Hishari

Hishari
Official art of a Hishari mask, by Azraelion.
General Information
Full name	Hishari
Constructed	Unknown
Destroyed	A little before 823 PD
Leader	Efterin, Ashton Greymoore's father
Current leader	None
Location Information
Plane	Material Plane (Exandria)
Continent	Issylra
Societal Information
Affiliation	Ashton Greymoore

Hishari can refer either to the followers of the cult leader Efterin that mirrored a "darker path" of the Ashari, or to the cult village (previously known as Tumilo) located on the continent of Issylra far to the west of the Demithore Valley near the base of the Utesspire Mountains. The village was found decimated a couple of decades prior to 843 PD.

History

Background

The village that became "Hishari" was originally named Tumilo, a humble village of farmers and crafters. In about 793 PD, it became a commune centered around a charismatic leader named Efterin who experimented with "esoteric, elemental worship" and preached on the elemental spirits of old and the need to restore the Primordial powers. Efterin traveled from town to town, displaying impressive abilities, giving sermons on "the elemental spirits of old and the enduring need to restore the Primordial powers", and drawing many to follow him. The group eventually settled in Tumilo, far to the west of the Irriam Canyon at the base of the Utesspire Mountains, which was renamed "Hishari" as a tribute to the historical druid cultures of Exandria.

The source of Efterin's power, a "shard of power" given to him by the Great Tree of Atrophy on the island of Kalutha in the Shattered Teeth, became his downfall and led to the destruction of the village. In attempting to channel this extremely powerful source of elemental magic that became the centerpiece of their cult without knowing what it was, they could not control it and there was a massive explosion which destroyed the village and presumably all its inhabitants. The area which the village formerly occupied is now considered cursed.

The cult of Hishari is often used as a cautionary tale of sorts; the destruction of the village is said to be a testament to the dangers of listening to charming leaders who carry empty promises, as well as cults in general and delving without understanding into power. Its decimation also serves as a warning against blindly following the "conventional wisdom of the older, more pious cities that tend to govern Issylra," such as Vasselheim.

Campaign Three: Bells Hells

During the Twilight Mirror Museum heist, Bells Hells came across two sets of "Ceremonial Hishari Armor" on display. The "Headdress of a Lyth-Priest" was described as a "leather headband with side elements that curved upward, with a sculpted brow where eyes looked through. It's a mask and a headdress of curved leather that curved up like a flame, [with] long tethers of leather strips that came down from the sides that had been dyed in blues and reds." The leather chest armor matched the ceremonial theme of the headdress, with "detailed scrolling on it that had similar curves at the edges, and where it ended at the shoulders, they came to a long point off the side." Ashton Greymoore found something about the armor to be strangely familiar. As the rest of Bells Hells ascended the stairs of the museum, Ashton stayed behind momentarily to grab a helmet from one of the sets of ceremonial armor. Later, while intoxicated and alone, Ashton brought out the Hishari mask from their bag to observe. As they fell asleep, the sight of the helmet produced a "numb tingle" in the back of their mind.

When Ashton was caught in Imogen Temult's psychic blast at the culmination of Bells Hells fight against Otohan Thull, he experienced a vision:

“

Enveloped in shadowless infinity, too bright to blink nor look away, you are a child. You were worried as others rush to finish something you do not understand. You do not hear. Your elven father shouts orders without sound, pointing about excitedly. You look back to your saintly, strong mother, the fear within you growing with the tension in the air, but she touches your shoulder and kisses your head. She points ahead as the many people take their places around the vibrant, glowing gateway. Your mother steps to your father and hands him his vestments. He places his leather mask and headdress upon his face, the details curving upward as if reaching for the sparking opening. "It begins."

”

– 

Ashton's vision.

[!h]

He later shared this with the party, explaining that this memory of his parents was his last before the cataclysm that ripped the village apart. Ashton was found wandering the deadlands around Bassuras in Marquet.

Following the Apogee Solstice, Team Issylra (including Ashton) heard of the Hishari from Hevestro, the archdruid guardian of a shrine to a land spirit. He told the group the history of the Hishari as he knew it, telling them of Efterin and his travels. Hevestro didn't know specifics, but believed that the source of Efterin's power became his downfall and led to the destruction of the village. He believed they were attempting to use the power of the Titans as a source of elemental magic.

Thollo in Zephrah later confirmed much of the information Ashton had already gathered, describing the Hishari as a "cult of personality" built around a charismatic leader who traveled Issylra, preaching about a coming great event to reclaim the power of the elemental titans. Thollo was not happy that the group had borrowed the name of the Ashari and used it to spread strange promises.

Trivia

• The language base of the word "Hishari" is related to both "Ashari" and to "Gau Drashari" in that the "shari" portion refers to and is derived from a connection to the elements, although it is not yet clear in which language.
• As of 843 PD there was a rogue Ashari faction in Issylra. It was unknown if their activity was connected to the Hishari or if it came from members of the Fire Ashari of Pyrah.

References

Art: