows did you get? Even as a child, you must have been the target of those who thought you different. What, then, makes this 'Noctis Venator' of yours any different from a common schoolyard bully?"

[Loreburn]

Loreburn listens carefully, nodding sometimes, but keeping quiet. As Ansel finishes, he looks at the floor a moment, then takes in a breath and speaks very quietly.

I have been in situations where I have intervened and stopped or helped to stop dark mages that, if unchecked, would have caused an XK-class end of the world scenario. Outsider and Infernal cults that had the intention and ability to cause a VK-class reality failure event. Liches who had nothing but the complete and utter domination of the world in mind, a YK-class total domination scenario. I have not seen many light mages with such...lofty goals.

He sighs.

All you say is true. I do not argue with it, nor defend myself. I will just say...when faced with the kinds of circumstances the agents, investigators, heroes of the Venator do every. Single. Day. It is a wonder we even bother to look under the ashes after we've passed.

He looked at Ansel, and his voice was sorrowful, sad...but very serious.

This is not a threat. I'm not authorized to do anything about Outsider cults without an approved agent. But. Tread lightly. The schoolyard bully has a temper, but it's better than dealing with the headmaster. If you are as benevolent as you say, we will have no problems, and I will be your best most helpful friend if the Venator come to call.

[Ansel]

Ansel smiles at hearing this, before letting out a hearty laugh, and patting Loreburn on the shoulder

"Very good, very good. We are pleased by what we hear. You think for yourself, and have reason for what you believe. One of the tenets of Zalgo is to think for yourself. You have shown that you, at least, are capable of this. Between this and how you have already had experience at Ordering both your own and other Chaos, you would make for one fine member of the Children, whether you believe it or not."

He then removes his hand, and his face returns to, not quite a wide grin, but still a small smile

"As for the Children, because I can tell you would like to know a bit more, we do believe, quite bluntly, in using the chaotic elements of society, in an ordered environment, to make things better for all. Think of it, if you will, of a white border around a black circle. Pure order causes stagnation, pure chaos causes destruction. We balance and direct. Because we are not afraid of the chaotic or rather disliked portions of society, I will admit that there are members of the Children who use these magics. However, we have not had even a single case of them going rogue, or using these powers for any malicious purposes. Consider those statistics as well."

[Alec]

"That, my friend, is what separates the Noctis Venator from your 'schoolyard bullies'," Alec says from his place, reclined on the back pew. " In places where there is no immediate threat - or immediate need for intervention - we investigate. Research. If there is no malicious intent evident," he continues, straightening and rising, rolling his shoulders, "everything is handled on a case-to-case basis. Everything I have received on them paints them in a rather good, if weary, light." He walks, slowly, to where Loreburn and Ansel stand, stopping a good five feet short. "Which I can understand. You might have reasonably benevolent intentions for the immediate material world, but you do still worship an Elder Thing that currently appears to be toeing the boundaries of the Outer Walks. You can see why we might be a little....cautious of your organization."

Shrugging, Alec gives his best - and rather bad - diplomat's smile, looking to Ansel. "I don't mean to offend, but if you believe the things my colleague here has said to be the posturing of a schoolyard bully, then you don't want to see some of the communiques I've received from contemporaries in other cities with churches of Zalgo in them."