The Shrike Cult
Devotees seeking salvation from the metallic angel who walks backward through time.
The Shrike Cult is the common name of the Church of the Final Atonement, also called the Shrike Church, whose members worship the Shrike. Together with the Hegemony and the All Thing it sends the pilgrims to the Time Tombs on Hyperion to make a request of the Shrike. The Shrike is also known as the Lord of Pain, the Avatar, or the Angel of Final Atonement.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Time Tombs on Hyperion
- Entity worshiped
- The Shrike
Lore & Background
In Hyperion, Shrike cultists rescue Brawne Lamia, and the Church of the Shrike grants her asylum on the condition that she joins the pilgrimage. In The Fall of Hyperion the dying Het Masteen reveals that the Shrike Cult has colluded with the Templar Brotherhood. Sudden Shrike Cult uprisings then devastate major Hegemony planets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the members of The Shrike Cult?
They are the members of the Church of the Final Atonement, also known as the Shrike Church. They worship the Shrike, the creature of the Time Tombs that others regard with fear and hatred.
What is the nature of the Shrike they worship?
The Shrike is a half-mechanical, half-organic four-armed creature whose origins are described as uncertain. It is said to grant one wish to the pilgrims who reach it, and it impales its victims on the Tree of Pain.
Where do these cult activities take place?
The pilgrimages lead to the Time Tombs on the planet Hyperion, the home of the Shrike. This specific location serves as the focal point where believers seek an audience with the metallic angel.
What is the ultimate goal of the Shrike's followers?
The pilgrims go to make a request of the Shrike, which is said to grant one wish. Their journey often leads to a confrontation with time itself within the boundaries of the Time Tombs.
More in Factions & Organizations
Elsewhere in Hyperion Cantos
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