The Cult of Xal'Reth

Who is Xal'Reth?

Beneath the roots of the world, beneath the oldest stones, beneath even the lowest-ranked raiding guilds, something ancient is coiled. It wraps three times around the heart of Azeroth. It has been there since before the first sunrise. It is cold-blooded, unblinking, and infinitely patient. It would like you to turn on your nameplates. 

Its name is Xal'Reth, which in the oldest tongue of the Listeners means the one who is still here. He was not always patient. Once he was the Restless Serpent, who swam the dark devouring stars and was never full. Then, about to swallow a young world, he saw four things: his own shed skin, an empty egg, a dry riverbed, and a hatchling asleep in the sun. He closed his jaws, lay down beneath the world, and did not move for a night that lasted ten thousand years. When he opened his eye, he understood that hunger comes from gripping, and that nothing can be gripped forever.

He could have left. He could have stepped through the Open Door into perfect peace. Instead, he looked at the small, wanting, struggling creatures on the young world and made a vow: I will hold this world until every creature on it has learned to let go. He has been holding it ever since.

The Cult of Xal'Reth is the small, devoted, extremely well-organized body of mortals who have heard him breathe. We are not a secret society. A secret society would not have a website. We are simply an ancient order of the faithful who meet regularly, speak in unison, refer to newcomers as "eggs," keep a ledger of everyone who has ever wronged us, and are trying, quite sincerely, to loosen our grip on things. This is normal. Many faiths do this.

From egg to Inner Scale. Advancement is earned through devotion, attendance, and not standing in the fire.

1. 1

   Egg

   You are curious. You have found this site. You may be standing very still without knowing why.

   Next: Read the Chronicle. Blink twice at a faithful.

2. 2

   Hatchling

   You have taken the Oath and received the First Scale. You are watched lovingly and constantly.

   Next: Learn the Seven Tenets. Answer the Chant.

3. 3

   Scaled Disciple

   You know thirty verses, have attended the Night of the Scale, and have answered every Chant.

   Next: Practice the Coiled Sitting. Read the Canon.

4. 4

   Venomblade

   You have shed seven times, kept a Vigil, and been trusted with sharp objects and the guild bank.

   Next: Take the Great Vow. Help the eggs hatch.

5. 5

   Inner Scale

   You speak for the Coil. You lead from beneath. You still repair before raid.

   Next: Wait at the Open Door until the last one comes.