Madonna

The First Woman, Cult of Womanhood

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History

Before Time

Madonna is the title given to the First Woman, sister and wife of Azrael and daughter to Matar. She is known by several names. As Matar's daughter in her infancy she is referred to as Hymen. Later, as a symbol of Virginal Womanhood she is called Vesta and portrayed as keeping a candle lit in her window so that her brother could find his way home when he left on his quests for Death. Again as Amazon, she is mentioned as fighting alongside her brother and others against those that would harm the things she loved. As Venus, she seduced many gods in order to create order out of chaos in the Great Darkness, she seduced her own brother and thereby secured her destiny, for by this act she bore many sons and daughters and so became Hera, wife of Azrael and Mother of Man.

Since Time

The worship of Madonna takes many forms, but is always principally a cult of women for women. It offers much to all womankind, from the young virgin wishing for a strong husband to the mighty Amazon Warrior crusading to protect the weaker members of her sex from the ravages of the opposite sex. From the sacred Whore revelling in the seduction of all, to the stately matron raising her children. The cult is large and widespread.

Life After Death

Madonna had a section of the Underworld given to her by her brother/husband upon her demand. Within it are chambers wherein it is possible for all cultists to find the existence that appeals to them most. Madonna is loosely associated to the runes of Life and Stasis and therefore unlike her brother, she allows both Death Divints and Resurrection.

Runic Associations

Many Runes are associated to this cult including Life/Fertility, Stasis. Harmony/Order, Death and Art etc. But the only Runes that can be demonstrated to be firmly attached with any deep meaning are a modified Man Rune called Woman, (or perhaps the Man Rune is a modified Woman Rune!), and Fate, Mastered.

Nature of Cult

The essence of the cult is that it caters for the needs of all women. Somewhere a facet of Madonna , (or a combination of her features), must appeal to every woman. There are classically eight divisions within the cult. Five worship a different aspect of the deity, whilst three worship one of her dualities.

Single Aspect Subcults

• Hymen - Subcult for the young, pubescent, girls. Lay status only.
• Vesta - Virginal tenders of the Sacred Flame.
• Venus - Sacred prostitutes.
• Amazon - Warrior women crusaders dedicated to preventing persecution of women, especially by men.
• Hera - Mothers dedicated to the crucial task of raising families.

Dual Aspect Subcults

• Vestal Amazons - Virginal Soldiers frequently functioning as Temple Guards.
• Venal Amazons - Warrior Women, hard living adventurers.
• Heral Amazons - Warrior Mothers intent upon defending their families with mailed fist.

The cult officially recognises only the first five basic subcults, but cultists that initiate into two subcults do develop an outlook distinct from either of the subcults separately. All cultists join Hymen as young girls and then progress through one or more of the subcults until they feel they have mastered their destiny. The cult's greatest heroines have attained Runelevel as one time or another in all the active subcults, relinquishing membership of one to pass onto another subcult so that its secrets may be mastered in turn.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

The cult dislikes Disorder and Chaos and hates oppression of women, therefore Klute and Viking are hated. Stygia is favoured for teaching Madonna how to cook, her son is not so popular. Mithras taught Amazon the skills of combat and so he is liked, the others of his pantheon are also favoured, save for Rhadamanthus, as he refused Venus' advances and instead arrested her for soliciting. Madonna remains close to her Mother, Matar, and her Husband/Brother Azrael. Poseidon maintains a strange relationship as, although never close emotionally, he would always seek out Venus after any long sea-voyage. Finally Gowrie comforted Vesta with sweet music whilst she was waiting for Azrael and he was much impressed by her dancing, these two are therefore associated.

Organisation

A Temple may consist of less than all five subcults, but it is usual for all to be represented. Hymen, Vesta and Hera are always present unless the Temple is very new. Temples are large buildings set in spacious grounds, usually within a city or within easy access of large populations. The grounds are used primarily for farming and all Temples tend to be proud of their self-sufficiency, those with Venus cultists also tend to be wealthy.

The Temple consists of an Inner Sanctum wherein burns the Sacred Flame of Guidance. The greatest Temple of Madonna, in Heliopolis, has a flame which burns within a crystal minaret on top of a dome, (called by some Madonna's breast), and this shines constantly and can be seen from afar at night. Only women who have never known the touch of man are considered pure enough to tend the flame, and so this task is the prerogative of the Vestals. The cultists will all gather here on Holy Days, Men are never allowed to enter. On Holy Days the Vestal Initiates perform the Sacred Dances, (e.g. Dance of Waiting, Dance of Sorrow, Dance of Death, etc.), to music by fellow Initiates. There is a body of picked Vestal-Amazons on guard at all times to prevent intrusion by impure persons and especially men.

Outside the Sanctum is the Outer Chapel where the Mother Superiors will address the cultists on non-Holy Days and where much training and spell teaching is conducted. Beside this are the living quarters, in the centre of which are the dormitories of the Hymen girls who are looked after by the Hera cultists. Hera worshippers of all ages form the administrative core of the Temple, labour being provided by the Hymen girls, initiates of all subcults and Eunuch slaves. These last form three distinctive groups: rapists caught by Rhadamanthus and given as slaves to the Temple; men guilty of crimes against women caught by the Amazons in, (usually), non-Rhadamanthus places; and volunteers that castrate themselves to join after being examined by a Priestess. The subcults all keep separate quarters centred around the Chambers of the Senior cultist of that subcult. The Senior Cultist's rank and title depend upon the subcult.

The most senior priestess is the "Mother Superior" and is automatically regarded as the head of the temple. Usually she is either a Vesta or Hera worshipper, rarely is she a Venus or Amazon worshipper alone.

There are two reception halls. One is the Hall of Venus wherein men desiring the company of women go. Here the Madame spends most of her time, collecting fees and ensuring the girls are not mistreated or a guest overlooked. There are several private rooms off this Hall where a guest may depart with the woman assigned to him, but many men visit merely to rest and relax in the company of women, here they may eat, drink, bathe, etc. Sometimes a guest or guests get out of hand; there is a bell-pull in each room and several in the Hall, these will bring Amazons to control disturbances very quickly.

The other Hall is for general visits by persons desiring to converse with a Priestess, and for Lay Member women to come and offer worship. Finally there are quarters for those to come with their children to seek refuge from their husbands. These quarters and the Reception Hall are always guarded by Amazons. Aside from the temple-dwelling cultists, some Venus worshippers and many Amazons prefer a wandering life, Venal Amazons are almost invariably extra-templar, usually preferring to join Mithras mercenary regiments or simply follow the wandering life of an adventurer. The rarest adventurers are the Vestal-Amazons, but their are some!

Centres of Power and Holy Places

The cult is very widespread and very common in Lightbringer associated areas. It is generally not powerful in a military or political sense, but some temples have interfered in politics when they have felt that the welfare of women in the community was threatened. Massed units of Amazons in battle have been known, but the cult is not warlike! Amazons have certainly risen to command units composed mainly of men. There are two cities known to be principally matriarchies where the governing body of the city are the Priestesses of the Madonna Temple. There is an island in the sea which is entirely dominated by women of this cult and these keep all men on the island subjugated, being either castrated at puberty or else kept for stud. The cult on this island has a high number of Amazons and a low number of Venals.

Holy Days and High Holy Days

The cults High Holy Day is celebrated on All Deities' Day when the new Hymen girls are accepted into the cult. This is a big day for all cultists and all will attend, including the attached Lay Members. There are five other Holy Days, each of which reflects a facet of the Goddess. The most important festival is the Lighting of the Flame on Fireday, Disorder Week, Dark Season when the cult will gather to witness the relighting of the Sacred Flame of Guidance at the beginning of winter, this is of course very important to the Vestals, but its significance should not be overlooked by the other members of the cult. On Wildday, Disorder Week, Fire Season, the Venal cultists celebrate the Day of Seduction when Venus first seduced her brother. Upon Clayday of Stasis Week, Sea Season the Hera cultists commemorate the results of this upon Hera's Day of Labour. The Amazons hold Godsday of Order Week, Storm Season holy. Finally, the cult offers thanks giving to Matar upon last harvestday, Clayday, Truth Week, Earth Season.

Lay Membership

There are two distinct form of Lay Member, the most common are women who join Vesta, Venus, Amazon or Hera as Lay Members to partake of worship. Most such Lay Members are city-dwelling matrons from all strata of society who usually join Hera. These Lay Members may purchase skill and spell training, but may not rise above their station to Initiate. Mothers who wish their daughters to enter the cult on a permanent basis, (a frequent occurrence as too many daughters in a family is considered a liability), then the first High Holy Day after they reach puberty they are presented by their mothers for Lay Membership of Hymen. The girls spend three years in Hymen and are then required to join one of the other four subcults, the subcult joined depends upon the Hymen applicant's aptitudes and intentions.

As lay members the girls spend five years being taught the subcult specialist skills and the initiate into their specialist subcult provided that they don't fumble a POW×5% roll. As pre-initiate Lay Members, only one subcult can be joined, but once an initiate of one subcult, then the young woman may join any of the other compatible subcults as a Lay Member and initiate when the three relevant skills are at 50%. The cult encourages its members to search for their destiny and allows them to freely leave any subcult and rejoin should they so wish, (provided they still qualify). They are even allowed to leave the cult completely provided they do so to join a friendly cult. Again they may rejoin as long as they break all other cult ties above Lay Member level. As Lay Members, the women can get half price training in all subcult skills and full price training in the skills of compatible sister cults.

Initiate Membership

Any Lay Member may initiate into a subcult provided she has 50% in all three subcult skills. If she is already an initiate of a compatible subcult, initiation is automatic, otherwise they must not fumble a POW x 5% roll. Initiates get normal Divints and can buy full price training in all normal Battlemagics plus subcult special spells as above, but the full price spells are half price and the half price spells are free upon initiation. Skill training is as for Lay Members, save the subcult special skills are as follows.

All initiates are expected to observe all the festivals and to attend the ceremonies dedicated to their subcult.

Compatibility is measured between subcults according to the accompanying table.

Most Vestals spend their day tending the Sacred Flame of Guidance and rarely leave the Temple. Venus cultists usually work in the guest hall and rooms of pleasure, but some opt for the adventuring roll, (most returning to the Temple after a short time outside), or become official concubines of social and military leaders within the community. It is a very frequent occurrence for Temple Venals and concubines to develop a very close relationship with clients and then transfer to Hera.

Amazons may serve in the temple as guards, or form anti-men patrols to protect women from molestation. Some who frankly just love combat may join Mithras as mercenaries or become adventurers.

Hera cultists either remain in the temple if not married, (this does not prevent them from bearing children), and assist in the management of the temple, or else leave with their husbands to raise their own families. Most cultists eventually do the latter.

Runelady Membership

A cultist may become a Runelady of any subcult of which she is initiated. Initiates may become Runelords of two compatible subcults if they so qualify. Hera does not have Runeladies, the other subcults call their respective Runeladies by the following titles:

All gain the normal benefits and restrictions of the status. To qualify, an applicant must have 15+ POW, have 90% in the three subcult skills plus any two other subcult skills. Amazon may not count Mancare or Childcare, Vesta may not count the venal skills and Venus may not count weapon-skills. Each must pass a test related to the subcult, if they fail they can reapply after one year. Inauguration occurs on the subcult's festival or the High Holy Day.

Dancemistresses are given iron stringed zithers. Loveladies receive runemetal jewelry, (usually silver but any runemetal is available), and Amazons receive 1 iron sword and an iron helm. Ally spirits are placed in the relevant iron runegift. Runeladies are expected to serve as leaders to the initiates. All must spend at least one season per year teaching in a temple. In particular, all Amazons must swear to protect women against the ravages of men. Vestals must swear never to let the Flame of Guidance extinguish. Other restrictions and behaviour as for initiates.

Runepriesthood

All that is required to become a Runepriestess is that she must have been an initiate for 1 full year, have 18+ POW and pass a test as follows. All four subcults have their Runepriestesses and their titles and tests are as follows.

Hera Runepriestesses gain Runelord Divint for their children or Hymen girls in their charge. Consecration always occurs on a Holy Day as Runeladies. All DEX skills are limited to DEX×5%, but Vestal and Amazon Runepriestesses can train their DEX. They gain all the normal benefits of their status. They are expected to serve one season per year at a temple Spell Teaching. They must observe all festivals and are expected to attend the ceremonies dedicated to their subcult and to the cult in general.

Runespell Compatibility

Runepriestesses have access to all normal Runemagic plus the cult associate Runemagic and those special Runemagics to which they are entitled.

Runespells pertaining to a particular subcult are marked Vs for Vesta, Vn for Venus, A for Amazon and H for Hera.

One Point Spells

Bless Virgin^Vs Range: 160m; Duration: 15 mins; Stackable up to 4 pts; Reusable
Can only be cast upon a human woman who has never known the touch of a man, (e.g. Vestals). Adds 5%, per point stacked, to all skills for which POW has a positive bonus.

Divination^Vs
As Standard RuneQuest^TMspell. Only Vestals get Divination in Madonna, but as a cult special Runespell initiates may sacrifice for it too!

Face Male^A Range: 160m; Duration: 15 mins; Stackable; Reusable
When cast upon a Madonna cultist who is a Lay Member, but not of Hymen, enables the recipient to stand her ground against any male opponent. Counters all morale affecting spells provided that the recipient does not have a woman opponent or a radically non-human one, (e.g. Dragonewt). Stacking doubles the duration per point or allows simultaneous use on multiple recipients. Can be used reflexively!

Kisstell^Vn Range: Touch; Duration: Special; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Cast by a Venal cultist whilst kissing a "client", she must make her Seduction skill roll and a POW vs. POW attack. Then she may ask one question and if successful the target must answer truthfully. If the target is bewitched (q.v.), then the POW roll is unnecessary. The cult is known to gather political knowledge via this spell. NOTE: This spell does not allow 3rd-degree interrogation, only information that could appear as a throw away sweet-nothing can be conveyed.

Mindreach^H Range: Unlimited; Duration: 15 mins; Stackable; Reusable
When cast, this spell allows the caster to contact any one person with whom they are personally acquainted as the Battlemagic spell Mindspeech. One person may be contacted per point of spell and this person may not be changed after casting.

Seduction^Vn Range: 20m; Duration: Instant; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Cast by a Venal cultist upon a human male, provided that she succeeds in a POW vs. POW roll and makes her Seduction skill roll, then he will become totally overcome by passion for her body. If the victim is bewitched then the POW roll is unnecessary. The caster must do nothing to counteract the flow of events or the spell will be broken. NOTE: The victim will not be unaware of his surroundings and cannot be assaulted by surprise by use of this spell. In such a situation, the victim would be very likely to fight his way out of the Temple and bed her safely elsewhere. Cultists should be careful when casting this spell, as using it against as aggressive combat opponent may just result in their being raped!

Shield^A
As the Standard RuneQuest^TM spell. Amazons gain this as a cult special, it is not available to other subcults. Amazon initiates may sacrifice for this spell.

Summon Small Salamander^Vs
As the Standard RuneQuest^TM. It is not known how Vesta came by this spell, though it has to do with her tending the Sacred Flame.

Summon Spirit of the Hearth^H Range: Special: Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Summons a weak spirit (POW 2D6+6) to defend a dwelling protected at the time of sacrifice by a specifically prepared hearthstone. The spell will automatically activate to summon the spirit upon the dwelling being invaded by person or persons or even animals with hostile intent. The spirit will attack as directed or at random until all the intruders are repelled, or it is destroyed or reduced to less than 3 POW when it will depart. If the spirit is destroyed then the spell must be resacrificed for. A cultist may have only one such spell at a time as the Hearth Spirit is an intimate member of the family. This spell is a very popular one-use spell with initiate Herals. The spirit resides in the Hearthstone and can usually be detected there.

Two Point Spells

Bewitch^Vn Range: Touch; Duration: Permanent; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Cast by a Venal cultist immediately after making love. Causes the client to develop a very close emotional attachment to the caster. He will desire her company all the time and will appear unhappy and even unwell, (POW×5% every day, fumble causes victim to pine), if separated. Rhadamanthus initiates are immune to this spell. A cultist may only sacrifice for one use of this spell. She may gain its reuse only by negating its effects upon a previous victim. It is through this spell that a Madonna Temple frequently interferes in politics by sending a Venus cultist to seduce and bewitch an influential government figure and then influence him by subtle means. Direct confrontation is a last resort!

Purity^Vs Range: Self; Duration: Permanent; Non-Stackable; Non-Reusable
Can only be sacrificed for by Runelevel Vestals. Essentially it is a specific blessing from Vesta upon the purest of her worshippers. Cultists asking for it must make a POW×5% roll for it to be conferred and must undergo a week-long ritual of cleansing before receiving Vestal's blessing of purity upon the High Holy Day or Vesta's Holy Day. If the POW roll is failed, then the POW sacrificed is wasted. It has several effects, as follows.

1. The cultist defends against POW attacks as if her POW were four points higher,
2. The POW cost of Divint is halved,
3. The POW required to heal a Pure Vestal is halved, though the requisite spell must be known,
4. All skills with a positive POW bonus are increased by 5%,
5. She gains a radiant aura of purity around her that will make all women admire her and all men fear to touch her. Unclean men will be unable to meet her eyes, and
6. Finally though the last effects she will gain 1D6 CHA.

NOTE: Defilement of any nature or failing to Divint successfully will break the blessing and she must cleans herself and resacrifice for the spell. A Pure Runelevel Vestal Amazon may go on a quest to ally a Unicorn as her mount.

Smite Brute^A Range: Self; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
When cast, this spell enables the caster to fight any man she has seen mistreat a woman, or knows to have oppressed women in general, as if she had Strength, Coordination and Vigour cast upon her. Amazon's are known for their abilities in fighting against male domination with Sword, Spear and Shield.

Telemport^H Range: Unlimited; Duration: Instant; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Enables the caster to Teleport to her location any person or persons provided that she is in contact with them via Mindreach, and they are willing. The Teleportee will arrive with everything he/she is wearing and holding. But such things as a mount or another person etc., may not be brought. Obviously, unsentient objects and creatures cannot be thus transported as they cannot agree to the request.

Subservient Cults

Spirit of Reprisal

There is no Spirit of Reprisal. As mentioned before, cultists are free to leave if they so wish in pursuit of their destiny. Upon leaving any subcult, all Runemagics pertaining to that subcult will be non-reusable. No-one leaving the cult may rejoin without breaking all extra-cult ties above Lay level.

Eunuch

Mythologically the devoted slave of Madonna. His origins are obscure. His worshippers form another subcult of Lay and Initiate members, they are castrated males and are forbidden to leave the temple grounds except by special exemption by the Mother-Superior.

Associate Cults

Azrael

Madonna has obviously many things in common with her Husband/Brother and in return for providing him with children, he gave her the Hearth Spirit Spell to protect their home while he was away on his quest.

Gowrie

Gowrie befriended Vesta when she was alone, and the two grew closer as she wove dances to his music. Gowrie is the source of the Zither skills and in return cultists, (usually ex-Vestals), often appear in performances on Gowrie stages. Gowrie also gives the following spell even though it is of limited use.

Sleight of Hand^Vs Range: Self, Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 2 pts
Enables the caster to double her skills involving DEX, but not STR. These include play zither, stealth skills, hand thrown missiles with no STR requirement and Defence.

Lucifer

The Healer whether out of love, passion, blackmail or friendship offers the following spell to Madonna, so that she may continue to care for her children and heal their hurts.

Heal^H Range: Touch; Duration: Instant; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 1 pt
Heals all hit point damage in one recipient instantly. Requires a careful ritual lasting one minute.

Matar

Madonna's mother cares for her daughter and her children and so puts a permanent Fieldward around all Madonna Temples and offers this spell to those who leave the Temple.

Pathwatch^A Range: 160m on either side of a path; Duration: 1 Day; Stackable; Reusable; 2 pt
Used by adventurer cultists. Must be cast on a known and visible path or road. Functions as Detect Traps and Detect Enemies. Will detect dangerous potholes as traps and any other natural threat as well as robbers and thieves. Each extra point stacked doubles the duration. N.B. Functions only whilst the caster is awake.

Mithras

The Soldier God bedded Venus during the God Time and later taught Amazon how to use his weapons. The two fought side-by-side in several battles, and he in recognition of this offers the following spell.

Fireguard^A Range: Touch; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 1 pt
Cast upon any shield, will cause it to protect the bearer completely from any flame or darkness-based attack, even a Salamander, provided that it is kept between the fire and the bearer. It also causes all non-Runemetal weapons to suffer 1 point of damage through heat upon striking its surface due to a successful parry. Long wooden hafted weapons take 2 points. Any shield so treated has red-hot metal parts.

Poseidon

The relationship between Madonna and the Sea God is unclear. But it is true that many sailors make an almost religious ritual of visiting the Hall of Venus whenever they berth. As well as paying in money, they also bring exotic gifts from far lands and islands.

Stygia

The Troll-mother taught Madonna how to cook, that she might care for her family in lean times. She also offers the following spell.

Season^H Range: Touch; Duration: Instant; Stackable; Reusable; 1 pt
When cast into any meal whilst cooking, causes the meal to be particularly well cooked. If the meat is fresh, the cook's skill is doubled. It also allows the cook to use old meat at full percentage. One point of spell hides the mortification of a week-old carcass. Stacking doubles the amount of decay that can be negated. No matter how green the meat is, this spell can make it edible and nutritious. Any seasoned meat is noticeable from its spicy flavour.

Miscellaneous Notes

Cult Skills

The types and cost of cult skills are outlined below, here is a brief explanation of those that require it.

Play Zither
Stringed instrument like a small harp, usually laid across the lap, played mainly by a special plectrum. It has a very distinctive sound. The name is onomatopoeic.

Lovemaking
Obvious!

Seduction
The art of seducing a man. Unless combined with the Runespell of the same name, the mood and setting must generally be right. If someone definitely doesn't want to make love, then he cannot be seduced without the use of the Runespell.

Mancare
The art of looking after a man's needs. This includes both his physical and mental well-being. This skill can also be used to influence his judgement upon a matter or decision. Success causing him to recognise the new view point, a special causes him to seriously review his attitude and a critical to make him completely change his mind. The last use requires that the user have a very close rapport with the man involved and it works best if he is Bewitched.

Childcare
The art of bringing-up children, otherwise as Mancare.

Household Management
The skills necessary to run a household. This does not simply mean housework, but actually means keeping stock of the pantry, managing the servants etc. The Mother Superior is always a mistress of this skill.

Cult Battlemagic

This cult has three special Battlemagic spells.

Childwatch Range: 80m; Duration: Instant; Variable
Functions as a Sense Danger and Locate spell when cast upon an individual. Hera cultists use this spell to check upon their children when they are out of sight.

Contraception Range: Self; Duration: Special; 1 pt; 500sh
Cast immediately before making love. Prevents the caster from conceiving and will even counter the effects of Potency.

Passion Range: Self plus one other; Duration: Special; 1 pt; 1500 sh
Heightens the passion of a couple so that they are oblivious to anything going on around them unless it results in severe pain, etc.

Starting Player Characters

Only women players may run Madonna characters!

Any non-Chaotic Townswoman may start in Madonna plus any peasant or noble rolling POW x 5%. Nobles lose any stipends they may have, but may retain their status.

If successful, the character must test to see which subcult she qualifies for. If more than one is indicated than she may choose. At age 21 she may initiate into the subcult with the skills and spells as follows.

Starting Madonna Spells

Sub cult	Spells
Vesta	Ignite, Mobility, Coordination, Farsee
Venus	Contraception,Passion, Glamour, Befuddle
Amazon	Detect Enemies, Bladesharp II, Protection II, Demoralise
Hera	Birthsease, Healing II, Childwatch II, Ignite

All starting characters will have their three subcult skills at 50% plus bonuses and any three of the sister subcult skills at 30% plus bonuses. Except no Vesta cultist or any character hoping to join Vesta can have any skills from Venus.

All Amazon initiates are given a complete set of weapons and medium-infantry armour. Characters without Amazon skills must roll upon the table in Gowrie Miscellaneous Notes, rerolling until they have a weapon suitable to their DEX and STR. This will be known at 25% plus bonuses. Characters gain no other money or equipment and are assumed to have initiated on the most recent Holy Day. Characters may gain stat raises as follows.

Stat Raises

Sub cult	STR	CON	POW	DEX	CHA
Vesta	1	-	1	2	1
Venus	-	1	1	1	2
Amazon	2	1	1	1	-
Hera	1	1	1	1	1