Difference between revisions of "The Occultists"

Shrouded by secrecy and misinformation, the venerable [[House]] of '''the Occultists''' makes its home in the northern city of [[Ashtan]]. Known for their unpredictability and general insanity, they are a group fiercely devoted to the forbidden study of [[Chaos]] in all of its manifestations. Considering themselves scholars and thaumaturgists of the highest order, they have also produced some of history's great warriors and leaders. Indeed, the Goddess [[Eris]] arose from the mortal Occultist, [[Servelan]]. Central to the occultic identity is the oath of secrecy that every member must swear, and the violation of that oath is the only intolerable crime recognized by the House. Both their intense study of Chaos and their affiliation with the city of Ashtan lend the House a strong focus on the ideal of freedom; they despise unnecessary constraints and are quick to overturn taboos and prohibitions.

In the distant past, before [[Nicator]] and his empire, the Occultists were scattered into a loosely organized system of cabals. Studying the secrets of karmic aura manipulation, and quietly interacting with the mysterious and powerful [[Chaos Lords]], they soon attracted the attention of more radical elements within the ancient [[Church]]. According to traditional occultic legend, the [[Luminai]] launched a vicious crusade against them. Cabals were destroyed, libraries were burned, and all traces of their work were eliminated immediately upon discovery.

The Carnivalis family, of whom [[Silvestri Carnivalis]] would later be the most famous, sheltered many of the Occultists who were trying to flee the wrath of the Church. According to the legends, it was from the kindness of this organisation that the occultists learned the art of [[Tarot]]. Countess [[Belladona]], then of Ashtan, also offered sanctuary to the disorganised Occultists. In return, however, she demanded their assistance in the development of [[Necromancy]] -- an art that, misfiring, ultimately was her ruin when it transformed her into a fearsome [[Vampires|Vampiress]].

Regrouping, the Occultists established themselves in Ashtan, under the leadership of Belladona’s son, [[Luxsyth]]. Abandoning [[Occultism]] by his order, they committed themselves entirely to the study of Necromancy. It was not until the year 304, when deprived of Necromancy by the malevolent decree of [[Sartan]], that the Occultists recovered Occultism under the leadership of [[Shakti|Shakti Devi]].

In the year 397 AF, the Occultists [[Guild]] became the Occultists [[House]] under Orklanishkal Eruu'Yul. Unlike many of the other guilds who made the same transition, the Occultists changed little with respect to their identity and customs.

The following individuals have served the Occultists, first as Guild Masters and later as House Lords, wearing the title of Demiurge.

;Servelan de Vermiis : 175-190