Gnosis Genealogia
Gnosis Genealogia translates to "Hidden Knowledge of the Lineage," or "Bloodline". It is the blood cult in which Livia (as "The Matriarch") currently leads.
The cult has shifted through several names, some involving the word "Blood" which led to a general stigma in the magical community. Blood Magic has been banned on and off consistently since the founding of this "Academy," and is no stranger to political turmoil.
Contents
Origins
The cult was founded with the aim of magical study, an off-shoot of the usual leaders at the time. They did not originally plan to delve into the forbidden arts, but considering most of the founders were blood mages, it was the logical direction. This was soon proven right when they studied it in secret, recruiting acolytes to their cause.
Blood Magic was already taboo and not much changed to remedy this. The aforementioned acolytes became obsessed with the concept and lusted for power, which led to several avoidable serial murders and the cult was ordered to be disbanded.
It was recreated and renamed, lacking a few of the previous leaders and could not operate under the same scale.
This process repeated itself several times before a man came in to finally give it "Direction", which included strict rules in recruiting and operation. This would date a few hundred years ago, where this man self-titled as "The Headmaster" began the road to respect. To an extent, he was successful.
Recent Affairs
Livia came into play a mere couple of hundred years ago. After being wounded in The Battle of Abensberg, a doctor noticed Livia's fascination with blood and its properties. It was an academic obsession and was therein recruited to the cult.
Her leadership was a recent development after The Headmaster's betrayal, a title she holds with a moderate amount of contempt. However due to her actions, she gained the trust of a Magical Council and the cult's reputation is on the way to recovery.
Ravenrooke
Ravenrooke.png
Ravenrooke is a seemingly abandoned town hidden in the mountains of the world. The town once hosted a population of ninety-thousand (Approximately) but is now the host of The Matriarch's blood cult. The town is now in ruins from a mysterious attack when investigators found nothing but severe damage, yet no bodies. Blood littered the place and it seemed like there was an attack, however there are no leads as to what happened.
The town was forsaken, and The Matriarch now uses the town, especially its underground, to host Gnosis Genealogia. System
Gnosis Genealogia is comparable to that of an Academy. There are classes and lectures, but what separates it from normal studies is its cult-like properties.
Recruiting is difficult because they seek people of even mind and temperament, people who look to study forbidden arts with a mind for knowledge - not for power. This is why their numbers are generally low, because finding acolytes is a slow process. However most leaders earn themselves immortality through blood magic, so they have the time to search.
Recruits become "Acolytes" and are introduced to a tiered system wherein promotions lead to more permissions and responsibilities. Acolytes must abandon their previous life, often by faking their own death, and live with the Gnosis for the foreseeable future.
Titles
After a few advancements the Acolytes abandon their birth name and take up a title, usually a descriptor of some kind but there is leeway for creativity.
A few other examples are as such;
"The Levee", representing a barrier between the cult and those who may do them harm.
"The Engineer", representing someone who fashions equipment for the cult.
"The Architect", representing someone who strategizes on the cult's behalf.
"The Invader", representing someone who leads the footsoldiers.
"The Seeker", representing an Acolyte who believes their primary focus is the search of information.
It is this point in which they must abandoned their birthname, forever becoming a part of Gnosis.
The most (in)famous examples in the cult's history are;
"The Headmaster", named for being one of the most favored Professors at the time.
"The Matriarch", named for being a natural-born leader.
"The Nocturnal", a highly ranked member known for his affinity to the night.
Masks
Around the time they earn their title, they also earn a mask. The designs can vary but there are "uniform" masks depending on what function a cultist serves. For example, the footsoldiers or "Enforcers" of the cult usually have the same design.
Beyond that, most are free to contact the local artist and design a mask. This also extends upon a custom robe when a cultists hits the upper echelons of leadership.
The masks can be unique to each cultist but as mentioned before, there are "uniform" variants that can be seen among dozens.
The masks serves two purposes.
The first is to protect one's identity for when they visit the waking world. After all, their identity is usually that of the deceased and it wouldn't be practical for them to be recognized.
The second is uniformity. Wearing a mask symbolizes that a cultist is part of a greater concept than themselves.
Here are a few examples of what advanced Acolytes look like.
A common "Enforcer" variant.
A mask that an Acolyte has been very proud of.
An acolyte who has chosen to intimidate her lessers.
As a side-note, masks and titles are often gained at the same time, or very near to each other. The mask is most often received first.
