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HentaiZonga
The Master’s Guild, the Hunter’s Wolf Packs, and the Sisterhood of the Kajira
Strictures: Belief, Fraternity, Limited Membership (males into the Master’s Guild; females into the Sisterhood), Oath

Resources/Dues: Luxury. Adepts are expected to give everything they own to their Masters, who hold the resources of an entire family in a communal ‘pool’ that they dole out as they see fit. As a result, most Masters are incredibly wealthy individuals. Petitioners to the Master’s Guild must pay a substantial gift upon acceptance into the order, and a further gift upon graduation to Master, but the value of these gifts is often highly variable (see below).

Patron: None for Masters; each Master is their own patron for Kajira and Wolves.

Description: The Master’s Guild, the Huntmaster’s Wolf Packs and the Sisterhood of Sacred Kajiras is a mystical group dedicated to obscure sadomasochistic sex rites, blending tantric yoga with ascetic self-moliation rituals. The tradition is deeply sexist, and utterly despised by Dianic wiccans and other more sexually progressive world-views. The group does, in fact, allow women into positions of power and men into positions of subservience, but ingrained attitudes and traditions create something of a “glass ceiling�.

The groups has two separate Initiation Paths – one for Adepts (which is almost exclusively female), and one for Magicians (which is almost exclusively male). Magical Adepts may choose either path, but tend to be strongly encouraged towards the “correct� path for their gender. The gender politics are highly complex: a male Adept may find himself welcomed into the Adept Initiation Path alongside his ‘sisters’, while a female Magician will find a much more hostile reception. The key to this discrepancy is the patriarchal attitudes of the upper ranks, almost all of whom are male Magicians of considerable power. Female Magicians must “prove� themselves in typically masculine displays of power and competition before they will be treated with any respect at all, and will still be seen as second-class Initiates compared to male members. On the other hand, a female who manages to distinguish herself as genuinely exceptional (in the Order’s eyes, of course) will often find herself treated better than most male Magicians of the same Grade – another facet of the complex and ambiguous gender politics rife within the Order.

There are several “progressive� offshoots of this Order, all of which tend to be viewed by the ‘traditionalists’ with contempt bordering on hostility. Many of these allow transgendered Adepts and Masters, seeing “spiritual� gender as more important than “genetic� – although they expect Masters and Hunters to act fully masculine, and Kajira to act fully feminine. Still further on the path towards gender equality are the so-called “open� offshoots, which see dominance and submission as utterly transcending gender, and allow fully male (and sometimes ungelded) Kajira, and fully female Masters. A female Master who does not act ‘masculine’ will at least be expected to act ‘matronly’, presiding over her family as a strict but benevolent matriarch.

Regardless of sectarian schisms, though, nearly all groups who consider themselves a part of this Tradition follow very strict guidelines for Initiation processes and rituals.

Magician’s Initiation Path (The Way of the Master)
Grade 1 (Apprentice) – 8 Karma (Oath - Honor) – Great Ritual
With this, the recruit becomes an Apprentice, formally petitioning the order for the right to learn the skills and philosophy necessary to found his own family. He must swear a formal Oath on his own soul and power, to always treat his slaves properly and with honor, to always honor his deals and commitments with other Masters, and to always treat free men with courtesy and respect until deliberately disrespected. He then promises to honor the commitment to his sifu, and is brought into his sifu’s house to learn.

Grade 2 (Animal) – 10 Karma (Suffering) – Any
When the sifu feels the Apprentice is ready, he is brought to a Place of Pain, where his endurance and resolve are tested until he breaks. The weak are discarded, while the strong are judged worthy to be given the chance to become Masters. Those who survive are dubbed ‘Animals’, a constant reminder that they have shown themselves strong of body and spirit, but have not yet demonstrated the mind, the will, or the culture that distinguish Man from beast.

Grade 3 (Boy) – 12 Karma (Asceticism) – Any
After a period of basic wilderness survival training, the Animal is taken into a harsh environment by his sifu, and then left to fend for himself for one lunar month. He must use his wits, his strength, and most importantly his human intelligence to survive. When the Animal returns, he is declared Human, and welcomed into his sifu’s house as an honored son. From this point forward, he will be referred to by one of two titles – Son or Boy – depending on whether he is being honored or reprimanded. He is taught the history, traditions, customs and expected behavior befitting Masters, until his sifu feels he has sufficient understanding.

Grade 4 (Man) – 14 Karma (Deed) – Any
When the Boy has learned all he can at the foot of his sifu, an elaborate ‘coming of age’ ceremony is held, where the sifu gives his Son his ‘inheritance’ – a gift of wealth and power from the sifu to the boy – and the Son pledges to go forth and accomplish a great deed in the name of his sifu. He is then banished entirely from all contact with his sifu, or anyone within the Order, until he has accomplished his task. Once he returns with proof of his success – often an item of substantial value to his sifu – he presents this as a gift to his sifu, and is granted the title of ‘Man’. He is now free to go and establish his own household.

Grade 5 (Master) – 15 Karma (Thesis or Familiar) – Ally Conjuring or Quickening
At the final stage, the Man spends as much time as necessary – both in the mundane world and within the Order – establishing a foundation of wealth and security upon which he may build his family. When he feels he can securely begin, he either creates an Ally Spirit to serve as his first kajira, or writes an elaborate treatise on the specific rules, customs and rituals that will be observed within his own family, along with their personal significance to him. When either of these are completed, he may then call himself Master. No further ranks are necessary, and no higher honor can be awarded – and indeed, it is the Master’s duty to award this final title upon himself.

Male Adept’s Initiation Path (The Way of the Hunter’s Wolf)
Grade 1 (Acolyte) – 8 Karma (Oath - Obedience) – Power Point
With this, the recruit becomes an Acolyte, formally petitioning the order for the right to join their family. She must swear a formal Oath on her own soul and power, to always obey their Master in all things, to never betray her family, and to never abandon her duties.

Grade 2 (Gelded Pup) – 10 Karma (Sacrifice - Body) – Power Point
The Alcolyte is given an herbal mixture, infused with potent magics. This substance tears through her body, ravaging her reproductive system and permanently re-aligning her chakras. This renders the Acolyte permanently sterile, but radically slows her aging, keeping her body physiologically at cusp between puberty and adulthood (13 to 17). At this stage, the Acolyte is welcomed fully into the family, and gains the title of Little Sister. She is kept sequestered and protected by her family until her body heals from the damage the concoction has done to her.

Grade 3 (Hunting Dog) – 12 Karma (Geas – Honorable Combat) – Power Point
Once his body and soul heals, the Gelded Pup is taught the way of the warrior, as well as many minor tantric sex rites. By performing ritual combat training and only fighting using ‘honorable’ styles, he increases his power and control over his life-force. The title of Gelded Pup is cast aside, and he becomes a Hunting Dog.

Grade 4 (Young Wolf) – 14 Karma (Sacrifice - Logic) – Attunement (Bike or Horse)
When the understanding of the true purpose of the honor training has reached its fullness, the Hunting Dog is brought before his Master for ‘sculpting’. The exact details vary from person to person, but the ordeal is always a grueling and tortuous mental gauntlet, leaving the conscious mind ravaged and the feral subconscious far closer to the surface. Once finished, they join the ranks of the Young Wolves, and are given a mount – a motorcycle or horse, depending on the level of technology their Master prefers.

Grade 5 (Pack Wolf) – 15 Karma (Thesis) – Adept Centering
At the final stage, the Celestial Bride is made to sit alone for months, pondering her new form and her new powers and duties. At the end of this, she must write – in perfect, flowing penmanship, with whatever limbs or tools are available to her – a poetic tome describing who she was, what she has gained and lost, and who she has become. Once this tome is accepted by her Master, she is welcomed back to her family, and may step forward in an elaborate wedding ceremony to become a Celestial Bride to their Master.

Further Initiation proceeds at a pace determined by necessity and skill, but does not endow the Pack Wolf with any new rank. Indeed, little attention is paid to the difference between higher Initiation and merely learning a new Metamagical Technique or gaining a new Power Point at this stage. Pack Wolves may choose to Initiate if they wish to raise their Magic Attribute maximum, but otherwise tend to merely learn new Techniques or increase their Power.

Female Adept’s Initiation Path (The Way of the Kajira)
Grade 1 (Acolyte) – 8 Karma (Oath - Obedience) – Power Point
With this, the recruit becomes an Acolyte, formally petitioning the order for the right to join their family. He must swear a formal Oath on his own soul and power, to always obey their Master in all things, to never betray his family, and to never abandon his duties. Males are also given an additional Oath to always behave with ‘honor’ and ‘chivalry’, the details of which are explicitly defined in the oath.

Grade 2 (Little Sister) – 10 Karma (Sacrifice - Body) – Power Point
The Alcolyte is ritually castrated, then branded with intricate scars and tattoos to permanently re-align their chakras. This renders the Acolyte permanently sterile, but radically slows their aging, keeping their body physiologically at beginning of adulthood (17 to 21). At this stage, the Acolyte is welcomed fully into the family, and gains the title of Little Sister. They are kept sequestered and protected by their family until their body heals from the damage the concoction has done to them.

Grade 3 (Blissful Concubine) – 12 Karma (Geas – Sexual Submission) – Power Point
Once their body and soul heals, the Little Sister is taught the secret tantric sex rites at the core of the family. By performing ritualized sexual acts with their Master and the other members of their order, they increase their power and their control over their life-force. The title of Little Sister is cast aside, and they become a Blissful Concubine.

Grade 4 (Betrothed) – 14 Karma (Sacrifice - Strength) – Attunement (Clothing)
When their understanding of the true purpose of the tantric rites has reached its fullness, the Blissful Concubine is brought before their group for ‘sculpting’. The exact details vary from person to person – some are starved for months, others laden with radical cosmetic surgery implants, and still others have entire limbs removed (and are re-trained over months to move and balance without any substantial loss to Agility). Once finished, they join the ranks of the Betrothed, and are given suitable raiment for their station and newly sculpted purpose.

Grade 5 (Celestial Bride) – 15 Karma (Thesis) – Adept Centering
At the final stage, the Celestial Bride is made to sit alone for months, pondering her new form and her new powers and duties. At the end of this, she must write – in perfect, flowing penmanship, with whatever limbs or tools are available to her – a poetic tome describing who she was, what she has gained and lost, and who she has become. Once this tome is accepted by her Master, she is welcomed back to her family, and may step forward in an elaborate wedding ceremony to become a Celestial Bride to their Master.

Further Initiation proceeds at a pace determined by necessity and skill, but does not endow the Celestial Bride with any new rank. Indeed, little attention is paid to the difference between higher Initiation and merely learning a new Metamagical Technique or gaining a new Power Point at this stage. Celestial Brides may choose to Initiate if they wish to raise their Magic Attribute maximum, but otherwise tend to merely learn new Techniques or increase their Power.
Backgammon
You inversed your female and male adept descriptions.

While very interesting and detailed, is this intended for players? I don't see any player going for this. I would see this Order has an NPC/Plot device, whith a story arc featuring this order for the PCs to see, and meet and interract with NPC members. So basically, I would write a story around it, but not expect any players to actually join up or anything.
HentaiZonga
QUOTE (Backgammon @ Apr 20 2008, 07:00 PM) *
You inversed your female and male adept descriptions.

While very interesting and detailed, is this intended for players? I don't see any player going for this. I would see this Order has an NPC/Plot device, whith a story arc featuring this order for the PCs to see, and meet and interract with NPC members. So basically, I would write a story around it, but not expect any players to actually join up or anything.


That's the idea, pretty much.

Group #2:



The Jedi Order
Strictures: Belief, Fraternity, Limited Membership (only Magician Adepts who follow the Way of the Jedi), Oath, Obedience

Resources/Dues: High. With complete corporate backing, the Jedi Order has a nearly unlimited set of available resources, but must convince its corporate masters that their expenditure is necessary.

Patron: Ares Macrotechnology (through their subsidiary, Industrial Light and Magic)

Description: The Sixth World has shown the incredible power of belief in shaping mana. For some, magical ability comes from thousand-year-old traditions, steeped in arcane knowledge. For others, it comes from cult media phenomena, including pulp sci-fi films from the last century.

The Jedi Order is a group of Magician Adepts whose very magical Tradition is owned by corporate interests. The Order was founded in the aftermath of a landmark UCAS court case, ILM vs. Merryweather, in which a young Jerry Merryweather was sued for copyright infringement because the path of magic he Awakened to was based directly off of one of Ares Macrotechnology’s intellectual properties, the ancient pre-trid film The Return of the Jedi. In the case, several hundred ‘expert witnesses’ stepped foreward claiming solidarity with Jerry’s tradition, and demonstrated that they, too, saw magic as ‘the Force’, and interacted with Mentor Spirits taken directly from the films.

As part of the court settlement, many of these promising adepts were immediately offered positions within Ares Macrotechnology, serving as Ares corporate security, magical research, or special effects crews for ILM. The group has since grown to over 500 members, and produced several cutting-edge spell and focus designs.
Screamin Demon
Kinda creepy, man. Why would people chop their nuts off?

To quote Lewis Black:

When you are in the bathroom about to take a weed whacker to your nuts doesn't some little voice in your head say 'Hey! Maybe this isn't a good idea. Maybe we should just go take up bowling.'?

Its real artful and pretty like though. Very cultish in that regard.

If you were going for really creepy Canadian wolf cult then you are dead on.
CanRay
QUOTE (Screamin Demon @ Apr 20 2008, 02:59 PM) *
Kinda creepy, man. Why would people chop their nuts off?

To win a Darwin Award?

That's what the guy did with the Golf Ball Washer.
HentaiZonga
Hrm. You know what would be cool? Are there any votes here for putting this up in Community Projects, and letting anyone contribute?
HentaiZonga
The Brother’s Keepers
Strictures: Belief, Fraternity, Limited Membership (Spellcasters who have killed another metahuman and repented), Oath, Geas, Exclusive Ritual Sorcery

Resources/Dues: Low. While the group as a whole has access to Luxury-level resources, all members lead humble lives of self-sacrifice and service, donating all of their time and funds to the cause (and receiving enough food, board and medical services to stay healthy, while meditating and learning how to better serve humanity).

Patron: None, but often receives large grants from the Red Cross / Red Crescent, Amnesty International, and other similar policlubs.

Description: The Brother’s Keepers are a rare beacon of light and hope in the 2070’s. All of them are awakened, all of them have done terrible things with their magic, and all of them see joining the Brother’s Keepers as a means of atoning for their past sins.

The Brother’s Keepers accepts mages who are on the way to corruption or burn-out, and gives them time to heal their wounds, reflect on the harm they’ve caused others, and decide to truly “come into the light�. When global situations become desperate for the poor and disenfranchised, they can show up en masse – often providing hundreds of magicians to come together in massive ritual sorcery efforts to cure diseases, cleanse pollution, and heal crops over areas the size of entire villages. They have single-handedly saved entire countries from plagues of malaria and yellow fever, rescued entire farming regions from blight and drought, and saved hundreds of thousands of acres of African and Amazonian ecology – all without demanding a dime of payment. Of course, by 2073, their reputation has become so potent that most governments and philanthropists see it as a major faux pas not to provide them with ample donations – ensuring that they remain more than adequately staffed and funded for the work they do.
HentaiZonga
Da Boyz

Strictures: Attendance, Belief, Fraternity, Limited Membership (Orks only, Technical-oriented Adepts only), Oath

Resources/Dues: Squatter. Da Boyz live in hollowed-out warehouses, garages and chopshops, and devote all their time and nuyen towards their crafts.

Patron: Sons of Sauron.

Description: Da Boyz are a terrifying new threat to appear in the Barrens, slowly spreading south through Tir Tairngire and the CFS A group of Ork “tinkerer Adepts�, Da Boyz delight in constructing improbable custom fighting vehicles, often Troll-sized or larger anthroform or walker drones with built-in rigger cocoons. Da Boyz are a special oddity: they hold many Ork Technomancers that they consider among their ranks, and while the Adepts and Technomancers don’t strictly Initiate or do rituals together, they consider themselves all part of the same family, tribe, and clan.

Da Boyz divide themselves into two sub-groups: Mekboyz, who design and construct their panic-inducing monstrosities of metal and gasoline, and Jokboyz, who pilot them. Mekboyz are almost exclusively Adepts with the Cognition metamagic and a strong focus in Technical and Build/Repair Improved Skill powers, while Jokboyz are either Adepts devoted to vehicle piloting, or Technomancers dedicated to rigging. The group also holds a few rare Mage Adepts and Magicians in its ranks, who are given the title of Weirdboyz.

Da Boyz have received the attention and patronage of the Sons of Sauron, who find their skills useful and their antics hilarious. The Sons of Sauron gangs operating within the Los Angeles metroplex have performed numerous gang-related raids in the past six months utilizing eight- to twelve-foot walking robots armed with industrial buzz-saws, concrete-cutters, flame-throwers and thresher combines. The CFS police have had their hands full responding to the incidents.
Leofski
QUOTE (HentaiZonga @ May 2 2008, 03:50 PM) *
Da Boyz

Strictures: Attendance, Belief, Fraternity, Limited Membership (Orks only, Technical-oriented Adepts only), Oath

Resources/Dues: Squatter. Da Boyz live in hollowed-out warehouses, garages and chopshops, and devote all their time and nuyen towards their crafts.

Patron: Sons of Sauron.

Description: Da Boyz are a terrifying new threat to appear in the Barrens, slowly spreading south through Tir Tairngire and the CFS A group of Ork �€œtinkerer Adepts�€�, Da Boyz delight in constructing improbable custom fighting vehicles, often Troll-sized or larger anthroform or walker drones with built-in rigger cocoons. Da Boyz are a special oddity: they hold many Ork Technomancers that they consider among their ranks, and while the Adepts and Technomancers don�€™t strictly Initiate or do rituals together, they consider themselves all part of the same family, tribe, and clan.

Da Boyz divide themselves into two sub-groups: Mekboyz, who design and construct their panic-inducing monstrosities of metal and gasoline, and Jokboyz, who pilot them. Mekboyz are almost exclusively Adepts with the Cognition metamagic and a strong focus in Technical and Build/Repair Improved Skill powers, while Jokboyz are either Adepts devoted to vehicle piloting, or Technomancers dedicated to rigging. The group also holds a few rare Mage Adepts and Magicians in its ranks, who are given the title of Weirdboyz.

Da Boyz have received the attention and patronage of the Sons of Sauron, who find their skills useful and their antics hilarious. The Sons of Sauron gangs operating within the Los Angeles metroplex have performed numerous gang-related raids in the past six months utilizing eight- to twelve-foot walking robots armed with industrial buzz-saws, concrete-cutters, flame-throwers and thresher combines. The CFS police have had their hands full responding to the incidents.


What are the stats for the Gork mentor spirit (and the Mork paragon) nyahnyah.gif?
HentaiZonga
QUOTE (Leofski @ May 2 2008, 08:40 AM) *
What are the stats for the Gork mentor spirit (and the Mork paragon) nyahnyah.gif?


Hrm. Well, he's fighty... but cunnin'... Shark, maybe?
quentra
The other one's cunnin'...but fighty....Fox?
HentaiZonga
QUOTE (quentra @ May 2 2008, 08:50 AM) *
The other one's cunnin'...but fighty....Fox?


Indeed. And, because it is wholely necessary:

Vehicle – probably was once a horribly mutilated Hyundai Shin-Hyung (Base Cost: 17,000)
Slots – 14
Body 10 / Armor 5
Acceleration 10/25 / Speed 80
Handling +2 / Sensor 1

Smashy Stompa Cost: 65,750
Body 10 / Armor 5
Acceleration 15/35 / Speed 95
Handling +3 / Sensor 1
Mod Slots Cost
Walker 2 5,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Pimped Ride (2) 1 5,000
Ram Plate 1 2,500
Engine Customization
Acceleration (15/35) 2 13,750
Speed (95) 2 9,500
Nitrous Injection 1 2,500

Shooty Stompa Cost: 60,000
Body 10 / Armor 5
Acceleration 10/25 / Speed 80
Handling +3 / Sensor 1
Mod Slots Cost
Walker 2 5,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Pimped Ride (2) 1 5,000
Body Stabilizer (3) 3 9,000
Gyro Link 1 8,000
Gyro Link 1 8,000


'Evy Stompa Cost: 60,000
Body 10 / Armor 20 (Passenger compartment: 50 + 11)
Acceleration 10/25 / Speed 80
Handling +3 / Sensor 1
Mod Slots Cost
Walker 2 5,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Mechanical Arm 2 4,000
Pimped Ride (2) 1 5,000
Armor (20) 1 4,000
Passenger Protection (6) 2 12,000
Personal Armor (10) 2 5,000
Enhanced Rigger Cocoon 2 4,000

Description - Stompaz are Da Boyz' favorite terror-weapons. While most of Da Boyz and their Sons of Sauron escorts arrive at the 'party' in motorcycles, monocycles, or ATV's, it is a sign of great prestige to be allowed to take a Stompa out for a spin. Stompaz are 12 to 15-foot tall, vaguely humanoid bipedal robots, with massive claw-arms and various "spikey bits" welded on at odd angles to give them a more formidable appearance. Stompaz typically use the salvaged ICE powerplants from totalled automobiles, and use what can be salvaged from those vehicles' suspensions and framework to create their internal skeleton. Onto this framework is bolted a dizzying array of electronics, servomotors, and rigger adaptation gear. Each Stompa is a unique work of art, more an expression of the Mekboy's creativity than a mere fighting machine.

While each Stompa is unique, there seem to be three basic themes that tend to fare better than most. The first, dubbed the 'Smashy Stompa' by Da Boyz, is a hunched-over, hulking brute - usually with a giant animal's head sculpted out of reinforced scrap metal and welded to the front as a giant 'ramming spike'. Smashy Stompaz typically have tricked-out engines and nitrous injectors, forgoing all safety or structural integrity in exchange for raw speed and smashing power. Shooty Stompaz, on the other hand, have internal gyroscopic stabilization systems, and advanced gyro-linked fire control systems wired into their massive limbs. These Stompaz are typically outfitted with heavy weapons in each arm, and serve as the 'forward artillery' for clashes with the police, rival gangs, or private security. Finally, 'Eavy Stompaz' are bulky, lumbering tanks, sometimes with six or more legs arrayed in a more crab-like than human-like configuration. 'Eavy Stompaz are doubly-reinforced with heavy armor and protective gear, designed to carry important tactical leaders and WeirdBoyz into the thick of battle where they can do the most damage from within the Stompaz' protective cocoon.

The most horrifying stories to come from Los Angeles, though, suggest there may be a fourth form of Stompa - a Stompa which contains no ICE powerplant, servo-electronics or rigging gear whatsoever, but instead serves as a massive vessel for summoned Ally spirits. These rumors have yet to be confirmed.
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