The Faceless One

Master of Secrets, the Voice of Maddening Whispers

Domain: obscurity, occultism, misdirection, intrigue, mysticism, secrets, confusion
Symbol: a gray cloak marked with blood-red teardrops
Sacred Items/Creatures: smoky quartz, platinum, bats, spiders, scorpions, violets
Resonance: Dark
Spell domains: darkness, evil, illusion, madness, suffering
Allies: None
Enemies: Kismet

Almost nothing is known about the Faceless One, other than he keeps his intentions, thoughts, and goals completely secret. His cults can have widely differing goals and methods and often times they fight amongst themselves. Some have even rumored that the Faceless One is actually many entities, each representing a differing aspect of this god. Many creatures from the Shadow Plane also seem to exist within the faith's hierarchy, but there seems to be a very tight compartmentalization of information between entities and cults.

Unlike the rest of the pantheon, while countless stories abound concerning the race, gender and origins of the Faceless One, they become impossible to verify beyond mere hearsay. Some, most likely ex-faithful of the Dark Sun, claim that he is the god of madness, raised to even greater strength than his prior incarnation through the murder of his enemies. Others voice a tale of a bitter crone, whose whispers stirred the greatest of the god's of madness servants to spill his blood upon the unhallowed grounds of his temple. Yet more, that she was a stunning harlot of half-elven blood, who seduced Mask himself only to steal from him the very relics of his divinity. Whatever the case, the true nature of the Faceless One remains shrouded in potential deceptions and lies even to this day…

The myriad cults of the Faceless One, or more specifically, the ones known by the wider masses, seem to be dedicated almost as much to secrecy as they are to discovering secret and transcendent knowledge. Unlike Kismet, who is dedicated to the seeking of empirical knowledge about the workings of the universe, Faceless One followers seem to be more concerned with transcendental truths of what they view as another, more real existence outside of this realm, which they view as a spiritual prison. Because of their fundamental beliefs that the world, with all of its social structures and preconceptions, is at its core, a lie, they see no inherent value in any presented fact, no matter how basic or obvious it might seem to others. Because of this, it can be difficult to carry on a fruitful conversation with any of their number. Normal forms of argument are futile as they do not merit arguments but instead the inherent value of the speaker of the arguments. Those higher in the cults possess some fundamental knowledge and such, are always more sound in their arguments over those without such rank, and thus, knowledge.

The confusing nature of the Faceless One and the tangled schemes within schemes of its cults make it almost impossible to determine whether one has achieved victory or defeat when fighting them. The Faceless One often snatches victory from defeat, achieving some obscure end that is not immediately apparent to others.

The Faceless One seems to actually be more proactive about contacting mortals than other deities. There is speculation on whether this is actually the Faceless One, but followers sometimes will hear a whisper from the shadows, usually only a single word, offering a clue of where to go, or who to find.

Undead are regularly called upon by the faithful, seen as one of numerous means to their desired ends.

The faithful see all outsiders as an opportunity, but they generally despise good-aligned celestials, deva, and devils. They revere shadow creatures and demons.

No vestments are designated for the church of the Faceless One, save for plain hooded gray cloaks that are worn over all garments in any formal gatherings.

Everything around you; the world, the people, the social structures; these things are all predicated on a fundamental lie. Underneath it all there is an underlying truth. Those who know this truth will open their eyes and be set free. Cast aside your beliefs. Use the world. Use its lies, its deception, and its secrets to gain mastery over your world and your soul, and thus, your destiny. Cloak your intentions, and cloak the dagger in your hand as you strike at the heart of this deception which has ensnared you in its prison. Shed your most basic preconceptions of reality using any and all tools at your disposal. Through lies, attain Truth. Through death embrace eternal life. Slay your friends and embrace your enemies. Tear the world out from the roots so that you may achieve paradise.

The Faceless One accepts followers of dark and twilight resonances, but only bestows his divine powers upon those of the dark.

• The Whispers: An alliance of particularly wealthy nobility, who actively attempt to turn the workings of various political systems to their own benefit, and that of the faithful. Rarely are they revealed, and certainly such public acknowledgement usually results in a shortened lifespan.
• Cabal of the Dark Prince: A sect dedicated to the charge of the immortal known as Durias, only small in number but known to be utterly merciless. Their dark rituals are whispered of with fear within civilized circles.
• The One Truth: A recently uncovered cult, The One Truth has been found to have infiltrated almost every major city, from the lowest levels to the top. This cult is dedicated to the advancement and eventual supremacy of humankind over all other races. It's said their leader was a being called a Puppeteer, a being from the Plane of Shadows that takes its victims' bodies for its own use.
• The New Dawn: A relative newcomer to the scene, the New Dawn is said to believe in unrest and revolution, futhering its causes by sparking the fires of civil wars and using the resultant chaos as a ladder to greater power. Some say that this cult cares for little other than the disruption of normal life, revolution, all leading to chaos and war.