Adapted From In The Black and The Philosophy of Black
"Don’t think about making life better for other people who don’t even deserve you; rather, focus on making your life the best, for yourself and those who love you."
In the Starfall Galaxy, some individuals and factions are profoundly attuned to the Mana-currents of Black Devotion. This is the philosophy of ego, one that views the self as the center of all that goes on around it. It is a philosophy of honest self-reflection, one that does not deny that sentience is inherently selfish. Black states that the truth of existence is that we wish not just to survive, but to thrive within our limited time in the cosmos, and it is because of this that civilizations have flourished. Black is the devotion of resourceful ambition and amoral realism.
Black Devotion
Driven by ambition, self-interest, and the pursuit of power. Can be the source of ruthless efficiency and the ability to get things done at any cost, or of selfish betrayal and a complete disregard for others.
Allied Devotions Blue and Red
Rival Devotions White and Green
Mana Current: Ambition, self-interest, will to power
Virtues: Ruthless efficiency, self-reliance, survival instinct
Vices: Betrayal, exploitation, disregard for others
Affinity: Blue (shared pursuit of mastery), Red (shared rejection of external control)
Rivalry: White (communal good vs. selfish gain), Green (natural balance vs. artificial dominance)
Narrative Role: Black represents honest pursuit of personal power and advancement. In Starfall, Black manifests in the Ebon Syndicate's pragmatic ruthlessness, corporate ladder-climbing, and those who refuse to be powerless again.
Character Examples:
Ebon Syndicate operatives leveraging Yom-debt
Corporate raiders seizing failing stations
Former slaves vowing "never again"
Necromancers seeking immortality
Mechanical Application: Circumstance bonus with criminal networks, ambitious individuals, mercenary groups, and power-brokers. Bonus against idealists and selfless heroes.
Black Magic When spellcasters manifest Black aligned spells, they may feel a sense of gratification with the surge of power the magic brings. sometimes their awareness of their own mortality builds into a wave of furious anger.
It does not ask what others may do for it; it only asks what it can do for itself. This is a unique perspective that goes against the teachings of many societies, teachings that tell us to be humble, not to covet, and to be happy with our lot in this existence. Black defies this wholeheartedly, adamant that it is meant to be more, to have more, and that this life is to be experienced on its own terms.
Core Philosophy: The Self-Made Star
The core of Black Devotion’s philosophy stems from a culmination of experiences that lead it to believe that the cosmos is either indifferent to its place within it or actively trying to stifle it. A devotee has seen firsthand the crushing weight of false morals—morals others use to their advantage. They have witnessed the powerful taking advantage of the weak, and leaders making laws that protect their assets rather than their people. Black knows that the cosmos is cruel and that many philosophies lie to themselves to validate their existence.
Black, therefore, decides that it must lash out at this world in equal measure. This is not about total moral depravity but about a way of thinking that refuses to erect arbitrary walls on the road to personal success. What’s more, Black is driven by two very strong emotions: pride and ambition. These two aspects permeate everything it does; it reaches for more and celebrates that achievement at every step. These things can be seen as a reflection of moral corruption by some, but to Black, it is a purpose unlike any other.
On one end of the spectrum, it could be a person who simply wants to thrive in a world that has left them without any tools to do so. They see that if they do not put themselves first, no one else will. At the far end of the spectrum, it could be someone who actively feels that life is a toxic, horrid existence and, in turn, reacts to it in a way that reflects that outlook.
Devotion and Allegiances
As we can already see, White is the devotion Black is usually at odds with. White consists of notions centered on ideals such as order, selflessness, and the burdens of moral judgment. Black defies these outlooks, seeing White as the fool who punishes itself for following its nature, and of those who would abuse that willingness to follow. Black believes that if the powerful are going to take advantage, they should at least be honest about it, rather than hiding behind laws and gods.
The other devotion that frustrates and pushes at Black's borders is Green. This foolish devotion is so happy with whatever it is given. It preaches falsehoods like destiny and harmony. Black spits on such notions. "Was it my destiny to suffer?" it asks. "Should I be thankful that I was brought into this world kicking and screaming only to find out the universe didn’t want me?" Black rejects these ideas. "My destiny is carved by my own hand, and true harmony is a lie."
On the other hand, its neighbors pull it in on either side, bringing out different aspects of Black that are firmly based in those devotions. To one side, we see Blue, a devotion that is at least reasonable in its outlook. It understands the concept that we must pursue a goal bigger than ourselves, and it's a devotion unafraid to get its hands dirty. Black enjoys Blue's company because Blue appreciates ambition and almost obsesses over it.
Finally, there is Red, a curious devotion not much worried about anything. It's a devotion Black can appreciate because Black understands the value in having a good time and in being honest with your emotions and intentions. It’s also the devotion that pulls some level of humanity into Black. Without this neighbor's influence, Black would succumb to its narcissism and lack any level of empathy.
The Black Devotee: Love and Ambition
A Black devotee is not one who loves unconditionally, but rather someone who has many acquaintances and a few people they hold close. Black can love, but it has no love for those who would bring it down in any way. While the many acquaintances are viewed as its connections and little more, those that Black does hold dear are people it keeps very close. To Black, the people it holds dear aren't chosen based on any expectations, such as being family members. It instead finds people whose values and personalities match its own and, in turn, cherishes them nearly as much as it does itself.
This is an honest mindset. It knows what it wants and what is vital to it, and in this way, it sheds anything that does not align with this goal. Yes, that can mean it even sheds its humanity, but it can also mean that it sheds every disadvantage that this cruel and random existence hands down to us. It is a devotion that raises a person instead of allowing them to be defeated by their circumstances, making it a force for change and success, a true self-made star in the cosmic void.
What Represents Black Devotion
Death—Death is a potent and powerful force that most others write off due to taboos. Black devotees don't care about taboos. Black devotion cares about results, and death is an effective tool. As such, death has become a major weapon of black devotees.
Undead—Death is not an end but often a beginning. Black devotion makes use not just of death but of dead things. Others have issues with using the dead, but black devotees know they make great servants.
Amorality—Black devotion is not immoral, as black devotees don't believe in the concept of morality. Morality is a human construction meant to allow the weak to justify a false position of strength over those more powerful than themselves. Life is not divided into good and evil but rather into what must be done and what needn't be done.
Fear—Of all the emotions, fear is the one that black devotion has found to grant it the easiest time to get what it wants quickly. Fear tends to motivate individuals to do whatever it takes to remove themselves from the situation that's making them afraid. Black devotees have found this to be a very effective tool and thus use it often.
Pain—This is another great motivator shunned by others. If you can do something simple that gains compliance, why wouldn't you use it?
Darkness—First, no one can tell what you're doing in the dark, which makes it easier for black devotees to get away with things. Second, it scares people, so that's a big plus. Third, the kinds of creatures that black tends to make use of often live and thrive in the dark. And finally, it represents keeping things hidden, which black has found helps it accomplish its goals.
Disease—Like death, disease is a potent and powerful force that most others shun due to silly taboos. It's effective, spreads easily, and makes others weak—all things that work in a black devotee's favor.
Decay/Entropy—Things get weaker over time. Black devotion has found this to be yet another natural force that it can bend to its desires.
Insects/Rats/Spiders—Others shy away from creepy, crawly things. Evoking these emotions becomes a key draw for black devotees.
Corruption—Individuals are inherently selfish. Black devotion takes advantage of this universal truth, causing others to benefit themselves while helping Black out.
Deceit—Many individuals put value in truth. They are fools. The illusion of truth as a force to be trusted is just an opportunity waiting to be exploited.
Machiavellian Thinking ("The ends justify the means")—The means are meaningless. People who put value in them are wasting their strength in the wrong place. Who cares why or who or how? In the end, results are all that actually matter.
Individualism—Black devotion's philosophy of self-reliance stresses the importance of individuals being able to look after themselves.
Destruction (calculated)—The weak focus on things that take more time and energy. The strong are the ones who understand where true strength lies. Destruction is far easier than creation. Therefore, black devotion relies on destruction as a means to achieve its ends.
Sacrifice —Sometimes, it takes sacrifice to get things done. Always starts with those who aren't yourself. Note, though, that sometimes you'll have to be the one to sacrifice. What sets black apart is a willingness to do this when it is the most efficient course of action.
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