Circle of the Crone
From Cam-Wiki
Few vampires outside the Circle of the Crone have a complete understanding of the group’s secretive beliefs and behaviors. As a covenant, the Circle is as devoted as the Carthians, more tightly organized than the Invictus, and often more feared and misunderstood than the Lancea Sanctum and the Ordo Dracul. For many neonates, these mysterious Kindred are the “bogeymen” of vampire society — those who gather in sequestered cabals, where they practice ancient and eldritch rites in reverence to bloody gods and goddesses of cultures forgotten or shunned. These are the vampires about whom elders warn their childer: the political outcasts, iconoclasts and, to some, heretics of the Damned.
Contents |
Overview
The Circle of the Crone decries what are the most widely accepted creation myths of the vampire. To these cultists, the Lancea Sanctum’s progenitor is not to be revered, worshipped or even heeded. Nor is the Ordo Dracul’s nigh-mythical founder anything but a grand ruse. Instead, the Circle of the Crone claims a more naturalistic origin for vampires, that they have always been a part of the world, spawned in the dark places where mortals fear to tread and where guarded suspicion yields to open fear. Their origin stories invoke such names as the Russian witch Baba Yaga, the horned god Cernunnos, the Thracian goddess of moon and magic Bendis, the animal-god Pashupati, bull sacrifi ces in the name of Mithras, and the bloodier incarnations of the Morrigan. Members of the Circle of the Crone occasionally even incorporate elements predating Lancea Sanctum dogma into their philosophy through Lilith, the first wife of Adam. Acolytes, as members of the Circle are often known, reject vampiric notions of penitence entirely. Instead, they take a more organic approach to unlife, one that allows for all creatures — even the living dead — to continue to learn, grow and fi nd enlightenment over time. While much of Kindred tradition places emphasis on guilt and penance according to the Judeo-Christian model, the Circle of the Crone sees itself as outside that framework. Members of this covenant maintain that the primary lesson to be learned from any origin myth of the undead is that a vampire is never more or less a victim than he chooses to be. Empowerment and enlightenment are both well within the reach of any creature, vampire or otherwise, who is truthful and dedicated enough to attain them. Although the Circle is primarily a vampiric phenomenon, its ideology extends beyond the worldly borders of the Kindred plight and is attractive to non-Kindred as well. As such, the Circle boasts some of the most extensive and unusual contacts among similarly inclined creatures, including mages and even werewolvesAs might be expected, Acolytes are none too popular with the fervent Lancea Sanctum, which takes great offense at the Circle’s “corruption” of its dearly held ideals. Some truly hard-line Kindred, especially those in power in conservative domains, go so far as to outlaw the practice and spread of what they call “demon worship,” and they lay heavy penalties down upon those caught in violation of the decree. Most of the time, however, even the most stalwart Prince or Archbishop satisfi es himself with making sure that those around him are free of any Acolyte heresy, thus cutting off any potential threat at the source.
Members
The Circle of the Crone boasts a diverse collection of Kindred among its adherents. Members of every clan and those of any age are drawn to the Circle’s particular ethos, and the covenant is certainly stronger because of it. If the covenant is weak in any one demographic, it is likely in the number of Ventrue who share in its beliefs. The Ventrue are childer of tradition, and among the more conservative members of the clan, tradition suggests that core Acolyte ideology is foolishness at best and heresy at worst. Conversely, the Gangrel (who are known for their disregard of both mortality and Kindred convention) are perhaps the perfect fi t for the covenant’s mindset. Many Acolytes do indeed hail from the ranks of the Savages, who can fi nd a symbolic resonance between their nature and those of the many gods and spirits in the Circle’s pantheon. Given the radical nature of their philosophies, Acolytes are understandably preoccupied with the continued growth of their membership. In recent years, many have begun to actively seek converts, particularly from among the downtrodden and dispossessed of Kindred society. This search often leads to the door of unaligned Kindred, many of whom are somewhat more tolerant of Acolytes than they are of the Lancea Sanctum or Invictus. And there are others who view the Acolytes’ ideology as compatible with their own political outlook. As a result, the Circle’s missionary efforts have been rewarded, and the number of former independents who have become members grows with each passing night. After all, if vampires are real, who’s to say that the blood gods and deities of the Old Ways aren’t?
Philosophy
At the core of Acolytes’ belief sits the Crone, a sort of vampiric mentor and lover of mythological “monsters” during various stages of history and among innumerable cultures. Obviously, reverence for the Crone is the source of the Circle’s name, and she’s either an amalgamation of spirits or gods from whom vampires originated, or a literal fi gure not too vastly different from the Lancea Sanctum’s own progenitor. Acolytes revere the image and teachings of various mother-goddesses, who were cast out of the company of fellow gods for seeking to better herself by consuming the blood of those whom the gods had made in their image. Through trial and pain, the Crone managed to uncover the secrets of creation and to survive the harsh wasteland that was life outside the gods’ own paradise. All on her own, the Crone is said to have created form, shape and beauty out of the barren nothingness that lay beyond the ken of men and gods, and her Circle seeks to emulate her experience so that it too might achieve her wisdom and power. Branching out from this core precept are two underlying themes.
Creation is Power
Vampires of this covenant are perhaps the most honest with themselves about what they consider the truth of the Kindred condition. They recognize that the Requiem tears them from the natural world and suspends them in a state of eternal stasis, forever unable to create life. For those who let the truth of this realization destroy them, existence becomes an unending spiral of manipulation toward destruction, with resources being allocated merely to fuel the perpetuation of the cycle. Creation, then, becomes both the source of true power and the only way a static creature can otherwise remain a vibrant part of the earthly order. Some Acolytes practice this ideology in small ways, tending gardens or breeding animals, while others take the broader view, seeking instead to create things of lasting beauty or utility such as art or invention. Whatever form it takes, all Acolytes strive to emulate creation in their own way.
Tribulation Brings Enlightenment
Acolytes believe that any creature can overcome its own weakness and moral failings by continually testing its physical, mental and spiritual limitations. Only through ongoing tribulation can one’s consciousness expand, and thus true understanding be reached. Cultists empower themselves by alternately exciting and challenging the senses, and through the newfound comprehension that results, they fi nally transform the static nature of undeath into the miracle of creation. Many cultists take this to a literal level, engaging in bouts of fl agellation and other self-abuse that would make a mortal’s stomach churn. Others simply put their bodies in new and diffi cult situations so that they may better understand themselves and their fears and limitations. Whatever the motivation, the results are undeniable: Those who endure are tempered by their experiences, making them ever more capable of enduring whatever comes next.
Rituals and Observances
The Circle of the Crone is a rigidly ceremonial covenant. It claims a variety of different special rites, many of which are unique to the Acolytes of a given coterie or domain. Of those that see more widespread observance, three stand out.
The Crone’s Liturgy
One of the most frequently heard recitations at cultist gatherings, this observance takes the form of passages read from various accounts of mythology or creation stories. The Liturgy has become the ceremonial opener (or closer) for the regular meetings of assembled Acolytes. The passages themselves tell the tale of the Crone’s perseverance through adversity after banishment from the company of the gods. The text has a lyrical quality to it, due to the action/reaction nature of the Crone’s life, and many Acolytes have taken to employing the Greek method of call and response when reciting the Liturgy. (This has the effect of making everyone present feel involved, as opposed to just the speaker.) Since many passages are fairly long, most Acolytes prefer to limit each recitation to whatever sub-section of the Liturgy is most appropriate to the subject of the meeting at hand.
The Winnowing
Acolytes claim a great many holy nights, adapted from the mythologies with which they most closely associate, and they tend to observe them with great sincerity and respect. The most important event to the covenant is an annual rite known as the Winnowing. The night itself falls upon a different date every year and is dependent upon a host of variables, including the alignment of the stars and the phase of the moon. On the whole, though, it usually falls some time around the winter solstice. On this night, Acolytes take stock of the trials they have bested, the pains they have endured and the things they have either created or destroyed in the intervening year. Since these matters are specific to each cultist, this ritual is always a highly personal one, and it is usually conducted in absolute silence under starlight. During the rite, each participant offers some of his own Vitae to the ground, in the hopes of cleansing his spirit before the coming year. The rite concludes with the Hierophant placing a wreath of laurel around the head of each participant, to represent the reestablishment of each Acolyte’s connection to the natural world.
Other holidays associated with the Winnowing and observed in their unique formats punctuate the Circle’s calendar. The Feast of Samhain (October 31) represents the Crone say- ing farewell to the world in preparation for winter, and is celebrated with much revelry and orgies of blood. Latha Lunasdal (near August 1) commemorates the time of year when the nights grow longer than the days, and when the Kindred may claim more time as their own. Those Acolytes who choose to Embrace often do so on Walpurgis Night (February 25) in observance of the custom of fertility associated with that holy day.
The Pyanepsion Noumenia (September 26-27) marks the honoring of the Crone herself, and is celebrated in all manners, from vampiric celebrations that resemble wild marauds to contemplation on what it means to be a creature of the night.
Crúac
The Circle of the Crone holds the mystical ways of Crúac, the “bloody crescent,” in high regard. A form of ritual magic, Crúac draws as much on shamanic systems of belief, druidic practice and even arts that resemble “black magic” in its performance. This magic is uniformly sanguinary in its practice, involving blood sacrifices at the very least and occasionally mortification of the flesh, scarring of the vampire’s body or even the death of a ritual victim for its most powerful effects. As fearful as the practice’s trappings are, none who have seen its powers in action can deny its effectiveness. Those outside the covenant might deride Crúac as “witchcraft,” but Acolytes themselves would never stoop to using such base terms for their spiritual sorcery.
This page is a rough guide only. Remember to check the Global Addendum(s) for approval levels as they can change.
● Rituals
| Name | Book | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Abduction to the Underworld/The Appeasement of Demeter | Circle of the Crone 37 | |
| Balancing the Four Humors | Nomads 93 | |
| Blood Witness | Coteries 84 | |
| Boyar’s Caul, The | Bloodlines: the Chosen 113 | |
| Confidence in Adversity | Circle of the Crone 204 | |
| Drops of Destiny | Circle of the Crone 204 | |
| Fires of Inspiration | Circle of the Crone 204 | |
| Genius Loci | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only |
| Love‐Lies‐Bleeding | Circle of the Crone 36 | |
| Pangs of Proserpina | Requiem 143 | |
| Pythian Renewal | Circle of the Crone 205 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Rigor Mortis | Requiem 143 | |
| Spring Sanctification | Circle of the Crone 63 | |
| Taste of Knowledge | Circle of the Crone 204 | |
| Visage of the Crone | Circle of the Crone 204 |
●● Rituals
| Name | Book | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Amemet’s Pursuit | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only |
| Barrier of Blood | Coteries 84 | |
| Cheval | Requiem 143 | |
| Doorways of Eye and Mind | Ancient Mysteries | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Dreaming the Other | Circle of the Crone 149 | |
| Harai | Circle of the Crone 153 | |
| Hawthorn Barrier | Bloodlines: the Chosen 114 | |
| Heliolaterʹs Warning, The | Nomads 93 | |
| Hydra’s Vitae, The | Requiem 143 | |
| Imperious Call | Circle of the Crone 201 | |
| Maiden Skin | Circle of the Crone 205 | |
| Maya | Circle of the Crone 145 | |
| Mononoke | Circle of the Crone 153 | |
| Motherʹs Eye, The | Circle of the Crone 183 | |
| Painted Fears | Circle of the Crone 114 | |
| Path of Thorns | Circle of the Crone 205 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Prey’s Blood | Gangrel 116 | Gangrel only |
| Rex Sanguis Sacrorum | Ancient Mysteries | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Rite of the Bloody Crossroads | World of Darkness Chicago 75 | Mid Approval |
| Rite of the Circle Path | World of Darkness Chicago 75 | Mid Approval |
| Soulʹs Work | Circle of the Crone 206 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Succulent Buboes | Circle of the Crone 206 | |
| Wisdom of the Soul | Circle of the Crone 206 |
●●● Rituals
| Name | Book | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Beloved Deodand | Circle of the Crone 206 | |
| Deflection of Wooden Doom | Requiem 144 | |
| Final Service of the Slave | Circle of the Crone 206 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Flower of Demeter | Coteries 85 | |
| Hag Mask | Shadows of the UK 127 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Hand of Seth, The | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only. Reserved for the Office of the MST |
| Metamorphosis of Spilt Blood, The | Circle of the Crone 42 | |
| Motherʹs Blessing, The | Bloodlines: the Chosen 113 | |
| Motherʹs Mark, The | Circle of the Crone 129 | |
| Rain | Circle of the Crone 207 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Servant from the Hidden Realms | Circle of the Crone 201 | |
| Song of the Blood | Nomads 93 | |
| Taste of Destiny | Circle of the Crone 207 | |
| Tiamat Offspring | Circle of the Crone 207 | |
| Tickblood | Gangrel 116 | Gangrel only |
| Touch of the Morrigan | Requiem 144 | |
| Veiled Curse | Circle of the Crone 202 |
●●●● Rituals
| Name | Book | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| Blade of Tu’at | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only. Reserved for the Office of the MST |
| Bleeding the Tarantula | Nomads 93 | |
| Blood Price | Requiem 144 | |
| Eternal Guarian of the Dark Moon | Circle of the Crone 202 | |
| Eye of the Norn | Circle of the Crone 208 | |
| Fount of Wisdom | Circle of the Crone 208 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Mask of Blood | Circle of the Crone 209 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| Sacrifice of Odin | Circle of the Crone 209 | |
| Thinning the Skin/The Twenty-Four Wolves at Twilight | Book of Spirits | |
| Thrashing of Apep’s Coils, The | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only |
| Willful Vitae | Requiem 145 |
●●●●● Rituals
| Name | Book | Approval |
|---|---|---|
| A Child from the Stones | Circle of the Crone 209 | Global Plot Kit / PC Teacher |
| As One | Circle of the Crone 209 | |
| Blood Blight | Requiem 145 | |
| Croneʹs Revival | Circle of the Crone 211 | |
| Curse of Ahasverus | Nomads 93 | |
| Ianus’ Blessing | Ancient Mysteries | Not sanctioned in the Global chronicle |
| Feeding the Crone | Requiem 145 | |
| Heartʹs Curse | Circle of the Crone 150 | |
| Regression | Circle of the Crone 145 | |
| Rite of Going Forth By Day, The | Mekhet 107 | Sethite only |
| Roving Hut | Circle of the Crone 211 |
For a complete list of all rituals, disciplines, devotions and merits, as well as which book they are printed in, check out the Vampire Directory released/hosted by White Wolf, and/or the page on Spirit Crúac.
Titles and Duties
The ritualistic nature of the Circle of the Crone seems to lend itself to a hierarchy of titles and roles, each fulfi lling some unique niche or aspect of the covenant’s esoteric dealings, but such is not the case. In fact, only a single “official” title sees much use throughout the covenant. The rest are either titles pro-tem, city-specific titles or simply convenient descriptors for duties that almost any Acolyte might fulfill.
Hierophant
In domains where the Circle of the Crone has a signifi cant enough presence to warrant it (that is, in cities with three or more members), the wisest take on the equivalent role of high priest. Such a spiritual leader is called a Hierophant and is charged with a number of duties. The Hierophant is responsible for calling meetings to order and for leading various rites and rituals (such as the Crone’s Liturgy). The Hierophant also oversees the induction of new members to the Circle, and no Acolyte may be granted full status without his leave. “Hierophant” is also a term of respect, and even elders who no longer lead rituals may continue to bear the title as a “badge of offi ce” or a sign of enlightenment. Among the Hierophant’s responsibilities is the actual formation of dogma observed by the covenant in a given domain. For example, some Hierophants call extensively upon the Celtic pantheon in interpreting the Kindred condition, while others invoke “demons” who are actually nature spirits in certain Eastern European followings. Still others might have an outlook that draws heavily on Judeo-Christian myth, substituting Lilith for the Crone, while other groups see themselves as incarnations of the Native American wendigo or manitou. Still others blend a variety of religions into their own unique view of the Kindred. This body of dogma almost always grows organically over time, incorporating new Acolytes’ beliefs, changing when the covenant’s tastes dictate, or taking into account new information or discoveries. More so than any other covenant, the policies of the Circle of the Crone morph and adapt, and the responsibility of keeping it all cogent rests in the hands of the Hierophant.
The Chorus
The chorus is not an actual title in the covenant, but rather a descriptor for a certain type of member. The chorus is the collective “new converts” to Acolyte ideology, and a probationary member of the Circle. Few would-be converts are capable of grasping the often painful truth of the Acolytes’ mindset, so most new members go through a period of “apprenticeship” during which they slowly acclimate to existence in the Circle of the Crone. As a point of order, covenant secrets such as Crúac are never revealed to the chorus, and they are watched just as much as guided for the duration of their probation. This introductory period exists as much for the chorus’ security as the covenant’s, for once members are fully inducted, there is truly no turning back.
Factions
The following are Player-created factions.
- Nickname: Children of Izanami
- Focus: Creation & Death
- Book: Custom Faction
- Faction Approval #: IND-JAP-LR-0701-67970
- Revision Approval #: IND-JAP-LR-0704-71599
- Nickname: The Kagaseo; Cult of Passion
- Focus: Chaos, Creation & Blood
- Book: Custom Faction
- Approval Number for Cult: IND--LA-0706-75249
Coteries & Groups
- Circle of Crone in Australia
- Yahualtic Ilama - Mexican Crone that practice the "old ways" of the Aztecs
Links
- Circle of the Crone Wiki
- the Vampire Directory
- the Camarilla's Guide to Spirit Crúac
- Global Requiem Settings Document- Guide to the Eternal Guardian of the Dark Moon - requires access to the Camarilla's Resource Database (CRD)
