Editing Flesh Tithe (section)

== The Cult of Lourdes ==
After the end of the [[Vitality War]], the town of Lourdes went missing on the Cosmic Stack. This town housed the first Tree of Quelling. Despite relentless efforts, for more than half a century, [[Lourdes]] and all its people have gone missing. The mystery of what truly happened in Lourdes is unknown. However, the following represents the [[Shivo Library]]’s theory explaining a series of phenomena that have begun to plague the Rings of Meropis. 

''Sources''

The following information has been pieced together by more than eighty Shivo librarians, Countess [[Diana Skiritai]], Polydectes urtel Phalia, Sabine of Lourdes, Benno Kovacs, and [[the Maiden]]. 

''The Location of the Banker of Bones''

Since the beginning of 716 A.R. the entity known as [[the Banker of Bones]] has been missing on the Cosmic Stack. Nothing has yielded an inkling of the creature’s whereabouts. This does not mean that the Banker's presence has not begun to reappear on the Cosmic Stack within the past decade though. This will be presented shortly.

''The Missing of Lourdes''

After the Vitality War, many powerful entities that had been residing in Lourdes disappeared. The granddaughter of Elthrendil, Estelle, remains missing to this day. However, reports from those present in Lourdes during its final days have reported that Estelle’s location was found and confirmed that she was in Lourdes. 

Additionally, the Titan Astodiea also remains missing to this day. Reports indicated that Astodiea fully manifested in Lourdes but has not reappeared. The remaining Titans have searched relentlessly for their lost friend but to no avail. 

Finally, the people of Lourdes have not been found. Powerful individuals like Nyomie DuCass (Prophet and Eminence of Truth), Lord Arno Bouchard, the Marked Mission Brictiva, Yric, Pierrette (the Flesh Vestal),  Benjamin of the Black River, Sir Clement of the Timber Knights, Dame Corinne of the Timber Knights, Sir Jean of the Timber Knights, Aspacia Skiritai, Ilan Skiritai, Neza Kovacs, Boudicca Byrne, Oisin Byrne, Viktor "Vitya" Molchalin, Celeste Halderthrum, Orianne (the Eminence of Patience), and Berrellian Black (son to Nicholas Black and Eminence of Wisdom). 

''The Autumnal Equinox of 755 A.R.''

The first signs of trouble began on the Autumn equinox of 755 A.R. A group of town guards found a series of offerings left outside a small town named Erden on the Prime Ring. These offerings were left beneath totems made of animal flesh, human bone, and held together by an unknown material. This material has since been named ''ghost glass''. The material is thought to be organic, is stronger than steel, can be woven into thread, and is believed to be cursed. Those who hold objects made with ghost glass have often met with horrible fates. 

It was found that thirteen people had been sacrificed, their soft tissue removed by what at the time was thought to be animals, during the event on the Autumn equinox. These individuals had been sourced from across the four Rings of Meropis with no known connection to each other. They were taken to Varos for an autopsy where it was discovered the bones of the individuals had been replaced with lead replicas. It is thought that the bones were removed from the individuals while alive. However, this is unconfirmed since the four doctors who performed the autopsies killed their families, neighbors, and then themselves the following day. After it was learned that the bones of the doctors had turned to ghost glass, the bodies were burned and Zell came to see the proper removal of the hazardous material. 

After investigation, all that could be found near Erden was a small shack that contained one final totem. There were mad scrawlings in journals detailing upside-down, nightmare worlds that the authors hoped to ascend to with their sacrifices. Specifically, the journals noted that the authors wished to “join the Cult of Lourdes.” 

These journals were burned as well due to a series of horrific curses they expelled which led to the cumulative deaths of sixty-six people and a Saint of Zorya over the course of one year. 

''The Cult of Lourdes''

Over the last few decades, various hidden shrines have been unearthed that mention the Cult of Lourdes. These locations sometimes possess “offerings” or cursed items which makes them especially dangerous. However, no members of the cult were found until 772 A.R. when a man named Zacharia Telt was apprehended by Seraph Gatsby Grim. Grim had discovered Mr. Telt was operating a meat factory that was involved in occult rituals. The horrors found in the factory were so great that Seraph Grim burned the place and has never spoken of its contents publicly (despite several requests for interviews). 

While in custody, Telt gave a series of strange statements that investigators are still trying to make sense of to this day. The following is a list of Telt’s claims:

* The Cult of Lourdes seeks to gain access to the Sunken Heaven. 
* Mages within the Cult of Lourdes can use all types of magic. 
* Members of the Cult must tithe to the heads of their order. 
* The Cult of Lourdes can hide itself from the eyes of even the High Gods.
* The Sunken Heaven is not allied with the Dark Triad.
* All in the Cult of Lourdes wait until their Deacons call forth the Flesh Tithe.

More questioning of Telt was scheduled however, when Seraph Grim and others returned to the jail in the morning, everyone inside was dead. All that was left was empty skin, teeth, and gore-soaked walls. Zacharia Telt’s viscera was identified leading to the conclusion that he died. The culprit for Telt and the other prisoners’ killer is a mystery. Bite patterns found on the flesh do not correlate with any creature yet proposed. 

Shivo librarians have labeled this incident as the first “flesh tithe attack.” 

''The Flesh Tithe''

Practically nothing is known about the Flesh Tithe other than that it is lethal. None of those who have seen it have lived to tell the tale. Current information suggests that the Flesh Tithe has mandibles, has the ability to corrode most materials, and are incredibly stealthy. Flesh Tithe attacks can occur anywhere, at any time, seemingly on any Ring. 

So far, the biggest breakthrough in understanding the Flesh Tithe are the final words of a farmer who lived in the County of Kestril. The settlement of Bluthain was found desecrated on the 51st of Orefel in the year 776 A.R. A once thriving town was reduced to loose skin, bile, and ruins during the night. 

Investigators found the following message in the house of Wyatt Krahnwald:

We cannot escape. These monsters appeared during the midnight hour in uncountable numbers. I tried to secure the homestead but it was no use. They took the oxen, the goats, and the horses before I could properly board the windows. I sit within my basement with my family praying for salvation. Above I hear the screams of the monsters and the laughing of my neighbors. I’m not sure which is worse. I leave this note because you cannot fight them. Nobody can survive this. All must flee and hope that these monsters do not find your trail. Do not let them catch you because I don’t think they kill you. The laughing should’ve stopped by now if that were the case. I have killed my family so they are not taken but I cannot give myself that same mercy. I am afraid. All is turning to blood as they eat their way toward me. My nails are-.

The message was cut short. Nearby the letter the skin of Mr. Krahnwald was found stuffed with a series of organs that were identified to be Mr. Krahnwald’s family. However, the bodies of the other Krahnwalds were never found. 

Many sites that Ard Magos have identified as being attacked by the Flesh Tithe have totems dedicated to the Cult of Lourdes nearby. 

''Transposing Staircases''

Upon further research into the Cult of Lourdes, many incident sites are close to transposing staircases. These staircases are often buried deep underground with the nearest to the surface being 2.8 miles beneath the Titanic Ring. The true purpose of these staircases is unknown but limited research has shown that they warp reality around them. Some scholars have proposed a theory that the transposing staircases are keys to some sort of lock. However, what the locks are and who built the staircases is unknown. 

It seems that these staircases were all destroyed or collapsed on the Prime, Dark, and Primordial Rings. The revival of the Titanic Ring though has yielded transposing staircases that have been restored to their original condition. Sadly though, none have made it to the bottom of a transposing staircase and have returned. The Shivo Library has banned researchers from attempting to descend any future staircases. 

To date, all Cult activity or Flesh Tithe attacks have occurred within twenty miles of a transposing staircase location.

''The Accidental Introduction Theory''

The following is a theory that attempts to unify the information stated so far. During the year 715 A.R. something apocalyptic took place in the Lourdes region. This event coincides with the kidnapping of Varuz the Betrayer by the Banker of Bones which is the last time either were seen. Lourdes was also the starting location of the Van Rome virus which decimated the Primordial Ring during the Vitality Wars. 

This catastrophic event, likely related to Estelle, changed something about the region. Powers, locations, and creatures that never should have crossed did and created something else. A new force is rising deep beneath the Rings that so far seems unstoppable. One not allied with the foes that now seek to destroy the Cosmic Stack. 

The Cult of Lourdes and the Flesh Tithe they herald are untraceable, undetectable, and unknowable to the great forces on the Rings of Meropis. How can an enemy like this be defeated? 

At the core of this theory is the chilling prospect that the Banker of Bones was introduced to something that enticed the mad beast away from his scourging of the Rings of Meropis. This thing caused the Banker of Bones to disappear for decades without a trace. To think the insanity of the Banker has been working unabated all this time is chilling.

Activity regarding the Cult of Lourdes is only increasing without anybody sounding the alarm. The Rings of Meropis is not prepared for what has been simmering in the lost land of Lourdes for the past sixty years. 

''Protocol for Encountering the Cult of Lourdes''

If a person should encounter the Cult of Lourdes in the field, the protocol is as follows. Attempt to flee as quickly as possible. Do not attempt to make contact unless guarded by Material Gods, Titans, or the Twin Empresses. If the Flesh Tithe attacks, attempt to flee since the creatures seem to leave no survives. If you survive your encounter report your experiences to the closest official in case of your imminent death.