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| title = The Mare-Night
| card =
| quote = We call upon the Mare, who exterminates our foes by dominates / who exsanguinates / who lurks the hand of Man...Wood| origin = NowhereFrom-Blood| titles = Assassin-QueenCrownslayer, Arrow-MareArrowsong, Hunter-'s Moon
| names =
*Mabel, The Fox Starspeech {{Aspect|Lantern}} {{Aspect|Knock}}
*Alastor, The Blight-Father {{Aspect|Knock}} {{Aspect|Winter}}
*DonovanValerius, The Warlord Scourge Promised {{Aspect|Edge}} {{Aspect|KnockForge}} *VladimirTristan, The Flagellant Saint Missing {{Aspect|Grail}} {{Aspect|MothWinter}} *TanataJustine, The Vigilante Saturnian {{Aspect|Edge}} {{Aspect|Winter}}
| aspects = {{Aspect|Edge}} {{Aspect|Moth}} {{Aspect|Winter}}
| owners = [[user:Nephilim|Иephilim]]
}}
The '''Mare-Night''' (Also revered as The '''Assassin-Queen''', The '''Arrow-Mare''' and The '''Hunter-Moon'''), is a an Edge - Moth - Winter Hour created by Nephilim. The Mare presides over acts of slaughter and violence by the hand of Man and Beast- The beautiful, timeless act of '''murder'''. An artificial form of ending. She is considered a patron of assassins, hunters, and mercenaries and serial killers. She is also known for being an extremely to be kind and loving soul to other Hours, in an odd contrast to her themeyet merciless.
== History ==
===Base/body===
*She is, usually an eight-legged(Sometimes six, rarely four.) centaur, of heavy, noble drafter build.
*Her tail is usually a centipede, which sometimes holds a mind of its own and blends into her back as a set of ridges and spikes. Occasionally, it shows as either a regular horse tail, a short, brushed show-horse tail or a long, swirly unicorn tail with fur all over the underside.
*Her human half is skinny and fragile-looking, and has four arms, and two of them hold her bow, which is adorned by elvish designs and Quetzal feathers.
*Her skin is dark brown as fertile mud, with freckles and spots in silver, bronze and moss. Her claws are long, thin and straight, sharp like Alastor's needles.
*Despite looking mostly feminine, she either manifests as both (physical) sexes at once, or none.
*Her coat is spotted and dappled as her skin, and her fur grey as steel. Said fur is short and smooth, and doesn't stick out much around her hooves.
*The Mare's hair is colourful as half-tarnished copper. Messy, somewhat wavy, and grows all the way from her scalp to her upper back, like a mane. It is usually adorned with a variety of flowers.
*Only a bit of her face can be seen, when she tips her mask upwards to reveal her beastly, sharp teeth. Her mouth extends all the way to her ears, and she has been known to unhinge her jaw to devour her prey.
*She is also occasionally depicted as having a halo made of daggers and knives and blood-stained, unopened letters. These are actually her Longs and Names' personal weapons, sacrificed to her upon their ascension.
===Clothing/Outfits===
Nobody has ever truly seen her face behind the mask. Those who claim to have invariably lost their sanity, becoming hideous beasts driven by bloodlust. Her mask is covered in gems- Moonstones, moss agates and catseye. Engraved with markings of flowers and moths. She doesn't like people touching it.
== Principles ==
The Mare is, as previously mentioned, an incarnation of murder born of Nowhere from the crimes of Man. Despite her (usually) friendly and bubbly approachable personality, she is still an extremely violent Hour of delightful sacrifice. She is the Hour of '''Murder, Hunting and Unexpected Endings'''. She is also, appeased by violence and death extension, unofficially treated as an Hour of the innocentwar.
== Worship ==
Perception of her varies,and is often decided by cult rank.
The new cultists aren't told much, and usually see her as an one-dimensional, bloodthirsty deity, but that is not the case- Most higher-ups will argue that, anyway, while wearing the cozy scarves She knitted for them in their time of ascensionas they have likely seen her friendlier side since they have proven themselves. They prefer to see her as a kind and loving (yet strict and occasionally irrational), guardian.
She is also known for her many ascension trials- She personally judges her every follower, testing them individually on their strengths and weaknesses, weeding out the fragile and unworthy.
Worshipping the Mare-Night is often done within assassin groups that double as cults, as well as hunting groups, and the occasional lone serial killer and lone forest person on their own.
Due to their secretive nature, there might be anywhere from 3 to 100 standing cults of the Mare, but only somebody initiated in those circles and sufficiently high-ranking could tell you the exact number. (and that information most certainly has a steep price.) But for now, there are two three major "Semi-open" groups that relatively plenty of men and women who know of the Secret Arts know about:
*1:Society Of The Blessed Arrows: {{Aspect|Moth}} A small group of forest cultists who subsist on what the chaos of nature grants them every day,and do some shady business on the side..They generally refer to the Mare as an "It", and see her as an animal.
*2:The Nightmare Company {{Aspect|Edge}} A secretive squad which has aided many politically motivated murderers in the past. They are thought to be gone, and they are not- They're just known to have some unusual demands for their deeds nowadays. They generally refer to the Mare as a "He".
*23:The Nightmare Company Kelpie's Mane Society {{Aspect|Edge}} A secretive squad which has aided massive society spanning many politically motivated murderers linked cults (and Long), with their original HQ in Ireland. The true extent of their influence is not known, but it is said that they hold, at least, the pastnear-entirety of the British Isles. They are thought In contrast to be gonemost smaller Mare-Cults, the Kelpie's Mane is mostly integrated by artists, nobles and they the rich. They are not- Theyconsidered rebels among the Mare're just known s worshippers due to their decision to have someremain integrated in society even after their "transformation" has taken hold... Unusual demands for their deeds nowadaysThey generally refer to the Mare as a "She".
=== Mark ===
# '''Temptation: The Hunt''': I have 've seen something, walking the signs Wood. A silhouette through my dreamsthe trees. DaggersI heard the howls of those which lurk in the shadows, beasts, horses and dark alleyways.the final screams of those less fortunate than I. I know there's something there for me.# '''Dedication: The Hunt''': She has acknowledged me as one of her own! I must get readyMost humans would refuse, for i don't know what will comeyet the beast within desires.# '''Ascension: The WalkPredator''': The forest beyond is cold and unforgiving. But she has hidden something here for me- Yet i First I must take it without her eyes on me. If i faillearn to walk unseen, her claws will be upon meas a tiger stalks in the undergrowth. I must learn the art of Stealthcan't help but notice how my skin hardly fits me anymore.# '''Ascension: The CallPredator''': The Mare demands I hear her calls for sacrifice. She demands as i do the blood and flesh cries of what - a newborn or who - i love the mostfootsteps of a stranger. And i must not shed a single tear in the processThey're irresistible. I must learn the art of Slaughteram growing restless.# '''Ascension: The ThirstPredator''': The heartbeats Every passing day i feel more and more like a wild animal. I wander in the depths of the night, patrolling this corner of wonderful prey sing to my heightened sensesthe world that is mine. I cannot go smile in public anymore. Not with these hands, Not with these eyes. I must learn the art of Self-Restraint.# '''Ascension: The Predator''': The mirror fears my silhouette. The dark corners of the city whisper my name in hushed tones with trembling lips. She looks I've come to me with hope, and a beastly smile. Now, know i cannot live among people anymore - But i must learn no longer desire the art company of Sewing- her last, most innocent gift to me. Soon, we ride into the sunsetmy prey.
=== Servants ===
The Mare uses her servants as personal bodyguards, and agents. Assassin-Queen as she is, most Most of her deeds aren't done by herhand. All but one (which is W.I.P.) are her most prized men, ones who excel at the arts of breaking bodies and minds. And yet, she babies them and knits them scarves...===== Names ====='''1: Donovan, The Warlord''' - An once-mortal, now under the servitude of the Mare. A cunning strategist who seeds discord and conflict among his targets, selectively antagonizing and seducing the men and women he needs to his cause, and witnesses it evolve into large-scale murderplotting as he simply stands there and takes his pay with not a stain of blood in his uniform. {{Aspect|Edge}} {{Aspect|Knock}}
==== Justine, Saturnian ====<div style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">{{ElementDescription|image = |title = Justine|description = 'I have no words to say. I hope you do, too.''4|aspect0 = Follower|aspect1 = Summoned|aspect2 = Tutor|aspect3 = Deceiver|quantity3 = 12|aspect4 = Edge|quantity4 = 12|aspect5 = Winter|quantity5 = 12|fansus = 3}}</div> <div style="margin-top: 20px; text-align:Vladimircenter">{{RecipeDescription|verb = Work|title = Summon a chilling Name of the Mare-Night|start_description = The Saturnian is not a Name who answers, often, to calls. But perhaps the offer of a quiet atmosphere and a good story might lure her out of hiding, for a time.|description = When Justine speaks, all fall silent. Her hair is white as the first snow. Her halo is like a hundred crystal-shard rings in all tones of beige and blue. The pale unicorn she rides cries in ice and sky, and I fear the day she smiles at me once more.|aspect0 = Ritual|aspect1 = SH|quantity1 = 5|aspect2 = Winter|quantity2 = 10|aspect3 = Knock|quantity3 = 2|fansus = 3}}</div>==== Alastor, The Flagellant'Blight-Father ==== <div style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">{{ElementDescription|image = |title = Alastor|description = 'Now, we choose who lives, and who dies.' |aspect0 = Follower|aspect1 = Summoned|aspect2 = Tutor|aspect3 = Deceiver|quantity3 = 12|aspect4 = Winter|quantity4 = 12|aspect5 = Knock|quantity5 = 12|fansus = 3}}</div> <div style="margin- An oncetop: 20px; text-mortal, now under align: center">{{RecipeDescription|verb = Work|title = Summon a scientific Name of the servitude Crownslayer|start_description = It is rare for a Champion of the Mare-Night to maintain this amount of humanity. A particularly sadistic executioner chilly atmosphere and some good wine should convince him to spend some time with us. |description = The Blight-Father adjusts his bird mask, running a hand over the reeds of the old timeskelpie below him, whose skull, exposed by rot, is covered with colourful mushrooms. I know better than to drink with him, as i could wake in an alley with a particular penchant searing fever and rags for cannibalism and starvationclothing. Deeply religious|aspect0 = Ritual|aspect1 = Grail|quantity1 = 5|aspect2 = Winter|quantity2 = 10|aspect3 = Knock|quantity3 = 2|fansus = 3}}</div> ==== Tristan, he would starve heretics by feeding them only their own flesh and bloodThe Saint Missing ====<div style="text-align: center; margin- And would feast on his own skin when he dared bottom: 20px;">{{ElementDescription|image = |title = St. Tristan|description = 'Oh, so kind to stray from his pathlet me see the world again! But please, bring something for my master next time. She doesn't like me leaving the Wood, oh no... Too many casualties. Inquestionably insane'|aspect0 = Follower|aspect1 = Summoned|aspect2 = Tutor|aspect3 = Devourer|quantity3 = 12|aspect4 = Winter|quantity4 = 12|aspect5 = Grail|quantity5 = 12|fansus = 3}}</div> <div style="margin-top: 20px; text-align: center">{{RecipeDescription|verb = Work|title = Summon a strange Name of the Arrowsong|start_description = The Saint Missing is an unhappy soul, questionably effectivewho is always eager to see the real world again. But it would be foolish to invite the Mare holds ghoul in without a sacrifice to sate him, and frost to bind him.|description = Saint Tristan looks down from his leash fragile steed, messing with pride anywaya brass ring on a bony finger. The horse repeats its rider's maddening stare. Everything is wrong, and it will never be right. My mind is starving. {{Aspect|aspect0 = Ritual|aspect1 = Grail|quantity1 = 5|aspect2 = Lantern|quantity2 = 10|aspect3 = Knock|quantity3 = 2|fansus = 3}} </div> ==== Mabel, The Starspeech ==== <div style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">{{AspectElementDescription|Moth}}image = |title = Mabel|description = 'I've conquered hundreds like you... Do you want to be next?'5|aspect0 = Follower|aspect1 = Summoned|aspect2 = Tutor|aspect3 = Deceiver|quantity3 = 12|aspect4 = Lantern|quantity4 = 12|aspect5 = Knock|quantity5 = 12|fansus = 3}}</div> <div style="margin-top: 20px; text-align:Mabelcenter">{{RecipeDescription|verb = Work|title = Summon a mysterious Half-Name-Emanation of the Mare-Night|start_description = Not quite a person, not quite a Name. The Fox''Starspeech' s mind- An once-mortalbreaking charms could be attracted to me with the right amount of enlightenment, and some promise of pleasures...|description = Mabel needs no words to exert her influence. Only a confident smile. She pushes a curly bang away from her eye and poses for me. The white qilin with her looks at me with curiosity. For a second, now i thought i caught a glimpse of a bushy tail under the servitude her skirt.|aspect0 = Ritual|aspect1 = Grail|quantity1 = 5|aspect2 = Lantern|quantity2 = 10|aspect3 = Knock|quantity3 = 2|fansus = 3}}</div> <small><small>...Yes, they do have detachable heads. All of them.</small></small> === Long === Long of the Mareare, essentially, Edge-aspected apex predators. They are given many animal characteristics, varying by their personality, but these traits are universal: *Some form of venom (Delivery system varies - from different kinds of snake fangs to little spurs on their hands. A so)*Something to assist them while fighting head-called "Assassin" who has never had on. (Claws, spikes, armour, etc, even stuff like the ability to give electric shocks)*Some form of extra sense. (Ability to sense body heat, to see in the dark, to see through hearing, etc) *Some form of threat display, just to be scary. (Markings that can be made to kill glow, a soulcobra-like hood, eyes that change colours, etc) However, the Mare-Longs' most notable ability is their adaptability. If they spend too long around the sea, they might grow gills or fins. If they live in the mountains, they might grow wings or gliders. InsteadIf they spend too much time in the woods, her silver tongue conquers they'll find claws or a tail growing on them. This even applies to the mind city - Even if most of all them prefer to live in natural places, those who stand stay in her waythe city are stealthy - their traits become easily concealable and their instincts repressed (To an extent, and find no more appealing choice than to follow her into enlightenmentthat is). Those ==== Notable Servants ==== Eoghan Clawsong [Tiger + Snake] is an Irish painter who fall into her traps are never heard from again, surrendering their lives as cultistsa stealth-Long in the city. He is known for being extremely eccentric and doing somewhat occult art, though he's flown under the radar of the Bureau for some time now. Most of his beast traits aren't very visible, and he generally keeps his animal habits at home - but sometimes he slips, too. Of courseHe is a member of a secretive, wide-reaching Mare cult known as the "Kelpie's Mane", she could shatter your psyche if she wantedand works as one of their recruiters. She just prefers to have you in on her causeHis tests are particularly merciless. {{Aspect|Lantern}} {{Aspect|Knock}}
== Locations ==
=== What They Hide ===
'''''This is Do you really trust a murder case. The Mare is the incarnation goddess of murder itself. Trusting her testimony is nothing short of foolish. Besides that, why does she never show her face? And how can the embodiment of such in a vile and primal act be so pleasant and patientcrime scene?'''''
== Relationships ==
[[Category:Hours (Vol. III)]]
