The Tower of Ambul-Va is dedicated to the worship of Helaru – the Shadow Fey Goddess of Blood Magic and murder. Within its halls, Dark Maidens and Priestesses conduct sacrificial rituals to create protective wards, prolong youth, and unleash curses.
Hierarchy
The Red Mother of the sect is the ultimate authority within the tower. She alone oversees the various rituals and determines the manner in which the magic is utilized. Her sorcery is augmented by the numerous Priestesses who dwell within the shadowed halls of Ambul-Va. They in turn create covens consisting of Dark Maidens and Sentinels. The Dark Maidens are highly skilled warriors who continually develop their marshal prowess, poison, and sorcery to defeat their foes. The Sentinels among them are the bodyguards and military wing of the tower that serve the Priestesses and the Red Mother. This cadre of soldiers is led by the Reaper. Unlike the rest of the Sentinels, the Reaper of Ambul-Va answers only to the Red Mother.
Town of Ambul
Neighboring the tower is the town of Ambul. Its purpose is to provide the sustenance and resources for the citadel, including the males and females of the sect. The town consists of only males. Once per solstice, the Dark Maidens and Sentinels select suitable males and bring them to the tower where they are examined by the Priestesses. Those found worthy are taken to bedchambers to mate with either the priestesses, dark maidens, or the Red Mother herself. Those deemed unfit are either returned to the town or used for sacrificial purposes. Females born are trained by the sect to become Dark Maidens. The most prominent combatants from this pool of blood-thirsty warriors rise to become priestesses.
The males birthed within the dark walls are schooled to become Sentinels, returned to the town, or offered as a sacrifice. It is also not uncommon for the Red Mother to invite male nobility to the tower to bed her Maidens. Many nobles desire the experience of sharing a bedchamber with Maidens who have learned various forms of pleasure as well as mastering combat. The sect in turn benefits by infusing Shadow Fey nobility within their ranks, thereby strengthening their position within the Kingdom of Melkar. Either by coin or boon, the price for such an experience is high.
Artwork by Ural Akyuz