Cult of Iaret

Paris -P- Settite History in Paris

The Cult of Iaret form a cult within the Kindred of Paris, who promotes the beauty and the sensation as a way to spiritual transcendance. Others only view it as a social club of like-minded Kindred corrupted by the Setites, and following their basers instincts in shocking sexual and bloody orgies.

The truth is that it is a cult, and that its true followers discarded their Humanity to follow the Path of Ecstasis, a religious path more attuned to their vision of life and unlife. The cult is slowly but steadily converting Kindred, charmed by the promises of physical and mental pleasures (not only unhindered human moral constraints but also supported by the moral code of Ecstasy), by the egyptian flavor of its privates soirées, because of boredom or eager to find a solution to their failing Humanity.

Secretly, the Followers revere Set as the god who guided them into enlightment. They serve as lobby to promote the cult goals, which are to remove as much as uglyness from Paris (Noferatu are included!), to make Paris some kind of holy city devoted to the Cult of Ecstasis, to convert more people (be them mortals or Kindred) and to increase the ressources of the cult (influences, ressources, etc.).

Destiny: Unknown.

Organization

The cult is organized in a priest-like Hierarchy. Above all is the High-Priestess of Iaret. Under her, Priests of Iaret are those who known enough about the Path of Ecstasis, and of the Rites to lead rituals in her absence. They are also those to turn to for questions and doubts. Below them are the Disciples who follow the Path without having much responsibilities in the Cult. Below them are the Novices, who are new to the Path. They are to be guided. Below are the simples followers, who are not in the Path, but who have sympathies for the cult, and are accepted either as potential converts or allies and friends.

   FoI Prestige	Ecstasis minimum	Title
   * 	N.A. 	Follower
   ** 	1 	Novice
   *** 	3 	Disciple
   **** 	5 	Priest/Priestess
   ***** 	7 	High-Priest/High-Priestess

The ranks are climbed by decision of the High Priestess, usually by observation ot the subject's apparent rating in her Path of Ecstasy. Followers are studied before allowed. Novices are automatically included (as it is the High-Priestess who actually convert them into the Path of Ecstasis). A Novice is under the tutelage of the High-Priestess until she is considered autonome enough in her Path to become Disciple (or advanced enough to be taught the secrets of the Path by another Cultist -- who has a rating of 7+ in her Path). Every other ranks are climbed as the follower succeed (or fail) to further the Cult's aims.

Upon becoming Novice, the Follower of Iaret must choose an Egyptian Name, which will work as a symbolic True Name (without occult signification) among the Followers. Upon becoming Disciple, a follower is given a single field/mission to further the aim of the cult, be it by spreading the faith, or by giving ressources (money, havens, followers, etc.) to the Cult. Upon becoming Priest/Priestess, the follower must choose an aspect of Set (in the form of an Egyptian -- or foreign -- God/Godess) to become its Priest.

Iaret , Taweret, Set and other mythologies

What? You place your faith in a a hippopotamus-headed godess?

This sentence is the kind of ridicule-generating sentence that can destroy a cult's credibility. Also, the symbol of the Setites was the Serpent, not the hippopotamus. Theti-Sheri, member of the Cult of Taweret, thus decided to found (another?) religious version of the Path of Typhon Set, derived from the cult of Taweret. She changed the apparent central figure of the faith, taking over the divine female uraeus, Iaret (rumoured to be a Setite Methuselah!).

While Theti-Sheri still promote the Path of Ecstasis, some religious dogma of the Cult of Taweret was changed (the Cult of Iaret don't have problems with groups larger than three, if the three follow the Path of Typhon Set, as it immunize them from the influence of the Aeons).

Of course, this has created some tensions with the mother faith, but Theti-Sheri's success doused the flames of outrage. Of course, Iaret is just a front. Everyone in the Path of Ecstasis know that through their rituals, they revere no one else than Set Himself, Iaret being seen as Set's Childe and divine concubine.

Influence of the Cult

The Cult offer its member a moral caution for their instincts. Of course, no all instincts are evil, and the Cult does not promote evil, only freedom from morals of dubious origins. But a lot of cultists and would-be cultists have instincts and needs that would be at least frowned upon by society at large. In the cult, they not only find acceptance, but also admiration for it.

Mortals are chosen for either their spiritual vision or the power they can bring with them. The first are the possible new priests of the Cult. The seconds are usually enlightened to their own instincts before showing them a group that will accept them. Most will usually revel in their excesses, and won't climb very far in the spiritual ladder (they will have their humanity decreasing). But among them, some will search and find a spiritual explanation, and will, guided by the Priests of Iaret, convert to the Path of Ecstasis.

As the mortals who indulges in this kind of debauchery are usually rich and powerful, this make them useful strings to pull to enforce the policy of the Setites in the political, law and financial areas.

Vampires are both more difficult and more easy to convert. Followers of Set know their needs, and know how to help their Kindred fullfill them. But the Followers of Set are usually seen as corrupted, as vampiric versions of the Serpent of Eden corrupting Eve and Adam. While the Setite don't care about the tasteless tale of two mortals learning sexuality hidden behind the apple imagery, their prestige is tainted by this.

Thus, the Followers of Set try to change this image. A part of their ceremonies are open to all. What they do in their Salon are effectively sometimes imaginative, cruel and bloody, but a lot of Salons share these traits (without, perhaps, the creativity in debauchery the Setites or the Toreador usually have). The Cult of Iaret also support strongly the Camarilla, the Masquerade and the Toreador, giving them the harmless images of poseurs who know how to have fun. Their adoration of beauty and art only increase this image.

The converted Kindred have two uses, aside the fact that they are considered as Followers of Set by conversion: They come in the Cult bringing their own personnal power and influence, thus adding to the power of the Cult, and they are the proof that the evil serpents are not so evil, and that nothing harmful happens to the converts. In fact, some jealousy can follow the appearance of a new convert now able to get away with actions that both attract the desensibilized mind of Elders, and repel them for their consequences on their humanity. The converts usually are more alive, happy than before their conversion.

Rituals (for Mortals)

Usually, these Rituals are conducted by Ghouls who converted to the Path of Ecstasy. The Gods only make their appearance at special occasions, usually accepting the blood offered by the participants. Otherwise, the participants are encouraged to be generous to the Cult. Of course, those able to give more are supposed to give more...

The ceremonies are hidden behin various (non religious) associations with underground locales, happening usually at night.

Sometimes, for different (spritual of material) reasons, a special ceremony is held at a different location. Usually, a member was so successful that the cult believe she must be the center of a ceremony. She is officially thanked for her courage and faith, and is given a special present (usually, her secret desire) given in front of all, unless exception. After being the center of attention of all, the others joins her in her revelry. Of course, this sometimes leads to bloody and/or sexual orgies where vengeance and lust happily merge to colossal heights. But as often as not, the ceremony involves a clean sacrifice, or a sermon, followed by the sharing of the blood of the God (more often an hallucinogen mixture created by Samson than Vitae).

Should one of the cultist be ready for converting to the Path of Ecstasis, the priests leads her to a private ceremony among the gods. The Followers of Set then study the subject, usually testing her in matter of faith and moral. They submit her to some or all the Revelations. Each revelation leads to her conversion, at which time she will become a priestess for the mortal cult. The last Revelation is the Revelation of Blood Ecstasy, a merging of two Revelations, which leads to her Embrace. The last to succeed in this was Juliette, which became the Childer of Sven.

Each mortal cult has its own rituals, and its own God (usually a Kindred Follower of Iaret, who can control multiple cults!), and thus, each has its own ceremonies and rituals (including human sacrifice!). Sometimes, a cult member will be moved from one cult to another, to better suit her tastes and ease her conversion.

Rituals (for Kindred)

The Kindred Cultists can be divided, too, in two groups. The first is composed by those sympathetic to the Cult. They usually still the Humanity moral code, but somehow fail in this. Like almost everyone else, they are jealous to see how far the Cultists can go in Evil (in the Humanity moral paradigm). But unlike them, this envy leads them to frequent the cultists, perhaps waiting the occasion to join, or perhaps only wanting to have some fun. To those, the Cult only shows their ecstatic philosophy, neglecting the role of Set in it, chosing instead Iaret, the female Uraeus, as their beautiful and majestuous icon. The Discipline Serpentis is shown as Iaret's manifestation, and not some stupid biblical serpent's.

The Salons and ceremonies where they are invited has, of course, religious significance diluted in more mundane events, but they are moments of joy (at least, to the Kindred). Sometimes blood feasts which could shame Sabbat Neonates are organized, where Elders play more physical games than the perhaps too much cerebral games of Esprit, where they can hunt, search and play as would hyenas among their victims. Sometimes, degustations and art Salons are given, where the Toreador finally find members of other Clans who share the same tastes. Of course, the Nectar of the Muses is served in any of these Salons. Its results on creativity is such that some Toreador already (and secretly) used it to correct a temporary low inspiration.

The second group are constitued by followers of the Path of Ecstasy (or perhaps any Path of Typhon Set). The role of Set is seen as fundamental, if not central. Their philosophy is all, and Set is its defender. The Ecstasists have much to do: To find new converts, to lead cults, to bring more power to the Cult, and to discover new spiritual experiences.

Their reunions are more religious in nature. Prayers, sacrifices and religious teachings are more commun. After the end of the ceremony, the Followers gather to discuss current affairs, among mortal slaves who see to their every need. Of course, as the time go on, affair discussions disappear behind what some would recognize as an epic roman-like blood orgy in honor to the Dark God.

Author's Note: About morality?

Of course, the Cultists are evil. In their own vision, if one can't open one's eyes, then one is fair game. The Cultists can't enlighten everyone in their path, much less those actively following other morality codes. They believe that souls are chained to rigid morals created to please a seemingly omnipotent god who permit itself actions that it forbid to its followers.

The Cultists don't believe all human principles to be evil. They just point to what they believe to be contradictions in those sets of principles.

Followers of Set are usually considered evil because of a biblical prejudice, where everything is seen as good or as evil. So Osiris is good (a Christ-like figure, isn't it?). And so, Osiris' enemy, Set, is evil (now comes the clone of Satan). By doing such, one forget that Egyptian mythology predated judeo-christian ones by centuries, if not thousand years! Set's prejudice started late in egyptian history. Before that, Set was considered a god among others, a violent god, of course, but Osiris' (and Isis') stories are not exactly devoid of evil acts (How Isis stole the secrets of magic fro Ra, by poisonning and abusing the elder god, for example).

So, do justice to the Followers of Set. They are evil by human standards, but they are not the kind of Muah! Ah! Ah! stupide evil for its own sake (If you or your players crave this kind of ridiculous enemies, you can still use them, or course, it's your game, but this simplicity is both less mature and demeaning tot he spirit of the game...). They can be selfish, intolerant, and adept at manipulation. But if you look closely at everything around you, you will find successful (and less successful) persons or businesses usually share these traits. In a very Vampire: The Masquerade fashion, the Followers of Set are evil among other evils. Nothing more, nothing less. It's just that it's simplier to pinpoint the evil you believe to see than the evil you're part of...

Who's Who Among the Iaret

Theti-Sheri: High-Priestess of Iaret

Theti-Sheri is the High-Priestess of Iaret, and thus lead the Cult. While she remains out of reach of most cultists, her beauty and charisma is such that most of them adore her as a demi-godess of lust and ecstasy. She usually lead important ceremonies and let other priests lead less important one. But Theti-Sheri is known to sometimes take interest in someone, and, for a time, behave like an old friend. Usually, this enable her to test the aptitude of her subject in the Path of Ecstasy, and perhaps tempt her into action...

Rituals led by Theti-Sheri are very dignified. Theti-Sheri represent beauty as its best. Purity of flesh, pure temptation against the false purity of mind. Her very presence can be an ecstatic experience, without resorting to an orgy of blood or whatever. Each one is confronted to his purest desire, and learn to accept them. She is what one can only hope to possess, some kind of icon promising her love to anyone sharing her faith. Of course, this symbol of both the Mother, the Wife, the Lover, the Sister and the Daughter does not give herself to someone so easily. Even her current lover, Richard, is said to have never really touched her...

What does she think about

• Samson: My alchimist Childe. Gifted. Faithful. Perhaps too much controled, but Magic needs self-control...
• Sven: Where Samson is apparently controled, Sven is deep into perversion. He is the logical complement of Samson.
• Juliette: My little marvel. She would charm an army succubi, and would perhaps convert half of them into our ways. She is the symbol of our faith, a flower which will blossom into a true prophetess.
• Katya Illyana: Beautiful little Toreador. She was weak, and she joined us. She is still weak, but has potential. So, so beautiful...
• Vivien: Horror writer? Well. His books are pleasant to read, but nothing of value is realy new in it. His only value is that he enlighten others by tempting them when they read his books, alone, in the dark... I still wonder what Juliette finds so amusing in him...
• Marc: We are losing him. Despite his claim, his old human morals still affect his judgement. In the other hand, his urges are taking him deeper. Perhaps he should turn to the Path of Typhon...

Samson: Priest of Thot

Samson is an Alchimist, and he has the knowledge. In the cult, he is the one who can answer questions about occult. And the one who can guide others with quests for artefacts in honor of Set. Samson has so much knowledge in drugs and other products that he can make, if given time, any kind of drug with desired effects (and after-effects).

Samson rituals are usually drug-based. They are personnal experiences, where subjects drink drugged blood and either fall in contemplation or exhert themselves so much they fall from exhaustion. In the end, all saw something, and not a few were shocked in one of those soirées

What does he think about

• Theti-Sheri: My Sire and guide. Through my love and servitude to her, I love and serve the Dark God.
• Sven: So base. I wonder if half the time he don't fall victim of his instincts, instead of controlling them.
• Juliette: Wonderful. She is lust and debauchery. I hope she will find enlightment, but I fear she is, like the moth, burning herself in the flames of her lusts.
• Katya Illyana: Beautiful. Her skin, so soft. Her voice, so...
• Vivien: Interesting stories he write. Well, I know where he find his inspirations, but he should not abuse the drugs he asks me...
• Marc: Marc has two gods. Lust and Christ. None of them is the Dark God. He will fail, and I will be there to help him...

Sven: Priest of Ishtar

Sadistic, Lustful, cruel. This is Sven, whose godess of choice was modeled after his own tastes. Among the Cult, he is the one who is the nearest from the archetypical setite, without the dread locks.

The ceremonies he holds are usually bloody and cruel. Rapes, physical and psychological abuses, sacrifices. Nothing is too much for him, and by reading in the hungry eyes of those assisting him, he learn their own basest instincts...

What does he think about

• Theti-Sheri: If I could... If I could show her all I know! She would understand my perception of Ecstasis, and perhaps reach a new step in her enlightment. But why does she remains so distant? Why?
• Samson: Mister Mage. Instead of tempting others, he drugs them. Their perceptions are changed. Their commitment to us is thus artificial. I don't understand why he is so much important in the Cult.
• Juliette: My success. My Love. My Lust. My Death. She is the proof of my faith to the Dark God. She will lead us toward enlightement. I know it.
• Katya Illyana: Well... She has some talent, but should she have been in my herd instead of Richard's, she would have remained there.
• Vivien: Me. Sade. And Vivien. This author has potential. He is tempted by his own lusts, and like a teenager before an adult magazine, he needs his crimes for inspiration. Potential, if he finally accepted his nature.
• Marc: Musicians! Never quite happy. He does not know what he wants. For a decade, he will swear allegiance to the Dark God, and the other, he will crawl in the first church to cry for his crimes. He should be removed.

Juliette: Disciple

Joy. Envy. Lust. Anger. Jealousy. If only for those feelings, half the Kindred of Paris would secretly thank her to feel again because of her. This is true for the Cult, as she is seen as a model to follow.

Juliette rarely organizes soirées. As her sire, she revels in violence, being both a sadistic torturer and a voluptuous masochist victim, and half her charm is the chaos that seems to lead her life.

What does she think about

• Theti-Sheri: Beautiful. My mother. My Lover. My Victim. Soon, I hope...
• Samson: Too cold. He knows how to hype someone, but he never lets his guard down. Too bad...
• Sven: Beautiful. My Father. My Lover. My Victim, already. Pain is power, and soon, he will ask me to hurt him. Thus, by my hand, he will learn the last chapter of ecstasis he fears to read.
• Katya Illyana: Well... She is lovely, isn't it?
• Vivien: Now, this is creativity. Outside, Vivien seems so shy and so anal-retentive he would make any teenage girl flee. But inside, in the dark, I see the Beast, cruel and magnifiscient. Only one who read one of his books can have a glimpse of his true self. Soon, I will help him shed his skin of false virtue and become the monster he truely is...
• Marc: Who? Where Vivien seems anal-retentive, Marc is. I wait for the night he will confront his inner demons to his human conscience once for all. I don't believe he will survive this... His blood will suffice to my joy.

Katya Illyana: Disciple

Katya is the cultural front of the Cult. She is naturally lovely, slightly debauched, sexy and she is a reliable Kindred whose contacts and art appreciation is trusted by others.

Her soirées are lovely and sensual. She likes to show artwork, and to share delicacies like the elixirs created by Samson..

What does she think about

• Theti-Sheri: Our guide in the path of ecstasy.
• Samson: Samson is the proof the Setites can be as refined as any of the Toreador.
• Sven: Sven is a great lover, but a poor artist...
• Juliette: What a marvelous creature! Lovely Juliette is always welcome in my Soirées.
• Vivien: Strange and dark author... I would like to live in one of his novels... In my dreamns, of course!
• Marc: Well. Marc finds his inspiration in his own moral decrepitude. He is an artist who needs to be unhappy to create. Too bad the Path of Ecstasy is about happiness...

Vivien : Disciple

Vivien is the exact opposite of Marc. His change in his morality helped him cope with his pulsions, which in turn helped his inspiration. In the end, he contribute with his imagination to the Cult.

He likes to arrange for horrible crimes, either by using pawns selected for their contribution to the overall artwork, of even by joining the fun and posing either as the murderer, or the victim.

What does he think about

• Theti-Sheri: She opened my eyes, made me forget the shame I felt, and replaced it with exultation. She is my godess.
• Samson: Samson is boring. He likes to behave like an Ad&d egyptian-flavored androgyn wizard, but in the end, he is but a tool, instead of being the hand of the artist.
• Sven: Sven is creative, evil, callous. Half my heroes were partly inspired by some of his traits.
• Juliette: Lovely Juliette. My muse, my temptress and my torturer. Her love is so futile and volative she sees me only the tenth of the time. Nothing would make me more happy to have her admire me more often.
• Katya Illyana: The beautiful Katya is a poseur, but a very charming one. I like her, as long as she does not try to produce art.
• Marc: Marc has still to cope with his failing morals. Too bad...

Marc: Disciple

Unlike the other members of the Cult of Iaret, Marc is a very unbalanced one. Marc has troubles following the Parh of Ecstasis, as he unconsciously revels in the guilt he feels when sinning. And the Path of Ecstasis does not believe in guilt.

What does he think about

• Theti-Sheri: Beautiful. Charming. Why doesn't she understand me?
• Samson: He appears cool and charming, but I know he despises me.
• Sven: Devious. I don't trust him.
• Juliette: Juliette is the only one who understand me. She has my undying loyalty for this.
• Katya Illyana: Poseur. She is a beautiful statue. As such, she should avoid doing anything.
• Vivien: He seems to be as uneasy as I am.

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Credit to the Author: https://augias.org/pbn/c_iaret.htm