Styx

## Personal Information

#### Appearance

Styx appears as a young woman with a gaunt and eerie appearance. Her body and long black hair are always wet and can never be dried, she is pale and blue in the face as if she was at one point drowned. Most notably are the tear like tracks run down her face, ghastly white eyes and the Greek Omega symbol upon her brow. It would not be untrue to think she appears as what some may think an Underworld Nymph may look like.

#### Personality

Styx is creepy and unnerving in demeanor. She is fiercely loyal and ritualistic in her beliefs, she is a devoted worshiper of the Hellenistic (Greek) Gods, specifically the Chthonic deities; thus she is obsessed with death and the rites and rituals which are attributed to her faith.

#### Mortal World

Styx has been extremely disconnected and sheltered from the mortal world up until recently. With the destruction of her cult, she has been forced out into the modern world thus she is forced to adapt to the time which is so disconnected from her continued existence thus far.

#### Mortal Life

Before Styx was a kindred, she was Selia. Born to a mortal mother and into an Chthonic Cult; 1922, Greece. The Cult was the entirety of her mortal life, she dedicated herself to worship, the the Cult and most importantly to the Gods. Recognised for her loyalty and dedication, she was offered a ghoul-ship upon her coming of age (age 20). She accepted and served the Cult for 80 years before the Head Priestess chose her to be Embraced.

#### The Embrace

Styx, then Selia, was sired by the Head Priestess. As per their traditions, she was turned in the waterfall where she was born, the night picked precisely to be the day of her birth. As per the ritual, she was laid in the waters with cut wrists, to bleed out and drown in the place of her birth. When she awoke again, she was shuddering as she was pulled from the, now red stained, waters by her brood mates. Her shuddering demeanor influenced her Sire’s name choice. ‘Styx’ which means to Shudder.

## The Cult of Orpheus

Styx’s cult came from the old Mystery Cults of ancient times and a remnant of the Old Greek Nosferatu Clan. The Cult itself worshiped Chthonic pantheon and the teaching of the legendary Poet Orpheus. Their beliefs and practices were based upon the underworld, the concept of death, gods who took part in the cycle of life and death and the river/stream which their temple was built upon. The Cult is a Greece sub section of the Circle of Crone and prior to that the origin of the Ancient Mystery Cults; back when they were greater in numbers and social prominence. Their former prominence lead to the the First Inquisition finding them and driving the Cults underground. Other than the Circle, the cult was mostly unknown and very secretive from the wider kindred world.

**Temple -** The cult had a small temple and cult haven hidden away and built into the Mavroneri waterfall (AKA "Black Water") in the Peloponnese. This river is the mythological inspiration for the River Styx, it is believed that the waterfall/stream is where the river Styx connects to the surface. Thus it is incorporated heavily into their systems. As of modern day this temple had been destroyed by the second inquisition.

#### Structure

The cult operated as a hierarchy, they all believe in the same beliefs and practiced the same rites. Though they play different parts...

* **Mortals -** Mortals within the cult are born into it, via ghoul families. They take a passive role within the cult and act as a herd for their kindred masters and general maintenance. While the cult as a whole is fairly open within its ranks, mortals are limited to the deeper secrets their masters keep hidden.

* **Ghouls -** Trusted servants and faithful worshippers, ghouls aid their kindred masters, take a more active role than the passive role of their mortal kin and are privy to deeper cult secrets. It is also their job to maintain the mortals in their master’s place.

* **Kindred -** Only the most loyal and dedicated of ghouls are offered the immortal blood and embraced into the inner circle. Those who are sired act out the will of the gods, thus taking into themselves the immortal blood, which connects them to their gods to enact their will.

* **Head Priestess -** The elder and head of the Cult, she performs all rites, rituals and initiations. She chooses the ghouls, sires the kindred and interprets the direct will of the gods. It is her purpose to ensure the cult meets the needs of the Gods to their satisfaction.

#### Beliefs/Rituals/Rites

**Birth -** It is common that ghouls and mortals have families within the Cult, when a child is born the mothers undergoes labor and birth in the waterfall. This is done so that the water meets the child upon its birth and so the River Styx, which is connected to the waterfall, may send news to the Underworld that the Cult has had a new arrival.

**Death -** When a mortal meets a natural death, they are laid in the waterfall. It is tradition to die where one is born, so those born into the Cult are laid to rest in the water with a coin in their mouth. While traditional burial rights are performed for the deceased. A woman who dies in childbirth is given a special ritual to honour her death and trade of her life for her child’s.

**Punishment -** The Head Priestess decides upon the punishment for those who need to be punished, but for the most egregious acts against the Cult, *death* is the only befitting punishment. A traitor is given a dishonourable death. One who betrays the Cult and it’s secrets; or attempts harm upon a fellow clan member without approval of the Head Priestess… then the offender, regardless of rank, is slain and their body disposed of. They are not permitted to die in the place they were born, thus they are not laid in the waterfall.

**Worship -** The cult worships the Chthonic pantheon and entities related to the underworld. The Underworld itself is actively respected in tandem with its inhabitants, like the three King Judges and the mighty Furies. Hades and his Dread Queen Persephone are very prominent in worship and death/birth rites. Demeter is paid recognition with the seasons; and the Gods of death and sleep, Thanatos & Hypnos are commonly involved protectors/guides. Zagreus & Dionysus are acknowledged in duality; and Nyx and Hecate are commonly involved in magical rites and rituals. Nature is paid respect and offering via the Nymphs, and the other Olympian Gods are respectfully acknowledged, but not actively worshiped; though they are respected for their power and influence upon the world.

**Ghouling -** When a mortal shows initiative and potential a kindred may ask the permission of the head priestess to ghoul the mortal. Another ghoul may also vouch for a mortal and the head priest shall not only approve of the ghouling but may choose what kindred among her inner circle will make the ghoul. When approved there is a bonding ritual to commemorate the bloodbond, in this ritual is where they are told the deeper secrets of the cult. Should the mortal react badly to learning the deeper secrets then that mortal is slain for they are untrustworthy.

**Embrace -** When a Ghoul is under the service of their master for a long time and they have earned the trust and acknowledgment of the head priestess, they are offered to be embraced into the inner circle. Should they accept then the embracing ritual walks them into their next stage of ‘life’. The embrace is a carefully timed ritual with many rites and ceremonies performed prior to preparing the body and soul. And above all else it is important to have travelled to Hades and then returned. To die where they were born, then rise anew. When ready, much like the death ritual; the chosen ghoul is laid in the waterfall with their arms cut. They are held under the water to bleed out and drown, the process is carefully timed so that both happen simultaneously. When the ghoul dies, the Head Priestess cuts her hand with a ceremonial knife (the same knife which cut the ghouls wrists) and she pours her blood into the water. At this point the water is opaque with mortal and kindred blood. The whole inner circle oversees the ritual, as more rites are performed until the new kindred emerges from the water by the end of the night. The Head Priestess, their Sire, will pull them from the water when the kindred awakens. There she will bestow a new name and their first feed, by offering her own wrist, which commonly establishes a blood bond between her and her new childer.

#### The Mystery Cults

In the old days of Ancient Greece, the secretive mystery cults were prominent sects which ruled over parts of Greece. They operated from the shadows and were the head authority of Hellenistic worship at the time. The Olympian based cults were far more socially prominent and accepted than their Chthonic counterparts. But both were equally secretive with their kindred rites. All the cults had varying beliefs and practices, worshiping different gods and ruling over differing cities like sects. Most of their beliefs and practices have been purposely lost to history.
While the cults could differ greatly, they were united by core principles. They all were prominent religious sects, pioneering the rites and rituals for their patron Gods. And they all were run by Kindred. Despite their long standing authority, when the first inquisition made its way to Greece, many of the cults were destroyed or forced underground. The only ones who survived were the cults who disappeared from human society and isolated themselves from the world to hide themselves from the crusades. Due to the Olympian based cults being overtly public, they were the first to be destroyed and never rebuilt. The Chthonic Cults however were always more secretive and so they found means of surviving though they were not un-scathed. The cults who survived in time had rebuilt to the best of their abilities. Formerly prominent and strong sects, they were now no more than small underground covens hiding in the background of modern society. But when the second inquisition came through, their isolation had left them exceedingly overwhelmed and under prepared for the brutal violence the humans were now capable of. And so what was left of the cults had been finally destroyed or scattered by the modern day.

## Information Known by Kindred Society

#### Timeline

* **1842:** Born into the Cult.
* **1862:** Ghouled.
* **1922:** Embraced.
* **2021:** The Cult and Temple were destroyed by the second inquisition.
* **2022:** Fled Greece and arrived in Italy.
* **2022 Nov:** After 9 Months as acting Pricus, Styx perished in the volcano ritual event.

### Oddities

For those perceptive and attuned to the ethereal...

A ghost can be seen to accompany Styx wherever she may go. He may not always be present; but when he is, the ghostly visage of a young and handsome man will be standing at a small distance, staring at her longingly.

If he is to speak to anyone whom may see him, he will often say that "He's sorry" or "He misses her" At this time, Styx cannot see this ghost, nor does she have any idea as to his identity, though she is aware of his existence.

## Family Line

Styx was born to a mortal mother. Known as *Selia*. She was a member of the cult and one of the circle’s herd. From time to time the remaining Mystery Cults would gather for meetings or rituals. On one such gathering, Selia and the herd accompanied the masters; where she had dallied with a man in town and thus returned to the temple with-child. Sadly Selia died in childbirth, and so the Cult raised the baby, naming the child after her mother.

## Lineage

#### Known Sire

**Iereia** (meaning *Priestess*, in Greek)

Head Priestess and elder to the Cult, she is extremely maternal in nature but strict and traditional, holding very strongly to their Chthonic beliefs and Orphic teachings.

Irelia came from the old days of ancient Greece, when ledged and reality blurred, so that the lines between fact and fiction were indistinguishable. As a youth, she left home to join the Orphic Mystery Cult, which worshiped the Chthonic pantheon and followed the poetic teachings of the legendary poet Orpheus.

Iereia had been with the Cult since it’s near beginning and it’s inevitable joining with the Circle of Crone. She was a talented and devoted sorceress even as a mortal woman. But she was keenly aware of her mortality, she new of kindred and of the Nosferatu clan, and their mythological roots to the ancient Greek Gods. And so, she made a deal with a powerful kindred to acquire the Nosferatu clan for herself.

Since her embrace, she has acted as the head for her Cult's faction within the Circle of Crone. As Head Priestess and Elder of the Clan, she sires all the kindred, which consists of a small inner circle of her childer; whom help her with Cult and Crone matters and see to it that all religious practices are held up to satisfactory standards. For an unknown amount of time, she has run the Cult with poise, faith and unchallenged authority since it's very beginning until it's unfortunate end.

#### Known Siblings

**Theo** (meaning *Divine Gift*) - The eldest childer, he has been with the cult the longest, aside from his Sire. He is an intelligent and learned kindred with an affinity for magic. He was named for what his Sire believed him to be in her enteral life, a gift sent by the Gods.

Theo was a young orphan when Iereia had first found him, she was visiting Athens on business for the Circle of Crone, when she found a young boy staving on the streets. He was no more than five years old when they met, he was a small thing, half starved and dirty from head to toe. She had always been the compassionate type, so she took him with her, she cared for and raised him like her own child. He was her pride and joy for many years, she taught him her magic and he grew into a proud and respected member of the Cult. Many years later, when he was all grown up, Theo asked if his mother would embrace him. Iereia agreed and they have been together ever since.

**Amara** (meaning *Bitter* or *Grace*) - The cold and detached Amara, strict and disciplined in all that she does. She was named for her duality, both graceful and bitter in equal measure, but her loyalty was never in question.

Amara had been with the Cult for a long time, working as a ghoul. She like many of the mortals and ghouls of the Cult was born into it. She was quite and studious child and as she grew older had earned a ghoulship. She spent days lost in the Cult's Library, preferring books as opposed the company of others. As a ghoul, she was trusted to archive the Cult’s records and written teaching, she not only held great pride in keeping the archives orderly but she loved to spend endless days in the library. Such work was how she and Theo had become good friends. They not only believes in the Cult's religious cause with a strong passion, but they both shared in a love of literature. It was actually Theo who suggested to Iereia that Amara deserved the embrace, and of course Amara was honored to enter the inner circle. Throughout her time as a kindred, she continues to be closest to her elder brother Theo, she respects him most, aside from her Sire, and they share a bond of trust unmatched.

**Evander** *(Bow Warrior*/*Strong Man*) - Strong and bold, but warm and friendly. Evander was kind and inviting despite a rough exterior. He was named for his strength and skill with a bow, which was a mark of pride.

Evander was a solider before he joined the Cult, he wasn’t born into it like most of the members were. He was born and raised in Sparta, being a seasoned solider and seeing many battles. He was skilled with a bow specifically and let his talent go to his head, thus he was rather arrogant in his youth, over estimating his skill to point of butting heads with his elders. This came to a heads when he was bested in battle, the fight left him gravely wounded and left for dead.

However, luckily for him he was found by the Cult, who brought him back and nursed him to health. His near death experience did quite a bit to humble him and he found the Cult’s beliefs interesting and not that different from his own religious practices. Thus, once he was healed he chose to remained with the Cult. Leaning into his strengths; he took on a protector role, acting as a guard to the Cult when needed. Through his actions, he proved himself a trustworthy ally and was ghouled by Iereia, later being embraced and officially became a member of the Cult.

    **Cressida** (meaning *Gold*) - Young and impatient, though endlessly curious; Cressida was a trusted confidant and friend, even if she could be stubborn. She was named after her eyes, which turned gold after her turning.

Cressida was actually born to the Dionisius Cult, which was destroyed by the Inquisition. Her family as well as a few other survivors came to the Cult for sanctuary. Cressida’s family integrated with the Cult and remained ever Since. Cressida herself was a lively and happy child. She loved music and poetry, thus she fit in well with the Orpheus Cult and it’s musical practices. She loves to sing and dance, the ritualistic dances and celebrations being her main responsibility. Out of all of Iereia’s childer, Cressida was embraced at the youngest age. The girl herself being only 16 at her turning. Cressida entered the inner circle when she revealed her own father as a traitor to the Cult, and thus executed for his crime. This however, proved Cressida loyal to the Cult and she was proud to keep the Cult safe from her traitors father. As a reward for her loyalty, Iereia embraced her into the inner circle.

## Opinions Of Family Members

Styx cares for her family and Cult, they had their petty squabbles in the past as siblings do, but they were united by family and faith. As of now she is unsure who survived the Temple's destruction, if anyone. For all she know her family have met their final death, and so she mourns them. She desires nothing more than revenge against the humans who killed her people and desecrated their temple.

## Quotes

#### "Be wary of fire...consider it my good wishes." - Styx, to Lazarus

Referencing - Styx was told a premonition via Renay, where the premonition ended with an image of Lazarus engulfed in fire. After a long winded conversation between Lazarus and Styx, she gave this response.

#### Conversations

Styx has confided in Mahmoud; a high ranking figure of the Circle of Crone whom she is familiar with, that her cult was destroyed. As such, the Elder has taken it upon himself to investigate the matter and track down any surviving members.

## Rumours

The Chthonic Temple, homed in Greece is said to have been hit by The Second Inquisition...badly. It is uncertain who, if *anyone*, escaped the massacre.

## Inspirations and Soundtrack

* Hellenistic and Chthonic Religion
* Underworld Nymph
* Greek Mythology