Mhachi remnants. Void cultists. Seekers of power. Descendants of Mhach dedicated to seeing the voidal society rise once more. Dangerous, ritualistic, and cultish. These are the sorts of people to assume roam the caverns this organization calls home.
Be it summoning voidsent, catastrophic acts of Black Magic & thaumaturgy, or possessing civilians with voidsent to show discord, the First Rung always acts decisively. Hesitation is for the weak, and if one is to take power, they must do so with their entire being. In true Mhachi tradition, acts of necromancy and hemomancy, as well as many other taboo magicks are encouraged.
Much like Mhach itself, the First Rung is matriarchal. Void aptitude and Mhachi heritage are not required of their members, but are a definite plus. Currently stationed deep in the Yafaem Saltmoor, recruiting across the star. Small, but knowledgeable.
The group has existed for at least the last three centuries, though their most fervent recruitment efforts have only just begun.
The cult’s structure is rather simple. At the top is the Herald, the cult’s leader and ultimate authority. One Herald is always selected by another, and she is understood to carry the will and vision of Mhach with her.
Below the Herald is are the Judges, effectively lieutenants who act on the Herald’s direct behalf and authority. They are powerful, often cunning, and known to be ruthless. True believer’s in the Herald’s vision.
High Mages are below Judges, referring to skilled individuals with authority in a specialized area. A high summoner responsible for the most dangerous of summonings, an archivist responsible for keeping proper records and preserving the precious history of Mhach, an information broker who commands a network of spies, and so on.
Enforcers sit next on the pyramid, acting to uphold the cult’s rules and expectations, as well as to follow through on minor business. Even if they don’t expressly need one, it isn’t uncommon for an enforcer to accompany a High Mage, Judge, or the Herald to act is additional muscle.
And of course, you have the general membership at the bottom. The people who’ve sworn their life to this cause and are the most likely to lose it in that pursuit.
When one steps into the Cult’s cavernous home, a simple enchantment binds them from speaking of conversations held within in the outside world. This enchantment can be loosened at the discretion of a Judge or the Herald, but it tends to be the safest security mechanism to keep loose lips from sinking ships.
To be considered a member, one must first be welcomed in a ritual known as the Oath. The inductee stands in the center of a ritual circle and draws blood from their palm, allowing it to drip into a deep bowl beneath. At the same time, a call and response is performed, with the gathered cultists asking questions of the inductee, and the inductee needing to answer them. The aether taken from the blood lights up a portion of the circle and not only reinforces the Silencing, but serves as proof of the inductee’s loyalty. Or at least their willingness to shed blood for the cult, if nothing else. Promotion to a higher rank involves repeating this ritual while needing to fill more of the bowl. A Herald, for instance, must fill the entire bowl with blood.