By Charles Phipps (tcp@zoomnet.net)
"I don't quite understand that sir, er, Master. Sure the Order and the rest claim to be the first tradition but everyone has had a beginning." He spoke out loud, having found the reference in a site claiming to bespeak of miracles, Danny had thought it was a trap for technocrats but instead had discovered the link was sincere.
"It's not so much a order as a state of being Danny. It's the place you reach when you -- have well seen the truth." Quentin spoke, trying to belay the enigmatic group that he had once met one member of so many years ago.
"So they're like Oracles?" Danny asked as Quentin shook his head.
"The Oracles are withdrawn Daniel. Nigh omnipotent masters, or so I've heard. I've never actually seen one in my lifespan. The Holy Ones are made up more of normal folk; any of us could join them but I doubt you or I are ready though. I guess we could be -- we'll know when we know."
"Your not making sense again sir." Danny spoke.
"Master," Quentin corrected. "You'll understand when you meet one yourself. They're about. Just there, trying to do what they can. I think. It's a dark world we live in, far darker than any I've imagine. I suspect that it would be darker still if not gone outright if not for they." Quentin stared off once again into the night, thinking of the day.
Holy Ones that are active in the Ascension war are recruited from the lost, dejected, and, surprisingly, extremely enlightened among the magickal traditions. Though perhaps recruited is too strong a word, as most simply come to the conclusion to follow the Holy One philosophy and later have the title bestowed upon them or meet a actual member of the order and follow the way. This is not limited to the Traditions and Technocracy mages, Marauders, and even Nephandi have joined (the latter turning from their darkness is what in a struggle against all that they have ever embraced). Holy Ones are also believed to exist among werewolves, vampires, changelings and, most of all mortals, (it is believed that the last outnumber the former put together by leaps and bounds).
The mission of the Holy One's is the most strange thing of all to comprehend but probably the simplest to speak: "To try and bring peace to oneself and the world around them." This is different from the other paths by the honesty and selflessness that they go about it. The only requirements to becoming a Holy One is a strong and true devotion to the philosophy.
Religious symbol (most find some key in the current religion they practice, changing this when they believe they have come closer to the truth and even then most keep it still practicing a "new phase of it") - Spirit, Prime
Prayer/Meditation on the plan - Life, Mind
Personal - (most have some particular item that emphasizes the importance of their beliefs and it's focus; often leftover from their previous affiliation. It should be noted that Holy Ones care little for vulgar magick and are more interested in the results than actual style)
"Yeah I know Billy. He helps out at the orphanage every week and babysits for my kids."
Vampires: I don't care how they justify it or how high those who claim to possess "great humanity" tout themselves in the end the manipulation of men, the taking away of their free will is slavery be it by domination or blood, the drinking of human blood without permission (and even with) is nothing more than rape and many do acts of far worse and blatant murder and theft. Some may be good and not do this but those who would be our allies are killers of themselves; depriving the world of good men by cowardice. Diseased wretches to be helped, fought to save others, and pitied.
"Those of true faith walk the earth. They're touch burns me."
Werewolves: It's a sad day when people use what they view as a just cause and their great strength to control and bully others. It's happened before in Churches, governments, and it is never more clear here. The majority of werewolves are nothing more than killers who fight for an ancient religion whose tenants I'm pretty sure are convoluted and misguided beyond all original tenants in their mind (and that probably wasn't that great in the first place). The Children of Gaia are well and good but these angry folk usually set themselves up above men (and animals blessed with the gift of mind see themselves apart from men) and most of them are guilty of far too much tolerance of their evil themselves.
"Humans will never understand us. He fought with us against the Wyrm spirits but battled us when we sought to slay the Pentex workers in the plant."
Wraiths: The dead but a stage. Most humans don't stay behind and these are the creations of those who are too afraid to. They do not know it but many of those who seek revenge before moving on are damning themselves further and their place and wants should not be clouded by staying behind. Still they must be pitied. Their ties to this imperfect place are a terrible curse and the shadow on their hearts (signs of this wrong) is far worse than even they realize.
"We are in this place. Who are they to speak of a new place and new ways? What do they know?"
Changelings: Dreamers mostly. A few people left in the world who can imagine something better. They are usually no worse and often no better than most men but far greater a force for good than I would imagine most of those who live in this strange world.
"Old man Jenkins. Love this guy. Gave good candy when I was a childer, laughed uproariously when I pranked him as a wilder, but boy, did he bore me when I was a Grump. Still nice guy, good beliefs, respect em."
Traditions: A group of philosophies and beliefs that the vast majority are good at heart and while we believe quite a few are close to the truth *cough* Celestial Choir and Akashic Brotherhood *cough*...and others out of touch with modern times and the plan today *cough* Dreamspeakers, Verbena *cough* and maybe a few that should spend a little less time with their foci and more time with mortals *cough* Virtual Adepts, Sons of Ether, Order of Hermes, Cult of Ecstasy *cough* and perhaps even an evil one *cough* Euthanatos *hock* *spit* we accept them as a good group overall. Misguided, but enlightened.
"I DON'T CARE THAT ISN'T AN OXYMORON! I AM NOT MAD AND MY EXPERIMENTS NOT UNETHICAL! DIE!"
Technocracy: It's hard to believe that such a group of people that want to follow a evolving plan for humanity would so disregard everything so fundamental in the actual Plan: a love for humanity, a faith in something higher, and a belief that our tools are meant to serve us and make life better not dictate where and what we should do (I'm guessing that our creating them they're a little worse off than us not vice versa). Still the seeds of justice are still there and they can turn around and then perhaps the world will reach the fruition of the Plan. Then again that won't happen without work (and possibly a miracle).
"I find their motives admirable but we cannot tolerate such soft heartedness in the plan. The machine moves on people are broken. You must accept that as a fact of life."
Nephandus: Many of us have died for expressing this view at both the hands of they and the hands of others. Even they are not beyond redemption. Their demonic masters and the evil that they follow can be undone and they can destroy the darkness in their hearts; their souls cleansed. Indeed, if any know truly what is evil and how to best battle it, it is those among us who once were beguiled into this order. All life is worth something and what is past can only be looked at to be what must be made up for (or lauded).
"All must be destroyed to the soul. Pretend to be their ally and shut your ears against their blasphemies. Their words are honey coated and liessss!"
Marauders: Mad ones? Indeed so, people unable to cope with the reality about them. Maybe it's due to the cheapness of life and power about them. Maybe it's because all that is beautiful seems shut away. I don't know. They follow no laws save their own and that is a lonely existence. If you are of stout heart try and bring them back to rationality. Compassion and strength of faith will win more than any ruthless condemnation or act of magick.
"He...is the pillar in the storm...the waves crash but he is not broken....they exist as stable light in endless twisting screaming void. Bwhahahahahahahahahaha!"
(Life 2, Mind 2)
The Holy Ones have always known that death is an inevitable part of life. It is one of the first things that one must accept -- but the pain should be removed to enjoy every moment of life or allow continued work to be done. This removes much of the physical torment incurred by pain and infirmity. Thus allowing others to pass on with peace and a clear head since it in no way aids to actually curing the subject.
Free Spirit
(Mind 4, Life 3, Spirit 2)
One of the Holy Ones' most famous rotes, it totally destroys all controls that have currently been placed upon a person against their will, including brainwashing, domination, blood bond (it's effects at least), and spiritual tampering. The Holy Ones believe that a main cause of evil in the world is beings being forced into it against their will.
Repentance
(Spirit 5, Mind 5, Life 3)
A power that all Holy Ones strive for it is a power that has brought Black Spiral Dancers back into White Howlers, redeemed Nephandus and turned them into Holy Ones, and brought wraiths to transcendence. They claim all people can do this, but the magickal "oomph" makes things easier. It is the total cleansing of the spirit and breaking of all ties to darker entities inside the spirit. The requirement is heady though; the submitted to the power must be willing and truly remorseful for his actions. His claim is enough to power this spell. Some claim Paradox affects this differently than other rotes and instead of flaws the subject's power is weakened (a total failure or backlash with a killing result instead turning the subject into a normal human).
Wall against the Darkness
(Correspondence 2, Prime 2)
This ritual causes an impenetrable circle or ward against evil (demons, banes, vampiric assault, etc.) to be formed around a particular area (a particular person or a small area). The people inside must be willing and of just will or the ritual will fail (mages speculate walls against evil are only as strong as their weakest link). If used with Time 3 it is effectively permanent (very effective if the rote is used to prevent a person from being vulnerable to possession or being drained). It adds a bonus of three dice of counter magic against evil magic as well and prevents evil mages (Nephandus and certain others) from crossing unless allowed.