The Cult of Allumos, a nigh-apocalyptic, pagan, sacrificial, posthumous cult that worshipped Allumos, the Founder of Grimshade. 💫
This cult was founded four-hundred years ago, shortly after Allumos had created the Grand Library's Lacrima and 'sacrificed' himself to it.
Allumos as the Founder of Grimshade and a Celestial Dragon Slayer, the 1st Dragon Slayer in the City of Atlantide who as a teenager, fought and won the First Dragon War, was venerated as a hero and an almost godlike figure by his cult.
The Grimshade Way is basically Grimshade's constitution. It basically means, 'complete your quest by any means necessary. Torture, murder, violence, everything is on the table as long as you complete your quest.' Grimshade prides itself on its efficiency and ruthlessness.
Due to Grimshade's founding four-hundred gears ago, during a dark time of dragons and war, this way of thinking were necessary and even normalised. Since then though, this dangerous way of thinking has been twisted into allowing Grimshade to commit mass murders, torture, and other types of crime.
The Cult of Allumos is somewhat apocalyptic, believing in an undetermined amount of days before society collapses. And on that day, the Grimshade Guildleader will give their body to Allumos and he will rise to save the day.
(That was what was meant to happen... until Allumos decided otherwise, sorry O'Conner.)
Grimshade's also a sacrificial cult. Canonically, it's said that those who are killed by Grimshade Guild members with the insignia, their souls are transported to the Grand Library Lacrima to be eaten and absorbed by Allumos for power.
And that the Guildleaders of Grimshade are killed by the next leader as a sacrifice of their power to Allumos who will absorb and eat it.
Because Allumos was affiliated with the 12 Zodiacs, sacrifices where often set up themed around them. E.g., sacrificing a goat, two fish, or a maiden, etc., mimicking the 12 Zodiacs. ✨️
At first, Grimshade was more a cult than a guild. Guild members were known as Allumantic or Allumaniacs, Followers of Allumos who followed the Grimshade Way, sacrificing many people to their hero and godlike figure of reverence.
Subsaquently, this led to the formation of the Protectors Guild who appeared to counteract their murderous ways. The Protectors would arrest anyone who even dared to say Allumos's name and spent their early years trying to erase the cult's existence as much as they could.
Because of the Protectors' mania in erasing the cult and incarcerating anyone who was in any way assoicated with Grimshade, Allumos's name became taboo. Forbidden to say and so Allumos' name disappeared into obscurity.
This led to Grimshade Guildmembers having to use pseudonyms as their names, Allumantics, Allumaniacs, Followers of Allumos, etc., were fobidden. They renamed themselves: Assassins, Mercenaries, Hired Guns, Hitmen, etc.,
It was also around this time when Guilds were officially canonised in the City of Atlantide, after the formation of the Grand Magic Council, which was established by the Guildleaders of both Grimshade and the Protectors and an unknown party, who became the Guildmaster.
Grimshade's history though never truly escaped the infamy of the past. Despite their rebranding, they still worshipped Allumos, just in secret or more likely, unknowingly. Only Guildleaders truly remembered Allumos's presence and worship due to the successful efforts of the Protectors.
Note: All of this is just me being silly and making-up lore for the Guild of Grimshade and the City of Atlantide. None of this is canon unless it is explicitly said to be. Thank you! ✨️
If you have questions, let me know! 🤍
