Dusk Caste

Maiden of the Mirthless Smile

The Dusk Caste sweeps across the world, heralding the onset of the final night. As the most direct and terrible weapons in the arsenal of Oblivion, Children of Ash exemplify destruction through killing prowess and tactical tyranny. They can slay any adversary and lay waste to whole nations. Indeed, some Dusk Castes view themselves as the purest disciples of Oblivion, ordained to spread the gospel of unmaking with every blow. Such ideology does not endear these Peacebringers to the unholy priests of the Midnight Caste.

Dusk Exaltations best suit violent mortals whose body counts already stain their souls with the touch of Oblivion. The bargain is simple: Cheat death to become the right hand of death. Those who accept Exaltation rise up from apparent defeat to kill their killers, but they don't stop there. They can't stop. Even if they try to kill judiciously, slaying only other monsters like themselves, their bloodlust renders any heroism… questionable. Deathknights of Ascending Darkness kill because they like killing. Renegades can sometimes restrain themselves, but they must constantly struggle to think of others as more than so much meat. In contrast, most loyalists embrace their murderous impulses wholeheartedly and savor their liberation from the burdens of conscience.

Renegade Dusks probably have the easiest time of any Abyssal Caste, since their destiny as destroyers makes them equally suited to hunting demons, raksha and other enemies of Creation. The wickedness and corruption of the Time of Tumult gives them no shortage of prey. Unfortunately, this “righteous destroyer” approach does little to redeem their souls. They cannot murder their way back into the light.

Loyalist Children of Ash usually serve as the martial backbones and champions of their circles. Few are unintelligent, but the caste has a reputation for trying to solve all problems by killing something. Their gory utility makes them indispensable due to the simple fact that someone always needs killing. Prudent Deathlords keep their Dusks busy with missions so they won't disrupt long-term plans out of sheer boredom. Rarely do Dusks get to lead armies in open military engagements against the living, as the Deathlords do not wish to unite their enemies against them prematurely. For now, Peacebringers make do with war games and leading smaller incursions to test new weapons and practice commanding their hordes. Needless to say, the Children of Ash will take a much more active role once the Deathlords finish preparations and declare total war on Creation. Final dusk will fall upon the world as the Sun himself goes out, his conquered blood spattered across the forever-unfinished Games of Divinity.

Anima Banner: The caste marks branded onto Dusk Caste Abyssals blaspheme the Dawn with spiked rays radiating from a central disk. Peacebringer animas tend to be pitch black with gray or dark purple edges.

Anima Effects: By reflexively spending 10 motes, a Dusk Caste envelops herself in an aura of dread. The Peacebringer's enemies fear even to look at her, giving her a +2 DV bonus against their attacks. Characters whose Valor exceeds the Dusk Caste's Essence are immune to this effect, as are automata, the walking dead and other creatures that cannot feel fear. This effect comes into play automatically once the Abyssal spends 11–15 motes of Peripheral Essence.

Caste Abilities: Peacebringers dominate all arenas of violence with their affinities for Archery, Martial Arts, Melee, Thrown and War.

Associations: The colors white and purple, the eastern direction, the corpse-element of pyre flame, the full moon Sobriquets: They Who Sing Forsaken Hymns, Peacebringers, Children of Ash, Ascending Darkness, The Forsaken Concepts: antihero mercenary, duelist, genocidal warlord, god slayer, mercy killer, murder addict

Quote: "Run. Hide—at least make this a challenge."