PRIESTS:| No. |
Card |
Star Sect, Cult and Schism |
Generic Qualities of The
First Principle to Twenty-First Principles... a set of protoGods
suitable for any sophont or Campaign. (Liturgy:#::22-#:Theurgy)1 to invoke Miracles |
The Living God(s)
collectively known as the 'Old Ones'; 'Precursors'; 'Elders'; 'Ancients';...
The first seven are firmly incorporeal whose only contact with the Mundane is via their Priests and Acolytes. |
| I |
The Magician |
Hermeneutic Hereterodoxy (Techno-Pagan) Prime Artificers of Hermenutics This Star Sect is not really a religion per se but performs minor miracles through the application of Psionic items and treatments. Taloring each to the personal beliefs of the subject. (PsiTech:21::1:Theurgy) |
I Most
involved; The classical Herald (Male) between the divine and corporeal;
Primary interest in
Instrumentalities and their misuse 'in the hands of children'. More
amenable to the dissemination of Esoteric Knowledge at its most
fundamental level. (Liturgy:21::1:Theurgy) |
'The Primal Cause' Called upon by a
multitude of religions in a multitude of forms usually male (sometimes
hermaphrodite) and credited with Creation. |
| II |
The High Priestess |
Interstellar Sisterhood of
Intangible Sciences. (Meta-Matheology) Primarily dedicated to the Academic study of Precursor PsiRelics and Artifacts; the activities of powerful Psychic Remnants (aka 'The Living Gods'); developing new methodologies of Psychic Intervention. Often masquerades as a multi-disciplinary but essentially matriarchal 'church' in order to further its long term goals. And not to upset the religious sensibilities of its (test) subjects! (PsiTech:20::2:Theurgy) |
II
Slightly less interested in corporeal affairs than I. A Female
Intercessorial Spirit between the divine and corporeal; again more
interested in Instrumentalities and their misuse 'in the hands of
children'. More knowledgable but less keen to part with it! (Liturgy:20::2:Theurgy) |
The Goddess (Nebari "Issit")
Singular
Goddess with a multitude of racial Avatars. Works through her devotees
and a
galactic wide Psionic Network. Manifests sparingly to her devotees
preferring to work from behind the scenes via dreams and visions. |
| III |
The Empress |
Church of the Cosmo-Creatrix (Cosmic Womb) Provides religious retreats for the tired masses that use mass production techniques to manufacture various protective Psi-Charms/ Religious Amulets and other Instrumentalities. Naturally a Healing order with especial regard to reproduction and fertility. (PsiTech:19::3:Theurgy) |
III Monotheistic: singular maternal
creative deity watching over and occasionally interfereing with the
affairs of the lower plane. Pantheistic: Mother of a Family of Gods; Queen of a Cosmic Court;... (Liturgy:19::3:Theurgy) |
Sharva (Hynerian) A cosmic deity
shattered by
the previous 'Final Battle' now harnessed to individual planetary
conciousnesses 'bio-energy collectives'. Known by millions of different names on millions of different worlds usually interpreted as a maternal force. These planetary life energies harnessed by 'her' Acolytes to bend the rules of reality. A "Sharvan in Space" = "a fish out of water" |
| IV |
The Emperor |
Church of the Cosmo-Creator (PanSpermia) Psi/Theurgic Seminary Schools that promote their religious principles on most major worlds with an orthodox and patriarchal approach to the First Cause. Although their Instrumentalities are primarily the result of PsiTech their canon insists that the effects are purely Theurgic: being 'blessed' by the First Cause. (PsiTech:18::4:Theurgy) |
IV do. but male. (Liturgy:18::4:Theurgy) |
Tewan (Hynerian) consort and equal of
Sharva 'his' powers are cosmic (ie solar). A generic lightbringer and
agent of illumination. Powers of the Tewannian Priesthood wane in the
'dark between the stars'... |
| V |
The Heirophant |
The Mahdinate (Xenshia
Pilgrims) Multi-disciplined, multi-faceted Star Sect with advanced and abstract and mutually antagonistic mystical concepts. (PsiTech:17::5:Theurgy) |
V Asexual Deity working through personal
revelation and solitary contemplation. (Liturgy:17::5:Theurgy) |
Yorrian a personification of the
Dark
(Matter, Energy, Singularities) ...in most *Cultures a brother or even
twin of Tewan. The two naturally are in conflict... |
| VI |
The Lovers |
Tao Collective (Buddist
Galactic Gestalt) Progress their faith by standing still and allowing the Galactic Wheel to turn. Thus, in time, all are brought back to the understanding of the Tao. (PsiTech:16::6:Theurgy) |
VI as V but no deity required! (Liturgy:16::6:Theurgy) |
Zeez a last remnant of the last Psionic Battle-group holding on to their gains in OtherSpace (Astral, Ethereal, Eldritch Realms). No-one is quite sure which side they fought on! |
| VII |
The Chariot |
Xtian Xtreem (Evangelical
Alliance) Bigoted narrow-minded and extremely militant Star Sect. Ritualised and realised sacrifice is a common denominator, disguised as religious pogroms and purity programs. Fortunately (usually) a scapegoat within their midst. Whilst the masses are indoctrinated against Psionics 'witchcraft' and other minorities, the inner heirarchy use techniques of psychic re-programming in addition to normal psychological and pharmaceutical techniques. (PsiTech:15::7:Theurgy) |
VII In the absence of an active deity the
religion relies on the regular appearance of a messianic
(revolutionary) figure to liberate them from the constraints (and sins)
of the past. (Liturgy:15::7:Theurgy) |
'Saviours' beings of pure force that appear from nowhere to pluck solitary individuals (usually in extreme peril) and dump them somewhere else (still in peril but usually not quite so extreme) in another part of the Galaxy. Some Scientists call them 'Wormholes'! Some Theurges call them 'Void Angels'. Most Spacers use many names: 'Void Demons' being the only one that is printable... |
| VIII - XIV | Human Cults rather than
classical religions. Some of them quite nasty ones! |
The following seven are,
according to revelatory experience, the incorporeal remnants of species
now made extinct by the previous 'Final Battle'. |
||
| VIII |
Justice |
Inquisitors (PsiPuritan) Believe that all Psionic Activity is heretical and where their Schism has secular power ruthlessly hunts down and eliminates any sophont professing to possess Psychic powers. Almost as ruthless on other Sects, even those professing that their Miracles are purely Theurgic in nature and nothing to do whatsoever with Psi. (PsiTech:14::8:Theurgy) |
VIII
With every aspect of the congregant's lifepath noted and recorded for
posterity by (lesser) Celestial Agencies, the Soul of the deceased is
summoned before a celestial court
for final judgement. The bench may seat up to 22 Judges or Jurists each responsible to a different aspect of the believer's lifepath. (With a wild card in their midst!) Various lesser Agencies take on the roles of council for the defence and prosecution. (Liturgy:14::8:Theurgy) |
'Perfectionists' Nagra
(Hynerian) Just one of the various ancient species responsible
for the extensive planetary engineering encountered throuought
the Three Galaxies. Occasionally their (automatic?) cosmic constructor
craft appear; and oblivious to the protestations of the planetary
populations and immune to any military technology: re-design a
continental margin or switch off a volcano! The most elusive of the 'Builders' it is thought thet they tried to stay neutral in the Conflict and thus were attacked from both sides! |
| IX | The Hermit | The Society of Stellar
Sacrists (Observational Behaviourists) Reclusive recorders and cataloguers of Occult/ Psionic/ Theurgic Phenomena and Technology. Both Sacred and Profane! Firm believers in the Ends justifying the Means! (PsiTech:13::9:Theurgy) |
IX A
one on one relationship with a singular but multi-faceted Divine
principle taking the form of a personal and personalised Avatar.
"Guardian Angel" (Liturgy:13::9:Theurgy) |
'Dumpsters' Iychi (Hesperan) elder race largely 'withdrawn' from pubic affairs and this Universe. Notable for their enigmatic post-technic 'litter' dumped at beauty spots across the Three Galaxies. Judgement is suspended as to when they will re-emerge to take up where they left off. |
| X |
Wheel of Fortune |
Reformed Church of Secular
Saints (Personality Cultists) Various 'personalities' - notable for miracles whilst they were alive and for miraculous appearances after their death. Any 'personality' with particular ties to religious belief during their life is automatically excluded from Sainthood. Priests perform their miracles by invoking these Secular Saints principally by Theurgic Means. However it works, ...it seems to work quite well! (PsiTech:12::10:Theurgy) |
X As VIII but reincarnation is used as a reward or punishment, with the guiltless rewarded by Eternal Bliss. Or Godhead. Or Both.(Liturgy:12::10:Theurgy) | 'Meddlers' Teenypup (Vhorau) 'elder' race thought to be responsible for the last TriGalactic Crusade (PsiWar). Although extinct (?) their pure force artifacts (T/L XVIII Smart Weapons) turn up with unfailing regularity and God Like Powers. |
| XI |
Strength |
Circle of Kirkē/ Mithratic
Movement (Ecstatic Ecdysiasts) Primarily a matriarcal Cult that
use the performing Arts: Music,
Poetry, Dance,... as a physical vehicle for
their Esoteric Powers. Balanced evenly between theurgic and psionic...
whatever works. Specialise in Healing, Seduction and
Enthrallment. The 'integuments' cast off being inhibitions, 'sins', and
other worldly impositions thus achieving a state of Grace. (Psi:11::11:Theurgy) |
XI At
the midpoint the Deity (ies) are equivocal (50:50) between sending
Lesser Agencies rather than making a personal appearance! Similarly
they are evenly balanced in restricting, or informing,
supplicants on matters concerning Instrumental and Non-Instrumental
Theurgic knowledge. (Liturgy:11::11:Theurgy) |
'Shriners' Kryll (Hesperan)
Force Conciousness remnant(s) of a
Trans-Galactic civilisation. Associated with (bound to?) massive
monolithic and mono-crystalline structures 'Shrines' found on ancient
devastated worlds in isolated spots throughout the Three Galaxies. Whole religions have been built on just a single pilgrimage to one of these Shrines. |
| XII |
The Hanged Man |
Purgists (Redemptive
Repressives) This Universe is a Purgatory where our spiritual nature
needs to be
purified before it can pass on to better things. Otherwise it is doomed
to be endlessly recycled in this reality. The only salvation is
Stoicism and Asteism. Extreme forms of privation: starvation, celibacy,
abstinence, and general denial. This Cult uses sensory deprivation in
zero-gee is one
of their tools of conversion. (Theurgy:12::10:Psi) |
XII From hereon in the Divine begins to
become more distant. Even Lesser Agencies will start to make "moves in
mysterious ways". Instrumentalities also provoke lesser concerns compared to theoretical knowledge (Liturgy:10::12:Theurgy) |
'XX' xx () <Ag> |
| XIII |
Death |
Cult of Black Oblivion (Anarcho-Nihilists)
This militant Death Cult believes the Universe to be merely an illusion
and
the real existance is to be
found in the Universe to come. Rather than just eliminating themselves
the B.O. Cult engage in long term schemes to hasten the heat death of
the Universe. On a more personal level The B.O. Cult believes that the
Dark Gods can be petitioned in person by the recently
deceased; normally with willing sacrifices, sometimes without... (Theurgy:13::9:Psi) |
XIII A mutable and mutating divinity
believing that all is illusion and subject to change. Death is merely the next step on a path to greater things. (Liturgy:9::13:Theurgy) |
'Ancients' Orlon, Nilon,
Rilon,...
various clans, sub-species, or individual entities (no-one is quite
sure)... Representatives of an extinct 'elder race' of space bound and
possibly bio-engineered insects. Their hive minded conciousness still
'infests' their bio- crystal hulks and artifacts. Great practical jokers. |
| XIV |
Temperance |
Void Angels (Vacuum
Baptists)
believing that some of the vacuum adapted species are nearer to the
divine than planet bound (morally corrupt) species... this Cult
practices total (ie nude!) vacuum exposure as a rebirthing ritual. (Theurgy:14::8:Psi) |
XIV No singular Divinity as such or
indeed
a Pantheon. Instead this fath posits an Omnipresent Mentality - a force
that pervades all living things... or at least sophonts or minimally
our particular species. (Opinion differs!) (Liturgy:8::14:Theurgy) |
'Builders' Responsible for the design of various Bio-Mechanoid spp. notably the Living Star-Ships and their symbiotic Pilots. Discovery or manipulation of Bio-Mechanoid artifacts attract their attention. Especially the more powerful ones left over from the last Galactic Conflict... |
| XV- XXI |
The
following Religions are those of Alien Species practiced by the more
outrageous Human Cultures or those assimilated into an Alien sphere of
influence.... |
The last seven of the Living
Gods
are living (mortal!) species claiming to pre-date the last Galactic
Milieu. Surviving the TriGalactic Crusade by mysterious means. |
||
| XV |
The Devil |
Cosmic Cargo Cultists (MatheoMaterialists)
Redemption
comes by owning enough Sacred Stuff. Income should not be given to the
poor but spent on Stuff. Stuff manufactured by the MatheoMaterialists.
Other Stuff doesn't count! Primary tool of conversion is the 'Cult of
the Cycle' Club with a different religion every ship cycle with
restrictions and requirements guaranteed to annoy the other *Crew. (Theurgy:15::7:Psi) |
(Liturgy:7::15:Theurgy) | 'The' Plyt (Aquatic Saurian) Elder Race
still
active in Galactic Power Politics. Desperately trying to stop (or
start?) a repeat of the Psionic War that destroyed
the last Galactic Civilisation... Their Psi (and Ordinary Tech) outstrips the TT/Ls of all other Star Cultures but at least is still based on instrumentalities. |
| XVI |
The Tower |
The Covenant (Whatever!)
take their religion seriously. A
militaristic and honourable order of Warrior
Monks dedicated to 'good works'. Unfortunately these 'good works'
involve invasion, followed by mass conversion or genocide. Your choice.
A bunch of Covenanters signed up to the Cult of the Cycle Club doesn't
bear thinking about! (Theurgy:16::6:Psi) |
(Liturgy:6::16:Theurgy) | Yllidiths (Cephalopod) Elder Race with
an
unfortunate reproduction mechanism. Largely extinct for that reason. From historical sources the Yllidiths and Plyt fought on different sides in the War! Apocryphal history claims that the two species arose on the same planet. |
| XVII |
The Star |
Googleplexers of the Gods (Pansophist Philomaths) By cataloging all the knowledge in the Universe and interfacing all the data in an Infinite Uniform Database the Infinite will become finite and the Great Truths revealed. The consequences of the completion of this task are beyond imagining. And. hopefully the capabilities of the 'GeeGees'! (Theurgy:17::5:Psi) |
(Liturgy:5::17:Theurgy) | Aryziens (Incorporeal Intelligences) these
concientious non-entities are
usually found associated with Cryo-Statuary (Artifactual PsiCrystal
Devices made of ammonia/ water ice.) [q.v. 'Shriners' u.s.] They are one of the most prevalent meddlers in modern galactic affairs. Currently spreading the knowledge of synthetic PsiCrystal manufacture... The Aryzien - Y-Y'dor conflict 'Cold War' predates the last Psionic War. Both continue their 'conflict by proxy' thus spoiling the development of untold civilisations. |
| XVIII |
The Moon |
<Ag> |
(Liturgy:4::18:Theurgy) | Insiders (Helium Amorphs)
Cold hearted, Cold hydrogen breathers. The first spp. to leave the gas
giant well. Reputedly bioengineered as a space travelling species. Stories concerning their wheeler dealing amongst the early GasBag civilisations are notorious. |
| XIX |
The Sun |
<Ag> |
(Liturgy:3::19:Theurgy) | Hesperians (Warm Plasmoids) claim to be older than the Luciferans as being born in the primary condensation of matter after the BB. These are self sustaining and reproducing vortices of strong nuclear force. Their attraction to stellar nurseries and starship fusion reactors is well documented. |
| XX |
Judgement | Arbites Believe that
they have
the only take on the Godhead and that any other
Cult/Sect/Schism/whatever is professing heresy. Fortunately the Arbites
are themselves split into many mutually hostile
Sects! (Theurgy:20::2:Psi) |
(Liturgy:2::20:Theurgy) | The Post Galactist Movement (SuperCool and Amorphous Plasmoids!) these creatures are "hyper-dense concretions of interstellar dark matter held in compression by the gravitic implosion of a quantum singularity,..." Their politics and motives are as equally incomprehensible. |
| XXI |
The World | Pan-Gains An ecstatic
and
naturalistic 'Theurgy' resembling Pagan Ritual rather than Reflective
Prayer. Pan-Gains use Ritual Instrumentalities at no penalty. (Well at
least after the rough edges have been worn off!) In its purest form
found in non-technic cultures usually
isolated from the Galactic Milieu. As with most of the lesser Cults,
the Pan-Gains have a multitude of lesser 'cultlets' usually tapping
into the latest 'fashions' in primitive rites. The discovery of a new
primitive world with new rituals and concepts can result in the
spreading of the ritual faster than the knowledge of the discovery! (Theurgy:21::1:Psi) |
XXI The Divine is as distant as it can get. The miraculous cannot be distinguished from natural events. If Lesser Agencies are dispatched to get actively involved with mundane matters then they are working under 'Deep Cover'. (Liturgy:1::21:Theurgy) | Y-Y'dor Exotic Exo- morphs (Cryo &
Pyro)
'Beyonders' Usually found 'visiting' the planets no-one else would want. Noted for their disturbing molluscoid bio-plastic technology. No two Beyonders ever have the same physiology or exochemistry. All are largely immune to extremes of temperature, gravity, energy,... |
| O |
The FOOL |
(Liturgy:0/22::22/0:Theurgy) | ||
| Notes: 1 (Liturgy:#::22-#:Theurgy) A nominal Esoteric balance between Liturgic Miracles and Theurgic ones. The former enabled by 'people power' (The Congregation) the latter by personal intercession with your Deity. Assuming a rational Telestic approach to the Divine other, non-divine, Magics are possible... See Psionics for more. |
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