The Serpent Bracelet

[Astromancer]

The Celestial Chorus

We aren't really respected here. In fact we're pretty much suspected of planning to start a theocratic dictatorship. Still, freedom of worship and respect for the Sleepers are givens here, we can use these. The Book of Jonah teaches us two things. The story of the Whale teaches us the dangers of apathy and despair. The story of the vine teaches us the snares of fanaticism and bitterness. We must avoid both traps to achieve our dreams and goals.

With the one's guidance we shall do great things.

The Order of Hermes

Just because they've become better at listening doesn't mean they've become good at it. Still, the improvement is welcomed. This city and the Wizard are typical last minuet wonders that they pull out of their sleeves. We, and they, need to prevent getting in these traps in the first place. As impressive as this rescue was, not needing it would be better.

The Sahajiya

Pleasure is a fine thing, but it can blind us to duty and spirituality. We still see these as lost, but we value their work with the Wraiths. If the lost souls don't get back into the great cycle they could be as lost as the truly dammed. Respect what the Sahajiya do, not how they do it.

The Mercurial Elites

Still flashy and annoying, but they do allow the sleepers to focus on their personal development. Which means their robots and A.I.s end up leading the sleepers to us. It works for me.

The Children of Ether

"Children" is apt. Still they achieve similar practical results to the Elites.

Chakravanti

We never liked working with them. Still we have some common ground and they care deeply for the sleepers too. Their answers to the sleepers problems aren't pleasant to me. Still they're excellent monster slayers and that is still very useful.

Akashayana

We fight more than is seemly but we agree on much. There's no trust between us though. Still, they teach the sleeper children useful wisdom and we like that.

The Kra'vadi and the Verbena

Pagans, but they are working with us. Like us they'll leave this city when it is safe. Until then be polite. It won't do much good, but it is the right thing to do.

[Astromancer]

The Technocracy

Always trouble, but we needed troops and they were easy to draft. Sadly not all were worthy of the effort, bitter as those words are in my mouth.

The Void Engineers

Like all who deny the spirit they are empty and void. Still, these are useful as well as proud. And the journey is part of the point of any pilgrimage.

Iteration X

The clockwork men do some useful work. That's all I can say for them.

The N.W.O.

Why bother. But that is vain. We must seek to see if they've anything to offer.

The Progenitors

There's more bad blood here than with the rest. Still they are healers and our need is great. Forgive them, but watch your back.

The Syndicate

They still don't get that their money doesn't work here. Like the N.W.O. they are trouble, but we must still see if they can be reached.

[Astromancer]

The Disparate Alliance

Some are worthy, some are obnoxious, none have wounded us save the Hollow Ones.

The Ahl-I-Batini

They understand the one but they think there is only one way to understand the one. Their vanity is vast and they can do much damage.

The Bata'as

Pagans, but we might be able to work with them.

The Children of Knowledge

Alchemists aren't offensive to us per se. These however combine the faults of the Sahajiya and the Etherians. Still they are willing to work to prove themselves.

The Hollow Ones

Many of us have lost family and friends to the betrayal these Hollow Ones justify in the name of Right and Romance! We must forgive them, but don't forget. These romantics need to understand responsibility before they can be fully trusted.

Kopa Loei

Pagans with a plan. The plan is good, as far as it goes. They are worthy enough.

Ngoma

African Hermetics, well they are like Hermetics. We will need to learn more of them.

Sisters of Hippolyta

"Male and female he created them." Patriarchal bigotry is still a brutal immediate problem, but patriarchy in drag is no solution.

Taftani

Loud, proud, obnoxious, and they want to leave as soon as they can. I'll be glad to see them go.

Templar Knights

We're assigned these to "manage." Oh joy. Still seek common ground and hold your temper.

The Wu-Lung

They dismiss us as barbarians. At least we've learned that you must respect other cultures and races. We still have issues that way, but at least we know we've got work to do.

[Astromancer]

Their are others as well.

Vampires

The only mercy we can give them is a quick death. Be generous.

The Fera

They are on another path. Let others deal with them. But always be respectful.

Wraiths

Leave them to the Shajiya and the Chakravanti. They are best able to guide and heal them.

Changelings

Strange folks, they don't care for us, so let others deal with them.

Hunters

Often noble and even wise. We must cultivate friendships with them.

Demons

They don't belong here. send them home.

[Astromancer]

The Kra'vadi

This place is a city. True there are some city shamans, we respect these, but our ways our tribal ways. This city must be cosmopolitan in order to function as a means of rescue for those still in peril. Tribalism is always in danger here.

Our future waits for us on one of the GREEK ALPHABET worlds. The Wizard is a worthy man, the spirits have marked him out as such. His very Avatar is in the form of the purity at the center, the Heart Land, of America. A spirit that seeks to heal those its other selves selfishly wounded. We can't be part of this city, but this city is part of our path to the new home were the spirits call us to come.

Let's speak of our allies.

The Order of Hermes

These are infuriating, still they are also useful. They are the warriors that skillfully kill the common foes, the wise men who store up lore until it is needed, and the louts who you can never live with! Still they are trying to be respectful and kind. It seems to be something new for them;-)

The Sahajiya

These are Coyote's children, but far more careful and kind than he is. They keep the spirits of the dead quiet and also try to keep hearts merry. We given up trying to tell them they could do these things with less danger to themselves and others. We are simply glad they serve the people so well.

The Children of Ether

The "Children" make useful toys and encourage the people to use their free time to study ways other than their own. They are good children, scary as hell, but good.

The Mercurial Elites

They make useful tools. They design computer programs to make technology fit our tribal ways rather than have technology force us to fit its needs. They are useful and noble. We just wish they didn't look down on us as "primitives".

The Celestial Chorus

We're working with them, for now. They are still self-righteous, but they are trying not to be obnoxious.

The Verbena

They are more like us than not, and yet very different. We can work well together.

The Chakravanti

Servants of dark spirits but not our foes. They serve patiently and are as kind as they are allowed to be.

The Akashayana

They have strange arts and odd views. They offer their ideas and techniques freely. We don't need any argument with them, but they do have a touch of missionary to them.

[Astromancer]

The Technocratic Alliance

They didn't break the world by themselves, neither was their part small. Still the work we do requires many hands, some of these can help.

The Void Engineers

Useful, willing to respect us, and they do have some understanding. In spite of their crimes against the spirits they are the best of their alliance. The best in a very bad lot.

Iteration X

They sought to replace their souls with clockworks and they wonder why we look down on them. Still, these do work which give the Sleepers time to hear our voices and learn our paths. While they are useful as well as dangerous we will deal with them....carefully.

The N.W.O.

Skilled liars, yes very skilled, but can they recognize truth even when it means their lives and souls. If someone must go to their death for the common good, these should be sent first. However, if there is anything to redeem in them, we should seek for it. Carefully of course.

The Progenitors

Medical witches, but many of our close allies our witches, selfish magic users. These have proven both useful and deadly. Carefully extract the use you can, just as some doctors extract the venoms of deadly snakes to make medicine.

The Syndicate

Money was fun, but it was very cruel too. These witches have little use now, it might be decades or centuries before their ideas of economics make any sense again. And by then, why bother? Still these witches are deadly and desperate.

[Astromancer]

The Disparate Alliance

Some could be allies, others are useless.

Ahl-I-Batini

They see only their way and think everyone else is a fool leading the world to its death. That used to be common, the Batini need to move with the times.

The Bata'as

They are much like us. They have a different relationship with their spirits, but the spirits seem to accept it and respect it. So it is good in its own way.

The Children of Knowledge

We take drugs to see spirits too. We are far more careful about it. They seem more like the Etherites in their madness. I don't believe they can ever turn Sleepers into Mages with a pill. Still they have paths and ideas. They must be listened to.

The Hollow Ones

They slaughter kinfolk and allies then ask not for forgiveness but obedience. They are fools and witches, beware them. Still search their numbers, we've gotten some good medicine folk from them before.

The Kopa Loei

They are like us, they were once part of us. They wish to go their own way. We respect this. They chose to work for the common good in order to smooth the way to their own goals. We admire this.

The Ngoma

Much like the Hermetics but far more respectful. They are worthy of admiration.


The Sisters of Hippolyta

They say they speak for the oppressed everywhere. If so, why do they never listen?

The Taftani

They wish to be left alone. We will gladly do so for the same consideration.

The Templar Knights

The Celestial Chorus without any manners or self-awareness.

The Wu-lung

These so called dragons are racist snobs. Still they pull their weight and aide others.

[Astromancer]

Others have joined us as well.

Vampires

They are dead and they still walk around. They don't understand death correctly. We must teach them. Oh, don't let the half-vampires know we know about them. Others are keeping them entertained.

Shapeshifters

We are often asked to talk to these and keep them calm. We work with their guiding spirits to keep the peace. Always check with the spirits before dealing with the Shifters. Remember, their tempers are more changeable than their forms.

The Spirits of the Dead

The mighty spirit that speaks to the Wizard in the form of the Rainbow's Child keeps the dead in their place. The Sahajiya and the Chakravanti aid her. Stay out of their way. If you need to speak to the dead, ask permission.

The Changelings

The People who go anywhere are here too. It is good to speak to them occasionally.

Hunters

These people were given a noble task by mighty spirits. Others forced them to fail. I blame the spirits for telling them to little and summoning them so late. They will still do great deeds.

Demons

These corrupted spirits do not belong here. Destroy any who find the way here.

[Astromancer]

The Verbena

Well this is a candy colored purgatory isn't it? Still we get some crumbs of respect. This city has no real place for our paradigm. Yes the Wizard's a good man, but he's linked to paradigms we can't embrace. This isn't the place for us to live real lives in our own way. Still he is working on opening up the Greek Alphabet worlds for us all. He says humanity is like a pot bound plant and needs a better place to put down roots. Whether he sees that as true for others it is profoundly true for us.

Order of Hermes

As allies they've always been a problem, but less so than as foes. They listen more now, but they see their dreams coming true, so they aren't much interested in acting. At least in acting for us.

Sahajiya

Sure they're fun, but even though they don't have cat spit all over them...old joke from the 1970s. Let it pass...they aren't always so reliable. They help to keep the ghosts calm, so that's good.

The Children of Ether

The kooks build useful gismos. That gives ordinary people time to listen to us if they chose. We've made some headway because of that. But gismos aren't a future.

Mercurial Elites

At least we aren't all holed up in Reality2.0. That techno hell is on hold for a long time.

Chakravandi

We respect these folks. We are very glad not to be them however. They and the Sahajiya keep the Wraiths quiet. And that is very useful.

Kra'vadi

They're even worse off here than us. They're our closest allies.

Akashayana

I don't get them, they're too into discipline and head trips. For all their physical training they don't really live in this flesh.

Celestial Chorus

For now they're allies. Some have been friends, but it is rare and can't really last. But like us, they need out of here.

[Astromancer]

The Technocratic Alliance

The obvious enemy, the Nephandi are the real enemy but the Technos fight for our attention.

Void Engineers

Useful to the problem at hand, and to our settling off planet. They'll probably be useful after that too. They see us as trash, but we've faced that before.

Iteration X

Strange freaks, but they get them to do useful work, and they leave us alone these days.

The N.W.O.

We don't forgive them. Still, we've better to do. However, if you need someone for a suicide mission, pick one of these.

The Progenitors

Not useless, not forgiven. Make use of them, be polite, watch your back, be ready for betrayal.

Syndicate

Since money can't really work here, we don't have enough people or a large enough economy, why do they still whine about FREE MARKETS. Like they allowed any real Free Markets anyway.

[Astromancer]

The Disparate Alliance

We should have brought in more members for the counsel, but those Hermetics and their numerology. Still some of these could be allies now. Others I wouldn't wish on the technos.

Ahl-I-Batini

All the faults of the Celestial Chorus and the N.W.O. in one package, with added religious and racial bigotry. They do have some virtues. But sadly those only make them more trouble.

The Bata'as

We should have brought these into the Counsel of the Traditions back in the 19th century. They might make allies now, good ones too.

The Children of Knowledge

"Better living through chemistry" they say. I think I've heard that before.

The Hollow Ones

How many times do we have to let these whinny brats stab us in the gut? They could be useful you say. Well yes. But they wont likely choose to be.

Kopa Loei

Respectable people. They've got the right ideas and a sound plan. We should offer them help and seek alliance.

Ngoma

Improved Hermetics in some ways. But they're more than that too. We need to know them better.

The Sisters of Hippolyta

We've worked with them before. It wasn't easy. They're not without worth. No they're without manners.

The Taftani

Much to admire. They've useful things to teach as well. No manners at all though.

The Templer Knight

Little to admire, fewer manners.

Wu Lung

Elegant manners, much to admire in terms of knowledge and sophistication. No integrity to speak of. The Order of Hermes could keep its sworn word. These racists will never see you as worthy of any respect and would no more keep their word to you than they would anyone else outside their clique.

[Astromancer]

Mages aren't the whole word. Trust me we've got more problems and opportunities.

The Vampires

There's no good in them, they can't become good, and they need to make people's lives a living hell. Kill them fast, kill them hard. I advise learning how to generate either fire or sunlight.

The Fera

We allied with some of these in the past. I think they'll be in our future as well. Start with the Black Furies, the Fianna, and the Basset. But always be POLITE AND RESPECTFUL!!!

Wraiths

Trouble for now. When things calm down we might make alliances. Let the Sahajiya and the Chakravanti deal with them.

The Changelings

Lovely folks, some of them. We need to see who we might get as allies.

Mummies

If they show up, we'll deal with them.

Hunters

Some of them want to hunt witches. We must teach them better. Still, they want to protect people, that's useful, even laudable. Merlin was Arthur's mentor. Maybe we could do the same for these folks.

Demons

No one needs them for allies. Kill them or report them. They don't need to survive.

[Astromancer]

The Void Engineers

Well Earth is done for, but Humanity must survive. We have a major role in the rescue of the Sleepers. We will need new allies to do it.

Iteration X

They're still working and they make good stuff, but they are assistants right now, not allies. They lack vision.

The N.W.O.

The world they shaped is gone and all their work made it easier for the world to fall apart. They're millstones not allies.

The Progenitors

They still make vital tools and have needed insights. That said, they need to get with reality. The pogrom is over. Nobody won and the Trads are keeping us and Humanity alive. Wake up and smell the reality guys. We need you.

The Syndicate

Sorry to be cold about this but we used to need your money. Money is now worthless and we still need tools to defend humanity. The Wizard and the Trads can give these to us. It has become a choice between your economic ideals and saving humanity. Your ideals never meant anything to us, why isn't humanity important to you.

[Astromancer]

The Tradition Counsel

We never hated them like some of our allies did and we recognized no war beyond the Horizon. We need to get some allies here. Luckily, they want some of what we want and will give us good terms. We need to take them with gratitude.

Order of Hermes

We should have had these guys in from the start. They're organized like a university and they do peer review. Heck, their Utopia seems a lot better than what the New World Order and the Syndicate demanded. We need these allies.

Sahajiya

They keep the ghosts on their side of the border and allow communication in a controlled way. That's magnificent! And they are still fun to party with.

Mercurial Elites

Glad to have these guys back. Maybe, together, we can salvage It X.

Children of Ether

These guys are wonders, they all have screws loose, but they are true adventurers. I guess that we're Star Trek they're Doctor Who

Chakravandi

They still scare me, but now I respect them. But knowing why they are worthy of respect makes them scarier.

Verbena

Tough, scary, useful in this fight. We don't need to like them.

Kra'vadi

They explored first and farthest. To bad we can't seem to connect. Still, we each can do for others.

Akashayana

More impressive than we knew. We can learn from these guys and we need to...fast.

Celestial Chorus

There are worst chaplains. I'd prefer someone less hostile. But the Sleepers respond well to them and that counts.

[Astromancer]

The Disparate Alliance

An interesting group. Some could be friends. Others can be avoided.

The Alh-I-Batini

They lecture us and demand conformity to their idea of unity. I wonder if the NWO learned that from them.

Bata'as

Street mages with a voudoun style. We need to learn more about them to figure out anymore.

Children of Knowledge

I applaud their courage, I question their wisdom.

Hollow Ones

They betrayed the Traditions, they say we're dupes of the Nephandi, and they've mastered applying black nail polish. No wonder they proclaim that we need to show them serious respect.

Kopa Loei

The heirs of great explorers. They've got a vision of their people's future. We failed to respect them the first time. We can't make that mistake again.

Ngoma

These guys are a wonderful surprise. We clearly needed to learn more about our own world.

Sisters of Hippolyta

We got over misogyny decades ago. Could they try to leave misandrony behind?

Taftani

Could we simply ignore each other?

The Templar Knights

Angry street preachers with powers. Ugh!

The Wu-Lung

They want to save China. Sure they're racist but they've want to do something useful to all. We need to respect that fact.