- Joined
- Dec 12, 2021
- Messages
- 214
- Thread Author
- #1
⎐ ⍀⏃⟟-☍⎍⏁'⎐⏃⊑⊑ ⎐
NO STONE UNTURNED.
NO TEXT UNREAD.
NO TRUTH UNCOVERED.
Born through covenant deep beneath the subways of Geneva, by the will of vortigaunts far wiser than any, the ⍀⏃⟟-☍⎍⏁'⎐⏃⊑⊑ was born. We have gone by many names, have taken many forms and lived beneath the cover of the Tower for many moons. We are the seekers. We sacrifice our bodies and our minds to the greater truth - the truth of all things in the world. Past, present, and future.
As one, we explore the Great Beyond in the name of vortikind and the teachings of the Allakh'Vhiirshi. We submerge through the vortessence’s rivers, dredging the waters in search of stones to build an Altar of Knowledge.
THE FOUNDATION
Forged by an adherent to the Emissary's wills, the doctrine that built City 24's Seekers came from the earliest ages of the post-Nihilanth days. The Grand Elders of vortikind, disparate and distant, molded the traumas that burst from the Ulathoi and its conquest of Al'Thum-Gramash. When the Great Enslaver emerged from the Portal Storms, the Grand Elders splintered, each going their separate ways along their broken, wounded paths.
The Emissary would be the only one to grasp the ways of old, following the mythical Age of Prosper, when vortikind stood together, united, under the One and True. The Emissary forged alliances with humanity, planning for the eventual expulsion of the Ulathoi, but while the Emissary laid its plans, its vortal kinsmen were left without purpose. The Emissary merely decreed, "stand united for the Savior's return, and wait for the time to arrive."
The Savior would not arrive. Vortikind grew restless. Ancient cults and cabals would return from inadequacy, vortigaunts argued, struggling, splintering into savagery without the guidance of the Emissary. Like the child of a distant father, vortikind looked to the Emissary for help - so focused in its goal, it gave none back.
Its closest adherents, the First Turr'Rai-Kut, saw through the anxieties of vortikind. The Emissary should not be the ones to micromanage us, nor should they find a purpose for us, it preached. "We must forge a path for ourselves, to prepare this plane for the Savior's arrival." The First, recognized that vortikind was lying in unfamiliar territory, struggling in a world that was not their own. But, like under the Captor, they adapted. They would adapt here, as well, with the vortessence by their side.
Now, the Turr'Rai-Kut hunt for the truth, exploring the Fathoms Below and the Great Beneath of Vortikind. They tread beyond the walls of the Enslaver's Playpen, in search of all that was lost beneath the broken throne of humanity - in the broken throne, they may pull bricks to lay and forge a new altar, one to Knowledge and Reason. We will leave no stone unturned, no text unread, and no truth uncovered.
We must repare the Earth for His arrival.
The Emissary would be the only one to grasp the ways of old, following the mythical Age of Prosper, when vortikind stood together, united, under the One and True. The Emissary forged alliances with humanity, planning for the eventual expulsion of the Ulathoi, but while the Emissary laid its plans, its vortal kinsmen were left without purpose. The Emissary merely decreed, "stand united for the Savior's return, and wait for the time to arrive."
The Savior would not arrive. Vortikind grew restless. Ancient cults and cabals would return from inadequacy, vortigaunts argued, struggling, splintering into savagery without the guidance of the Emissary. Like the child of a distant father, vortikind looked to the Emissary for help - so focused in its goal, it gave none back.
Its closest adherents, the First Turr'Rai-Kut, saw through the anxieties of vortikind. The Emissary should not be the ones to micromanage us, nor should they find a purpose for us, it preached. "We must forge a path for ourselves, to prepare this plane for the Savior's arrival." The First, recognized that vortikind was lying in unfamiliar territory, struggling in a world that was not their own. But, like under the Captor, they adapted. They would adapt here, as well, with the vortessence by their side.
Now, the Turr'Rai-Kut hunt for the truth, exploring the Fathoms Below and the Great Beneath of Vortikind. They tread beyond the walls of the Enslaver's Playpen, in search of all that was lost beneath the broken throne of humanity - in the broken throne, they may pull bricks to lay and forge a new altar, one to Knowledge and Reason. We will leave no stone unturned, no text unread, and no truth uncovered.
We must repare the Earth for His arrival.
STUDY THE ALTAR
Gallumhrahni - All members of the Rai-Kut'Vahh are expected to follow the tenets of the Gallumhrahni, and all of its ancient wisdom. This is the foundational tenet of the Seekers, and is non-negotiable.
Primacy of the Emissary - The Emissary is our precursor, and for this reason, the Emissary holds the utmost respect in this tribe. While our order was borne of the Emissary's inability to focus upon individual kin, this must not be allowed to grow frustration. But, rather, determination to make the Emissary proud of the past we uncover and the future we pave.
The Rights of Seniority - As decreed in Tenet 7, none of senior rank will stand above another, nor will they command them as a king or tyrant. The Turr-Rai'Kut holds supreme authority over the Seekers of Truth, and while their orders are not law, they are to be respected.
Defense of Truth - While the Rai-Kut'Vahh are scholars, there will be no point in the collection of knowledge if said knowledge cannot survive. For this reason, the Rai-Kut'Vahh are expected to hold basic combat prowess, which can be honed in the art of "Galanga."
Climb the Mountain - To join the Rai-Kut'Vahh fully, you must begin the Pacts of Awakening. You are not required to complete them all at once, though you may. You must begin the Rite of Christening to reach Vahh'Tahn, the Rite of Purification to quality for Thii'Chaa, and the Rite of Exposure and the Ahn'nah'azh to qualify for Sun'Vahh.
Primacy of the Emissary - The Emissary is our precursor, and for this reason, the Emissary holds the utmost respect in this tribe. While our order was borne of the Emissary's inability to focus upon individual kin, this must not be allowed to grow frustration. But, rather, determination to make the Emissary proud of the past we uncover and the future we pave.
The Rights of Seniority - As decreed in Tenet 7, none of senior rank will stand above another, nor will they command them as a king or tyrant. The Turr-Rai'Kut holds supreme authority over the Seekers of Truth, and while their orders are not law, they are to be respected.
Defense of Truth - While the Rai-Kut'Vahh are scholars, there will be no point in the collection of knowledge if said knowledge cannot survive. For this reason, the Rai-Kut'Vahh are expected to hold basic combat prowess, which can be honed in the art of "Galanga."
Climb the Mountain - To join the Rai-Kut'Vahh fully, you must begin the Pacts of Awakening. You are not required to complete them all at once, though you may. You must begin the Rite of Christening to reach Vahh'Tahn, the Rite of Purification to quality for Thii'Chaa, and the Rite of Exposure and the Ahn'nah'azh to qualify for Sun'Vahh.
BUILD THE ALTAR
As with any movement, there will always be rituals. Some more secular than others, and the Rai-Kut'Vahh are no exception to this rule. The vortigaunts of the Rai-Kut'Vahh follow their own forms of ancient vortal traditions, reborn for the modern era beneath the Combine. Some rituals may be added, altered, or removed as they develop and grow.
Pacts of Awakening. The Pacts of Awakening are a series of rituals designed to help open the eyes of the "Ha-Tsah," the Blind. They are rites of initiation, where a Ha-Tsah can truly become part of the Rai-Kut’Vahh. The pacts consist of numerous rituals designed to allow for the Blind to descend into the vortessence in both mind and body.
The Rite of Purification is traditionally the first, and it ensures that the traditions of the Gallumhrani are maintained. This rite, while it does not alter the flesh of a vortigaunt, it does wipe tattoos, scars, and other markings that may weaken the strength of the body. Alongside this, it ensures that the vortigaunt maintains the doctrine of both the Gallumhrani and the Rai-Kut'Vahh. While it has its spiritual applications, it also has some merit as a practical ritual, as non-vortal enemies may have a hard time discerning certain vortigaunts without scars or markings beyond their color.
The Rite of Christening is the second rite, a symbol of the opening of your eyes to follow the Truth in All Things. This rite is similar to the Rite of Purification, meant to change yourself not to how you or your spawners may have intended you, but to how the vortessence wills you to be. At the end of the Rite of Christening, a vortigaunt will be issued a new name and a suffix relating to its rank. Usually, vortigaunts only have to do this once, unless they are punished with "slumber."
Finally, there is the Rite of Exposure, where every vortigaunt present burrows into the vortal coil of the vortigaunt being awakened to witness every facet of their life in one instance - every hope, every fear, every opinion and story, from their spawning to the present day. The Rite of Exposure is designed to promote unity with the rest of the tribe, by knowing that there are no secrets that can be held. Between vortigaunts, there is no distance.
Rite of Divulgence. A ritual responsible for the material side of the tribe, the Rite of Divulgence is a ritual designed to help pinpoint locations to pursue in the Great Beyond. Often-times, the Rai-Kut'Vahh will seek areas of great vortal significance, areas where artifacts may be uncovered and unearthed for the betterment of the Earth and the tribe. This, along with the Rite of Dissemination, are two of the more important day-to-day rituals, responsible for keeping the tribe alive and with a purpose both in the city and far beyond.
Rite of Dissemination. A noble ritual in the souls of the Seekers, where a congregation of vortigaunts are able to transmit a large amount of knowledge through the vortessence into other people. To perform this rite, a large amount of vortal energy is required to be spent, but in result all members in attendance can obtain information known by one, but shared to all. Led by a vortigaunt known as a "catalyst," these are typically senior vortigaunts, the most intelligent and well-submerged of the group.
These catalysts carry the weight of the energies required to disseminate this much carefully-crafted information to the rest of the group, and are often the most diminished once the rite is finished. But, often-times, a deeply-submerged catalyst is able to share a very bountiful amount of information.
Ahn'nah'azh. Also translated as the "New Dawn," the Ahn'nah'azh is a ritual that takes inspiration from the highly-respected and influential ritual, Alagunda'mok. The Ahn'nah'azh is different in that it is able to be done in a group, with primacy on the one doing the ritual, and is much less involved. Instead of the incredibly complicated process that is the Alagunda'mok, the Ahn'nah'azh is much simpler, requiring a simple pilgrimage out in the beyond in the pursuit of grand knowledge.
The knowledge must be considered "important" enough to the Turr-Rai'Kut to be considered, and often-times information with enough weight is often incredibly hard to obtain, requiring delves into dangerous locales in the surrounding area, piercing Combine strongholds and entering vicious wastelands in order to extract something new. The Ahn'na'azh is one of the more important rituals, alongside the Pacts of Awakening, as it is required before any vortigaunt can ascend to the rank of Sun'Vahh.
At the end of the quest, it is customary to begin a Rite of Dissemination to transmit the knowledge gained on the Ahn'nah'azh to the rest of the tribe, and commit it in full to the vortessence.
Galanga. A ritual borne of the term and ancient practice of the same name, galanga is the art of sparring with our kinsmen in single combat. The rules of a Galanga may be altered by those who choose to spar. Sometimes the use of the vortal energies may be used or barred, sometimes the battle ends on first blood or until a cry of "voh!"
The Galanga is designed to promote vortal submergence and transcendance, and is a way for the members of the tribe to learn more about their members. In combat, vortigaunts thrive and are granted the chance to feel the waves of the vortessence, ascending to the Allakh-Vhiirshi while bathing in the blood of others. When fighting other vortigaunts in the ritual of Galanga, it promotes a feeling of togetherness.
A Galanga always has one catalyst to ensure the fight can be regulated. It is the catalyst's job to call out the fight's beginning and end.
"Gung..."
"Galanga!"
Returnal. A ritual shared with most of vortikind, well-respected and ancient, the art of "returnal" is a much more ceremonial role performed upon the death of a member of a tribe. Returnal is the reverse of spawning, where the vortal energies unravel the corpse of a vortigaunt to return them to the All-in-One. The Seekers practice Returnal because of their relationship with the body - the body should not be worshipped or maintained. The hide does not matter, it is what you do with it that counts.
Returnal is a basic respect awarded to vortigaunts of all creeds, and is considered the most base of posthumous honors.
Pacts of Awakening. The Pacts of Awakening are a series of rituals designed to help open the eyes of the "Ha-Tsah," the Blind. They are rites of initiation, where a Ha-Tsah can truly become part of the Rai-Kut’Vahh. The pacts consist of numerous rituals designed to allow for the Blind to descend into the vortessence in both mind and body.
The Rite of Purification is traditionally the first, and it ensures that the traditions of the Gallumhrani are maintained. This rite, while it does not alter the flesh of a vortigaunt, it does wipe tattoos, scars, and other markings that may weaken the strength of the body. Alongside this, it ensures that the vortigaunt maintains the doctrine of both the Gallumhrani and the Rai-Kut'Vahh. While it has its spiritual applications, it also has some merit as a practical ritual, as non-vortal enemies may have a hard time discerning certain vortigaunts without scars or markings beyond their color.
The Rite of Christening is the second rite, a symbol of the opening of your eyes to follow the Truth in All Things. This rite is similar to the Rite of Purification, meant to change yourself not to how you or your spawners may have intended you, but to how the vortessence wills you to be. At the end of the Rite of Christening, a vortigaunt will be issued a new name and a suffix relating to its rank. Usually, vortigaunts only have to do this once, unless they are punished with "slumber."
Finally, there is the Rite of Exposure, where every vortigaunt present burrows into the vortal coil of the vortigaunt being awakened to witness every facet of their life in one instance - every hope, every fear, every opinion and story, from their spawning to the present day. The Rite of Exposure is designed to promote unity with the rest of the tribe, by knowing that there are no secrets that can be held. Between vortigaunts, there is no distance.
Rite of Divulgence. A ritual responsible for the material side of the tribe, the Rite of Divulgence is a ritual designed to help pinpoint locations to pursue in the Great Beyond. Often-times, the Rai-Kut'Vahh will seek areas of great vortal significance, areas where artifacts may be uncovered and unearthed for the betterment of the Earth and the tribe. This, along with the Rite of Dissemination, are two of the more important day-to-day rituals, responsible for keeping the tribe alive and with a purpose both in the city and far beyond.
Rite of Dissemination. A noble ritual in the souls of the Seekers, where a congregation of vortigaunts are able to transmit a large amount of knowledge through the vortessence into other people. To perform this rite, a large amount of vortal energy is required to be spent, but in result all members in attendance can obtain information known by one, but shared to all. Led by a vortigaunt known as a "catalyst," these are typically senior vortigaunts, the most intelligent and well-submerged of the group.
These catalysts carry the weight of the energies required to disseminate this much carefully-crafted information to the rest of the group, and are often the most diminished once the rite is finished. But, often-times, a deeply-submerged catalyst is able to share a very bountiful amount of information.
Ahn'nah'azh. Also translated as the "New Dawn," the Ahn'nah'azh is a ritual that takes inspiration from the highly-respected and influential ritual, Alagunda'mok. The Ahn'nah'azh is different in that it is able to be done in a group, with primacy on the one doing the ritual, and is much less involved. Instead of the incredibly complicated process that is the Alagunda'mok, the Ahn'nah'azh is much simpler, requiring a simple pilgrimage out in the beyond in the pursuit of grand knowledge.
The knowledge must be considered "important" enough to the Turr-Rai'Kut to be considered, and often-times information with enough weight is often incredibly hard to obtain, requiring delves into dangerous locales in the surrounding area, piercing Combine strongholds and entering vicious wastelands in order to extract something new. The Ahn'na'azh is one of the more important rituals, alongside the Pacts of Awakening, as it is required before any vortigaunt can ascend to the rank of Sun'Vahh.
At the end of the quest, it is customary to begin a Rite of Dissemination to transmit the knowledge gained on the Ahn'nah'azh to the rest of the tribe, and commit it in full to the vortessence.
Galanga. A ritual borne of the term and ancient practice of the same name, galanga is the art of sparring with our kinsmen in single combat. The rules of a Galanga may be altered by those who choose to spar. Sometimes the use of the vortal energies may be used or barred, sometimes the battle ends on first blood or until a cry of "voh!"
The Galanga is designed to promote vortal submergence and transcendance, and is a way for the members of the tribe to learn more about their members. In combat, vortigaunts thrive and are granted the chance to feel the waves of the vortessence, ascending to the Allakh-Vhiirshi while bathing in the blood of others. When fighting other vortigaunts in the ritual of Galanga, it promotes a feeling of togetherness.
A Galanga always has one catalyst to ensure the fight can be regulated. It is the catalyst's job to call out the fight's beginning and end.
"Gung..."
"Galanga!"
Returnal. A ritual shared with most of vortikind, well-respected and ancient, the art of "returnal" is a much more ceremonial role performed upon the death of a member of a tribe. Returnal is the reverse of spawning, where the vortal energies unravel the corpse of a vortigaunt to return them to the All-in-One. The Seekers practice Returnal because of their relationship with the body - the body should not be worshipped or maintained. The hide does not matter, it is what you do with it that counts.
Returnal is a basic respect awarded to vortigaunts of all creeds, and is considered the most base of posthumous honors.
SCALE THE ALTAR
In every tribe, there must be structure. Stratification leads to stability, but also the dissemination of responsibility, bringing a degree of trust to the important happenings of the tribe. In the Seekers of Truth, this is no exception, and there are many ranks beneath the file of the Rai-Kut'Vahh.
Turr'Rai-Kut
The Grand Seeker, the venerated leader of the Seekers of Truth. The Turr'Rai-Kut bears supreme authority over the many happenings of the tribe. The Grand Seeker is the vortigaunt who bears the most knowledge in the tribe, and for this reason has been tasked with carrying out the tribe's will. Turr'Rai-Kut is a rank, but also a title; every vortigaunt who holds the name "Turr'Rai-Kut" will be referred to as such, replacing their original name. When speaking with humans, the Turr'Rai-Kut often uses regnal numbers like "the First" or "the Second."
Tsah-Nach-Mah
Second-in-command to the Turr'Rai-Kut, the Pathfinder is lauded as a great seeker of truth. It is a custodian for the Seekers, and is considered the closest confidant of the Turr’Rai-Kut, almost like a consul. Their roles are functionally more equal, though the Grand Seeker holds a higher authority. Pathfinders can carry out Rites, and can find people to bring into the tribe. The Tsah-Nach-Mah can be signified by bearing a maze of swirling tattoos across their body, one of the Seekers' highest honors. The suffix “‘tsah” are attached to those who occupy this role.
Alla'Vurr
Practitioners of the ancient ways of Naa'Chirrahh, these beings have taken the ultimate plunge and descended to become one with The Vortigaunt and its voice. Meaning "All-in-One," this is a special role reserved only for Coterminous vortigaunts, those well-versed in the ways of The Vortigaunt enough to be considered a member of higher echelons in the Rai-Kut'Vahh. They are considered close confidants, as The Vortigaunt holds the same knowledge and wisdom within every vortigaunt, and are often used as seers rather than warriors or scavengers.
Sun'Vahh
Sun'Vahh, or Truth-Protectors, are senior tribesmen of the Seekers. Sometimes called referred to as “Protector” or “Shield-Kin,” the Sun'Vahh are guardians as well as scholars. To join the Sun'Vahh, you must complete the Rite of Exposure and the Ahn'nah'azh to return with great knowledge, which can be shared in the Rite of Dissemination. The Sun'Vahh, like the tribesmen before them, are skilled warriors and considered elite, true to the name "Protectors of Knowledge." As a token of their respect, they are awarded a small series of tattoos to signify their role as Sun”Vahh. The suffix "'sun" are attached to those who occupy this role.
Thii'Chaa
Thii'Chaa, or "Knowledge Hunters," comprise the bulk of the Seekers. They are moderate in their authority, holding primacy over the Vahh'Tan and Ha-Tsah. They hold considerable knowledge and have compiled enough to be beyond the small-minded beneath them, but the Thii'Chaa will always have more to learn. Ultimately, they follow the direction of the Sun'Vahh and those above them. The suffix "'thii" are attached to those who occupy this role.
Vahh'Tahn
The first named rank of the Seekers, the Vahh'Tahn or "Small-Truths," are still not far from the Ha-Tsah they came from. The Vahh'Tahn are regarded with more respect than their "blind" subordinates, but they hold little authority. Only by adding to the Altar of Knowledge, are they able to build influence, trust, and responsibility. The Vahh’Tahn are awarded their ceremonial suffix, allowed to attach the suffix “‘tahn” to the end of their name.
Ha-Tsah
A trial rank to the Seekers, the Ha-Tsah are considered "blind." While it is not inherently a dishonor, to remain blind in the Seekers is not something to be. These are the Seekers who are yet to purify themselves and claim a new name, and who have not yet understood what the Seekers stand for. The Ha-Tsah is an easy role to get out of, but it requires radical transformations and understanding of the Seekers' causes.
Last edited:
