APOSTLES OF THE GOD OF BALANCE: THE SIRENS OF CARCOSSA
SUMMARY:
The Sirens of Carcosa are an organization dedicated to the worship of the Evil God of Balance, Rasmuno Lasfitot. They dwell primarily within a pocket dimension, from which they occasionally emerge to make steps towards their ultimate goal, believed to be the resurrection of their God. There are many similarities in their equipment and goals to the Cult of Volkruss, and the two entities are indeed believed to be cut from the very same etheral cloth. Compared to the Cult of Volkruss, however, the Carcossans differ severely in their recruitment, end goals, and fundamental beliefs.
BELIEFS:
Followers of Lasfitot believe in only one tenet: Equivalence in all things.
While sounding innocuous enough, Lasfitot's devotees regard anything alive that exists outside of their numbers as a source of "discord" and "disharmony" - and the only way to create true "balance" and "harmony" is through the peace granted by death. Lasfitot desires a world of nothingness, where not even the smallest of ripples is found - a plane of complete stillness, and silent desolation.
Lasfitot is closely related to the emotion of "despair" - those that seek self destruction, for whom life is merely an endless stream of fear and pain, find a warm, numbing acceptance in Lasfitot's embrace, their heightened emotions fading away, leaving them in a state of permanent, meditative tranquility and inner peace. While this at first may seem a miracle, those affected have unknowingly reached out to Lasfitot, who has blessed them with the "peace" they so desired.
This state, however, is increasingly easily disturbed, and over time it renders the individual more and more sensitive to any outside stimuli, causing them to withdraw further and further from the world around them. It is not long before they begin to find even the beating of others hearts to be an insufferable din... one that unforgivably intrudes on their hard-won peace, invariably ending in tragedy... or, as is often the case, being inducted into the ranks of the Sirens.
RECRUITMENT:
Compared to Volkruss, which primarily recruits followers with material promises in exchange for servitude, the Sirens take a more subversive approach.
Carcosans were known to recruit through the covert issuing of enchanted literature, plays, and songs - all of which are designed to ensnare potential converts. Those that unknowingly indulged in these materials were unwittingly marked for abduction by the Sirens, who would then proceed to relentlessly pursue the individual in question to add them to their number.
The question of how these items make their way into society - whether they are targeted at specific individuals or operate in accordance to random chance - is of of considerable interest to the Directory, as some are dated as far back as [REDACTED], while others are newer, more modern editions, allegedly issued by publishers not matching any known to the public record.
Acquisition of these items was a priority for the Directory, until the sudden halt of the kidnappings in OE 92. With the resurgence of the organization in OE 102, so too have the kidnappings resumed.
On the occasions where Carcosan operatives have been recovered - not one alive, for that matter - they have invariably been found to match various missing persons reports - some even dating back over two hundred years. The tongues of each individual have been ritually removed, explaining the characteristic utter silence they conduct themselves in. This has also made devising their motives to be extraordinarily difficult, as well as extracting any possible hint as to their overall goals.
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LOST CARCOSA - A HISTORY:
Lost Carcosa is the city that serves as the headquarters of the Sirens, housed within Lasfitot's own pocket dimension. It is speculated that Lasfitot, perhaps seeking to preserve its more useful pawns, saw fit to withdraw the city into its fold at the climax of the battle that would have ended with its total annihilation two hundred years prior, and has spent the past two centuries quietly building strength in preparation for its return.
According to our records, in ancient times Carcosa was established by witches and magi cast out from feudal societies, who sought a place to study magic in peace. Together, spellcasters from across the world created an artificial island, one shrouded from the outside by a permanent, magic fog, where they could live and study in peace. For over 500 years, Carcosa knew only tranquility and prosperity - it forbade no study, nor censored any creation, its only rule being that no outsider was ever allowed to settle on its shores - and as a consequence, the isle produced many of the great magical innovations of the era. A great number of the tomes kept in the Cult's great library originate from scholars who had studied at Carcosa, as it became a premier destination for any who sought to advance their understanding of the mystic arts.
This golden age, however, would eventually come to an end.
Roughly 550 years ago, a dark shadow fell upon the Magician's Isle, as for the first time, the city accepted outsiders as their own - mere children, castaways thrown upon their banks by a great and terrible storm, against the protests of its elders. Over time, these children would grow to be model residents of the city, and slowly the protests faded into mere murmured discontent...
Yet, the damage had already been done, as all indications now point to the conclusion that this series of events was entirely engineered by Lasfitot itself.
Heeding the whispers of the Dark God, the outsiders, led by the Magus-prodigy known as Cassilda, made their way into positions of power - and at their decree, the laws of Carcosa began to change, as more and more outsiders began to arrive on their shores in great galleons full of yellow-clad soldiers. Fear and despair began to grip the populace, as a suffocating silence began to spread over the isle - incantations failed to form, words died in throats, and water stayed frozen in wells. People began to vanish from the streets, from their beds, and were replaced almost overnight with masked, marigold-hooded, silent sentinels. These grew in number, slowly suffocating the populace of Carcosa until their control of the island was complete.
Not a single scream was ever uttered, nor a single shot fired.
Lost Carcosa is the city that serves as the headquarters of the Sirens, housed within Lasfitot's own pocket dimension. It is speculated that Lasfitot, perhaps seeking to preserve its more useful pawns, saw fit to withdraw the city into its fold at the climax of the battle that would have ended with its total annihilation two hundred years prior, and has spent the past two centuries quietly building strength in preparation for its return.
According to our records, in ancient times Carcosa was established by witches and magi cast out from feudal societies, who sought a place to study magic in peace. Together, spellcasters from across the world created an artificial island, one shrouded from the outside by a permanent, magic fog, where they could live and study in peace. For over 500 years, Carcosa knew only tranquility and prosperity - it forbade no study, nor censored any creation, its only rule being that no outsider was ever allowed to settle on its shores - and as a consequence, the isle produced many of the great magical innovations of the era. A great number of the tomes kept in the Cult's great library originate from scholars who had studied at Carcosa, as it became a premier destination for any who sought to advance their understanding of the mystic arts.
This golden age, however, would eventually come to an end.
Roughly 550 years ago, a dark shadow fell upon the Magician's Isle, as for the first time, the city accepted outsiders as their own - mere children, castaways thrown upon their banks by a great and terrible storm, against the protests of its elders. Over time, these children would grow to be model residents of the city, and slowly the protests faded into mere murmured discontent...
Yet, the damage had already been done, as all indications now point to the conclusion that this series of events was entirely engineered by Lasfitot itself.
Heeding the whispers of the Dark God, the outsiders, led by the Magus-prodigy known as Cassilda, made their way into positions of power - and at their decree, the laws of Carcosa began to change, as more and more outsiders began to arrive on their shores in great galleons full of yellow-clad soldiers. Fear and despair began to grip the populace, as a suffocating silence began to spread over the isle - incantations failed to form, words died in throats, and water stayed frozen in wells. People began to vanish from the streets, from their beds, and were replaced almost overnight with masked, marigold-hooded, silent sentinels. These grew in number, slowly suffocating the populace of Carcosa until their control of the island was complete.
Not a single scream was ever uttered, nor a single shot fired.
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NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS:
Cassilda:
Present head of the Carcosans - though, she is reticent to accept the term, and prefers simply to consider herself a mouthpiece of Lasfitot's dictates.
What is known about her past, is that she was first among the outsiders to be accepted to Carcosa, as a mere infant. From a young age, she showed exemplary calm, proficiency, and talent for leadership, attracting not only the attention of the islands leaders, but also the adoration of its populace. Over time, she accumulated more and more power and influence, until the entire city fell under her sway, and was quietly suffocated into obedience.
Cassilda was believed to have been killed during the destruction of Carcosa over two hundred years prior, and there is some speculation that the current iteration, on account with her unusual "link" with the creature known as Shiseiten, is in fact a recreation of that individual - but facts remain uncertain, as the original herself is strongly suspected to be a homunculus of some kind, fashioned to serve Lasfitot without question.
Pallid Mask:
The single most dreaded emissary of Carcosa, and without a doubt, its most well known. "The Slithering Ruin", "The Immortal Pestilence", "The Hound of Carcosa" - are some of the titles it has been known by over the years, but above all, it is simply known as "Pallid Mask" - Reactor of the Sphere of the Taciturn Crab. A wretched, writhing entity concealed beneath a distinct mask and cloak, Pallid Mask only reveals their true form when about to strike - and truly, it is the thing of nightmares, a teeming mass of wormlike, grasping tendrils that can separate and rejoin at will.
Their original identity unknown, Pallid Mask is capable of not only wielding the most powerful spells and weapons of Carcosa effortlessly, but also functions as an assassin par excellence - able to change form, meld through walls, and disguise its presence from almost all detection. It is a fact that that several high priority murders of Directory personnel are currently under investigation on account of the possibility that they were likely carried out not by their alleged perpetrators, but by Pallid Mask instead.
Of special note is that Pallid Mask is extraordinarily resilient. Dozens of times, it has been thought to be killed - yet it always returns without fail, as often as it needs, in order to pursue its target to the ends of the earth.
Personnel are advised to avoid at all costs, and not to engage until such a time a true countermeasure can be devised.
Cassilda:
Present head of the Carcosans - though, she is reticent to accept the term, and prefers simply to consider herself a mouthpiece of Lasfitot's dictates.
What is known about her past, is that she was first among the outsiders to be accepted to Carcosa, as a mere infant. From a young age, she showed exemplary calm, proficiency, and talent for leadership, attracting not only the attention of the islands leaders, but also the adoration of its populace. Over time, she accumulated more and more power and influence, until the entire city fell under her sway, and was quietly suffocated into obedience.
Cassilda was believed to have been killed during the destruction of Carcosa over two hundred years prior, and there is some speculation that the current iteration, on account with her unusual "link" with the creature known as Shiseiten, is in fact a recreation of that individual - but facts remain uncertain, as the original herself is strongly suspected to be a homunculus of some kind, fashioned to serve Lasfitot without question.
Pallid Mask:
The single most dreaded emissary of Carcosa, and without a doubt, its most well known. "The Slithering Ruin", "The Immortal Pestilence", "The Hound of Carcosa" - are some of the titles it has been known by over the years, but above all, it is simply known as "Pallid Mask" - Reactor of the Sphere of the Taciturn Crab. A wretched, writhing entity concealed beneath a distinct mask and cloak, Pallid Mask only reveals their true form when about to strike - and truly, it is the thing of nightmares, a teeming mass of wormlike, grasping tendrils that can separate and rejoin at will.
Their original identity unknown, Pallid Mask is capable of not only wielding the most powerful spells and weapons of Carcosa effortlessly, but also functions as an assassin par excellence - able to change form, meld through walls, and disguise its presence from almost all detection. It is a fact that that several high priority murders of Directory personnel are currently under investigation on account of the possibility that they were likely carried out not by their alleged perpetrators, but by Pallid Mask instead.
Of special note is that Pallid Mask is extraordinarily resilient. Dozens of times, it has been thought to be killed - yet it always returns without fail, as often as it needs, in order to pursue its target to the ends of the earth.
Personnel are advised to avoid at all costs, and not to engage until such a time a true countermeasure can be devised.
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MOBILE WEAPONS:
SHISEITEN:
A monstrous mobile weapon utilized by the Carcosans - though to give it that term is generous, as its biological nature makes it more comparable to a monster. Its body is covered in the remains of great beasts from other worlds, giving it a ghastly, nightmarish appearance - a floating mountain of teeth, claw, and bone. It is allegedly described in Carcosan literature as "An entity that exists between life and death", but the exact meaning of these cryptic words are uncertain.
There are many theories as to its origins, such that it may have been excavated by the Carcosans from the bottom of the sea, or, perhaps acquired as an unwilling servitor as it wandered into the realm of Lasfitot. What is known for certain is that it has some degree of sentience, and communes directly with the entity known as Cassilda, creating a dialogue of some fashion.
It houses the "Sphere of the Taciturn Crab", which takes the form of a lumpen mound upon it's back. This artifact exhibits traits completely unlike those of its fellows, as it parasitizes the host creature beneath the Shiseiten's exterior, bending it to its will - It is uncertain as to whether this is a distinct feature of the Sphere itself, or an application of Lasfitot's power - but the resulting symbiosis is impressive, to say the least.
Its battle strength is immense, geared towards mass destruction - easily comparable in ability to the Directory's masterpiece, the Granzon. It fights primarily by conjuring jets of dark flame from the space around it, issuing forth a gail of ruinous energy from one of its various mouths, and through area-wide suppression of thought and ability, thought to be a direct application of the Sphere.
It is safe to assume that Shiseiten is intended for same purpose of the Granzon, relating to the resurrection of Lasfitot - but the connection between the Sphere and Lasfitot itself is currently unknown.
SHIMEISOU:
A heavily armored mobile unit employed by the Carcosans. It is notable for its unusual sideways gait, scuttling and hovering lengthwise in the direction of its foes, as well as its extremely thick armor and brutish strength. The term "mobile unit" is used, because the Shimeisou is, in fact, an an organic entity. Young are collected from the Shiseiten, and in a series of rituals, are encased in hardened alloys and control devices that allow them to be operated by the organization's acolytes.
This appears to be something of a mutually beneficial relationship, as the Carcosans do not seem to suffer any of the drawbacks of the Spirit Machines deployed by their primary adversaries, and the otherwise simple-minded creatures enjoy the superior decision making capability of their pilots. Larger sized versions of the monstrosities have never been sighted on the battlefield, and it's theorized that the armor also serves to restrict the growth of the abomination inside.
Not ones for subtlety, they charge into the fight with pincers snapping, unleashing dark bolts of flame similar to those used by their parent unit. Their twin claws are more than capable of bludgeoning or crushing anything unfortunate enough to come into reach - but unexpectedly, the Shimeisou is also able to increase their size dramatically through the application of Dimensional force, allowing them to seize and crush objects several times their size.
TRIKERA:
A simple, mass-production Spirit Machine employed by the Sirens. It is an unusual device that lurches ponderously about on three clawed legs, but is capable of deceptively fast movement when necessary. Its "head" unit contains a powerful cannon, as well as twin prana-powered napalm jets capable of melting modern mobile weapons into superheated slag in moments, making it a versatile, cost-effective fire-support platform.
Like many mobile weapons used by the cults associated with the three gods, it invokes the number "three' in its design often, possibly in an attempt to attract the attentions and favor of its patron, Lasfitot. It is apparently based on an older model Spirit Machine that was once used by the Cult of Volkruss, but has since been supplanted by the Jiwen.
How the Trikera came to be acquired by the Sirens, their numbers, and the manner in which they are manufactured - remains a mystery.
SHISEITEN:
A monstrous mobile weapon utilized by the Carcosans - though to give it that term is generous, as its biological nature makes it more comparable to a monster. Its body is covered in the remains of great beasts from other worlds, giving it a ghastly, nightmarish appearance - a floating mountain of teeth, claw, and bone. It is allegedly described in Carcosan literature as "An entity that exists between life and death", but the exact meaning of these cryptic words are uncertain.
There are many theories as to its origins, such that it may have been excavated by the Carcosans from the bottom of the sea, or, perhaps acquired as an unwilling servitor as it wandered into the realm of Lasfitot. What is known for certain is that it has some degree of sentience, and communes directly with the entity known as Cassilda, creating a dialogue of some fashion.
It houses the "Sphere of the Taciturn Crab", which takes the form of a lumpen mound upon it's back. This artifact exhibits traits completely unlike those of its fellows, as it parasitizes the host creature beneath the Shiseiten's exterior, bending it to its will - It is uncertain as to whether this is a distinct feature of the Sphere itself, or an application of Lasfitot's power - but the resulting symbiosis is impressive, to say the least.
Its battle strength is immense, geared towards mass destruction - easily comparable in ability to the Directory's masterpiece, the Granzon. It fights primarily by conjuring jets of dark flame from the space around it, issuing forth a gail of ruinous energy from one of its various mouths, and through area-wide suppression of thought and ability, thought to be a direct application of the Sphere.
It is safe to assume that Shiseiten is intended for same purpose of the Granzon, relating to the resurrection of Lasfitot - but the connection between the Sphere and Lasfitot itself is currently unknown.
SHIMEISOU:
A heavily armored mobile unit employed by the Carcosans. It is notable for its unusual sideways gait, scuttling and hovering lengthwise in the direction of its foes, as well as its extremely thick armor and brutish strength. The term "mobile unit" is used, because the Shimeisou is, in fact, an an organic entity. Young are collected from the Shiseiten, and in a series of rituals, are encased in hardened alloys and control devices that allow them to be operated by the organization's acolytes.
This appears to be something of a mutually beneficial relationship, as the Carcosans do not seem to suffer any of the drawbacks of the Spirit Machines deployed by their primary adversaries, and the otherwise simple-minded creatures enjoy the superior decision making capability of their pilots. Larger sized versions of the monstrosities have never been sighted on the battlefield, and it's theorized that the armor also serves to restrict the growth of the abomination inside.
Not ones for subtlety, they charge into the fight with pincers snapping, unleashing dark bolts of flame similar to those used by their parent unit. Their twin claws are more than capable of bludgeoning or crushing anything unfortunate enough to come into reach - but unexpectedly, the Shimeisou is also able to increase their size dramatically through the application of Dimensional force, allowing them to seize and crush objects several times their size.
TRIKERA:
A simple, mass-production Spirit Machine employed by the Sirens. It is an unusual device that lurches ponderously about on three clawed legs, but is capable of deceptively fast movement when necessary. Its "head" unit contains a powerful cannon, as well as twin prana-powered napalm jets capable of melting modern mobile weapons into superheated slag in moments, making it a versatile, cost-effective fire-support platform.
Like many mobile weapons used by the cults associated with the three gods, it invokes the number "three' in its design often, possibly in an attempt to attract the attentions and favor of its patron, Lasfitot. It is apparently based on an older model Spirit Machine that was once used by the Cult of Volkruss, but has since been supplanted by the Jiwen.
How the Trikera came to be acquired by the Sirens, their numbers, and the manner in which they are manufactured - remains a mystery.
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