Stealing the Mysteries

[Nyarlathotep]

There’s a player in my current group who has decided upon a strange course of action – her scholar has chosen to venerate the more popular female deities of the Hyborian age and gain the secrets of their various cults.

While I don’t think its possible to belong to multiple cults outside of a cultural pantheon (or is it?), this line of thinking lead me to a bigger question.

Is it possible to steal the Mysteries of the Gods? Who would do such a thing (aside from my player ;-) )? Why? What would be the ramifications (besides a rather angry cult)?

And How? (Hypnotism? Torture? Blackmail? Extortion?)

 

[VincentDarlage]

Yes, it is possible to belong to more than one cult.

Why steal a Mystery? Power is a good answer to that. Perhaps the player wants to create his/her own cult.

How? The easiest way is to conform - infiltrate and pretend to learn, agree and help the cult. Sort of like taking a job not because you want the job, but because you want the experience so you can go get a better job later. You are essentially stealing that job's Mysteries so you can have more bargaining power later with a new job.

Possibly not the best analogy in the world, but it came to mind.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Well, the game i'm running is definately going to get interesting.

Now I just have to come up with a few interesting reprisals - after all, can't have a traitor to Father Set running around freely after breaking with the cult without some sort of reaction...

 

[Auggie]

Well, the game i'm running is definately going to get interesting.

Now I just have to come up with a few interesting reprisals - after all, can't have a traitor to Father Set running around freely after breaking with the cult without some sort of reaction...

At the very least, the traitor would probably be taken off of the cult's Christmas card list... 8)

 

[Nyarlathotep]

At the very least, the traitor would probably be taken off of the cult's Christmas card list... 8)

"Dear Telemon of Koth:

We, the Priests of Father Set, must discharge this painful duty of informing you of our master's displeasure at your betrayal.

As such, you must be punished in the following manner so that you and all who dwell in the Hyborian kingdoms will know that Set's grasp is long:

- You are hereby uninvited from the upcoming company picnic (Shame too since we got those dancing girls from Zamora that you so love).

- Your Employee of the Year photo will be taken down and summarily burned by one of our hell-spawned demons...or tossed into our shredder.

- Your cafeteria privleges have been completely revoked, and you will have to pay for condiments and plastic utensils if you choose to dine there again.

- You are no longer licenced to own/operate a horse, camel, chariot, wagon or any other means of transport within the boundaries of Stygia.

- The Priesthood of Set is no longer obligated to cover your last travel expenses to the following establishments: Mikalos' Friendly Fisherman in Messentia, The Theiving Cimmerian National Ale House in Nemedia, The "I'm a Big Nemedian Coward King" National Barbeque Pit in Tarantia, and Mdme. Mimi's House of Unbelievable Pleasure in Shadizar.

- Since the Priesthood of Set and Father Set himself holds all employees and cultists to the highest ethical standards, any solicitations from other cults regarding future employment will result in an extremely sternly worded letter giving a negative review of your performance.

Finally, since we must include a punitive measure, after much discussion we have decided to forgo the usual death curses or summoning of demons in favor of the plan voiced by Nahab of Luxor - we are sending our army of extremely effective and overpriced lawyers to your door.

Sincerely,
The PoS"

 

[Nyarlathotep]

And now back to serious matters:

Hey Vincent, if your still reading the thread -

What exactly constitutes a mystery religion in Conan? I've noticed that outside of the Stygian Pantheon, only Mitra and Wicanna have mysteries. I'm actually a little surprised that Asura wasn't gifted with any given its cult-like attitude.

 

[VincentDarlage]

And now back to serious matters:

Hey Vincent, if your still reading the thread -

What exactly constitutes a mystery religion in Conan?

My opinion, I guess. I look at how complex the religion seemed to be, historically. Depending how much information I can dig up at the local library, I might create mysteries. If I can't find much on it, I usually leave it fairly simple.

I've noticed that outside of the Stygian Pantheon, only Mitra and Wicanna have mysteries. I'm actually a little surprised that Asura wasn't gifted with any given its cult-like attitude.

Basically, I am also constrained by space. If I had added mysteries for Asura, I would have had to cut out something else. I was also under a deadline. I may revisit the religion if I am allowed to do a Vendhyan sourcebook. In the meantime, you can always create your own Mysteries (and if you like them, submit them to S&P - you just might get published, which is kind of cool, IMHO).