The Presence

The Presence is an unspoken of fact of the Shadow Cult among the demonic members and those who have taken the Marks of the Faith unto themselves. It is described as somebody else seeing through their eyes, or feeling somebody watching over them. Some demons of the Cult bloodlines have even reported surges of magic or unasked for mutations or blessings at key moments. Held as proof of sanctity, those most blessed are presented to Lucaerna as Handmaidens of the Mother.

It is attributed to the Mother watching over them, but in reality, it is Lucaerna. For all demons born of her, and those born to her daughters, are linked to her intrinsically, and a tiny portion of the nigh infinite soul of the Broodmother is embedded into their essence, growing more fragmented and more distant the further down the bloodlines it goes. This pseudo-gestalt mind creates a manner of intellectus, in which the Broodmother's are aware of what their offspring are doing at all times, and the children of their children, growing too distant to effectively manage in the third generation. Through this connection, the Greatmother may seize control of the demons of the Cult, and act through them. She may sense and see through them, and through her offspring, she maintains her presence in the world. All that is known through these linked demons is known to her, and as such, knowledge flows to the Mother, and from her, to be distributed among the cult.

This sharing and distribution of knowledge is one of the great secrets of the cult, and source of what attracts many seeking power to the cause. For lowly members may demonstrate magical knowledge they do not innately posses or have information that they should not know to speak it to those who would keep it from others. Conversely, the Greatmother's power grows with each soul tied into her power, and she takes a small portion of the might of each being bound to her, resulting in what appears to some as godlike power far beyond that of her ken.

Through the Presence, Lucaerna may empower others in various manners, generally for rewards or in times of need. Typically this is done through the bloodlines, increasing or bestowing magical might unto those she deems worthy, gifting energy or knowledge in pure forms to the minds of her favoured, or more often, bestowing the Gifts of the Shadow Cult unto others, changing them to their own or Her desires. To those outside of the cult who seek admission, these worthy may seek out the Marks of the Faith and inscribe them unto their bodies. Once this link has been created, Lucaerna may give her magics and power unto them. Often, these accolytes are Kaldorei, but in recent years, Trolls, Orcs, and a few select Humans have taken the gifts to themselves and been reshaped.

In mortals, the connection is not so complete and total, while Lucaerna may be aware of the world through them, she cannot seize control of them as completely without their choice. While she may gain access to their knowledge, they cannot innately share hers, and it must be bestowed on a case by case basis.