I have had a few questions regarding Eshval's outlook on a variety of issues. I am including her helpfile and a basic version of her sacred texts.


Eshval
Spheres: Creation Concealment Beauty
Ethos: Chaotic
Align: Evil
Cabal:
Tattoo: a burning eye set into a black hand

Level (0) ESHVAL 'MUSE'

Some say that she is mad, and that those who are inspired to follow her are
infected with the same madness. She walks the Darkness, between dreams and
nightmares, and life and death, pursuing that which is inconceivable and
known only to Her.

Those architects and artists who seek Eshval, have dedicated themselves to
creating beauty that reflects their personal tastes. The foolish advertise
their art, while the true artist moves silently from the shadows, creating
in silence and leaving no knowledge of their passing. Only the beauty of the
creation will live on to be spoken of in story and song within the safety of
inns and taverns.

The Manse and Gallery of Eshval is found in a dark forest near a pool of
blood.





The Sacred Texts of Eshval-

Chapter One -The Dark Ones
Chapter Two -Madness vs. Genius
Chapter Three -Into Darkness
Chapter Four -Blessings of Eshval
Chapter Five -The Artist
Chapter Six -Death and Beyond
Epilogue -Truth and Truths

Chapter One
Where we come from, no mortal shall know. Nor shall they know where our travels
take us, for that is yet to be written. I am Eshval, known by many names and
titles, suffice it to say, I exist. I pen this work, as it is my desire and
fancy to do so...it amuses me to have such knowledge in the minds and spirits of
those with whom I deal. There is no peace in the knowledge of me. I will move
in your shadow as I move in my own. Where you have been, you can no longer go.


Chapter Two
I am not mad, for evil and intelligence are not incompatible. Indeed they are
complimentary. I am the Darkness that allows for the Light, for without me, the
'Light' would not exist, and we would have no resources from which to draw. In
this case, it might be easier to grasp if we understand a simple tenet - The
terror in the minds of those who can think at all, is so rare and delicious as
to be exquisite. If I had not them, then whom would I terrify, eh? Could I
even exist, without my measure of beauty and terror? It is simple, I like it.


Chapter Three
The journey Into Darkness is not one that is taken lightly, as it takes a toll
on the spirit and often on the mind and body. It is a path of self-discovery
and understanding, of beauty and of pain...it is the path of the artist and
architect of darkness. Those who appreciate and produce the dark beauty I
require, do so without reservation, unleashing, and in turn, pursuing with a
passion, that which inspires and sates their spirit. This passion may assume
any guise, from the creation of a dark canticle to the artistic expression of
creative flaying of an enemy or oneself.


Chapter Four
Those who would follow me, follow a path Into Darkness. A diverse and
idiosyncratic world awaits all those who enter the entity of Darkness. It is a
place of wonder, a place of corruption, a place of silence and peace, a place of
horrific, yet exquisite anguish. Within the Black Radiance, one's fate is never
completely written as fate flows around and through those who enter the dark
caress. Creation uses all. Whether in secret manipulation or open-handed
understanding, all are used to Its advantage. I am the Black Radiance, and I will
use you to fill my desires, and you shall experience such wonders and flights of
creation, that exceed the stuff of Dream.

Those who seek my blessing, should only approach if they desire entrance Into
Darkness, and are possessed of a willingness to accept the dark beauty and
exquisite terrors that await. It is in the Darkness that each shall find their
own Dark Muse that causes them to walk the razor's edge between madness and mad
genius. Only by acceptance of the Darkness, can one truly find peace and
understand the subtle nuances, the gentle yet terrible melodies, and wonders of
discovery.


Chapter Five
As an artist is only as good as the materials from which their creations
originate, only the best and most worthy may be used, lest the Inspired fall
short of perfection. Those who experience such a failure, often seek to learn
from their error and recreate themselves by throwing themselves into the the
Black Radiance. Uninspired observers of such grand gestures have often
commented favorably on such acts of re-creation, while others only see it as
suicide.


Chapter Six
Dogma tells of an afterlife where the Inspired are absorbed into the Black
Radiance, where they create in unrestrained abandon until such time as Eshval
once again recreates them. The Uninspired, however, if they have been an
Inspired source of beauty and creation, are allowed to be recreated in mortal
form; thus allowed the opportunity to become Inspired, or to become as canvas
once again. Those Uninspired who are seen as boring and lacking in material
value are cast into a fiery black sea, nothing more than fuel for Creation's
designs.


Epilogue
Many are those who follow Eshval and the path Into Darkness, and it is said that
of these Inspired, that they are 'evil'. The acts of artistic expression and
the creation of beauty are erroneously considered evil by the Uninspired as they
experience the delights of pain and their eventual death. This is an act of
mercy we perform, allowing them the opportunity to become re-created once again
if they are so blessed, and hence, to become greater than they were. If the
Uninspired are worthless and boring, at least they will be substance for our
creations.

The deeds of the Inspired, as they seek my touch, are spoken of in story and
song within the safety of inns and taverns. The Inspired are the monsters
with which mothers threatened disobedient children. You who seek my attention
and my gentle caress upon their flesh will stop at nothing to achieve it. Your
lives are lived only for me, to see me, to draw my eye, to be accepted by me,
forevermore.

Eshval's email
BlackMarquessa@gmail.com

Eshval's slightly off-center (unofficial) blog.
http://blackmarquessa.blogspot.com/
Carnivàle
http://cirquecarnivale.wordpress.com/