Eshalqua

Titles
The Voice of Corruption, The Dark Patron

Governs
Animal, Art, Law, Trickery

Worshippers
Entertainers, gangsters, lawyers

Weapon
Switchblade

Animal
Mockingbird

Eshalqua in the Divine Record
Eshalqua's origin is unknown, but it has been categorized as devil, djinn, rakshasa, lich, and even simply a creature of dream. Scholars only agree that it seems to continually evolve - known as both male and female, but always with a beautiful, mellifluous, horrifying voice that appears in the form of dreams, seeming to echo across a great chasm.

Among those few recorded documents which tell of encounters with Eshalqua, all share a similar trait. The voice comes at night to those who are in need or peril, offering a way out and the means to never be powerless again. Those who answer the call soon find that the price for such assistance is heavy, but the rewards are great. For most of these stories, the end comes suddenly, and stained in blood, as the would-be follower's countrymen discover the lengths they've gone to in order to rise so quickly.

To most faithful, this is warning enough - but many ponder how many stories never get told, because The Dark Patron's follower is never found out at all.

It is known that Eshalqua and Soujous have a long-standing hostility, and have been at odds for eons. As a result, Agents of Eshalqua and The Traveler's devout, the Xia, are always on watch for one another - sometimes leading to sudden, violent battles - or long-lasting political games of cat and mouse.

Church
Eshalqua's cult is small compared to most, with most activity devoted to spreading The Voice's brand of corruption. Its Agents, as they prefer to be called, are performance artists, politicians, lawyers, gangsters and businessmen, most of whom come into Eshalqua's service after making a deal with The Dark Patron for their heart's desire.

Fame, fortune, and power come quickly to those who answer the call - but the price is always dire, and the rate of suicide within the cult is believed to be extremely high. Those few who come to truly revel in their service are known as the Feathermen, for their touch is light. They are the cult's dispatchers, helping other Agents seek out the vulnerable, the ambitious and others prone to the master's corrupting influence.

Temples are typically inconspicuous: a side-room within a theater, courthouse or high council chambers is simply marked with a red feather, a sign which all followers know to signify a temple for Its worship.

Important Rituals
Those seeking Eshalqua's favor must "sing for their supper." While its origin is unknown, The Songs of Power is held as holy by most Feathermen, containing hundreds of dark hymns and whispered prayers which are known to please The Voice. Like the mockingbird, Eshalqua's sacred animal, its devoted sing at night and a ghostly, beautiful song floating through the halls of power often signifies a Featherman paying homage to his patron before sleep.