About
A mystery cult is a secretive religious organization based on a ritual of initiation, in which the initiate is mystically identified with a god, or a handful of related gods. Mystery cults are intensely personal, concerned with the initiate's relationship with the divine. It acknowledges the myths and rituals of the pantheon, but presents its own myths and rites as primary.
Mystery cults are often formed or revolve around specific mortals or spirits that wish to ascend to godhood. The power of a god is directly correlated with the size of its following, and mystery cults shroud their believes and true practices in mystery, enticing many curious followers, not realizing that they are indirectly playing a part in creating and empowering a new god.
Initiation
A common form of initiation into a mystery cult involes the retracing of the god's footsteps in order to share the god's ultimate fate. In the case of dying and rising gods, the symbolic death of the initiate represents the idea of death to the old life and rebirth into a transformed existence. Initiates are born into a new life, remaining in the world of mortal affairs but feeling elevated to a higher sphere. The initiate is promised a place in the god's realm after death, but also experiences new meaning in life.
Examples
For instance, a secretive order of monks might immerse themselves in a mystical relationship to a god who is part of a broadly worshiped pantheon. A mystery cult emphasizes the history of its "god", which is symbolically reenacted in its initiation ritual. The foundation myth of a mystery cult is usually simple and often involves a god's death and rising, or a journey to the underworld and a return.
Behind the Screen
- All of the storytelling behind Mystery Cults ultimately wound up unused in the campaign it was built for. As of now, Mystery Cults have yet to be seen in Quelmar, living up to their mysterious and cultish nature.
