((IC for anyone that Kiera let's read it, or if it sees mass publication in the Cage))
This book is bound in black-dyed skin that came from the hide of some scarred creature. The skin is secured to the paper but a series of hooks and stitches, giving it a pulled, and tormented look.
Forward:
It appears that my path has dropped me in the City of Doors for the nonce, and despite the aversion most have to faith, the Gods, and their petitioners, I cannot help but expand the following of my Lady, even if it must be done in quiet. To further this end I have begun this project, to give details, and examination of the dictates, and motives of our Lady and our order. Here follows my understanding of our faith, and how we may continue to live it, even when our Lady speaks to us in hushed tones.
~Kierisen Shadowshade
Devotee of Loviatar
Namer of the Red Death
Exultation Of Torment
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Chapter I: Study of Loviatar's Dogma
The world is filled with pain and torment, and the best that one can do is to suffer those blows that cannot be avoided and deal as much pain back to those who offend.
This is a simple truth. Pain and suffering are always present, we we can either accept that and embrace the torment, or we can let it control us. We should also return any pain done to us so that we are not seen as weak or as victims. Pain makes us strong, and by accepting it we can tolerate more. We become stronger than our enemies, and immune to the harms they attempt to level on us.
Kindnesses are the best companions to hurts, and increase the intensity of suffering.
This dictate is many-fold and important. How do we understand suffering if we have not known kindness? How much sweeter is our Lady's torment when it is accompanied by pleasure? When we know kindness we keep would-be enemies off guard. We also make would-be followers more at ease to approach us. It can also b a useful and necessary tool in training our novitiates. By using kindness in convert with the scourge they truly understand the nature of Her love and the caring we have for our students. Finally, there is no greater torment for those that deserve it than when they first believe us friends before we turn on them.
Let mercy of sudden abstinence from pain and of providing unlooked-for healing come over us seldom but at whim, so as to make folk hope and increase the mystery of Loviatar's mercy.
Do not hold back from healing all the time, but also do not be predictable. Give healing, but sparsely, and mercy but randomly, so that your whim is always a mystery as well. Our Lady is seen as dark and vile by most, and we cast that into doubt when we aid others. We are considered evil for following Her, but cast insecurity on others when we offer mercy.
Unswerving cruelty will turn all folk against you. Act alluring, and give pain and torment to those who enjoy it as well as those who deserve it most or would be most hurt by it.
A mob with pitchforks and torches is not conducive to a long life. Find allies in those that are drawn to you and your skill. Turn your anger against those that matter, not wantonly against anyone that crosses your path. Few can deny that we provide a needed service and if we have allies among the powerful who have sordid desires we can find some measure of peace to follow our path.
The lash, fire, and the cold are the three pains that never fail the devout
These tools come from a primal and almost uncontrollable fear. To our baser selves they represent slavery and death, loss of ourselves and pain that cannot be avoided. These are usually accompanied by such fear that they heighten the experience for both the subject and the devoted.
Spread Loviatar's teachings wherever punishment is meted out.
It pleases our Lady when people suffer and they must know that their suffering is necessary and comes from Her. As our Lady will ever be, so will we always have pain and suffering. Attempting to avoid either is pointless.
Pain tests all, but gives strength of spirit, and true pleasure to the hardy and the true.
We all suffer and those who embrace it find strength. The more we suffer, the more we can suffer without breaking. Eventually we turn the pain to pleasure and draw from it freely.
There is no true punishment if the punisher knows no discipline.
Going too far and killing a subject before you mean to deprives the Lady of Her due. It also deprives your subject from Her full glory. We must have discipline and control within ourselves if we are to discipline others.
Wherever the whip is, so there is Loviatar. Fear her - and yet long for her.
She watches over all who suffer and those who dole it out. She is in the enduring pain and the exquisite suffering. She is always there, for we are never free of suffering. We dread it and long for it, so we must emulate it. Our subjects, clients, and victims should fear us with heightened anticipation, but also long for what we offer. In this, we best serve our Lady.
The world is filled with pain and torment, and the best that one can do is to suffer those blows that cannot be avoided and deal as much pain back to those who offend.
This is a simple truth. Pain and suffering are always present, we we can either accept that and embrace the torment, or we can let it control us. We should also return any pain done to us so that we are not seen as weak or as victims. Pain makes us strong, and by accepting it we can tolerate more. We become stronger than our enemies, and immune to the harms they attempt to level on us.
Kindnesses are the best companions to hurts, and increase the intensity of suffering.
This dictate is many-fold and important. How do we understand suffering if we have not known kindness? How much sweeter is our Lady's torment when it is accompanied by pleasure? When we know kindness we keep would-be enemies off guard. We also make would-be followers more at ease to approach us. It can also b a useful and necessary tool in training our novitiates. By using kindness in convert with the scourge they truly understand the nature of Her love and the caring we have for our students. Finally, there is no greater torment for those that deserve it than when they first believe us friends before we turn on them.
Let mercy of sudden abstinence from pain and of providing unlooked-for healing come over us seldom but at whim, so as to make folk hope and increase the mystery of Loviatar's mercy.
Do not hold back from healing all the time, but also do not be predictable. Give healing, but sparsely, and mercy but randomly, so that your whim is always a mystery as well. Our Lady is seen as dark and vile by most, and we cast that into doubt when we aid others. We are considered evil for following Her, but cast insecurity on others when we offer mercy.
Unswerving cruelty will turn all folk against you. Act alluring, and give pain and torment to those who enjoy it as well as those who deserve it most or would be most hurt by it.
A mob with pitchforks and torches is not conducive to a long life. Find allies in those that are drawn to you and your skill. Turn your anger against those that matter, not wantonly against anyone that crosses your path. Few can deny that we provide a needed service and if we have allies among the powerful who have sordid desires we can find some measure of peace to follow our path.
The lash, fire, and the cold are the three pains that never fail the devout
These tools come from a primal and almost uncontrollable fear. To our baser selves they represent slavery and death, loss of ourselves and pain that cannot be avoided. These are usually accompanied by such fear that they heighten the experience for both the subject and the devoted.
Spread Loviatar's teachings wherever punishment is meted out.
It pleases our Lady when people suffer and they must know that their suffering is necessary and comes from Her. As our Lady will ever be, so will we always have pain and suffering. Attempting to avoid either is pointless.
Pain tests all, but gives strength of spirit, and true pleasure to the hardy and the true.
We all suffer and those who embrace it find strength. The more we suffer, the more we can suffer without breaking. Eventually we turn the pain to pleasure and draw from it freely.
There is no true punishment if the punisher knows no discipline.
Going too far and killing a subject before you mean to deprives the Lady of Her due. It also deprives your subject from Her full glory. We must have discipline and control within ourselves if we are to discipline others.
Wherever the whip is, so there is Loviatar. Fear her - and yet long for her.
She watches over all who suffer and those who dole it out. She is in the enduring pain and the exquisite suffering. She is always there, for we are never free of suffering. We dread it and long for it, so we must emulate it. Our subjects, clients, and victims should fear us with heightened anticipation, but also long for what we offer. In this, we best serve our Lady.
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Chapter II: Love not of our Maiden
It is not for us to love for our heart and soul belongs to Loviatar. We must strive to keep ourselves from the emotion. Love is a tool that we use against those who deserve it, to lure them into greater pain. When we bring others to love us, it is our duty to end it, to crush that love, and deliver the ultimate in pain of the heart.
I have learned this lesson all too painfully. I loved, brought another close, and did not, could not destroy that. It was my weakness and She saw it. I believe that She cross my path with another, so that I was taken from my love. Left to believe I was dead she was hurt, but thrived. My best student became more than I could have hoped, but it did not lessen the pain. My Maiden taught me that we must not love, and then She brought my love back.
As there is no greater pain that that heightened by mercy and kindness, I was struck by the rebuke of my student. She blamed me I believe, which she should. She was hurt, but had found another. My Maiden gave me that mercy, to see her again and know she is well, but also the knowledge that she will never be mine again.
Take this lesson to heart. Do not strive for that which She does not give. Do not love but to use it against your subject, and if you are loved by another do not hesitate to turn that love against them. All will be better for it.
It is not for us to love for our heart and soul belongs to Loviatar. We must strive to keep ourselves from the emotion. Love is a tool that we use against those who deserve it, to lure them into greater pain. When we bring others to love us, it is our duty to end it, to crush that love, and deliver the ultimate in pain of the heart.
I have learned this lesson all too painfully. I loved, brought another close, and did not, could not destroy that. It was my weakness and She saw it. I believe that She cross my path with another, so that I was taken from my love. Left to believe I was dead she was hurt, but thrived. My best student became more than I could have hoped, but it did not lessen the pain. My Maiden taught me that we must not love, and then She brought my love back.
As there is no greater pain that that heightened by mercy and kindness, I was struck by the rebuke of my student. She blamed me I believe, which she should. She was hurt, but had found another. My Maiden gave me that mercy, to see her again and know she is well, but also the knowledge that she will never be mine again.
Take this lesson to heart. Do not strive for that which She does not give. Do not love but to use it against your subject, and if you are loved by another do not hesitate to turn that love against them. All will be better for it.
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Chapter III: The Maiden's Crucible - Acquiring a Protege
A pain maiden has few tasks more divine than passing on her skills and knowledge of Loviatar. This can be in the form of a convert or simply another person willingly giving themselves to the strict regimen of our training. This can be simply for pleasure, to bring a new soul to our Maiden, or to aid another to become something more. Through suffering, and learning to control it do we become stronger. There is no reason we cannot use the Maiden's blessings to make others stronger, and heighten Her glor.
A potential student can be many types of people, but personally I look for those who are easily made victims. Not because they are easy for us to take, but because I do not like them so weak. Through suffering they come to know strength, confidence, and independence. They will never be victims again, if they learn to control their fear and embrace suffering. In this we carry on the Maiden's legacy and maintain the mystery of Her Mercy. Not all types will take to the training and while we can certainly take a student by force, it is less likely that they will become what we expect.
When a student is found, purchased, or taken it is important that they are completely subservient, but best that they choose to be so. Whether it is knowledge that you will protect them, a desire to have what we offer, or simply believing there is no other choice, they must choose to remain. This makes the bond even greater and the results more glorious.
A student must be claimed, without any doubt, as your own. It should be in a way that is a constant reminder that while they are in your care they are your property. Mistresses have different, and usually very personal ways of doing this. In any case, make it something the student will always see, feel, or have in their mind to remind them of their place.
Once a protege is claimed it is important that both student and mistress understand the symbiotic relationship they share. The mistress must care for her student, protect them, and make them feel safe. The student should feel no fear or pain, but that which their mistress delivers. The student must rely on their mistress and understand they are better off with her than without, until the student is ready to move on. This relationship insures the growth and well-being of both parties.
A pain maiden has few tasks more divine than passing on her skills and knowledge of Loviatar. This can be in the form of a convert or simply another person willingly giving themselves to the strict regimen of our training. This can be simply for pleasure, to bring a new soul to our Maiden, or to aid another to become something more. Through suffering, and learning to control it do we become stronger. There is no reason we cannot use the Maiden's blessings to make others stronger, and heighten Her glor.
A potential student can be many types of people, but personally I look for those who are easily made victims. Not because they are easy for us to take, but because I do not like them so weak. Through suffering they come to know strength, confidence, and independence. They will never be victims again, if they learn to control their fear and embrace suffering. In this we carry on the Maiden's legacy and maintain the mystery of Her Mercy. Not all types will take to the training and while we can certainly take a student by force, it is less likely that they will become what we expect.
When a student is found, purchased, or taken it is important that they are completely subservient, but best that they choose to be so. Whether it is knowledge that you will protect them, a desire to have what we offer, or simply believing there is no other choice, they must choose to remain. This makes the bond even greater and the results more glorious.
A student must be claimed, without any doubt, as your own. It should be in a way that is a constant reminder that while they are in your care they are your property. Mistresses have different, and usually very personal ways of doing this. In any case, make it something the student will always see, feel, or have in their mind to remind them of their place.
Once a protege is claimed it is important that both student and mistress understand the symbiotic relationship they share. The mistress must care for her student, protect them, and make them feel safe. The student should feel no fear or pain, but that which their mistress delivers. The student must rely on their mistress and understand they are better off with her than without, until the student is ready to move on. This relationship insures the growth and well-being of both parties.