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Way of the Darkscythe
Covenant
Can be joined by characters.
PLANNED FOR RELEASE FALL 2024
Pulvis et umbra sumus.
"We are but dust and shadow."
The Way of the Darkscythe is a Universal Covenant comprised entirely of Reapers either born for the role (Death's Knell) or called to it, since any Starlyng can become one with enough training. Alongside the Order of the Origin, it was the earliest Universal Covenant to be established. Its founder, the original Reaper and a Firstborn known as the Eighth, still "shadow-leads" the Way of the Darkscythe alongside its actual, elected figurehead, Lillylow of the Lament. Reapers belonging to the Darkscythe are said to be practitioners of the Way, and the chthonic city-like base of Reaper operations is known as the Necropolis.
The Way is something of a somber and fastidious organization, although they are far less "stuffy" than their contemporary Covenants, the Order and the Preservation. The methodology of the Way is rather esoteric by design, yet Reapers are not necessarily known to shy away from their identification as such; it is mere their work that is secreted, as it requires prowess, finesse, and can swiftly go awry. Much like other Covenants, any uninformed misaction can lead to great consequences, and this matter is always at the forefront of their minds. Thankfully, with the right training, the majority of errors are just as easily overcome or avoided altogether. In being so systematic with little to no variation in their techniques, this perhaps applies to the Way most of all; the end result, and the path to it, are rarely deviant for a Reaper.
Regardless of their intimidation factor, members of the Way are rarely so unscrupulous as to be uninviting. It may simply be difficult for a Starlyng to see path are the doom and gloom, or the dreariness of their general aesthetic. On the other hand, some Starlyngs may find Reapers exceedingly stylish, admirable, and alluringly clandestine. The taciturn Eighth is a famous example of this, having more than her fair share of admirers and an entire holiday dedicated in part to her and all other Reapers. Of course, her maintained positioned within the Way and the Order are also reflective of her favor.
The Way leans strongly into the concept of a "cloak and dagger" organization, with said article of clothing being a staple of Reaper fashion (usually thrown on over their gear). Scythes are likewise routinely seen, with the bulk of them reducing to far less cumbersome "daggers" when out of use. Even when compared to the Upper Choir of the Order, Reapers may be the most stealth-oriented of all; a good Reaper is thought to be rarely seen when performing their role.
- REAPERS: Full-fledged Reapers (can refer to this rank or members as a whole) or Master Reapers who have, on average, been practicing the Way for more than a millennia. Masters are scarcely seen aside from those who choose to raise underlings at the Necropolis or teach at the Sanctum as Shepherds. May take on pupils while out and about in the Universe as well. Their sensory skills (see: Omen; Illiad) are exceptional due to their extensive praxis of Tracking, and their ability to extract Pages, form Omnibi, and coax Starlyng reincarnation is flawless. These are all marks of a true Master (as well as how many Omnibi they've passed onto Ouroboros).
Highly trusted and senior Reapers may begin to work with the Order when it comes to disposing of EUB (or collecting fragments of their memories for further study/submission to the Source) and purifying Distorted Starlyngs that have passed on. As such, these Reapers (called Spectra [sing. Spectrum] by the Order) are far more privy to the workings of the Omnicosm. Within the Way, Spectra may be referred to as Psychopomps.
- DARKSCYTHE'S DISCIPLES: Death's Knell who have chosen to advance toward becoming a Master Reaper. The training at this level is intensive with an emphasis on practical application in the Universe. While still supervised from a distance so as to prevent damage to Stardust, etc., part of their routine evaluations is to fulfill their duties independently. Disciples also continue to further their skills in Tracking and are still tasked with assisting the allied Path of Preservation. After a point, becoming a Master is mostly a matter of time; they just need to build enough experience.
- DEATH'S KNELL: Sharing a name with the phenomena that calls born Reapers to the role, Death's Knell or Trackers are either Reapers-to-be or Reapers that have found their place in predicting, tracking, and evaluating the scale of impending deaths. "Death" in most cases refers to Starlyngs or other largescale cessation, such as supernovae, meteor impacts on populated planets, etc., but Trackers are able to voluntarily sense the (nearing) death of any entity overall (variably; a Starlyng close to an indigineous species of a planet will be able to sense their passing far easier than a Starlyng unfamiliar with the species). As such, a Reaper that decides to settle on a planet may take to jobs like a mortician or function as a guide of the dead.
To the Preservation, professional Trackers are known as Harbingers. Harbingers work alongside Preservators to notify and rebuff deviant catastrophes.
- DULLSCYTHES: Newly inducted aspirants of the Way, although some are not new and have chosen to abstain from becoming a Tracker or Disciple in order to train fellow Dullscythes. At this rank, Reapers are dedicated to mastering the fundamentals and very rarely practice their skills on real subjects without the supervision of a senior member. It is also at this rank that Starlyngs are enlightened about Ouroboros (although not to the extent that Spectra or the Upper Choir of the Order is); many Dullscythes will further their theoretical studies at the Sanctum alongside Sectators. Specialization (becoming a Tracker and staying as one, or continuing on to become a Disciple) is commonly decided upon during this stage as well.
Alongside the aforemented Covenants, the Way of the Darkscythe is in close collaboration with the Archivist's Association. Reapers and Archivists are similar in that they can both rework the memories of Stardust into readable forms, although Reapers' Pages and Omnibi almost always maintain their metaphysical natures. Reapers can, however, choose to work alongside an Archivist to transform their collections into physical Tomes for other Starlyngs to read (as it can contribute to a sought-after Page from a Starlyng after they expire).
Additionally, although they do not needs tools to aid in their duties, Reapers (especially Masters) have commissioned Philosophers and Fellows for instruments that better facilitate their powers, among other things (their iconic scythes included).
