The Cult of Saturn

This document is only for the eyes of: Alfred of House Gorta Mor Hans of House Naire (Nai-re) John II of House Faer (say it like Fer) Karl of House Bismark (odd one out lol) Wilhelm of House Anè Timothy of House Iobair Gatts of House Ira

…

Momento Mori. Remember Death.

Good men are those who remember this solemn truth; and no more good men are left.

The faces of your fathers are a clouded figure in your minds, the abandonment of your heritage and tradition have lead you all astray.

As one final message, to those among you who remain untainted We leave you this:

Memory is Duty. Duty is Tradition. Tradition is Death

Death is Hunger. Death is Sorrow. Death is Ruin. Death is Futility. Death is Solitude. Death is Sacrifice. Death is Insanity.

… and Death will wait. … and We will always arrive in the end.

Worshipping the stars is a dead tradition.

For countless ages, since time immemorial and even before the great cleansing of the land, humanity harbored a persistent infatuation with the guiding lights in our night sky. One celestial body, however has captured the attention of many: the planet Saturn. Earning its adoration with the seven rings it proudly emblazons.

Earth’s closest sibling other than the Moon itself; Saturn is visible to the naked eye. With the assistance of specialized quartz glass telescopes a hexagonal aberration can be seen on its northern pole. Frequently the subject of wonder and conspiracy this aberration has been described by a small fringe religious group whom have dubbed themselves as the Rosicrucian Order as an object of worship. Research into this group was difficult due to their secrecy and extreme measures taken to remain anonymous, referring to themselves and other members of the Order as “R.C.”

In 1303, King Nietzsche declared all forms of Saturn worship punishable by death, specifically targetting the Rosicrucian Order following an attempt on his life. — Magdelena of House Naire, Saturn and Various Occult Elements in the Eisenreich

Origins of the Cult

The Cult of Saturn’s origins began as an order of monks known as the Rosicrucian Order, worshipping the planet in secrecy and using it as the focus of various rituals. From whatever could be gleaned from uncovered liturgical texts the Order had been planning for an event during the year of 1303, known as the Syzygy, where the Sun, Saturn, Moon, and Earth align for a single night.

Eventually their promised day came, the Syzygy had just began to occur. The Order only had a single night to perform their ultimate goal, assassinate the king and usher in a new world order.

However the attempt failed, resulting in retaliation that resulted in the mass execution and dismantling of the Order. Fragmented pieces of the cult remained, now referring to themselves as the “Cult of Saturn” and rather than revereing Saturn as an object of worship but instead as its own living god.

The Alignment

Despite being the most important entity to the Rosicrician Order’s worship, Saturn is not the only deity within their pantheon. The Sun and the Moon constitute one entity, named Janus. Saturn relentlessly hedges attention, drawing it away from the fell star: Hadar.

There is a set interval of years, perhaps hundreds, maybe thousands of years in which Janus, Saturn, and Hadar all stand in one line. The dim, red star paradoxically sits in front of Janus - a red eye staring at every man, woman, and child. Hidden in the dark, past the Earth, Saturn watches the silent judgement of Janus and Hadar.

In the hymns of the Rosicrucian Order the tales spun to exalt the watchful gazes of their patrons rarely ends without mention of one thing. Perhaps four is more accurate. Yod - He - Waw - He. YHWH.

Dangers of the Cult

As of the current year, the Cult of Saturn has experienced a drastic increase in numbers. Although not yet reaching the peak numbers seen during their time as the Rosicrucian Order, the Cult has been planning for a major event. Intercepted communications between leaders across lodges speak of another Syzygy that will happen 300 years ahead of predictions at the time.

After intercepting these communications, Gatts of House Ira began to exhibit signs of extreme paranoia, claiming to be targeted by the cult. Despite the assurances of King Conrad III, this paranoia quickly gripped the Patriarch, leading to a cascade of lasting consequences across the empire. One such consequence was the empowerment of the cult to begin assaulting local farmers and traders.

Inheritance

Many victims of these assaults report that the Cult bears “strange and profane” gifts, including self-immolation, an inability to die, and an aura that invokes fear even in the most courageous of men.

These claims are true.

After the first Syzygy, something changed within the hearts of the Order. They transformed into tangible shadows, suffused with the voices, minds, and even relative form of their former selves. These entities appeared to embody an aspect of Saturn, resulting in the happenings detailed in the reports.

However, it’s essential to recognize that these entities are no longer their former selves; they are merely simulacra crafted to serve the desires of their new master. Fortunately, Saturn’s power to transform individuals in this manner is limited. It can only affect those who pledge direct allegiance to it, such as the Rosicrucian Order.

The Seven Aspects

One of the Rosicrucian Order’s fundamental doctrines is that of ‘Death’s Seven Aspects.’ These aspects are classified into three categories: the Prime aspect (Futility/Certainty), Major aspects (Solitude, Sacrifice, and Insanity), and Minor aspects (Hunger, Sorrow, and Ruin). With the exception of the Prime aspect, each holds equal status within the Order. Archivists from House Naire have painstakingly compiled and recovered the texts of the Rosicrucians, quotes from which have been included. Along with several notes providing Ms. Pauline’s commentary.

Hunger

During death, even the most diligent Hunger…

Not for bread, cheese or wine but for the pleasures they will no longer experience. Indulge in it before you rise O’ my seekers. — R.C.

“Hah. Reminds me of someone.”

Sorrow

Death rips one away from their loved ones. Embrace it; not them. Sorrow is a test given to the loyal by our god, Saturn. Seek it out. Even if you have to sacrifice your firstborn on the day of his birth you must. — R.C.

“Reminds me of stories mother would tell me.”

Ruin

Accept it. Every man will see ruin…

We are among the highest of all of Creation. Our knowledge tells us of the end that faces the enemies of our order. Not death. But ruin. They will fight amongst themselves until nothing but ash and cinder remain. Why? For we have embraced the Ruin that Death brings and gained its Favor. — R.C.

“Who are these enemies?”

Futility / Certainty

It had to be split.

Futility; Certainty.

Two truths, interlinked. — R.C.

“I do not know who wrote this but this text fragment we had found seems to be among the oldest we found among the Cult’s records. I am not sure but I have reason to suspect this document precedes the founding of the Eisenreich.”

Solitude

All things are alone in death. — R.C.

“One sentence?”

Sacrifice

Sacrifice is the nature of the living…

… and the dead. To sacrifice one’s self is to break the shackles that bind you, for only animals die selfishly, the enlightened - die selflessly.
— R.C.

“Hey! Sounds like Julius, wait. That sounds like Julius.”

Insanity

The words of a dying man are wisdom…

… not madness. Therefore, upon my demise, I request that seven of the Anointed each bear one of the rings of our lord and accompany me to my death-chambers. There, I implore them to listen attentively to my final words, thoughts, and prayers; inscribing each word in stone. — R.C.

Hidden underneath pencil scratchings and tearstains these words are etched into this note that was hidden in the submission.

Things feel too consistent, but…

Every time I attempt to raise this issue I am met with a aloofness or resentment. Nicholas is too busy eating to have a thought. I am utterly ineffective. John is too busy waging his war. Karl is searching for Otto in vain. Perry, once again, is up in his mountain doing who knows what. Julius is in triage. And Gotz shot at me when I attempted to approach.

I am alone, useless, and likely an idiot.

And always will be…