EBONITES

By Shawn Arbuckle (sa3x@hotmail.com)

History

The Ebonites were founded by a rough Nephandi named Elysian. Elysian was thought to have been killed in a battle with the Verbena, but in truth the Verbena healed her and took her back to their chantry. She did not wake up for 7 days and during this sleep she saw 6 spirits, each representing an aspect of Life or Death. A seventh merged life and death into a new form of existence. They told her to learn from the Verbena and merge their beliefs with her own, to form the Ebonites . . . . This is when she awoke. Elysian stayed with the Verbena for many months learning from them. When she left a few Verbena women went with her to form the Ebonites.

Normally, only women may be of the Ebonites, but on occasion a male child of an Ebonite woman may join. They must work that much harder to excepted by the rest of the tradition.

Philosophy

We are what you fear, but why do you fear us? For the powers we command or for what we hold in out hearts? Fear us if you wish, but do not wrong us, if you value your hide.

Also, seven is a number of great importance to the Ebonites. Seven is the number of days Elysian was unconscious for and seven is the number of spirits that visited her.

Style

This tradition roots itself deeply in pagan beliefs, and even somewhat in Nephandi beliefs. It is not uncommon for an Ebonite to be mistaken for Nephandi. They do not hold the same agendas as the Nephandi, but the Ebonites treat their enemies the same way the Nephandi treat everyone. Like the Verbena the Ebonites know what life truly is, but they are much more willing to take life than the Verbena are.

Spheres

Varies (Life if nothing else fits.)

Common Foci

Sex, blood, runes, bones.

Organization

The Ebonite covens number 13, but groups as small as 3 often live with in cities.

Initiation

Before she is allowed to join, a prospective Ebonite must go through seven tests. If the initiate survives, she is loyal unto death and said to be stronger for having taken the test.

During the test, the initiate is severely wounded (dropped to crippled, and stabilized, but not healed) and left unconscious for seven days. During this time the initiate is visited by the seven spirits that visited Elysian, and told what their role will be with in the tradition. The character's main sphere is determined by either Nature, Demeanor or Concept; Life is the default if nothing else is fitting. Examples include but are not limited to: Life for Caregiver, Forces for Bravo or Fanatic, Matter for Architect, Time for Traditionalist and Correspondence for a Loner. Use you imagination. Their roles are determined by their spheres. For example, Forces for a Warrior, Life for a healer and Matter for a defender. Again, use your imagination.