ApathyArtistryThe Wisdom of the Sisters
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The Wisdom of the Sisters: Patron of Occultists, Researchers, and Philosophers

Introduction:

The Wisdom of the Sisters is a philosophical set of ideals created by Urano Mephan, the son and inheritor of Salem as a memento to the aspects of Mortyl - the sisters. The philosophical ideology advocates for the following as a means of going beyond conventional worship and devotion to Mortyl, and the sisters:

[Excerpt taken from: The Wisdom of the Sisters, a Guide to Understanding Mortyl - The Old Testament, and gospel of the faith]


"This faith rooted in Mortyl and her daughters moves beyond conventional devotion and worship. Instead, it is a journey of self-reflection, transformation, and personal evolution, where each adherent becomes an active participant in their own spiritual development."
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"Personal Responsibility: The Sister's stories emphasize self-reliance and introspection, urging followers to find strength and wisdom within themselves, rather than in external saviors or rigid doctrines."
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"Confronting the Ego: Mortyl's philosophy pushes for the dissolution of the ego, recognizing it as a primary obstacle in achieving personal and collective progress. This philosophy encourages self-overcoming, where personal enlightenment comes through a rejection of superficial desires and fears."
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"Beyond Morality: The Sisters represent forces beyond human morality, highlighting a philosophy where ethical growth is dynamic and based on wisdom rather than rigid commandments. The followers are encouraged to think critically, act with purpose, and seek innovative solutions to life's challenges."
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"Transformation Through Suffering and Struggle: Each sister reflects different kinds of struggles - existential, emotional, and physical. Followers are taught that suffering is part of growth and transformation, be it through the intellectual exploration of Salem, the emotional depth of Bronach, or the physical battles of Morana."
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"Community and Legacy: Though individual growth is central, there is also a focus on family bonds and creating a lasting legacy. This aspect reinforces the idea that practitioners are not solitary seekers, but part of a larger, interconnected tapestry that values relationships and future generations."

Religious Symbolism:

Religious symbolism exists within the wisdom of the sisters, and there are quite a few. 


The Gateway of Death - A Torii gate that seems old, and worn. Yet still, there are ancient inscriptions in a tongue long since forgotten - from the first civilization of humanity, Ancient Babylonian runes which glow on occasion. [Touching the Gate is Forbidden, as it will lead to your death, or harm]. The Torii gate represents Mortyl's aspects, and serves as a portal to a realm [or realms] beyond what is immediately perceivable. The Gateway is overseen, and managed by Christophore Garijn.


(Salem's)Crows - Crows carry symbolic meaning in the wisdom of the sisters, this is due to Salem's application and usage of crows as a means of observation. In the past, Urano Mephan controlled these crows. However, as he has perished, the crows are simply left to roam the surrounding areas of the gate. Not as if to say, that isn't what they mostly did to begin with.


Darker colors, and fashion trends - Distinct from the hidden veils of Mementos, the Wisdom of the Sisters as a means to venerate Salem wear darker colors, mostly black and darkened purple. Upon cultural observation, it would become apparent the chosen style of fashion is "Gothic". Most would find a practitioner of the wisdom of the sisters to be rather gloomy when it comes to style, and decorations due to the application of darker colors. 


Structure

Ba'al Qeri'ah
The Spiritual Leader of the Wisdom of the Sisters, vested in this position is the regal authority of the Mephan Family due to their connection, and heritage to Salem herself. This is a recent invention, and it is occupied by Vena Amamiya, the controversial daughter of Urano Mephan. The regal authority within this position contains the right to conduct rituals involving Salem's aspects, as well as create and accept new religious doctrine and philosophical perspectives pertaining to life, death, and Mortyl.


Shochet
A shochet is a well-read, and highly respected practitioner of the wisdom of the Sisters, they are encouraged to create books concerning their own philosophical views of life, death, and the human condition. They receive the full support of the Ba'al Qeri'ah on their pursuits, and have underwent many rituals which has resulted in the tying of one of Salem's aspects to their very being permanently. This may be Apathy, Nihilism, or Curiosity.

There are no contracts to be signed, one's devotion to Salem is measured in the willingness to endure pain, to suffer to acquire something more. Even so, these aspects are not a one to one copy of the Ba'al Qeri'ah's aspects. Apathy, Nihilism, and Curiosity have different applications and perspectives, even for Salem, Urano Mephan, and Vena Mephan, who - although they possess similarities, are vastly different beings with vastly different philosophical inputs on nihilism, and apathy. Therefore, the aspect bestowed takes the form of the Shochet's individual personality - infused with a divine aspect. It is warned, however, wielding an aspect of Salem is harmful to one's health, increasingly so dependent on the strength requested. [-5 perm up to -10]

Kohen
Scribes, Valkyries, Priests and clerks occupy the rank of Kohen. Kohen are highly trusted practitioners of the faith who are tasked with praying for others, conducting sermons, and anything of a faith sort.  All prayers must mention: Morana, Salem, Bronach, and Mortyl. However, more unique perspectives allows for the mentioning of the Mephans in tandem with the prior mentioned as a means to give the family faith, directly. Particularly, Urano Mephan and Vena Amamiya.

Initiate
An initiate of the Wisdom of the Sisters is a student, first and foremost. They may seek ritualistic empowerment if they desire, but it will always be temporary. To progress upward, from an initiate, a ritual dedicated to each aspect must have been completed - so they can better grasp who Salem had truly been, at her core. Knowledge of the doctrine, and completion of all rites are also expected to be completed for promotion.

Patronage 
The current Ba'al Qeri'ah, Vena Mephan has assumed the position on Meranthe as the patron of Occultists, Researchers, and Philosophers.  For these groups of people, she offers ritualistic empowerment to improve their likelihood of success during their intellectual, or developmental pursuits. For non practitioners of the Wisdom of the sisters, these are temporary and last a year. Apathy is offered to occultists as a means of controlling, containing, or mitigating their emotional output.

Nihilism is used to empower philosophers to create their own meanings, and value in this world - as the aspect of Nihilism will deprive the wielder of any intrinsic meaning behind their values, effectively making them pointless, and easily disregarded. This in turn leads to spiritual growth, or a change in perspective if desired.

Curiosity is used as a means of empowerment for researchers, the thirst for knowledge allows them the mental focus to block out all distractions, and to focus specifically on their work, and their work entirely. Of course, one cannot ignore physical limitations, but it is much easier for them to do so when empowered by the aspect of curiosity, and actively pursuing something they are already interested in. The aspect of curiosity for some however, can be a curse. It makes the wielder insatiably curious, if not very careful.

Those seeking ritualistic empowerment must pay tribute to the Ba'al Qeri'ah, faith is typically requested, however if that cannot be provided, spreading the word of the faith of the sisters, or sharing the results of one's endeavors with the Ba'al Qeri'ah is requested.


Culture, and Rites

In the faith of Mortyl and her daughters, the rites and cultural practices are not driven by emotional expression or traditional human sentiment. Instead, they focus on logical transformation, disciplined action, and reverence for the cycles of existence. The followers, detached from excessive emotions, seek clarity and personal growth, using ritual as a means of aligning themselves with Mortyl's force and the lessons of her daughters.




The Rite of Unveiling the Self:



This initiation rite serves as the first step into the faith, marking the practitioner's rejection of their old ego and their entrance into a new phase of personal evolution. During the ritual, the individual is guided to confront their deepest fears, attachments, and limitations through meditation and introspection. They are required to offer a symbolic item that represents their former self, often an object of personal significance. This item is ritually destroyed to signify the practitioner's willingness to let go of the past. The community witnesses this transformation, offering no emotional support, as it is seen as a deeply individual journey. The conclusion of the rite is marked by the initiate adopting a new name (or symbolic name), reflecting their rebirth into a higher state of being.



The Vigil of Silent Watching:



Inspired by Bronach, this rite is a cultural practice that focuses on the observation and recording of life's events without interference. Practitioners choose a specific time in the year to undertake a silent vigil, lasting anywhere from a day to several weeks, where they observe the lives and actions of others with complete detachment. During this period, the practitioner cannot speak or interfere with what they witness, allowing them to reflect on the fragility and transience of human life. The purpose of this rite is to develop an understanding of suffering, joy, and conflict, without judgment or attachment. It emphasizes the faithful's role as a watcher, honing their perception and preparing them to act with wisdom and precision when necessary.



The Trial of Conflict:



Inspired by Morana, this rite is a physical and mental trial that tests the practitioner's capacity to endure hardship and engage in strategic thinking under pressure. The trial involves a simulated battle or strategic confrontation, where practitioners must navigate a series of challenges designed to test their resilience, combat skills, and ability to remain calm under stress. These trials can involve physical combat, intellectual puzzles, or endurance tests, pushing the faithful to their limits. The goal is not only to prove strength but to demonstrate the capacity for calculated action and control in the face of chaos. Success in the Trial of Conflict is a mark of readiness to take on leadership roles within the community, as those who pass are seen as capable of guiding others through life's adversities without succumbing to impulsive emotions.



The Rite of the Threshold:


The fourth and most profound ritual within Mortyl's faith is the Rite of the Threshold, designed to simulate a near-death, out-of-body experience. This controlled process brings the practitioner to the edge of death, allowing their soul to briefly detach from the body without fully passing on. Through this confrontation with the spirit world, they gain insight into the cyclical nature of life and death, as embodied by Mortyl. The rite is conducted under careful supervision, with practitioners revived just before their soul moves on, symbolizing a spiritual rebirth. This experience helps the practitioner transcend their ego and embrace a deeper understanding of life beyond the physical, facilitating personal transformation and alignment with Mortyl's teachings

Honorary customs 

Caius' followers are allowed to honorarily observe the Wisdom of the sisters. They are given preference in reference to ritualistic empowerment over non Mortyl, and Caiusites. They may also undergo rites, and more if they so desire to.
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Ritual requests are sent by letter to Vena Mephan, addressing her by her spiritual, or 'national' title. The Consul, or the Ba'al Qeri'ah, additionally, one should also include why they are seeking ritualistic empowerment.
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