New Cult: The Seekers of Knowledge, by E. ALLEN SMITH I would appreciate any comments that people would like to make about this group, especially since A. it's a rough draft and B. it's the first group I've created for Kult. For instance, it currently lacks descriptions of important individuals such as some of the leaders. Incidentally, I am a geneticist, which has influenced many aspects of this cult; however, the view of human genetics presented here is quite oversimplified. _Background Information_ The Institute for Human Advancement is a group about which I will post further at some point. Richmond, Indiana is the location of the college from which I graduated, Earlham; it receives a considerable degree of support from Lilly, which is based in Indianapolis. Richmond and its immediate area have many rednecks of the Midwestern variety. Indiana University's East branch (IU East) is also located in Richmond. Piscataway is the location of one branch of Rutgers and of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). The latter is where I'm currently going to graduate school. It is also a location with lots of pharmaceutical and other high-tech (for example, Bell Labs) industry. _Disclaimer_ It is helpful that Kult is a game such that I don't have to make the normal disclaimers for a work such as this. However, I will state the disclaimer that the actions of this cult are not necessarily ones of which I either disapprove or (obviously) approve. For instance, I am in favor of drug legalization and abortion rights. _The Seekers of Tomorrow_ _Type_ They are a cross between Knowledge-Seeking, Power, Illuminati, and Perversion. _Size_ They have 500 or more members. [This figure is variable as needed by the GM.] They inhabit an incorporated small town in Indiana, near Richmond, which is named after their founder. _History_ Their founder and original leader was insane (Schizophrenia, Paranoia, Egotist, Intolerance (Dumb People, was EGO 20+), Touchy, and other psychiatric problems). He saw enough through the illusions to form a cult devoted to evolving the human race into a better form. The founder believed that opposing the Demiurge's teachings was important, while not going along too far with Astaroth's ways. He created the Seekers in the 1890's, with the aid of abilities such as Empathy, Intuition, Luck, and Magical Intuition. The founder was quite unclear about what he saw (partially due to Paranoia), and so the Seekers were left without much of a knowledge of the world. He was also jealous of others with Magical Intuition; it has thus only been recently that they have attained their current level of magical knowledge. _Leaders_ The current leaders are elected via approval voting. Allowed candidates are his adult descendants who are college graduates from an approved college (see below), are not mentally disabled, and have been raised in the cult. This rule does not tend to cause much disagreement, since most of the Seekers are among his descendants. Voters are full, non-mentally- disabled adult members. The leaders are in a ten-member council, which elects a Chair with tie-breaking and other minor organizational powers. The office of Chair has a two-term limit, although leadership does not have any term limit. Terms are four years in length, with elections taking place every two years (alternating). One leader is elected via approval voting by the voters to serve as Mayor to deal with outsiders, but does not have any special privileges beyond this; the "Mayor" cannot also be the Chair, and essentially serves the function of a "front man." A special election for a recall may be held after a recall petition is signed by 2% of the voters. _Judicial System_ Trials of members are held with a judge and a jury. The judge is randomly chosen from a panel selected by the leaders. Members of this panel may not be removed, with two exceptions. These are: A. by a unanimous-minus- one decision of the panel with a majority vote of the leaders; and B. by a unanimous vote of the Foundation's Board of Trustees finding an incurable mental disability. They are appointed from among voters who have at least a bachelor's degree from an approved college, and in addition a law degree, evidence of Enhanced Awareness, or evidence of Magical Intuition. The jury is picked randomly from the voters who have at least a bachelor's degree from an approved college. Punishments include the deprivation of various privileges, solitary confinement, involuntary usage in experimentation (see below), involuntary usage in pornographic film production (see below), and execution. However, involuntary participation in experimentation and pornographic films and execution may not be used on a full member without a unanimous jury verdict; otherwise, the judge decides punishment and the jury decides guilt or innocence. The last three also may not be used against minors. Privileges that can be removed include going outside the town except to an approved school (the right of all who are not confined), demanding sex from non-family members or non-reproductive sex from family members (see below), or eligibility to raise a child (see below). Solitary confinement sometimes includes sensory deprivation, particularly on probationary members. Full members have the same protections as in American criminal trials, except that all phone lines to the outside are tapped. Probationary members have the same protections as in American civil trials. Outsiders are tried by the leaders, who may decree whatever punishment they wish if it does not violate any of the other rules (such as against most torture). A convicted member may appeal to the panel of judges then to the leaders; the judges or leaders may decrease the punishment or find the person innocent, but may not increase the punishment. _Membership_ Some college students are recruited by outside members of the Seekers. Outside members generally try to select intelligent people who have a Dark Secret such as Family Secret, Forbidden Knowledge, Occult Experience, Pact with Dark Powers, or Supernatural Experience. The methods they use for such recruitment include job offers and the exhibition of magic (and the implied promise to teach it). They have also been known to look for the customary real-world-cult type of recruit- someone who is looking for something to follow. They generally use spells such as See Through Passion and Unshroud Illusion to give such a person a taste of true reality. Often, the first inkling that recruits have of exactly what the group is is when they're thrust into the middle of one of the ceremonial orgies (see below). Recruits are usually shocked into temporary sight and divinity by this experience. This state, as well as being something that the Seekers wish people to achieve by itself, is also used to make the person more susceptible to brainwashing via its amorality. Prospective members before the decision to admit is made are probationary members; after two years without infractions against cult rules, they may be admitted to full membership by a majority vote of the leaders. They may also be admitted (via Manipulate Death reincarnation) if they die while in service to the cult, if the leaders allow it via a two-thirds vote. Although most members are white (like the founder), some are of other races. _Family Structure_ Voters with at least a bachelor's degree from an approved college may put themselves into a lottery to raise a particular child. Two people are thus chosen, of whom the leaders will select one. The chosen person may seek assistance from others, but is ultimately the one responsible for the child. Corporal punishment of children is not allowed except for knowing violations of the Seekers' rules and knowing endangerment or harm to the Seekers, to another member, or to oneself. Otherwise, punishments (for academic underperformance and for prelingual children who have committed unknowing violations of the above) are isolation (with observation). _Resources_ They are beginning to learn magic. The Seekers include members who know each Lore of Magic to 20 and all rulebook spells at equal to or under that lore rating; spells are generally known at 10+((20-LR of spell)/2). They also know the spells of Surgical Death Magic, thanks to having infiltrated the Ordo Fratris Mortis when it tried to expand into the USA. Normally, these members will know one Lore to this level and the rest at lower levels. There are also some apprentices, who will know one Lore at a lower level. They have some homemade explosive devices and other weaponry, besides a few automatic weapons bought on the black market. Their main stock of weapons is that of the local police; the town government is controlled by them since they're the only ones there. The local post office is a contract post office with the town government, so all of its employees are from the town. This contract also means the town effectively has one 9-digit zip code, which defeats some address tracing. They also have some blackmail and bribery influence over the local (Wayne) county government, over the other town governments (especially Richmond), over IU East, over the Indiana state government, and over Lilly. They are attempting to get some control over Earlham through the Lilly connection. They have not succeeded in this due to the lictors controlling the two Quaker Yearly Meetings that control Earlham. _Geographics_ See above for location. Only about 50 to 100 (depending on the total size of the group) members are outside at any particular time. These outside members are going to college, graduate school (usually in biology, pharmacology, or computer science), or medical school. Some of their outside members are at Rutgers and UMDNJ, due to having a sperm bank in Piscataway and interest in the Institute for Human Advancement. They've managed to get a few people inside the Institute through Manipulate Death reincarnation, but they're still at lower levels. None of the people at the Institute have yet spotted them, but may notice something odd once the PCs have gotten involved with the Institute. _Sites_ They use what looks like a church for some of their ceremonies, such as town meetings. They use the private school's gymnasium for the rest of their ceremonies, such as orgies. Someone who snuck in could spot the cameras with parabolic microphones spaced around the ceiling and walls, and the inflatable tubes running through the floor. The latter are used to make the floor as comfortable as a mattress. This site is an exposed one, where true reality frequently breaks through (especially at night); the visions are characteristic of the spell See Through Passion. _Recognition_ Most members know each other on sight. If necessary, a wavy line may be drawn with the finger, hand, or foot while looking down; this represents a stylized DNA helix. They have only recently grown enough to need any sort of recognition signal; this recent growth is primarily due to the use of fertility drugs and prenatal testing with abortions. (The latter increases their growth because the mother can then bear another child quickly). _Methods_ With some exceptions, they will use any method at which they won't get caught; for the exceptions, see below for a list of ethical rules that they follow. The Seekers tend to use methods that will be covered by the Illusions, such as summoned creatures and the living dead. They have been known to use spells such as See Through Time & Space and True Vision for blackmail purposes. They have recently started using magic in their brainwashing and other recruitment techniques. Ones that they've been known to use for this purpose include: Manipulate Senses; See Through Time & Space; Manipulate Time & Space; True Vision; Manipulate Dream; Manipulate Death (reincarnating a dead cult member into the person); See Through Passion; Manipulate Passion; Summon Creature of Passion (chiefly darthea); Bind Creature of Passion; Expel Creature of Passion; Exorcise Creature of Passion; Mass Suggestion; Parthenogenesis (making a woman with desired characteristics pregnant prior to kidnaping her or reincarnating a cult member into her body). They have been known to use methods such as the Creature of Passion (Darthea), Creature of Dreams (Psyphagus), and Creature of Death (Razide) spells to drive someone apparently insane to eliminate them. _Non-Human Creatures_ Besides summoned ones, they have not contacted any yet. The leaders are considering contacting Malkuth and/or Tipareth. _Openness/Secrecy_ Besides the town government, they have a foundation front and a corporate front. The [name of founder] Foundation, which originated in the eugenics era, is for the study of human genetics; its funding comes from the Corporation and from stock in Lilly. The Foundation owns all of the Corporation's stock, although the proxies are assigned to the leaders. Members are expected to pay for their own college and above education through merit-based scholarships; however, in circumstances in which this is not possible the Foundation will pay for it. Examples of such circumstances include medical school and partially need-based scholarships; the latter are due to that the Seekers will not release income information if possible. The Foundation also officially runs the local private school, which goes from preschool to 12th grade. The [name of founder] Corporation is the main employer in town, and makes money by A. patents on materials for genetic tests produced by Lilly; B. mail-order lab work, particularly in genetic testing; C. patents on IVF and sperm banking technology; D. patents on fertility drugs produced by Lilly; and E. sperm banking. This banking is via front companies (at which nobody will know about the group) in cities where outside members are going to school; these members will act as sales representatives on campuses. They use the sperm themselves as well as selling it, do genetic testing on it, and have been known to fake records about which sperm is used to do genetic experiments on outsiders (such as inbreeding). They are currently doing research into germ-line gene therapy techniques, contraception for males, the physiology of the living dead, and methods to speed up puberty. Regarding the last, they are also experimenting with growth hormone and other drugs administered to prevent the shortening of full height that would otherwise happen. Typically, they use captured outsiders and members under punishment as experimental subjects. Most profits from Lilly are taken as stock; they are close to having the largest block of voting stock, but typically vote along with the management unless voting on dealings with the group. Currently, the Corporation is second only to Integrated Genetics in the field of genetic testing. The Seekers have infiltrated some members (generally Manipulate Death produced "new members" without traceable connections to them) into rivals in genetic testing such as Integrated Genetics. The Corporation facility includes a medium-size, very high-quality hospital, although this information is not publicly known; this secrecy is to avoid the regulation and inspections that would normally take place. The Corporation also has a computer division, which on the surface is in the business of designing graphic interfaces for molecular genetics work. While it does some of this, what it mainly does is work out ways to alter videotapes. These methods are used both for profit (videotaping the orgiastic ceremonies and altering the faces) and for blackmail. They also (particularly with new members) stage some pornographic videos that go beyond the ceremonies (such as with bestiality or bondage). These are used both to make money and to get ties to underworld groups. However, the latter is limited in that they are trying to avoid conflict with Coq Rogue. _Affiliations_ Some members are trying to get connections into the Anthropophagian Death Magic groups, although this is primarily to gain information on Anthropophagian Death Magic. The Seekers are doing research into Malkuth & her operatives. _Enemies_ They do not have any enemies yet. Their hiding has been helped by the high proportion of their members with Enhanced Awareness (and/or Schizophrenia). If discovered, most Archons and Lictors would be against them. Astaroth and the Death Angels would try to corrupt them. The Ordo Fratris Mortis would attack them for having stolen some of its secrets. _Executions and Funerals_ They do not consider humans truly sentient until at least nine months of age; this age is when babies come out of what is essentially a fetal stage of development, although human brain-wave patterns start a bit after the 6th month of pregnancy. They also know enough about reincarnation not to feel very guilty about killing. Their executions are via either reincarnating into the person's body or being locked into a nitrogen-filled room. This room has material in it to absorb carbon dioxide, so that the person does not experience discomfort from CO2 buildup. The atmosphere will contain nitrous oxide if the person requests it (and always if a minor), and the person may be administered psychoactive drugs at his or her request. Executions are used after expulsion from membership, rejection from membership, or the finding of disability prior to nine months of age. Bodies used for reincarnation will be either qualified on one or two grounds (see below) to reproduce (and can reproduce) or will be an outsider in a useful position. Once an outsider body is no longer useful, the person will either be brought back or be reincarnated into another body after the current body's execution. The former will be used if the body possessed the qualifications to be eligible prior to being taken over. Funerals may take several types. Non-mentally-disabled members who die in service to the cult or of an unavoidable (by that person) accident will be reincarnated into another's body. This body will be that of someone in one of the following categories: A. an outsider in an organization they wish to infiltrate; B. an outsider they wish to bring in but who cannot be brought in via the probationary route; or C. a former cult member who has been expelled. Such reincarnation will, whenever possible, be into a body of the opposite sex; they do this both to break down illusions about the differences between the sexes and to enable more visions of true divinity. This reincarnation will be followed by a necrophilous orgy lead by the person whose former body is the subject. The orgy is followed by cannibalism, again lead by the person whose former body is the subject. Before eating any human or other raw meat, it is irradiated to sterility using a radiation source at the Corporation. They sometimes execute volunteers then reincarnate them into an outsider's body. This procedure will only be done if they have another, low-EGO body available as a backup. If the person was executed and has a suitable body, the person will be transformed into a living dead. This procedure is followed by the person's gang rape; this ceremony is lead by the person selected by the leaders to have had the most emotional connection to the now living-dead person. The transformation will be preceded by the Illness Transfer Surgical Death Magic spell, repeated as often as necessary to rid all Seekers of transferable illness. If the person was executed and had an unsuitable body (such as an infant's), the person will be cannibalized. This usage may be preceded by a necrophilous orgy, if the body is suitable for such usage. The orgy and cannibalism will be lead by the person selected by the leaders to have had the most emotional connection to the now dead person. _Other Ceremonies_ The most common ceremony among the Seekers is the twice weekly (Friday & Monday nights) orgy, at which all members of age eight & above participate. Members are required to have sex with all other members at least once every (# of non-outside members/208) years at these orgies or other public sexual activity. This requirement is irrespective of age (if eight or above), gender, and family relationship. Refusal at such an orgy to have sex with someone in whatever way they demand, unless such refusal is due to the likelihood of pain or physical harm, is not allowed. Other ceremonies include admittance into membership (of an outsider or of a 9- month-old infant) and election (prior to an orgy lead by the person). _Reproductive Rules_ To be allowed to reproduce, males must do one of the following: A. graduate from college then be elected; B. graduate from college then from graduate school in a useful area; C. graduate from college then from medical school (including with a D.O.); D. graduate from college and have proof of Enhanced Awareness; E. graduate from college and have proof of Magical Intuition. They cannot be disabled from any heritable cause to be eligible to reproduce. Until they are allowed to reproduce, males are reversibly sterilized. Useful areas for graduate school are decided upon by the leaders; they will require a Ph.D. whenever appropriate. Non-disabled females are eligible to reproduce until age 30. However, if by that time they have not attained the above: A. they will be ineligible until they do so; B. all of their male descendants will be required to get two of the above before being allowed to reproduce; and C. female descendants will be required to graduate from college, have proof of Enhanced Awareness, or have proof of Magical Intuition before being eligible to reproduce. Children of females who become disabled due to a heritable disadvantage are not allowed to reproduce until they have passed the age at which the mother became disabled and have not become disabled themselves. However, if this would be after the normal fertile period sperm or an ovary will be removed and stored for later possible usage. When not allowed to reproduce, females have Norplant inserted. If a child reaches the age of nine months with an ineligible mother (or father), the child will be executed. All eligible females are impregnated as often as possible when old enough (generally age 14-16). When old enough (for multiple births and other hormonal effects; generally age 16-18), fertility-enhancing drugs are used on all eligible females. Any infants found to be disabled before the age of nine months are executed. Typically, abortions are done as soon as a disability is detected; the fetus will also be eaten. The major exception to either of these rules is when the disability is being studied by the Corporation and/or the Foundation; in this case, they will usually wait until 9 months. Eligible males must have reproductive sex with all eligible and fertile female family members at least once a month, during the fertile period for that female. Family members are defined as all cult members whose genetic relatedness is that of first cousins or closer; this is measured by genetic similarity tests when unknown. Any family member of age eight or above, no matter what sex, can demand sex from any other who is age eight or above; this rule is also true between children and those who have raised them. Exceptions to this rule are: A. if the person would be interrupted from doing a task considered necessary by the leaders; B. if the demanded form of sex would be potentially painful or physically harmful; or C. the sex is not reproductive if during an eligible female family member's fertile period and with an eligible male. All male members eligible for one over the required number (i.e., two or three) must donate sperm at least once a month. This sperm is used on family members who are on fertility drugs if the donating member has an unavoidable accidental death or dies while in necessary service to the Seekers. A listing of approved colleges for reproductive and other eligibility (such as for leadership) is decided upon by the leaders and the Foundation's Board of Trustees; each body receives the same number of votes in total. Community colleges and similar less difficult schools will not be found on it. Some colleges are counted only for certain areas. With two exceptions, no eligible individual may use any birth control method. The exceptions are with the permission of the leaders (such as for outside members) and for temporary ones when having reproductive sex with a non-eligible individual. If it is found by the medical members of the Foundation Board of Trustees that a pregnant member is too young to bear a child, she will be given an abortion. Usually, this is done sometime after the pregnancy has become obvious, so as to use the pregnant member in pornographic film production. _Ethical Rules_ In their efforts to avoid falling in with Astaroth, they follow some rules of conduct. These include the following. While they believe the ends (the freedom of humanity) justify the means, they will use the least unethical (harmful to others) means that will meet their ends. They do not torture, except for forced participation in pornographic film production and orgies. Forced participation in experimentation will not involve unnecessary pain. They will not lie to another full member of the Seekers. However, this does not extend to probationary members, although they will avoid lying to them. They will not break their word to another member of the Seekers, including probationary members. They do not allow the rape of children below the age of eight. This prohibition includes as a part of corporal punishment, which in any case is limited in severity. They do not allow the worship of any being except their own divinity. They are particularly watchful for Astaroth's or Togarini's worship by conjuror members with the Lore of Death, and for the worship of Gamaliel by anyone. Partially to avoid the latter, they take measures to prevent children who are in the orgies and films from being in pain. These measures include biofeedback and hypnosis for relaxation, stretching, and hymen removal under anesthesia along with other methods. Pornography that they produce will not involve both S&M and (usually simulated) rape, although individual films may involve one or the other. They do not allow the killing of any Seeker without just cause (and a trial in non-emergency situations). If the Seeker is above the age of nine months, disability is not considered a just cause. _Other Rules_ Everyone is required to attend and participate in all ceremonies, including funerals, except outside leaders and others authorized by the leaders (such as guards). If a member is too young to participate in a ceremony, he or she is nonetheless required to watch. They tolerate drug use (including alcohol) by adult members who have not become nonfunctional. If the user does become nonfunctional, the person will be forced to withdraw. They generally consider anyone under 18 a minor. _Disabilities_ Disabilities (for reproductive and other purposes) are decided upon by a committee of non-outside M.D.'s, D.O.'s, and appropriately fielded Ph.D.'s. Appropriate fields for Ph.D.s are decided upon by the voters at the normal elections; any such field will also be one considered appropriate for reproductive purposes. Unless their admission to the body is disallowed by a two-thirds vote of the leaders, this admission is automatic if the person graduated from an approved college. They also serve as the Board of Trustees of the [name of founder] Foundation; its charter covers up their actual selection by having the Board be self- selecting. In individual cases in which they are closer than first-cousin related to an individual or to the person who raised that individual, they are obligated to abstain. The Seekers do not consider Schizophrenia either a disability or an advantageous trait. They are quite "picky"; this selectivity is one reason that they aren't larger, despite their high reproductive rate. They are especially eager to avoid disabilities (such as most varieties of true albinism) with any association with mental retardation. _Character Construction Modifiers_ Cult members have a *3 (the point at which attribute costs go up) for EGO of 20. Their *3 for EDU is EGO or 12, whichever is greater, and those with EGO of 12 or below are unlikely to have EDUs higher than 12. They vary quite a bit in characteristics, but leaders, major magic-using members, etcetera will have EGO 20+. A member with a CON or EGO below 10 is uncommon. When dealing with non-members, they have a *3 for CHA of 16, due to the differences between their society and most others. They thus may have a split CHA. _Common Advantages_ Empathy; Enhanced Awareness; Gift for languages; Influential friends; Intuition; Luck; Magical intuition; Mathematical talent; Sixth Sense. _Common Virtues_ Code of Honor: Obey rules of the Seekers. _Common Disadvantages_ Curse; Fanaticism: Devoted to Seekers; Haunted; Intolerance; Mania; Mental Compulsion: Cannibalism; Mental Constriction: Cult events; Nightmares; Phobias; Schizophrenia; Sexual Neurosis: Satyriasis, Nymphomania, Necrophilia, and/or Pedophilia; Secret: Seekers & Cult Events, Secret: Bisexual. _Mental Balance_ About a quarter of the members have a moderately high (25 to 75) positive mental balance, due to having many of the above Advantages and the Virtue. About half have a mildly negative balance (between zero and -25). The rest have a moderately low mental balance (-25 to -75), due to having many of the Disadvantages but few of the Advantages. _Leader Characters_ Of the common Advantages, Virtues, and Disadvantages, leaders will have at least Influential friends, Code of Honor: Obey rules of the Seekers, Fanaticism: Devoted to Seekers, and Secret: Seekers & Cult Events. Most of them also have Empathy and/or Intuition; the "Mayor" will definitely have the first, and the Chair will definitely have the second. Their mental balance is higher than -15 but below +50. _Agent Characters_ Typical advantages for an infiltrating agent include one or more of the following: Empathy; Intuition; Enhanced Awareness; Luck; Sixth Sense. All will have Code of Honor: Obey rules of the Seekers, Fanaticism: Devoted to Seekers, Secret: Seekers & Cult Events, and Secret: Agent. Other typical disadvantages include Mental Constriction: Cult Events and Secret: Bisexual. Skills will include some Secret Agent-type ones, although the Seekers' ability to train people is limited for some skills. They will also know the main occupational and other skills used by the person whose body they are occupying. At first, these will mainly be janitorial and clerical workers; they will be used to gather more information to make it easier for later members.