Reborn Dead


The following compiles a brief list of different factions of Reborn Dead (“mummies”) in the World of Darkness besides the classic Shemsu-Heru (as well as Ishmaelites and Bane Mummies). It describes the faction in question and provides a list of terminology they use in place of the Egyptian lexicon.

Cabiri


The Cabiri are an order of Reborn based out of Greece. The most common form are former occultists and sorcerers dating back to 6th Century B.C. They are a disorganized group, since the bastardized Spell of Life they employ would languish, then surface into use by some mystery cult, then the magics would disappear again. After 2,000 years, Cabiri come from every corner of Europe. A rare few Cabiri were not created by this Spell of Life, but may nonetheless lumped into this faction. These rare few are actually ancient heroes (or villains) gifted (or punished) with immortality by the gods of their time (powerful Incarna or Celestine spirits, by common cosmology).

  • Underworld: Hades
  • Skinlands: Gaia
  • Heaven: Elysium
  • Humanity: Humanitas
  • Khaibit: Es
  • Sekhem: Pneuma
  • Ka: Eilodon
  • Ba: Psyche
  • Hekau: Theourgia
  • Alchemy: Kemeia
  • Amulets: Telesma
  • Celestial: Celestia
  • Necromancy: Styxia
  • Ren-Hekau: Onoma
  • Ushabti: Machana

Laikuti Koleku


Out of sub-Saharan Africa comes the Laikuti Koleku. These rare immortals have nothing to do with Horus or the Shemsu-Heru. At times they have clashed with the Egyptian mummies when the Egyptians passed into their lands. There is no real organization to these Reborn. Most of them did not discover some “Spell of Life”, but were actually great heroes, kings, or shamans of these lands. Upon death, they were rewarded with immortality by the gods they so faithfully served. They are native to every corner of Africa except Egypt and most of North Africa, although there are perhaps only two dozen in existence at most.

  • Underworld: Apaadi
  • Skinlands: Ile
  • Heaven: Orun
  • Humanity: Eko
  • Khaibit: Eyu
  • Sekhem: Chi
  • Ka: Okan
  • Ba: Aarina
  • Hekau: Idan
  • Alchemy: Elegbo
  • Amulets: Iyebiye
  • Celestial: Oju
  • Necromancy: Iku-Idan
  • Ren-Hekau: Oruko-Idan
  • Ushabti: Eniyanago

Sadhya


India is host to a history, civilization, and culture as grand as any. It stands to reason that their own brand of Reborn Dead would develop over the millennia of this land’s existence. They are known as Sadhya. Most Sadhya came about by transcending their dharmic fetters, but held themselves back in the mortal coil instead of achieving Nirvana. Thus, having transcended mortality but hanging back from Nirvana, they become enlightened spirits – immortals. A few Sadhya, however, were chosen because they were surama (heroes) and granted immortality as a gift from the gods. Their gift wasn’t just a reward, however, but a responsibility to act as avatars of Heaven and pursue justice and harmony in this world.

  • Underworld: Bhuvar
  • Skinlands: Bhur
  • Heaven: Akasa
  • Humanity: Satva
  • Khaibit: Tamas
  • Sekhem: Ojas
  • Ka: Sansa
  • Ba: Atma
  • Hekau: Jadu
  • Alchemy: Rasayana
  • Amulets: Taviza
  • Celestial: Mula
  • Necromancy: Mrtyu-Jadu
  • Ren-Hekau: Kirti-Jadu
  • Ushabti: Yukti

Sai-So-Hi-Shinin


The Sai-So-Hi-Shinin are a limited group of Japanese Reborn appointed by the omikami themselves, and led by Oh-Kuni-Nushi. They were directed to make up for the Wan Xian’s loss and betrayal, protecting humanity (specifically the people of Japan) from the depredations of Yomi Wan. For much more information, click on the link given here:



  • Underworld: Yin World
  • Skinlands: The Middle Kingdom
  • Heaven: Tekigahara
  • Humanity: Hun
  • Khaibit: P’o
  • Sekhem: Ki
  • Ka: Tamashii
  • Ba: Kokoro
  • Hekau: Komichi
  • Alchemy: Tan
  • Amulets: Omamori
  • Celestial: Tendo
  • Necromancy: Shi-Maho
  • Ren-Hekau: Rei-Komichi
  • Ushabti: Hansha

Tlazopilli


Covering much of North America, Mesoamerica, and South America, the Tlazopilli are the Reborn Dead deriving from ancient and presumably extinct cultures – Native American kingdoms. Most of these rare creatures were granted their immortality because they performed great deeds in life. Some are actually gods who took mortal forms and choose not (or forgot how) to return to Heaven.

  • Underworld: Xibalba
  • Skinlands: Tlalti
  • Heaven: Ometeotl
  • Humanity: Cuali
  • Khaibit: Tlacatecolotl
  • Sekhem: Eztli
  • Ka: Zipactonal
  • Ba: Yolotl
  • Hekau: Patli
  • Alchemy: Quiyahuitl
  • Amulets: Tetli
  • Celestial: Xipil
  • Necromancy: Momoztli
  • Ren-Hekau: Ichtaca
  • Ushabti: Nopaltzin

Yongsheng


This faction embodies the Reborn Dead of China and lands greatly influenced by Chinese thoughts, such as Korea and Southeast Asia. Yongsheng are a rare breed despite the breadth of these countries. This is because they are people who mastered the mystical pursuits of Taoist alchemy and turned themselves into immortals (by occult lore, hsien, although this term is applied among the shen to the Eastern changelings). Few can claim such enlightenment! There are but a handful scattered throughout China, Tibet, Korea, Malaysia, and Southeast Asia. (Note that any Japanese Reborn not created by Oh-Kuni-Nushi’s charter would be lumped into the Yongsheng, and probably achieved this state of immortality by Taoist methods.) Of course, there are a few Yongsheng who became immortal by the grace of the August Personage in Heaven, usually due to their heroic and glorious life deeds.

  • Underworld: Yellow Springs
  • Skinlands: Zhongguo
  • Heaven: P’eng Lai
  • Humanity: Hun
  • Khaibit: P’o
  • Sekhem: Ch’i
  • Ka: Xing
  • Ba: Nei
  • Hekau: Wu
  • Alchemy: Tan
  • Amulets: Baoshi
  • Celestial: Feng-wu
  • Necromancy: Shi-wu
  • Ren-Hekau: Neimingzi
  • Ushabti: Diaosu

The Accursed


Not all Reborn Dead derive from a deliberate Spell of Life. Not all Reborn Dead even member a particular order or organization. Some are simple immortals, cursed to wander the earth in cycles of life and death that foreer sever them from their human origins. This curse may derive from a set of circumstances or the efforts of some great entity (equivalent to a Celestine usually). Sometimes it’s even a reward for legendary heroics. As mentioned earlier under the Cabiri heading, these non-affiliated mummies can be from anywhere and must often become autodidactics in the powers and abilities of the Reborn. For brevity’s sake, the Accursed share terminology with the Cabiri, regardless of their origins.

Below is a link to a list of Hekau spells. Some are new, some are compiled from the Sai-So-Hi-Shinin webbook. A reference list is also provided.

Mummy Magic