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The Monks of Shaddar

The Monks of Shaddar are a (very) small religious group founded 823 years ago by Agios Shaddar ibn Ziyad. They are Xanthists who believe the Creator has left this world to its own devices and that She will one day return angered by the damage done to her Paradise and her Children. The Shaddari are prepared to sacrifice their own lives in order to assuage Her anger and to convince Her that the rest of Elysia is worth saving.

Politics

The Monks of Shaddar are an odd bunch, to put it lightly. Their beliefs clash with those of many other religious groups, including the more mainstream Priesthood of Xanth and the Zanaryan Elementalists, but there are so few monks — and those are normally in seclusion — that the group is seen as insignificant.

However, while their beliefs have no supporting evidence whatsoever (quite the opposite, in fact), their arguments are still often persuasive and a number of clerical types from various organisations have been drawn into openly arguing with them on busy city streets.

Relations

Monks hardly relate to anyone, except when on a recruitment drive (which happens perhaps once or twice a decade). They seclude themselves in their temple, searching for evidence to support their wild theories and preparing for Xanth's "return".

However, they do trade with passing merchants for food and supplies. They use the illustrated books and scrolls² they produce as currency, and enjoy good standing with various merchants despite the consensus that they are "odd ducks".

Territories

The Shaddari spend most of their time in their temple — which is, in fact, a repurposed citadel in the Apolli Mountains. Indeed, Agios Shaddar ibn Ziyad was reported as "extremely pleased" to have claimed a fortress from the Anyeli Civil War, which he felt had been a major cause of the damage he feared.

The town to which the citadel once belonged was abandoned centuries ago for its hard-to-fortify location, and the tower itself was difficult to defend. However, the monks do not often attract the attention of thieves or murderers, and can retreat to the caverns which lie behind the citadel should they come under siege.

Organisation

Despite having very few members, there are four levels, or "Circles of Devotion", through which a monk must pass. Despite its being founded by a Zanaryan, the Shaddar monkhood uses the more common Anyeli titles.

• Neoluta, the Circle of the Novice (si. Neolutos)
• Kaligora, the Circle of the Monk (si. Kaligoros)
• Sofa, the Circle of the Sage (si. Sofos)
• Theoseba, the Circle of the Devout (si. Theosebos)

The leader of the Shaddari is known as the Agios and rarely goes by name except after death.

History

Agios Shaddar ibn Ziyad was a struggling farmer from the Northern Marshes of Los. The development of his creed began in his early years but it was not until he was sent to Elysia by his Lord Nen and subsequently forgotten that he was afforded the time to fully explore his religion.

Joining

To become a Shaddari monk, one need only believe in the Shaddari creed: That Xanth left Elysia some time ago, that She will be angered by the damage done to Her Creations, and that the only way to appease her wrath will be to sacrifice oneself in the name of the Greater Good.

Neoluta are most commonly recruited by Kaligora who set themselves up on a busy city street and begin preaching to anyone who will listen. They can be quite persuasive despite their lack of solid argument, and these sermons usually snag one or two new novices every other decade.

Known Members

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¹ The moniker "suicidal monks" is a derogatory term given to them by people who do not fully understand the beliefs of the Shaddari. Many Elysians think the monks have a death wish when nothing could be further from the truth. ⇑

² The manuscripts the Shaddari monks prepare are not solely focused on their own creed. Monks spend a great deal of time reading what few books they can procure and are not overly concerned with the subject. As a result, the books they illustrate themselves also run the gamut of subjects. ⇑