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CELESTIAL CHORUS

(TRADITIONS)

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Heretics and idealists from the world’s monotheistic creeds, the embattled Celestial Chorus heeds the voice of the Divine. All living beings, conjured and animated by the One – by whatever name that One is known – can join that Song and shape Creation. Defying their varied orthodoxies, Choristers teach that the Song has many harmonies. A person of faith can hear it and approach the One through different creeds. And for their tolerance, the Singers have endured a bloodied history of martyrdom. Chorister liturgies tell of unity and division, triumph and heartbreak. The oldest plainsongs recount the First Age, the Shattering, when the One’s pure unity was broken, and the First Singers, mortal heroes of boundless faith, who confronted and subdued the broken spirits of flawed entities. Pentatonic chants resurrected from Egypt’s 18th Dynasty recall the blind priest Mentuhetep, who brought Pharaoh Amenhotep IV to the worship of the Sun god, Aton. The Pharaoh’s city, Akhetaten; his new name, Ikhnaton; his fellow worshippers, the Sacred Congregation, of disparate lands yet living in harmony – of all these things and more the Chorus sings. Then their chant becomes a dirge: jealous priests of the old faith destroyed Ikhnaton’s city and tried to wipe him from history. The Congregation dispersed across the Middle East. And then, a rising melody, its counterpoint low and dark: For 16 centuries, diverse and fractious groups of Congregants grew in strength.

 

First came Mithraic mystery cultists, guarded by Roman shields; later, after the Christ’s Ascension, a sect called the Messianic Voices. To suppress corruption in the nascent Roman Church, Messianic mage Claudius Dediticius founded his Knights of Archangel Gabriel, Messenger of God. He could not have imagined that the Gabrielites would eventually become the Cabal of Pure Thought, forerunners of the Technocracy’s New World Order. Discordant notes herald the War Song: through simony and indulgences, king-making and cruelty, the Cabal amassed temporal power. Its rigid ways and rampant abuses, such as the barbarous Albigensian Crusade, drove away “heretical” magi. During the Western Schism, these Antinomians fostered new movements: Waldensians, Hussites, and the Heresy of the Free Spirit. They reached out to like-minded spirits in Isma’ili Islam and the Bektashi Order; to the Majestic Kings of the Zoroastrians; even to the Hindu nationalist scholar-warriors, the Vishnudharadhara (“Vishnu’s Sword”). Such ecumenism was heretical, but Antinomians knelt to no Earthly authority, whether Church or State. And for this, they were hunted. The flames of the Inquisition burned hot. Meanwhile, in wars of words among themselves and of magick against Hermetics and the witch-folk, the Congregants faltered… if never in devotion, then certainly in progress.

 

A new harmony: Valoran, a French bishop hiding from the Inquisition, reunited the Messianic Voices and made peace with the Pagans. In 1461, with their gravest breaches healed, Congregants from every monotheistic faith presented a unified face to the Council of Nine as the Chœur Céleste. Slow descending chords: as the Order of Reason rose, the new Chorus declined through persecution, massacres, and intolerance. To divide and conquer, the Cabal – and later the NWO and Syndicate – fostered centuries of culture war among the western faiths. And though fundamentalism strengthens the Chorus’ paradigm (many Sleepers still believe in miracles), it also destroys the message of divine unity. Even so, Choristers still preach that message. More to the point, they live it. Among the Traditions, the Chorus is perhaps the most compassionate… and it certainly speaks loudest, as a whole, for the welfare of the Masses. Although certain members can be fanatical, not even the primitivist Singers are religious fundamentalists in the way Sleepers understand that term. To hear more than the simplest notes of the Song – and then survive within the Council – a Chorister must transcend dogma and embrace faith. With regards to stickier theological nuances (the gender of Divinity, the limits of tolerance, the roles of Christ and the Prophet in the Divine plan, that sort of thing), modern Choristers deliberately avoid taking an official stance. There’s plenty of tension in the ranks as a result, but at least no one’s getting burned alive over it anymore! It’s not all peace and love, of course. Old wounds linger between this group and its companions. Out of necessity and faith, the Chorus still wrangles with this tricky alliance, debating where and when to draw lines with “friends” who practice loathsome Arts. Still, the Tradition’s visionaries present the Council with proof of what united tolerance can bring. “We Sing in harmony,” they insist, “and so might we all.”

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Organization:

Hierarchical since the Roman Republic, the Chorus is led by its Curia, a 17-member synod of Chancellors and associated finance officers, tribunes, notaries, and liturgical commissioners. The most respected (or best connected) Chancellor holds the ceremonial position of Pontifex Maximus. Each Chancellor commands a territorial staff of Exarchs, sometimes called bishops. Exarchs supervise local leaders called Presbyters (priests or elders), who present this Tradition’s human face.

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Initiation:

Presbyters seek recruits through social outreach in church organizations. Some worshippers spontaneously Awaken through powerful religious experiences, particularly those involving music. Each new apprentice, or Catechumen, undertakes rigorous instruction from an experienced mage called a Præcept. Like many forms of religious training, this instruction involves matters of doctrine, personal discipline, and – obviously – lots of singing lessons.

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Affinity Spheres: Prime; Forces or Spirit.

 

Focus:

The Arts flow not from personal achievement or intent but from faith, unity, and harmony with the Divine Will. Singing – especially many voices joined in harmony – provides this Tradition’s oldest and most important instrument. Chorister magick tends to manifest in light, fire, warmth, harmonic vibrations, and sublime music. Faith and High Ritual form the core of Celestial Chorus practices, so the group’s paradigms include Creation is Divine and Alive, Divine Order and Earthly Chaos, and, of course, It’s All Good – Have Faith.

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Stereotypes

Fellow Traditions: “My Father’s home hath many chambers.” Though I might not understand them all… might even, God forgive me, hate a few… I choose to remember that we all receive Divinely guided grace.

The Technocracy: Traitors to Grace who imprison the world with mechanical cacophony.

The Disparates: Lost souls, one and all.

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ROTES

Do Remember allocation of successes and success limitations still applies to rotes

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ABUNDANCE OR "LOAVES & FISHES"

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉  Arete  ◉◉

MATTER ◉◉, PRIME  ◉◉

In times of hardship, the suffering often look at their supplies and wonder how much longer their stocks of lights, candles, food or water will hold out. However, Choristers are aware that the One, author of compassion and hospitality, does not wish for anything to go hungry. The rites for this Effect usually involve a blessing or prayer of thanks, and they may also require sharing parts of the abundance with those in need. In no case does any person see new materials spontaneously generate. Rather, the canteen simply never runs out of water, and no matter how many loaves of bread one makes, the level of flour in the canister doesn't seem to go down. Using Forces, variations on this rote have allowed simply energy sources to last far beyond their normal duration. Batteries don't run down, for instance, and flames consume their fuel very slowly while still burning just as bright.

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

By using Matter and Prime together, the Chorister allows simple material forms (not complex or mechanical forms without a very high number of successes) to replicate slowly and replace what is used. One success should replicate one standard unit of the item replicated (a pint of water, a cup of coffee, a half pound of grain, an arm's length of string,) based on what would be believable in a given circumstance. Continued use of this rote will provoke a Domino Effect unless the caster spaces it out over believable intervals. Any attempt to use this rote while performing actions that would normally deplete the source (emptying a thermos of coffee) would make the effect vulgar.

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FIND THE LOST

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉  Arete  ◉◉

CORRESPONDENCE ◉ OR ◉◉ AND  MIND ◉◉  OR ENTROPY ◉◉

The twists and turns of fate and prophecy often lead Choristers into situations in which they know that a troubled or disturbed person is present, but they do not know who it is. Some Choristers use this rote to locate those with specific destinies or callings. Others might use it to locate the owners of a valuable lost item or the author of a suicide note. By using this rote - which usually requires some form of simple divination rite - the caster is able to locate the troubled person before desperate actions are taken.

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉/◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

Correspondence searches the area while Mind or Entropy locate the specific individual in question. Players may divide successes between range and duration if they are waiting for the particular person to appear in a given space. Locating individuals who are not in the line of sight requires the use of Correspondence 2. Individuals who are trying to avoid notice or detection may resist with Willpower at Difficulty 10 + Mage Successes. The Entropy version may also be used to find lost items.

 

HOPE'S BIRTH / PRIMAL DREAD

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉  Arete  ◉◉

MIND ◉◉  Optional  PRIME ◉◉

For the embattled guardian orders, many are the times when neither the mage nor anyone around her can find any sense of hope in the ongoing war with evil. At such times, many of the leaders must call on the One to lift their hopes and sustain them. When one uses this rote, hope comes where there was only fear and discouragement. The caster may engage in some inspirational speech, lead the group in prayer or share some type of sacramental rite with those who have gathered. The result is the same. Spirits lift, hope increases, and energy rises. Some Choristers have used a similar rote, Primal Dread, to instill terror in otherwise fearless and confidant enemies.

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉/◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

When a character performs this rote, he converts sheer primal energy into a new human emotion. Range and duration are determined as per allocated success rules.  If the mage is merely intensifying or transferring an emotion that is already present, Prime is not required. Each targeted character within the range of the spell adds + 1 to composure + Resolve rolls (The mage may choose not to target a character who would otherwise be in range.) Additional successes beyond those used for range and duration may either increase the difficulty of Intimidation rolls, or it may be used to reduce damage  by one health point per success.

Primal Dread has the opposite effect, removing 1 point from a character composure + resolve total,  and enhancing attempts at Intimidation or increasing damage by 1 point per additional successes.

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LIGHTING THE PATH

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉  Arete  ◉◉

CORRESPONDENCE ◉◉  OR  ENTROPY ◉◉

Wanderers, mendicants and pilgrims often find themselves venturing into new territory, unsure of where to go to find what they seek. Others simply wander in any given direction, hoping that the One will take them to a destination they cannot yet know. But the Chorister never forgets that the One watches over his steps, revealing the path a little bit at a time. Choristers who get lost while on a pilgrimage, mission or guest often ask the One, the saints and the angels to guide them. Those who seek with more vague goals pray that the One will lead them to where they may do some act of kindness, justice or compassion.

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

Choristers who seek a specific item, person or place use the Correspondence version of this rote. The greater the number of successes is (and the closer the object is,) the greater the detail the character will gain about the road, the challenges and the traveling conditions involved. The Entropy version helps with more vague requests such as "Where should I go next?" Players may use successes to affect the range of the Entropy version ("What's the most important act of kindness I can do in this immediate area?") or the duration ("What's the most important just act I can do in the next hour?") Successes on the Correspondence version affect the degree of detail that the character learns. (Note: This likely is only useful in storyteller controlled scenes, however consenting players can play along and give the Chorister hints)

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ETERNAL FLAME

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉ Arete  ◉◉

PRIME ◉◉   FORCES ◉◉

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉ ◉◉◉◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

With at least 10 successes, this rote allows a Chorister to pass a Quintessence stream (such as from a Node) through a flame to keep it burning. The Quintessence is not consumed, and may be used for other things, but if the flow stops, the flame does as well.

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WRATH OF HEAVEN

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉◉

PRIME ◉◉  FORCES ◉◉◉◉

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉ ◉(however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

This Chorister rote is traditionally used in extreme combat situations. It can create nearly any manifestation of Forces traditionally associated with the
divine, the most common of which are ball lightning and a pillar of fire.

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FIAT LUX

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉/◉ Arete  ◉◉/◉

FORCES ◉◉ OR  FORCES ◉◉◉  PRIME ◉◉ 

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉/◉◉◉ (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

Arguably one of the oldest rotes in existence, the forces 2 version enhances a light source and the forces 3 prime 2 version  creates one.

 

PENANCE FOR THE SICARII

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉◉

PRIME ◉◉◉◉  CORRESPONDENCE  ◉◉

In Chorister legends, there are two groups of monks, White and Red. The Red Monks brought justice and righteousness to the world without fear, because the White Monks took the paradox intended for them.

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉ ◉◉/◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

This rote allows a Mage to take on another’s paradox as it hits. 

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DEATH SONG

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉ Arete  ◉◉

LIFE ◉◉ TIME ◉◉ PRIME ◉◉ MIND ◉◉ 

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

Using Life to gain the time needed before death, the Chorister processes their memories and composing them into a final song, recording their stories and often including a final prophecy. When this rote is finished, the Mage dies.

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SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉

MIND ◉◉◉ 

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

This Chorister rote allows the Mage to speak in their language while causing their listeners to hear it in their own.

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TIME'S TONGUE

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉

MIND ◉◉◉ TIME ◉◉

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

This rote allows the Mage to translate or comprehend a dead language, with more successes translating to a better translation.

One allocated success would allow a common dead language like Latin or Greek to be understood, but more successes are needed for more obscure languages.

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SEE THE LIGHT

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉/◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉/◉◉

MIND ◉◉◉ ENTROPY ◉◉◉  OR ENTROPY ◉◉◉◉◉  

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉◉  OR  ◉◉◉◉◉   (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

With Mind and Entropy, the Mage disrupts the thoughts of their target, making their reasoning weak and bringing their insecurities to the fore.

With the Entropy only version, thoughts are destroyed directly for the same effect.

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SENSE CORRUPTION

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉ Arete  ◉

ENTROPY ◉ MIND ◉

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

Developed by a Chorister who allied with Werewolves against a common threat, this allows the Mage to sense the taint and corruption of the Wyrm in the Umbra or a spirit.

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WALL OF MIRRORS

Prerequisites:  Occult ◉◉◉◉ Arete  ◉◉◉◉

CORRESPONDENCE  ◉◉◉◉ FORCES ◉◉◉

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SUCCESSES REQUIRED ◉◉◉◉◉ ◉◉  (however you may need other successes to allocate where appropriate)

A purely defensive rote, that, in fact, prevents attacks from being used effectively, the Wall of Mirrors causes all attacks targeting the Chorister to grant the chorister +1 to their defence per success rolled,   as the attacks  are deflected through teleportation and alteration of kinetic energy to miss, ricocheting off things, bouncing off a wall, etc.

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