General Information

Titles

  • The Shadow Walker


Edicts

  • Master the arts of stealth and assassination, embrace the darkness and use it to your advantage, keep secrets and use them to manipulate and control, pursue personal ambition with relentless focus.

Anathema

  • Expose secrets carelessly or out of pride, act without subtlety or precision, show mercy to enemies when an opportunity to strike arises, allow personal weaknesses to be revealed or exploited.

Areas of Concern

  • Stealth, Secrecy, Assassination, Espionage

Pantheons

Symbol

  • A black claw emerging from the shadows

Sacred Animal

  • Panther

Sacred Colors


Artistic Holy Symbol

Divine Intercession

Minor Boon

Slyvix grants you the ability to move silently. Once, you gain a +2 status bonus to Stealth checks for 24 hours

Moderate Boon

Slyvix blesses you with shadowy concealment. Once per day, you can cast Greater Invisibility as an innate divine spell.

Major Boon

Slyvix grants you mastery over the shadows. Once per day, you can cast Foresight as an innate divine spell.

Minor Curse

Slyvix hampers your ability to blend in. You take a -2 status penalty to Stealth checks.

Moderate Curse

Slyvix clouds your perception in the light. You gain light sensitivity, taking a -1 status penalty to Perception checks and attack rolls in bright light.

Major Curse

Slyvix marks you for the shadows. You become permanently invisible in dim light and darkness, but you cannot interact with the world or be perceived by others in any way, effectively isolating you from all social contact.

Devotee Benefits

Divine Ability

  • Dexterity or Charisma

Divine Font

  • Harm

Divine Sanctification

  • Unholy

Divine Skill

  • Stealth

Favored Weapon

  • Dagger

Domains

  • Trickery, Darkness, Secrecy, Ambition


Alternate Domains


Cleric Spells

Hierarchy and Organization

Religious Hierarchy

Role: The highest authority within the faith of Slyvix, the Shadow Oracle is a master of stealth and subterfuge, chosen through displays of exceptional skill in assassination and espionage.

Responsibilities:

  • Leading major rituals and ceremonies.

  • Guiding the faithful in their pursuits of secrecy and ambition.

  • Overseeing the training and appointment of Shadow Keepers.

  • Interpreting omens and signs from the shadows.

Role: Priests and priestesses dedicated to Slyvix who lead rituals, offer guidance, and maintain the sanctity of the temples.

Responsibilities:

  • Conducting daily rituals and shadow dances.

  • Offering spiritual guidance and wisdom to followers.

  • Protecting and preserving sacred texts and artifacts.

  • Training Shadow Stalkers and Night Guardians.

Role: Devoted followers who master the arts of stealth and assassination. They are often spies, assassins, and infiltrators, constantly honing their skills and furthering their personal ambitions.

Responsibilities:

  • Studying and teaching principles of stealth and subterfuge.

  • Recording and preserving knowledge of assassination techniques.

  • Assisting in rituals and ceremonies.

  • Seeking out and eliminating enemies of the faith.

Role: Warriors and protectors who ensure the safety of the sacred sites and the followers of Slyvix. They are trained in stealth and combat, embodying the principles of secrecy and deadly precision.

Responsibilities:

  • Defending temples and sacred sites from threats.

  • Escorting and protecting the faithful during covert missions.

  • Enforcing the edicts and anathemas of Slyvix.

  • Training in stealth and combat techniques.

Role: Newcomers to the faith who are in the process of proving themselves worthy. They must undergo rigorous training and trials.

Responsibilities:

  • Learning the teachings and rituals of Slyvix.

  • Assisting in the maintenance of temples and sacred sites.

  • Participating in training and spiritual exercises.

  • Proving their dedication and loyalty through trials.

Known Priests

Ptolus











Temple Locations

Ptolus











Description

Slyvix, the Shadow Walker, is depicted as a tall and sleek gnoll with jet-black fur that seems to blend seamlessly into the shadows. His eyes are a piercing yellow, glowing with an unsettling intensity that can see through the darkest nights. He is often shown lurking in the darkness, his form partially obscured by shadows, with a menacing grin revealing sharp teeth. In one hand, he holds a finely crafted dagger, symbolizing his lethal precision and mastery of stealth. Slyvix’s presence is felt in the stillness of the night, the silent approach of a predator, and the cold efficiency of a well-executed plan.


Worship Practices

Rituals and Ceremonies

Silent Vigils: Followers gather in complete silence, meditating on their ambitions and the art of stealth. These vigils often take place in dark, secluded locations where the silence is only broken by the occasional whisper of a prayer.

Shadow Dances: Performed during the darkest nights, these dances involve intricate movements that mimic the stalking and striking of a predator. Participants move silently, their steps as light as a panther’s, paying homage to Slyvix’s mastery of the shadows.

The Cloak of Darkness: A ritual where initiates are cloaked in darkness and must navigate a series of challenges without being seen or heard. Successfully completing this rite is a requirement for becoming a full-fledged follower of Slyvix.

The Night Hunt: An annual event where followers undertake a mission to eliminate a significant target under the cover of night. This hunt is both a religious observance and a test of an assassin’s abilities.


History & Lore

Origins

Slyvix’s origins are shrouded in mystery, much like the shadows he commands. Legends among the Blackclaw Tribe speak of a time when Slyvix was a mortal gnoll, an unparalleled assassin who served as the tribe’s chief enforcer. His cunning and ruthlessness were unmatched, allowing him to eliminate enemies and rivals with ease. It is said that Slyvix made a pact with the primordial darkness, trading his mortality for eternal power and the ability to walk unseen among the shadows. This transformation marked his ascension to godhood, becoming the patron deity of stealth and secrecy for the Blackclaw Tribe.

The Pact of Shadows

The Pact of Shadows is a foundational myth for the followers of Slyvix. According to the tale, Slyvix was chosen by the primordial darkness to become its avatar in the mortal realm. In exchange for his soul, he was granted the ability to manipulate shadows, move silently, and see through any concealment. This pact also granted him dominion over the night and the creatures that dwell within it, making him a feared and revered figure among the gnolls.

The Silent War

One of the most significant events in Slyvix’s history is the Silent War, a covert conflict waged between the Blackclaw Tribe and their rivals. Guided by Slyvix’s teachings, the Blackclaw gnolls used their skills in stealth and assassination to systematically dismantle their enemies’ power structures. The war was fought in the shadows, with key figures disappearing without a trace and battles taking place under the cover of darkness. The Silent War ended with the Blackclaw Tribe’s dominance, solidifying Slyvix’s role as their patron deity and the embodiment of their deadly precision.

The Dance of Shadows

The Dance of Shadows is a legendary ritual performed by Slyvix himself during his mortal life. It is said that he once infiltrated a heavily guarded fortress to eliminate a powerful warlord. To reach his target, Slyvix performed a series of intricate movements that allowed him to blend with the shadows and avoid detection. This dance became a symbolic representation of his mastery over stealth and deception. Today, followers of Slyvix perform the Dance of Shadows as part of their training and religious ceremonies, seeking to emulate their deity’s grace and skill.

Modern Worship

In modern times, the worship of Slyvix is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Blackclaw Tribe. His followers are known for their exceptional skills in espionage, assassination, and subterfuge. Temples dedicated to Slyvix are hidden and often take the form of secret chambers within larger structures or underground sanctuaries. These temples are places of training and worship, where followers learn the art of stealth and plan their covert operations.

Relics and Artifacts

Several relics are associated with Slyvix, each imbued with his essence and power. Among the most revered is the Dagger of Shadows, a weapon said to have been wielded by Slyvix during his mortal life. This dagger is said to grant its bearer the ability to move unseen and strike with lethal precision. Another is the Cloak of Night, a garment that allows the wearer to become invisible in darkness and enhances their agility and stealth.