So in our brand new Chronicles of Darkness corebook we have Mystery Cult Initiation and rules on making some Cults for the games. We have only two example in book, so this topic is for your own creations or helping others to made there own.
And here are guidelines on creating the Mystery Cult Initiation Merit itself from the CoD corebook:
• A Skill Specialty or one-dot Merit, pertaining to the lessons taught to initiates.
•• A one-dot Merit.
••• A Skill dot, or a two-dot Merit (often a supernatural Merit).
•••• A three-dot Merit, often supernatural in origin.
••••• A three-dot Merit, or a major advantage not reflected in game traits.
So I will start.
Good Christians ( a.k.a. Knives of Abraham )
In our New England (pre)Mage game we have loosely defined cult few characters are part of – it’s Christianity-based local church that believes they are freeing humans souls from prison of this world trap to the Heaven by killing as sacrifice those that are willing. Cultist sometimes even goes with those unwanted sacrifices, if they think it will serve “Gods will”.
Any help with them will be appreciated. Name was just made by me now, maybe it will be change later. And no, I do not want them to be connected to God Machine. Other forces of CoD universe are invited.
Purpose: Freeing souls of true believers, to end their suffering in this wretched world. Lord has spoken to our Prophet by the Angel and we must do what needs to be done, like Abraham needed to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. ( In reality: Maybe collecting souls for something? Sinister agenda? )
Relic: Blade of Abraham - Holy knife that severs souls with each cut.
Doctrine: For most time, cult looks like typical small town Christian church. They goes on masses, take communion, listen to their Reverend's sermons. It only become apparent if you see when they go. Most attended masses are just after sunset, on Sunday night. Church is then locked from the inside. Usually it’s just closed ceremony. But ones a month ( and in major holidays, another time ) there are people sacrificed by the Reverend – most time it’s one person, chosen from congregation. On those special nights only most dedicated and loyal are invited. But on the major festivities ( like Easter or Christmas ) some tourists passing by the town or people from neighbor communities are taken and freed from the shackles of the life in the name of Lord!
Those that study history of the Knives of Abraham know their roots are in Cathars Heresy, from X century France and Italy. They believe that flesh is corrupting spirit and only way to purify soul is only by separating that holy part from it's meat container. Then truly freed soul can goes straight to Heaven. To achieve this, some need to be in this world and free souls of others, withstanding wickedness and corruption of world - those are true Samaritans. Good Christians.
Cultists: Paragon Christians, Soul obsessed sinners, Religious sadists
Initiation Benefits
• - Gain an Weaponry Specialty in Knives.
•• - Gain Tolerance for Biology Merit.
••• - Gain Closed Book (••) Merit.
•••• - Gain Inspiring Merit.
••••• - Hand of the God: Ability to sever souls from the living through a dark gnostic ritual (Extended action, Occult + Resolve, costs one willpower point to even attempt, successes must exceed the victim's Resolve + Composure). Souls could possibly be 'consumed' for Willpower or placed into soul jars.
Edit: Used propositions below to the MCI Merit benefits itself. Will refine a text even more later.
And here are guidelines on creating the Mystery Cult Initiation Merit itself from the CoD corebook:
• A Skill Specialty or one-dot Merit, pertaining to the lessons taught to initiates.
•• A one-dot Merit.
••• A Skill dot, or a two-dot Merit (often a supernatural Merit).
•••• A three-dot Merit, often supernatural in origin.
••••• A three-dot Merit, or a major advantage not reflected in game traits.
So I will start.

Good Christians ( a.k.a. Knives of Abraham )
In our New England (pre)Mage game we have loosely defined cult few characters are part of – it’s Christianity-based local church that believes they are freeing humans souls from prison of this world trap to the Heaven by killing as sacrifice those that are willing. Cultist sometimes even goes with those unwanted sacrifices, if they think it will serve “Gods will”.
Any help with them will be appreciated. Name was just made by me now, maybe it will be change later. And no, I do not want them to be connected to God Machine. Other forces of CoD universe are invited.

Purpose: Freeing souls of true believers, to end their suffering in this wretched world. Lord has spoken to our Prophet by the Angel and we must do what needs to be done, like Abraham needed to sacrifice his own son, Isaac. ( In reality: Maybe collecting souls for something? Sinister agenda? )
Relic: Blade of Abraham - Holy knife that severs souls with each cut.
Doctrine: For most time, cult looks like typical small town Christian church. They goes on masses, take communion, listen to their Reverend's sermons. It only become apparent if you see when they go. Most attended masses are just after sunset, on Sunday night. Church is then locked from the inside. Usually it’s just closed ceremony. But ones a month ( and in major holidays, another time ) there are people sacrificed by the Reverend – most time it’s one person, chosen from congregation. On those special nights only most dedicated and loyal are invited. But on the major festivities ( like Easter or Christmas ) some tourists passing by the town or people from neighbor communities are taken and freed from the shackles of the life in the name of Lord!
Those that study history of the Knives of Abraham know their roots are in Cathars Heresy, from X century France and Italy. They believe that flesh is corrupting spirit and only way to purify soul is only by separating that holy part from it's meat container. Then truly freed soul can goes straight to Heaven. To achieve this, some need to be in this world and free souls of others, withstanding wickedness and corruption of world - those are true Samaritans. Good Christians.
Cultists: Paragon Christians, Soul obsessed sinners, Religious sadists
Initiation Benefits
• - Gain an Weaponry Specialty in Knives.
•• - Gain Tolerance for Biology Merit.
••• - Gain Closed Book (••) Merit.
•••• - Gain Inspiring Merit.
••••• - Hand of the God: Ability to sever souls from the living through a dark gnostic ritual (Extended action, Occult + Resolve, costs one willpower point to even attempt, successes must exceed the victim's Resolve + Composure). Souls could possibly be 'consumed' for Willpower or placed into soul jars.
Edit: Used propositions below to the MCI Merit benefits itself. Will refine a text even more later.
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