Mage: The Ascension

Cult of Ecstasy

The Ecstatics' sects include:

Acharne
The Acharne seek to perfect their will by beating it into submission. They focus on mental suffering and physical mutilation. Originally stoic societies in Greece, the Acharne drifted to Britain and America, giving rise to the "Hellfire Clubs" of the 1920s. This mystery cult torments its initiates through all manner of suffering and losses. Once inducted, they drink the blood of their cabalmates and form powerful bonds. Torture and suffering are favorite foci, though blood-drinking, hard-core drugs, and Greek symbols are also used. The Acharne accept only men.

Aghoris
While the Aghoris are masters of Tantra, they do not indulge in sexual ecstasy. They believe in the philosophy of total self-destruction, to shatter all illusions of karma by destroying the biggest falsehood of all: "the Self". Unfortunately, since they believe all life is united as one, the Aghoris harm others as readily as themselves. They use Tantra, blood loss, human ash, flagellation, castration, whirling and physical exhaustion. The Aghoris live in rural areas near places of death, and often have strict or strange eating habits. This sect is not for the faint of heart.

Children's Crusade
This group's political agenda is simple: the protection of children. While the Cult dives into drugs and sexual bliss, they strongly oppose subjecting children to these things. Kids aren't mature enough to get anything out of it, quite frankly, and they suffer emotional scars or worse as a result. The crusaders fight to stamp out child slavery and prostitution; even the Technocracy turns a blind eye to the crusaders, which has allies in almost every Tradition.

Cult of Acceptance
This political movement attempts to "clean up" the Ecstatics' image by pushing for social change. Legalization of marijuana, decriminalizing some sexual acts, education about consensual S&M, and even opening art or dance schools all fall under the Cult of Acceptance's aim.

Cult of Venus
An ancient mystery cult from before Rome, this branch of the Ecstatics seek to embody Aphrodite in all their acts and Arts. The epitome of beauty and passion, the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Rome) could shake the heavens with a mere smile. The Cultists of Venus seek to live by perfecting their bodies and never denying their desires. All elements associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus figure into their Arts. They also believe in inspiring those desires in others. They do not disbelieve in romantic love, nor are necessarily jaded against it, but few Cultists of Venus make an effort to be monogamous. This sect is dominated by women, but there are men involved as well.

Dissonance Society
While they share many beliefs with the Joybringers, instead of a peaceful accord this sect wants to overthrow society and start again new. They are anarchists and philosophers, debaters and terrorists. The Dissonancers use practical foci, such as psychology, double speak, probability, violence, herbalism, and mass protest.

Erzuli Jingo
These mages practice Voudoun faith and devote themselves to healing the minds of others by clearing their dreams with the help of their Loa, Madame Ezuli. Their magic involves astral travel and spirit channeling, and occasionally curses and other sorts of black magic. The Jingo call their arts with ecstatic dance, frenzied religious experiences, and fire.

Fellowship of Pan
Rooted in the mystery cults of Dionysus, these loosely associated Ecstatics practice intoxication, dance, art, and amorous behavior. They encourage primal passions in humanity like the Joybringers, but acknowledge humanity's penchant for violence. They feel mankind is at its best in a semi-conscious state, such as when drunk or making love or art, and tries to capture and harmonize with this unconscious beat. They excel at healing, soothing minds, and inspiration.

Haglaz
From Scandinavia, the Hagalaz wage war on modernity and Christianity. They believe the old Norse culture was better in every way. The Hagalaz seek to overthrow the practice and morality of Christianity, and challenge modern society through frenzied magickal practices based on ancient Norse gods. The Hagalaz keep close to heavy-metal sub-cultures, which share some of their core beliefs and also grant them easier access to the "berserker herbs" they need for their Arts.

Freyji: Worshiping this female deity who was wife of Odin, these Hagalaz turn to her to call down curses, reveal the future, and improve fertility rites.

Sons of Wotan: These are necromantic berserkers par excellence, said to be able to continue fighting even while headless. They throw themselves near-suicidally against enemies like the Technocracy, believing that only the valorous will make it to Valhalla.

Sutr: As Loki priests, the Sutr use rune-carving and traps to defeat their enemies. Tricksters and fire-bringers, the Sutr learn how to dip into Marauder-like Arts to summon ancient Bygones to fight for them.

Joybringers
Considered the mainstream of Cult society, the Joybringers seek to teach others the simple pleasure of existence. They believe that mankind is inherently good. By medicating humanity in pure bliss, the Joybringers feel that they can achieve peace and eventually Ascend. The Joybringers help humanity on many fronts, such as combating AIDS and homelessness. Indulging in drugs, sex, and simplified Tantra, the Joybringers appeal especially to the youngest generations of Ecstatics, but its members are the most vulnerable to addiction.

Ka'a
A secretive sect based in Tibet, these all-female Tantricks pursue a strange agenda hidden behind illusions and erotic dream-arts. They bind themselves by their menstrual cycles and pursue an aggressive female aspect to Ascension. Indeed, they're feared for their "succubus"-like methods of reprisal, where they visit those that offend them in their dreams and steal their energies for their own use. Though ritualistic like the K'an Lu, they do not pursue Ascension so rigidly, and are active in Sleeper affairs (particularly in trying to separate Tibet from Communist China).

K'an Lu
Instead of trying to enlighten or heal others, the K'an Lu are like the Ka'a in that they seek self-perfection by uniting Yin and Yang principles within himself. They strive towards that unity not through asceticism but by extreme sensory input. Tantrick exercises and Taoist beliefs of Yin/Yang and the five elements fuel their Arts. Long years of government suppression in China have made these "rebel elements" scarce; few are seen in the West.

Klubwerks
Like the Fellowship of Pan, the Klubwerkers seek to unite with the underlying, subconscious beat of humanity. However, they use very different methods. They seek to unite mankind under the auspice of total abandon through music. Their shows are not just performances: they're rhythms that unite the audiences into a single communal entity, and even the musicians are caught up into the beat. Hundreds of people can be swayed under the Klubwerker's influence and powerful effects yet coincidental effects can be created.

Seekers
Another mainstream color of this multi-faceted Tradition, the Seekers are nearly as common as Joybringers. However, these mages reach back to the Tradition's oracular roots. Sating their urges on discovery and lusting for adventure, Seekers use their mastery of Time to uncover secrets of the future and past. Many join "Ethernaut" voyages into the Umbra. Athleticism often defines their Arts, particularly wild dancing and languid swimming. But some younger Seekers get a thrill out of more "extreme" activities like rock climbing, hang-gliding, or snow boarding.

Silver Bridges
The Silver Bridges seek to "bridge the gulf" between religion and ecstasy. While Hindu Tantra works as a fine focus, most religions have a hard time swallowing the Cult's practices. To counter hyper-conservative factions of Christianity and Islam, the Silver Bridge recruit allies among these religions' "fringe practitioners" such as flagellate Christians and Sufi Muslims. They hope mainstream religions will grow more accepting of the Ecstatics' ways by accepting unusual facets of their own religions.

Vratyas
The mysterious and powerful Vratyas remain secluded in their Nepal stronghold. They are the keepers of the most ancient, powerful, and secret Tantricks, and militantly defend their ways from outsiders. They are taught from birth (or even conception) the secrets of the human body and how to unlock its potential. The Vratyas both love mankind and embrace the willingness to destroy it, and they keep their enigmas to themselves.