Wolves of Golgotha
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[edit] The Wolves of Golgotha
A pack begun in Delaware by Legatus Jonah and his Bishop, J.W. Ghoren, the Wolves are devoted to hunting down the enemies of the Lancea Sanctum, fulfilling the role of trackers often so very necessary between Inquisition and actual Crusade. The pack was created to provide support and opportunities for development to Sanctified Gangrel, but has not outright said that only members of that clan are welcome.
To get involved, please contact either Matt, the player of Ghoren, or Tyler, the player of Jonah.
[edit] Purpose and Beliefs
[edit] Pack Beliefs: the Faith of Wolves
1. The Wolves believe in the Truth of the Damned State of the Kindred, as explained through the Dark Prophet, Longinus, by God through his agents.
2. The Wolves believe in a single God, whose plan for us - stated in the Testament of Longinus - is sacrosanct; the pack believes those who knowingly and wilfully break from His plan are Heretics or Apostates.
3. The Wolves shun the Final Death of all Damned, save those guilty of Amaranth. They believe all Kindred have a Purpose within Creation, but that the only way to free souls stolen by diablerie is through the diablerist's death.
4. The Wolves believe in the righteousness and purity of the Hunt, which is most perfectly codified according to Sanctified dogma in the Rite of Crusade.
5. The Wolves believe that it is demanded of all Damned that they improve themselves through service to God, and improve their service to God by self-development through trial and testing.
The Code of Golgotha
I am the true predator; I hunt.
I exist to hunt, and must hunt to exist.
"Why" is naught but sand squeezed tight.
Purpose fulfilled is my greatest reward.
Like a wolf prowling 'round the Mount of Skulls,
I hunt with Purpose, as Longinus taught us.
Hunting without Purpose is anathema to me.
My prey shall be worthy and deserving.
Aught less is beneath the true predator.
I Prey with Purpose, and my Purpose is the Hunt.
For I am Golgoth, a Hunter of Men.
[edit] Pack Purpose: the Mission of the Wolves
The Wolves of Golgotha are Hunters above all. They are not killers; nor are they Crusaders except by individual circumstance, just like any other Sanctified.
The mission of the Wolves of Golgotha shall be three-fold. Primarily, when called to action in the wake of a declaration of Heresy, Apostasy or other determination generally resulting in a Holy Hunt (ie., Crusade), they shall:
- Aid Bishops and other Sanctified in tracking the Enemies of our Covenant
This primary mission will be supplemented and enhanced by:
- Constant Self-Refinement through personal trial - physical, mental and societal, and
- Cooperative Training through pack rites, hunts and games.
[edit] Prayers
The Litany of the Pack - Unknown
Before We Hunt - Ghoren
In Thanks for Our Bounty - Ghoren
Around the Fire - Ghoren
Two to Die Tonight - Unknown
Remembering the Blood - Ghoren
The Code of Golgotha - Ghoren
[edit] Pack Practices
[edit] The Holy Hunt: Crusade
The Wolves of Golgotha are not mercenaries. The Wolves of Golgotha are not mercenaries. Once more, for clarity, the Wolves of Golgotha are not mercenaries.
For free, and without confronting the target, the Wolves will participate in any duly-called Crusade by locating the Rite's target, tracking him or her, and thus enabling Crusaders to pounce at the right moment. At their own discretion, members of the pack may participate as Crusaders as well. However, the Final Death of any Kindred, even under the auspice of Crusade, is always to be dealt as a last resort, excepting known diablerists.
Individual Wolves may turn their honed skills of the hunt on others, for a price, at their own discretion. But the pack, as a pack, does not perform its duty for any price... it does it simply because it is duty.
[edit] Pack Games
The Scariest Head on the Mantle - Hunter of Beasts
Wolves and Lambs - Hunter of Beasts
One Rat in One Thousand - Hunter of Beasts or Men
Three Losers in Three Hours - Hunter of Men
A Sinner's Night of Hell - Hunter of Men
Seven-Star Sinner: Competition - Hunter of Sin
Finding the Missing Piece - Hunter of Words
Three Go, Two Return, One Wins - Hunter of Hunters
Bypassing Beta - Hunter of Hunters (used for challenging the pack leadership)
Holier than Thou - Hunter of Hunters (used for challenging the pack spiritual leadership)
[edit] Becoming a Wolf of Golgotha
Gangrel seeking to run with the Wolves must first meet them, when possible. Upon meeting, the would-be member gets to know the pack, what it is about, and vice-versa. If the Kindred agrees with the pack's purpose, and the pack believes (unanimously) that he or she is worthy, the indoctrination begins.
[edit] Indoctrination
The extent to which an initiate receives indoctrination depends on his or her strength in the Longinian faith upon coming to the pack. Kindred who clearly grasp the motivations and purposes of the pack, and understand how it seeks to fit into the larger life of the Sanctified Church, may quickly move on to the trials.
Kindred with a poorer understanding of Longinism are likely to have more difficulty in fully accepting the pack's dogmatic views on the hunt. For these, education is provided, making clear the theological underpinnings and Testamentary inspiration behind the pack's stated mission. When such a Kindred seems truly to accept and cohere with the Wolves' purpose as a pack, he or she may move on to the trials.
[edit] The Trials
Each of the Trials is a Rite that takes place over one to three nights, with the would-be pack member given his or her instruction along with prayer before, and being met with prayer after. They may be retaken any number of times by Sanctified Gangrel seeking to join the pack, but must be completed in the order presented here.
[edit] Trial by Hunt: Ten Point Takedown
A game of physical and mental acuity, the first trial requires of those who would pass it one thing. They must take down and kill a 10 point buck, with no weapons. Powers of the Blood can and should be used, for the power of blood is the gift that helps us to effect our Purpose. Once dead, the animal should be cleaned, cut and delivered to a church, soup kitchen or food bank. This trial must be completed in one night.
[edit] Trial by Blood: Seven-Star Sinner
The Second Trial is one of skill in the Hunt that is the Purpose of the Damned: the hunting of men. It requires the supplicant to find a mortal who is guilty of violating each of the Seven Deadly Sins, as Longinus was. Once found, the mortal's blood should be drained into a container, enough so that he or she will suffer consequences. The mortal must then be taken to a hospital with a chaplain, and his or her blood returned still-warm to the pack. This trial may be completed over up to three nights.
[edit] Trial by Fire: Dayflower
The Final Trial required of would-be members of the Wolves is a game of patience, delicacy and raw stamina. Certain flowers only bloom during the day, opening their petals once the morning light greets them and closing again against the darkness. In the very simple Dayflower Trial, a Kindred must hand-pick just one such flower upon its opening, and present it to the Wolves the next night.
[edit] Initiation
The Rite of Initiation into the Wolves is simple, beginning with a prayer:
Tonight we welcome another wolf to our pack,
Our teeth and claws ever sharper in number.
We are one through belief, and one in Purpose;
Tonight, Lord, let us become one in Blood.
The blood binds, but the blood is sinful;
And we forswear any bond but one, chosen.
Tonight alone we share once our Blood,
For tomorrow night we shall share forever the Hunt.
Then each member of the pack gives to the initiate a single, small draught of his vitae, and takes a single, small draught in return. Then, together, they say:
One bond, One pack... One Hunt for One Purpose.
One bond, One pack... One Hunt for One Purpose.
One bond, One pack... One Hunt for One Purpose.
Finally, the leader of the rite offers this prayer:
We are Damned, Lord, but thank you for our Damnation on Earth.
Help us all to embrace the Hunt that is our Purpose.
Guide all of your Wolves to prey upon those deserving of our fangs.
And as Longinus and the Monachus helped each other,
As Saint Daniel gave his whole self to avenge his Legion of brothers,
Help us all to grow together in strength and Purpose,
That the whole of our service to you might eclipse our individual sin.
Sum Sanctus
[edit] Organization and Membership
First Hunter: The leader of the pack and master of the hunt, the First Hunter claims not superiority but leadership - among equals, he is first.
- Currently Jonah, Legate of Delaware and Scourge of Dewey
Wolf-Stag: The spiritual leader of the pack and master of ritae, the Wolf-Stag must transcend the Predator-Prey relationship, understanding both roles.
- Currently Ghoren, Bishop of Delaware
Wolves of Golgotha:
- Crusader Danil "Michael" Bogdan, Crusader of Dekalb,IL
- Paladin Benjamin Hiltz, Shogun of the Delaware Shogunate
Skull-Pups (initiates who haven't yet passed the Trials):
- Brother Caleb
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