“ The Pursuers, they reek of pride…and great pain. ”
– Collen Comstock to Laban, TUT: Neoteric, Verse I
Little is known of the Vestiary of Pursuers, but what information has been gathered is that they are an illustrious, feared, and ancient order of religiously sovereign men and women. Unsure if they are man or machine, the general population is extremely wary of them, as they conduct raids at even the slightest hint of heresy. They are ruthless, fast, strong, and efficient.
Though the OEA will not admit it, their yoke upon the Pursuers hangs on by little more than the Vestiary’s own hands. At any time, the Vestiary could release that yoke, freeing up both hands to further their own purposes. For now, it seems their submission to the Ascendancy aligns with their own goals… and that is no doubt the only reason they remain allies.
History of the Pursuers
The roots of the Vestiary can be traced back to before the founding of the OEA, the UEE, and even before the loss of almost all recorded history in the year 2107AD. Some say the Vestiary of Pursuers was established from before the very foundations of the world. What is known, is that the First Pontifex was Azbazareth Phaath seated in the year [REDACTED].
The Pogrom
The Pogrom was an internal conflict within the Vestiary of Pursuers which took place in the year 2255 Eternal Enlightenment. For more information, please see the self-titled page for a detailed account of events.
The Strayers
Strayers are the children born during the time of the Pogrom. Every child born at that time, and for a year following was stripped of all familial ties, being taken to the Temple Mount on Saturn. Records linking any of these children to their birth parents was sealed in the darkest recesses of the Library of Abrogation, there at the Temple. Further, the memory of these children, in all whom had been involved with them, was struck from the mind. These children were the “Strayer Born,” and were to be kept at distance in all their dealings within the Vestiary, if not outright treated as outcast.
The complete disregard of the Strayer Born proved to be far more ineffectual than intended. Many Strayers have gone on to prove themselves loyal to the Vestiary, becoming powerful Aligners of Mysteries, or inventive Aligners of Machinations. Even of those women whom were born Strayers, some have shown themselves to be the most dedicated of Consorts. Still, the taint of the Strayer name, and all the pain it represents is not something easily washed clean. Many Pursuers hold hatred in their heart for any child born of the Pogrom.
The Vestry
The Vestry makes up the brotherhood of Persecutors living and operating within three Vestiaries, with one, each, upon Earth, Archlight Station, and Saturn. Among the few things made public by the Pursuers, they have three founding documents, which, through the ages, the Pursuers claim to have safeguarded without error. These are their Law, their Six Virtues, and their Thirteen Founding Phrases.
Persecutors
“Profligates…” -Unknown Persecutor to ASP Securitymen
Persecutors are the male members of the Vestiary which form the backbone of their society, and is the title granted to any man who has surpassed the Conjoining. While there are other titles within the Vestry, the Persecutor is the most general term for a male member of their society. Persecutors all have similar traits in terms of eye and hair color, which is a consequence of the Conjoining. These being: black, gray, white, red or some variation of those hues. Rarely, they can be rendered completely hairless, or blind.
Persecutors have two avenues of career pursuits. The first and most favored is the Aligner of Mysteries. The Second, and increasingly popular, is the Aligner of Machinations.
Aligner of Mysteries: Persecutor brothers of this alignment have their primary focus upon the study of pure Pressure. That is, they seek out the nuance and mysteries of the Universe. That also includes the study of the Planes, philosophy, history, law, and governance. There are many other areas of study under the Mysteries, and all which would be considered classical.
Aligner of Machinations: These focus upon the study of all things technological. That includes engineering, mechanics, construction, programming, smithing, etc. For many centuries, the brothers of the Machinations were long considered of lower worth, when compared to those of the Mysteries. But, more recently, those of the Machinations have been starting to exceed the value of the Mysteries.
Perfect Aligner: Rarely, there will be a Persecutor gifted in the study and use of both alignments. These brothers are considered to be in “perfect alignment,” and are able to manipulate both the raw, pure Pressure, and that of the technology fused with Pressure. Those two fields of use usually being positive polarities of one another, behaving exactly like a magnetic repulsion. Brother Hezekiah Strayer was the first instance of a proven Perfect Aligner in a long time.
Consorts
The female members of the Vestiary which have supportive roles in service to their male counterparts, and the greater needs of the Vestiary. Any woman who surpasses the Conjoining is called Consort. Outside of that, there are only two official ranks for women: Mistress of Consorts, and Voice of the Song of Prophecy. Still, the women of the Vestiary keep their own pecking order with unofficial titles appointed by the Mistress of Consorts. Like their Persecutor Brethren, Consorts have been physically altered by the effects of the Conjoining. The hair and eyes being only black, gray, white, red, or a variation of those colors. Consorts can also rarely be rendered hairless, or blind.
Unlike the Persecutors, the Consorts have a varying number of specialties which they can enter into. These are: Singer of Songs, Spinner of Sorrows, Weaver of Dreams, and Handmaid of the Night.
Singer of Song: These Consorts whom train to sing the Song of Prophecy are held in the highest regard among the women of the Vestiary. It is a Singer’s hope that she may be shown to be the next Voice of the Song of Prophecy. As of now, Carmilla Strayer shows the most promise, but is, as of yet, unconfirmed.
Spinner of Sorrows: These Consorts train in the art of subterfuge, and sensuality. They involve themselves with the senses of the body coalescing in the mind and heart for purposes of manipulation. Sight, hearing, feeling, and taste are their domain. It is no question that these women are inherently treacherous, but so long as that treachery serves the goals of the Vestiary, they are embraced.
Weaver of Dreams: These Consorts are supremely gifted at the subtleties of the effects of Pressure upon the unconscious mind. They can access Penumbra and from there reach the hidden places of the mind. Even read the very currents of the aether, hear and see the whispers and threads of the Universe. Because everyone must sleep, and everyone harbors an unconscious awareness, no one is safe from a Weaver – save an adept pressicant whom becomes aware of an invasion into their mind.
Handmaid of the Night: These Consorts are uniquely capable of serving multiple roles. The Jane of all trades, and the mistress of none. Handmaids are schooled in many arts. They know a little of the Song of Prophecy, a bit of Weaving, and a tad of Spinning. When it comes to battle, no Persecutor camp is complete without a Handmaid to inquire of.
Preliators
The true “Blacksuits” of the Vestiary of Pursuers. The Preliator is a voiceless thing, ruthlessly following orders without question. As the main fighting force of the Vestiary, they wear their characteristic full black armored suits, and are armed with unique Hellshok Corp weapons technologies. Beside these already intimidating features, it only adds insult to their injurious persecution of all who would defy the OEA, in that the Preliator moves, reacts, and strikes with seemingly unfair supernatural ability. For this fact, Ascendancy society is unsure if they are man or machine, as no one has ever seen their faces to confirm either way.
The Law
I – Thou shalt obey the will of the Vestry and thy Elders.
II – Thou shalt defend thy Sisters, as the weaker vessel, and not set thyself against thy Brothers.
III – Thou shalt uproot all weakness.
The Six Virtues
I – Strength: Thou shalt not pity
II – Skill: Thou shalt discipline thy self
III – Cunning: Thou shalt mire in the abstruse
IV – Foresight: Thou shalt seek the untenable
V – Decisiveness: Thou shalt not hesitate
VI – Derision: Thou shalt glory in execration
The Thirteen Founding Phrases
I – The First Begins: For the purposes of the advancement of mankind, we hereby reconcile a binding pact between our Lord and our Progeny.
II – The Second Confirms: For this interminable diabolism, this symphonic cacophony of breathless words, shall not perish while the fruits of our effort still draw breath.
III – This the Third is Aware: As agents of mankind, we asked ourselves how we should attain perfect Fear without suffering reverence.
IV – Affirms the Fourth: We understood that to see with the eyes was to be sightless; to feel with the senses, to be senseless; to think with the mind, thoughtless.
V – Proclaims the Fifth: We saw to the corruption of that natural order — nay the rejection of it, the utter overthrow of that path which bred weakness.
VI – The Sixth Embraces: Therefore we followed that Seclusion, that Abjection, that One Honorable Accusation against the offending light.
VII – The Seventh Acknowledges: In projecting these desires, there was a call; it was discovered that we were not alone.
VIII – The Eighth Remembers: What we Thirteen Heralds of a New Vestiary answered, this new Doctrine, a summons.
IX – Nine Regrets: That which we found in the dark, therein the Promise of a New Way, a New Truth, and a New Life.
X – The Tenth Bears: What we took greedily, that Gift of Old; supped death, a debt borrowed like gold.
XI – The Eleventh Shudders: The terms binding; immutable, unshakable, unbreakable, unimitable, and unremittable.
XII – Twelve Concedes: With full knowledge and perfect clarity, wagering all things cherishable, venerable, respectable, and tolerable.
XIII – I, Former and One: Pioneer of the unknown, the unhallowed, shaper of the mind’s echo, wholly and utterly do consign by blood, that which is even blood-of-my-blood, matrimony to the Eternal Night. From henceforth, we children pursue until he no longer pursues.