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Society Apocrypha · 02-26-2020, 07:40 PM,

Society Apocrypha
The Cult of Sirius

Tag: N/A
Identification: Outcast
Affiliation: Outcast

> Prelude
The human civilization has always been seeking salvation from its flaws and vices. Some would seek it in technology and transhumanism. Overcoming human nature by the means of progress and technological singularity. Centuries of the developments of human colonies in Sirius and centuries more at the Sol have been leading humanity into this direction. Yet, many people would see this way as too slow and unreliable. Because despite technological progress, humanity itself would not evolve. Transhumanist experiments thus became a toy for the rich and the elite. Instead, the absolute majority would only remain a tool in the hands of governments and corporations.

Many people are keen to look back into the past, what transpired in the previous centuries or even millennia. There used to be the other ways, ways of spiritual evolution. Centuries of various religious, occult and philosophical traditions most of them dating back to Sol, yet still surviving in present day. Such 'interests' are mostly enticing to members of the middle and upper class. People who are wealthy but not satisfied with their boring lives. For them the supernatural and the fringe is just another form of escapism, even if it could ultimately lead them into darker paths...

> Beginnings
The first centuries were chaotic as the cults were small, rudderless and irrelevant. Their topics varied; from astrology to philosophy and from symbolism to magic, these groups were not unified and their interests varied wildly. A keen observer would notice that the only thing all these groups had in common was the prevalent use of psychoactive substances. However it all changed one day. A person named Isaac Zinke, a wealthy explorer, amateur scientist and vivid enthusiast of paranormal, was the first to visit The Shrine. It is said that he found how to get there after accidentally procuring an artifact and spending years trying to activate it.

There are many theories about what actually transpired on The Shrine. There are claims that Isaac talked to someone while being there but other reports describe that no DNA was found on The Shrine except his. It is not even known how long Isaac stayed there. Some say he stayed for a few weeks because the supplies were running out while others show evidence that the man lived in The Shrine for years before returning back to civilization. However one thing is true, Isaac returned to Manhattan and was a different person than the one that had departed...

> Formation
After creating a small following Isaac embarked on a dangerous mission to Planet Malta, it took months for one to travel between the Houses during the early centuries of Sirius, yet despite the difficulties the expedition was a success. The cult found what they were looking for; cardamine. It was a far more effective tool and its enhancing effects gave unique clarity to those that used it. Slowly in the next few decades Isaac's cult absorbed all smaller cells because of the leader's unique charisma, supernatural knowledge, and cardamine trade. In fact they claim that they were the first who introduced cardamine to Liberty and the rest of Sirius in an effort to addict as many as possible, however it all came down because of human greed. The Dons of Malta realized the huge and untapped commercial potential of cardamine so they prosecuted and killed as many cultists as possible while seizing the international trade for themselves. Not even Isaac was spared.

Whether this claim is truth or not, the cult which by that time was named Cult of Sirius was dealt a heavy blow. They learned in the most painful way that humans were capable of great evil and destruction. Most of them were simply incapable to overcome their vices and thus ultimately humanity was a flawed creation. The Cult moved away from society and distrusted humanity ever since. They now operated in the shadows, in secrecy, behind closed doors...

> Contact
While they were still sizeable, influential and wealthy, they were leaderless. In a desperate attempt Isaac's six disciples decided to travel to The Shrine themselves and imitate the Founder. After days of fasting, when they were all weak and exhausted, they suddenly saw the same vision. Malta, her Sun and then a green nebula behind it. Those who were the weakest and most exhausted claimed they even saw lights inside the nebula. And thus the Cult of Sirius established Santa Verna deep within Siniestre Cloud and it became the Cult's new home. The disciples' leading role was eventually formalized and were named as Exarchs and together they formed the Exarchy, the ruling body of the Cult.

A few years later they met the Nomads. Blueish but disoriented creatures, they were aggressive at first but eventually they became friendly to the cultists. They transmitted their thoughts and will to them and the Cult came to regard them as a Superior Entity, the Spirits...

> Ascension
In the next centuries the Cult of Sirius fully converted into a religious organization. Slowly but steadily they expanded their influence on Malta's underworld becoming a Maltese organization in everything but name as they beared little resemblance to their early years. The apotheosis came when Exarch Neferata, a uniquely gifted individual, was honored by the Spirits to merge with them in 710 A.S., and become what the Order describes as "the world's first infected". Neferata then became the Augur of the Cult of Sirius and de facto leader. Over the next decades she reorganized the Cult, increasing the number of converts on Malta and built the first Shrine. Before it opened its doors to the pilgrims, Neferata secluded herself within to meditate.

The next day Neferata arose from within and delivered to the humans the First Prophesy; The Coming
The second day Neferata delivered the Second Prophesy; The Storm from the West
The third day Neferata delivered the Third Prophesy; The World-Eater
This continued every day until the sixth when she delivered the Sixth and Final Prophesy; The Second Coming

After that Neferata vanished and only speaks via Mindshare. Three of her Prophesies were interpreted and identified by the Cult and only the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth remain to happen. The Cult believes that in the Sixth Prophesy the Spirits will overthrow Humanity and build a Utopia in which all living creatures will be mentally connected to one another and unable to cause harm...

> Today
During the Nomad War, the Cult of Sirius proved its usefulness as it exerted significant influence on Malta and forced those who opposed the Nomads to secretly operate from remote outposts, such as Cali Base. But things did not turn well and following the defeat of the Nomads, the Exarchy predicting that the political landscape was going to change rapidly, made a bold and radical decision to officially disband The Cult of Sirius. A year later they founded Society Apocrypha, a secret society dedicated to the study of symbolism, the occult and rituals. It retained some of its religious nature which focused on listening and serving loyally a divinity known as the Higher Entity. However the upper echelons of Society Apocrypha remained fully aware that this Higher Entity is none other than the Spirits.

Fifteen years after The Coming the Oracles were founded, a pan-Sirian organization seeking to establish peace between humanity and the nomads. Allied with Society Apocrypha, they did not hide their intentions from the rest of humanity which led to intense scrutiny and violence by those who seek to eradicate the Spirits. It should be noted that the Oracles borrowed many conventions and rituals from The Cult of Sirius as can be found in their scriptures and writings.

Following the collapse of the Oracles in 827 A.S. many of them joined Society Apocrypha. Led by the first Augur in a generation, Enma Loyola, the Society is ready to spread its influence both locally and on a wider level. They have taken a holy vow to not rest until the world is ready to witness The Second Coming...

Structure
Ranking system

Augur

The Augur is chosen between the Exarchs and is the leader of the Society and the Faith. An extremely unique and talented individual, in order to become one the Exarch should have predicted the future in at least four different occasions. Furthermore the person is always an infected, for it cannot be conceived that a mere mortal can ever reach the level of spirituality needed. Augurs are very rare and generations may pass without an Exarch ever being elevated to this position.

The current Augur is the Maltese Donna Enma, of the Loyola family.

Exarch

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The Exarchs are master instructors and warriors. They serve as the ruling body of the Society and can never be more or less that six. In order for one to be elevated in this position, they must achieve great accomplishments and be respected by the rest of the Faith. Together the Exarchs form a council, the Exarchy, which is the only authority that can elect new Exarchs or appoint an Augur. They are all distinguished individuals of the Faith and have learned important lessons to pass to those shorter on the path than them. Subverting human organizations and instigating wars and strife is one of their main responsibilities.

Lightbringer

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The Lightbringers are experienced members of the Society who have mastered at least one field of study. They are always Cardamine users. Lightbringers are encouraged to travel all-around Sirius and proselytize new members to the Faith, or to infiltrate organizations around Sirius. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Society, relaying orders and missions to the secret agents of the Faith who are seeded in every corner of Sirius. Most of them are unaware about the true nature of the Higher Entity; however once an Exarch deems they are ready, the Lightbringer is being made aware in a special ceremony on Santa Verna. This usually occurs after an important mission or achievement is accomplished.

Brother / Sister

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A Brother or Sister is the basic level of Society Apocrypha and contains the vast majority of its membership. These individuals partake in ancient rituals, study occult and paraphysical phenomena, learn about events and history which the governments are trying to conceal and most importantly they learn about the Higher Entity which they come to love and follow blindly. The best students are able to communicate with the Higher Entity during intense meditation cycles on The Shrine or Santa Verna. Once they return back from this unique experience they are encouraged to share it with their fellow Brothers and Sisters within the Society. Unbeknownst to them these visions and voices they experience are in fact made by nearby undercover infectee.

Brothers and sisters are primarily responsible for the distribution of Cardamine into the Colonies. Despite all these activities however, most of them continue their daily lives as normal. Whether they work in a Cardamine plantation on Malta or work in the banking sector on Manhattan, they look like totally ordinary citizens, even among their families.

Goals and Methods

- Infiltrate all organizations of Sirius, either by planting cultists or by converting existing members.
Because this is the most efficient way to increase one's power.

- Instigate wars and create as much strife and chaos as possible.
Because only then the ground is ready, we will witness the Second Coming.

- Maintain secrecy, do not let either friends or foes know about the Society's true allegiance and past.
Because most humans are tribal by nature and can't comprehend the great scheme of things.

- Create the perfect human-alien hybrid in order to replace the weak and flawed human body.
Because only with the right body can the soul reach higher levels of mentality.

- Assist the Spirits and Infected in every way possible without compromising oneself.
Because this is what the Faith is teaching you.

- Spread cardamine and addict as many people as possible.
Because only through Cardamine can one escape the mental shackles and also because it makes them addicted and thus more easily manipulated.

Faction Information

Shiki · 02-26-2020, 08:01 PM,

Ah yes hello, just for the info my character only leads it inRP and the project is being led by other people.

I hope the leadership will somehow make their contacts more apparent aside from the PMs to forums account so I am not being poked about things. I have enough things to handle so pleeeease don't bother me unless you want to wait long for the reply and most likely to be redirected to other people anyway.