Watskashi Pillars

The Watskashi were a group of shapeshifters, ever loyal to their god, Leviathan. Death, however, was not the thing they admired about him. They found interest in his ability to change into any shape he desired as well as his purview over time.

They begged Leviathan for ages to teach them his ways, and each time, they were refused. Sacrifices and offerings of cattle were given, but it was all in vain. A Watskashi named Jineele, who had studied architecture in Murwell before the fall of Tenebrye, suggested that they create two pillars, one for life, and the other, for death. They crafted the Watskashi Pillars.

Leviathan was an Old God, and so, respected the Balance greatly, before his corruption, that is. He granted them minute power in shape-shifting and time. Time was limited, they were only able to travel a few seconds into the future. With shape-shifting, they could turn into tan leopards, which allowed them to traverse the desert unseen.

The madness of Leviathan soon consumed him. He started to cause eternal destruction and was soon sealed away. With him gone, the Tenebrye Mages saw their chance to finally clean up the realm and remake it in the way that they envisioned. This vision had no place for the Watskashi, unfortunately. They were hunted down like animals. Villages were burned down, and the remaining babies were taken to be indoctrinated, and purged of any memories.

In an act of desperation, the remaining Watskashi rallied together into two circles, one for each pillar, in hopes to call on Leviathan’s power. They sought to use all they had learned and cast their magic into the pillars. The people around the life pillar used shapeshifting. Each of them turned into the same tan felines. When nothing happened, they tried to turn back but failed. That’s where the Watskashi, a breed of cat, get their name, as they are descendants. The ones around the death pillar used time magic. In a flash, they disappeared, only, they didn’t come back at all. The once devout followers of Leviathan were now cursed to roam the desert and mountains as four-legged beasts.