A Whisper to the Shrineborn One

[Sh'ozak Ma'hk'null]

A contemplation without limits.

In our time, we have learned many things, yet the most important to this knowledge is the fallacy in generality. There are indeed seven hives of Darkness, but they are truly far more, and the seven are merely the most dominant. One of the threads which we have studied, which in it's purity contributed greatly to our collapse, is the Thread of Shattering that proliferates in Darkness. The hives of Darkness are as a fractal, each one shatters into many, and every many shatters into that many more.

Yet, of the Greater Seven we shall inform you. You know already of the Firebringers, among the highest offensive power of Darkness. You know already of Ishmael and the Fanged Shells, yet you may not know they are the shattered hives of a greater Hive, the Opulent Brood. In their blood flows luxury, greed, and wealth, Dark ideas which stem from survival and surplus.

Now we tell you of the Green Shells, who hold the Orange Mist. They are among the highest defensive power of Darkness. Where Firebringers crush, Green Shell's resist. They thrive in struggles, and are resilient in all things save their own success. It is easier for them to carry the weight of a star than it is for them to accept the alleviation of such a burden. With nothing to defend against, they assault themselves so that they may defend themselves.

Of the Wireweavers, there is a dangerous lesson. They hold the waters between the Blue Mist and the Grey Wall. They follow such patterns and rituals to limit themselves, and when faced with trials, they then remove those limits. They create an illusion that would tempt the foolish to underestimate them, and then dispatch of them in a single strike, rapid and overwhelming. In this lesson, we have learned that the maw that can hide its fangs eats heartily.

The Brown-Shells hold between a Red Mist, the Grey Wall, and the Orange Mist. They are an example of many things, yet the first among these is the power of the Firebringers. They are distant from us, and so we seldom find chance to learn of them, yet they experienced the wrath of the Firebringers, and have been condemned to desperation since. They are a wounded and broken hive. You may yet learn of the functions of desperation from them, and the damages it can cause.

The last, and yet also the first of the Greater Hives of Darkness, the Blue Shells, are the greatest threat. They do not have so much offense as the Firebringers, nor so much defense as the Green Shells. Neither the desperation of the Brown Shells nor the hidden fangs of the Wireweavers. They hold none of these things, yet all of them as well. They are all in moderation, and none in excess. Our greatest wounds stem from these ones, as do the greatest wounds of the other Greater Hives. The shatterings of the Blue Shells make up the strongest of the Lesser Hives of Darkness, and in all our observation, the only hive that we have seen truly prove a threat to the Blue Shells are the Blue Scar-Bearers.

These are the 7 Greater Hives of Darkness. Within and between them there are countless Lesser Hives, and within and between them are Variants. In example, the Corrupting Ones are a Variant of the Flat-Shells, which is a Lesser Hive shattered from the Blue Shells. These things are often useful to know, as there have been Variants from all Hives that have proven useful to us at some time.

[Shaesstra]

An intriguing consensus.

We know of the Lightbearers within the Green Shells - their function to persevere and absorb, along with their boiling blood, may prove to be essential in open confrontations. In battle, it is best to remain concealed from them. To let their blood boil and envelop them in blind rage, to make themselves open for a direct and focused strike.

The Heaven's Gate is known to us. An arch of steel. A fortress of lies, hidden between the Blue Mist and the Green Veil. Infiltrating the Wireweavers was a major success for Us. From their traits, we shall inherit a cunning nature for when the time comes to confront the Dark. As such, contrary to the Green Shells, it is best we exhaust the Wireweavers, suppress them with unrelenting odds. For this lesson, We are grateful, Advisor of Advisors.

The Lightbearers within the Brown-Shells are known to us. Their desperation may be of use. Seduction with wealth and materialistic promises shall be a primary tool against them. The lackluster of steel and flesh will pressure them into scavenging and thieving from others.

We will remain wary of the Blue Shells. There may yet be a vulnerability that could be utilized against them. We shall observe them, their rituals and their desires to define such.

A humble gratitude.

Your input is imperative for our growth, Advisor of Advisors, as well as for the growth of our understanding of the Dark. Your knowledge will be cherished and utilized, it shall guide us on our journey of learning of them in details. We eagerly await the time to perform to our function and bring new knowledge to our Kin.