Initiation Rite of The Benefactor

Below is an example of the rite of initiation for new members of the faith. This rite is performed by 5 followers with 4 of them dressed as “phantoms” of enemies of the faith.

Priest:

“This decision, once made, cannot be unmade. The gods are jealous of promises and will not suffer this oath to be cast aside. Be therefore sober and solemnly resolved, or stand aside. There is no shame in not being ready at this time.”

Initiate:

“Hail the Crooked Warden”

Phantom of the Morning Lord:

“STOP! - The Sun commands you now! I burn away shadows, banish night, make your sins plain! Honest men rise as I rise, and sleep as I set! I am lord and father of all propriety. Who are you to defy me?”

Initiate:

“A thief among thieves,”

Phantom of the Morning Lord:

“Take my curse. The night shall be your day, the pale moons your sun.”

Initiate:

“I take your curse as a blessing of my heavenly patron,”

Phantom of Justice:

“Now hear the words of Justice - all things I weigh, but gold counts dearest, and you have none. All names I read, but those with titles please me best, and you descend from common dirt. Who are you to defy me?”

Initiate:

“A thief among thieves,”

Phantom of Justice:

“Take my curse. All who serve me shall be vigilant to your faults, blind to your virtues, and deaf to your pleading.”

Initiate:

“I take your curse as a blessing of my heavenly patron,”

Phantom of the Hired Man:

“I am the Hired Man - I bar every door, I guard every wall. I wear the leash of better men. I fill the gutters with your blood to earn my bread. Your cries are my music. Who are you to defy me?”

Initiate:

“A thief among thieves,”

Phantom of the Hired Man:

“Take my curse. I shall hound you by sun or stars. I shall use you and incite you to betray your brothers and sisters.”

Initiate:

“I take your curse as a blessing of my heavenly patron,”

Phantom of Judgement:

“I am Judgment - hear me well. I am mercy refused. I am expedience. I am a signature on a piece of parchment. And that is how you die—by clerks, by stamps, by seals in wax. I am cheap, I am easy, I am always hungry. Who are you to defy me?”

Initiate:

“A thief among thieves,”

Phantom of Judgement:

“And will they hang, for fellowship, and split death into equal shares like loot?”

Initiate:

“I am not caught yet,”

Phantom of Judgement:

“Take my curse. I shall wait for you.”

Initiate:

“I take your curse as a blessing of my heavenly patron,”

Priest:

“Depart, phantoms! Go with empty hands! Tell your masters how slight a dread we bear for thee, and how deep a scorn! Now face your oath, are you a true and willing servant of our thirteenth god, whose name is guarded?”

Initiate:

“I am.”

Priest:

“Do you consecrate thought, word, and deed to his service, from now until the weighing of your soul?”

Initiate:

“I do.”

Priest:

“Will you seal this oath with blood?”

Initiate:

“I will seal it with blood on a token of my craft.”

Priest:

“What is the token?”

Initiate:

“A coin of gold, stolen with my own hands,”

Priest:

“This is the law of men, which tells you that you must not steal. What is this law to you?”

Initiate:

“Words on paper, I renounce and spurn this law with all my soul”

Priest:

“May the shadows know you for their own, brother. I bless you with silver, which is the light of moons and stars. I bless you with the dust of cobblestones, on which you tread. I bless you with the waters of Camorr, which bring the wealth you hope to steal,”