The Ninjakari Genesis
====================================

After the Illithoid revealed themselves to Magnagora and desired to create an alliance. After the world of the Undervault was discovered in modern times and the war beneath the surface was raging. After the history of the Illithoid was brought to light and the strength and power they offered to Magnagora was presented, it was known what had to be done.

Due the immense psionic power possessed by the Illithoid, their combined might was what allowed them to break out of their prison and defend against the pure physical prowess of the Kephera. However, if the Illithoid ever wanted to truly be free of their captives, they had to develop a more mundane way of combating their jailers. With their superior intellect and their Inner Worm, a gift from Mother Illith, they secretly developed a martial art using what they had on hand, turning a simple chain into a deadly jakari. They developed their art into a deadly and fearsome dance. Jakari and Illithoid became as one. The pupils of this discipline began striking back at the Kephera, which had no idea what was happening to their numbers. Whole hives of warriors and warders would go missing, not even bodies remained. The only indications of any fight were the pools of blood and mounds of ash littering the whole areas. The most proficient of these shadowstalkers was a female Illithoid by the name of Madam Yith.

Whilst assisting the Illithoid within the Undervault, Ethelon Treeripper was approached by the High Priests of the Illithoid and propositioned him to broker a deal. In return for the protection of Magnagora, the Illithoid would share their martial art using the jakari. Ethelon spoke with the Iron Council and the Warlord about this arrangement. A deal was struck, and Ethelon escorted their greatest shadowstalker to the surface, Madam Yith. It was then when Madam Yith had chosen two other surface dwellers to become her disciples. Now her protectors consisted of Ethelon Treeripper, Revan n'Kylbar and Tharruk Treeripper, these of who would learn the dance of the jakari and the secrets of shadowstalking, and form the Magnagorian guild of the Ninjakari.

With the tenets consisting of Respect, Subterfuge and Cruelty, Ethelon, Revan and Tharruk, or the Trinity of the Void as they would come to be called, recruited more who felt the calling of Mother Illith. They instilled the tenets within these disciples, calling forth the strictest instructions for they even rival the mighty ur’Guard in discipline.

Respect for your Brothers and Sisters, for only through Respect for the Brotherhood may we focus our minds and reach levels of training that far surpasses the rest of the Basin of Life. Within the Brotherhood, those who do not demonstrate Respect and humility, shall be disciplined or cast out. Mother Illith requires this of her shards; we act as one being, one entity and one force.

Subterfuge is one of our greatest strengths, for attacking head on is the way of the grunt, the undisciplined. Our enemies shall never see us strike before their flesh is rend from their bones and their psychic residue is consumed by our Inner Worm. Mother Illith teaches us that against overwhelming odds, the darkness becomes our ally; our enemies’ oversight becomes our strength and subtly will lull our prey into a false sense of security.

Cruelty is something that cannot be taught, it is a trait that is inherent in each of us. Even as this is so, Cruelty is the drive, it is the determination, and it is the overwhelming force that allows us to extract the heart from our enemies and eliminate their faith. Cruelty removes compassion, removes fear, removes pride and focuses our wrath. Mother Illith provides us with the discipline to focus our Cruelty and make it our most valuable possession.

During this time of training, Madam Yith tasked Tharruk Treeripper to create the guildhall for the Ninjakari. At this, Tharruk worked endlessly, carving the underground caverns, a lot of the tunnels he had clawed out himself, finally with the help of Ayman n'Kylbar they had finished. Upon completion, Tharruk escorted Madam Yith into its depths, and she was pleased. Madam Yith then requested Tharruk to come with her into the Undervault; she stated she had something for us to bring to the surface. Once within the Undervault, she approached one of her disciples, and bid him to follow. On the way back to the guildcaverns, she informed him that he was going to serve the Illithoid and Mother Illith in a new way. Once in the Bonehoard, she handed her disciple some tattered old clothes and designated him to be our pathfinder in the guildcaverns for the Brotherhood. With this he was honored.

While Tharruk was involved with his objective, Ethelon Treeripper and Revan n’Kylbar scribed the Ninjakari guidelines and laws for the Brotherhood. Meticulously going over every single line and letter, creating one of the finest set of structures mortal eyes have ever seen. The pillars of the Brotherhood were brought before Madam Yith, and at these she was also pleased.

Everything was set; the Brotherhood of the Ninjakari was ready to be unleashed upon the Basin of Life. Respect, Subterfuge and Cruelty, Honor for Magnagora, Honor for Mother Illith, escape for the Illithoid and the ending of the resistance of the Basin to the transformation of the Taint. Madam Yith watches us from the shadows, perfecting the art of the jakari so she may train the rest of the Illithoid and eliminate their Kephera overlords.

When the ur’Guard march into battle, enemy armies flee. When the Nihilists preach, our enemies lose faith in their Gods. When the Geomancers shake the very ground, enemy cities crumble. When the Cacophony sings their praises of the Demon Lords, enemies lose their will to live. But when a Ninjakari simply walks out of the city walls, enemy kings hide within the depths of their deepest castle rooms, surrounded by their bravest guards.

Blessings of the Chain and praise to the Great Mother Illith!!!

From my essence to yours,
-Dark Reaver Tharruk Treeripper, The Onyx