The Samashti were one of the major darshanas of the Hellenistic period.
Overview[]
The School of the Supreme End held that universal perfection of humanity was the ultimate goal. Denying the notion of gods or virtuous philosophy guiding one's magic, the Samashti believed that liberation from the Great Lie required the guidance of an enlightened one, the identity of whom was debated by the darshana at large. Without this enlightened figure, any attempt at religion or moral law was meaningless, tainted by the Lie.
Awakened who did not contribute to the search for or creation of the enlightened one were to be eliminated and dangerous magic was to be erased. As such, this school was regarded with suspicion by the others.
Among the darshana were a number of cults, primarily divided by geography. In Greece were the Phulakeions, or Guardians, from whom the Guardians of the Veil would take their name. Asian adherents largely hid their affiliation, though a small sect, the Khatwangi, was known to exist. The Persian Maari provided witchcraft to the Sleepers, so as to keep more dangerous individuals from filling the niche. Finally, the Egyptian Sepermeru took on the symbolism of Set, a god of storms and strangers who serves by battling the serpent of chaos, Apep.
In the passing of time, as a more central Awakened culture began to coalesce, the Guardians took on more sinister actions for the sake of those around them, to spare them the corruption of such acts. Thus, they became spies and executioners.
