Phoenix
The Chaos Firebird
History
Before Time
When the Devil rent the fabric of the World and let in his chaos spawn, several of the spirits that gained entry assumed a material form by possessing a creature of the wilderness. One such spirit possessed the form of a Bird of Prey. Those chaos deities possessing the form runes called followers from among their brethren to fight in the Chaos Wars, Phoenix was no exception. Phoenix led her army of predatory birds and fought along side Zadok and Banuril and Selene.
During the Lightbringer's quest, Phoenix, (who did not like the darkness), embarked upon her own quest for Light which led her to Vulkan, the only Sunfire deity who refused the Quest to rescue Helios from Hell. As he fought in the Darkness. Phoenix came upon Vulkan and wounded him sorely. The wound would not heal and he limped away in search for his brother with his life-blood flowing from a gash in his being. Phoenix followed behind, lapping up his blood and with it took Vulkan's powers of Fire from him. Lucifer refused him aid and cursed him, the smith would have died if his other brother Mithras had not bound his wound. But by then, Vulkan had but a fraction of his former power left, and Phoenix had secured master of the Fire Rune.
The Lightbringers tried to bring Phoenix to Justice for her crime, but when they came upon her, she merely flew away. In rage, the Sungods called upon Helios to strike her down, and he put forth his arm and blasted her to ashes with his terrible-eye. But from the ashes rose a new Phoenix, for now she could not be harmed by that element, for she knew all its secrets. Claiming kinship by blood with the Lightbringers, she now turned upon the forces of Darkness of both Law and Chaos and helped to bring the Great Compromise of Time into being.
Since Time
Phoenix' adoption of the Powers of Fire changed her nature in a subtle fashion and her cult, like Selene, has since left the mainstream chaos cults and in certain, very specialised areas, i.e. not regular Lightbringer dominated areas, has attained a very high degree of acceptance, particularly among the nobility. The cult is not large, but it does have power in certain places.
Life After Death
Cultists believe that eventually they shall achieve immortality after their souls have been purified in the Flames of Phoenix. At the final holocaust, Phoenix' Firebird legion shall fight, but it is not clear upon which side they will fight. Those immersed in chaos say that they shall stand upon the Devil's left side, whilst the less wild members of the cult swear that they shall fight along-side the Lightbringers. The Sunfire cults do not accept this. Phoenix allows her worshippers Death Divints and their own peculiar form of resurrection.
Runic Associations
Originally a Chaos God of Birds, Phoenix took fire from Vulkan and this changed her nature. In some parts of the world, she is now officially given the Disorder Rune instead of Chaos, but this is almost certainly propaganda.
Nature of the Cult
Phoenix is a cult of Fire, but it does not worship the Sun! However cultists infinity prefer the Daylight to Darkness. Darkness is a thing hated by the Cult and the cult is very friendly to Selene for providing a light in the Darkness. Cultists tend towards arrogance, especially those that are noblemen, and despise peasants. In mixed Chaos contingents, Phoenix cultists will tend to assume leadership; and somewhat in awe of their powers, most other cults accede to this.
Socio-Political Position and Power
The cult is small and yet frequently exercises power out of proportion to its size. It is very much a cult for nobles. It is joined by people in Chaotic areas where darkness is feared. Closely associated to Selene, Phoenix nobles often form the aristocracy in Selenite areas. In Moonguard itself their are very few Phoenix cultists, but in the surrounding provinces they form perhaps 20% of the aristocracy and maybe 5% of the common folk.
In Lightbringer countries it does not have a high reputation and is frequently persecuted. However their are several pariah noblemen around Heliopolis, and these head temples of gentry and common folk who do not seem to be interfered with unless they take a chaos feature.
Particular Likes and Dislikes
The cult hates and fears Darkness in any form and also shares the Lightbringer distaste for Undead. The non-darkness Chaos cults are favoured, as are all the Lightbringers save Vulkan who is despised as a weakling. The Lightbringers themselves are never more than neutral to Phoenix. Selene and Zadok and Banuril and of course Primal Chaos are all associates from the Chaos Wars in Godtime. Perhaps due to Selene's influence, all the Lunar cults are regarded highly.
Organisation
Variable, but the High Priest is always uppermost. In Chaos temples the succession is often decided by internecine warfare. In the more lawful
temples, there is a concept of Bloodline
whereby the succession to the old High Priest is one who can claim a blood-link with Phoenix either by
post-cremation resurrection, or by establishing descent from the last High Priest, or any other, or from a were-eagle!
Centres of Power and Holy Places
The cult has no centre of power, but there are innumerable pockets throughout the more feudalised Chaotic provinces and in most Selenite areas.
The pockets
tend to include substantial numbers of the local nobility and so the influence of these temples is considerable. Holy Places
include the Rent, and those places where Vulkan's blood fell upon the earth, (i.e. Volcanoes), and Phoenix lapped-up his ichor.
Holy Days and High Holy Days
Fireday in Illusion Week is the cult seasonal Holy Day. For High Holy Day the cult chooses to commemorate the rising of the Sun at the Dawn of Time upon New Year's Day.
Lay Membership
Lay Membership is open to any race other than creatures of Darkness, and those with fur. Lay Members are expected to work in the temple fields as serfs unless given specific permission by their superiors to do something-else.
Lay Members may purchase Battlemagic at full cost save for Darkness associated spells, (Bludgeon and Darkwall), and may buy full cost training in the weapon skills of 1 and 2-H Scimitar, 1 and 2-H Spear, Small Shield and any Bow.
They must tithe 50% of their income to the temple and give 1 point of POW in worship every Holy Day, and 2 points on a High Holy Day. In return, they receive the benefits of the temple's protection and are allowed to become Initiates one day. They do not get free room and board.
Initiate Membership
| 2D6 | Gift | Geases |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Chaos Feature. No chance of becoming Gorp or Broo | 3 |
| 3 | +1 on Non-Raisable characteristic per 3 geases | 3 |
| 4 | Free Battlemagic spell Firehand | 2 |
| 5 | Free reusable Runespell Speak to Birds | 2 |
| 6 | +10% on Cult Weapon Attack and Parry | 1 |
| 7 | +10% on Non-Weapon cult skill | 1 |
| 8 | +15% on Oratory | 1 |
| 9 | Free Reusable Runespell - Totem Shape Change | 2 |
| 10 | +1 on Raisable characteristic per geas | 1 |
| 11 | Mastery of Non-Weapon skill | 3 |
| 12 | Mastery of Cult Weapon skill | 3 |
Dragonewts, Ducks, Elves, Ogres, Pixies and Windchildren as well as Humans may join the cult. The Initiation test is POW+CHA+10% per year spent as a Lay Members plus 50% if Noble or a Were-Eagle and plus 30% if a Duck. The applicant does not have to have been a Lay Member at all!
All Initiate Members must take one gift and the attendant geases.
They receive their own plot of land should they wish it and the temples serf's may work it for them though they must work 8 hours per day for one season per year.
There are two ranks of initiates. The Fledglings and the Winged. The winged initiates are those who have transformed into Eagles or attained Mastery of Eagletongue, when they have done this, they must take another gift and geas(es). Winged initiates do not have to work the fields and are regarded as warriors working their way towards Runelevel. Fledglings gain no benefits beyond those extended to Lay Members, save that now they need only tithe 10% of their income to the temple after paying for the work of their serfs.
Winged Initiates can gain half price teaching in the spells of Ignite, Firearrow, Fireblade, Ironhand, Light, Lightwall, Glamour, Fanaticism and Firehand, a spell in all respect like Fireblade save that it is cast upon a person and affects his bodily attacks, (like Ironhand).
Cultists receive half price training in 1 and 2-H Scimitar, 1 and 2-H Spear including Javelin, Small Shield, any Bow, Speak Eaglespeech, Hawking and Oratory. Other skills can be bought at full cost save Lock Picking, Hide in Cover, Pick Pocket and Swimming. Winged Initiates may sacrifice for reusable Runemagics on a one use basis.
For every indicated geas, roll on the table below.
| 1D100 | Geas | 1D100 | Geas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Favoured by Phoenix - no geas | 54 | Feliphobia - fear of cats2 |
| 02-06 | Never eat bird meat | 55 | Stygiophobia - fear of the dark3 |
| 07-11 | Never eat any vegetables grown in the earth1 | 56-58 | Defend all unintelligent birds |
| 12 | Always taste the blood of any sentient being wounded by the cultist | 59-64 | Never use blunt weapons; including butt, punch and kick etc. |
| 13-15 | Challenge all Darkness worshippers on sight | 65-67 | Never use Axe |
| 16-18 | Challenge all Wind worshippers on sight | 68-72 | Never use Flail |
| 19-21 | Always challenge to personal combat anyone who shows insolence to a cultist | 73-75 | Use only cult weapons4 |
| 22-24 | Never refuse a challenge | 76 | Never attack in melee with any save natural weapons |
| 25-27 | Distrust all Bagog cultists | 77 | Never leave combat until either opponent or self is dead |
| 28-30 | Distrust all Christos Farlae cultists | 78 | Avenge the deaths witnessed of all birds |
| 31-33 | Distrust all Thanatar cultists | 79-81 | Never allow hair to grow on face or body5 |
| 34-36 | Distrust all Ma Fear cultists | 82-86 | Always wear white scarf around brow displaying Fire Rune in gold |
| 37-39 | Distrust all Darkness Chaotics | 87-91 | Always wear cult badge on left breast6 |
| 40-42 | Destroy all undead on sight | 92-94 | Burn all dead bodies on sight |
| 43-45 | Never speak to anyone in non-Sunlight or Moonlight cult | 95-97 | Never ride animal |
| 46-50 | Double POW sacrifice on Holy Day | 98-99 | Roll Twice |
| 51-53 | Triple POW sacrifice on Holy Day | 100 | Roll Thrice |
- Notes:
- Fruit and berries are permissable, but carrots, celery etc. are not.
- If facing an animal construable as feline, POW×5% or cannot attack, any damage inflicted by creature attacks remaining Hit Points as Fearshock.
- If in the open at night, must have a large light source, e.g. a fire or a night light if indoors. If attacked by any creature of Darkness, then as above.
- Cult weapons are 1 and 2-H Scimitar, 1 and 2-H Spear, Small Shield, any Bow, Beak Attack and Talon Attack.
- Feathers are permissable, but hair and fur are not.
- Cult badge is double-headed eagle displayed with Fire Rune in talons.
Runelord Membership
| POW roll | Iron Weapons and Armour |
|---|---|
| ×1% | 1 and 2-H Scimitar, Spear, 2D6 Arrows, Mail Hauberk and Coif, Open Helm |
| ×3% | 1 or 2-H Scimitar, Spear, 1D6 Arrows, Ring Mail Hauberk, Open Helm |
| ×5% | 1-H Scimitar, Spear, Open Helm |
| Up to 95% | Iron Spear, Open Helm |
| Over 95% | No Iron available! |
The Runelords are the Warrior Nobility of the cult. They specialise almost entirely in combat. An applicant must have been a Winged Initiate for at least one year, have 15+ POW and have 90% in five of the following skills: 1-H Scimitar and Small Shield Parry, 1 or 2-H Spear Attack and Parry, 2-H Scimitar Attack and Parry, Beak Attack, Talon Attack, any one of Bow Attack, Oratory, Flying, Hawking, Speak Eagletongue.
Runelords gain all the normal benefits of their status. Allied Spirits are placed in large birds of prey if the Runelord has 90% Hawking, otherwise in an item of armour. Were-eagles become immune to non-Runemetal weapons.
The Runelord gains Iron weapons and armour according to the table.
If the Runelord criticals a POW×5% roll, he may gain all the items in the best category save for Mail Hauberk and Coif where instead he may specify his own full set of Plate.
The Runelord must take another random gift and geas(es). He is expected to uphold the tenets of the cult. He must choose whether to fight on the
side of Light or Chaos at the final holocaust, and must always answer honestly if questioned upon this point. Those Runelords with chaos features have
no choice and will always answer Chaos
. A Runelord is not permitted to change this allegiance once it is chosen. Runelords of Phoenix are
renowned for their arrogance and bad temper. They have been known to fly into rages over imagined insults. Were-eagles are very fond of suddenly
changing and flying at their attackers in a fiery frenzy.
Runepriesthood
The Runepriests form the spiritual hierarchy of the cult and are considered closer to Phoenix than any other cultist, save Were-eagle Runelords. To qualify, applicants must have been Winged Initiates for 2 years, or be a Runelord. They must have 18+ POW and know Speak Eagletongue at 75%. They must pass a test of (POW+INT)×5⁄2%. They gain all the normal benefits of Runepriesthood. Allied Spirits are always placed in an amulet around the Priests neck. Like Runelords, Runepriests must spend at least one season per year serving the Temple. Runepriests are respected by all members of the cult. Runepriests must take another random gift and geas(es).
DEX based skills are limited to DEX×5%, though DEX may be trained. Flying, beak and talon attacks are not DEX limited.
Runespell Compatibility
Phoenix Runepriests can sacrifice for Absorbtion, Dismiss Elemental I II & III, Divine Intervention, Extension I, Matrix Creation, Mind Link, Shield, Spell Teaching and Warding. The cult does not get Divination as Phoenix still manifests herself upon the physical plane. The cult Summons Small and Medium Salamanders for its elementals, and has the following cult special Runemagic.
One Point Spells
Egg Rite Range: Self; Duration: Permanent; Non-Stackable; Non-Reusable
This spell may only be sacrificed for by a Runelevel. Once sacrificed for, it is permanent until discharged. Upon the death of the cultist, his body
will burst into flames and burn fiercly for 15 minutes, (as the Chaos Feature Highly Inflammable
). When the flames have died-down, in the ashes
will be found a dull egg-shaped stone. This stone contains the life-force of the cultist and if given a Rebirth in Fire, then the cultist will hatch
from it anew. The stone is unremarkable, save for its shape and would easily escape any cursory examination. Once sacrificed for, Divint cannot be
used to bring the character back from Death, this spell preempts that. The cultist is utterly unconscious during this time. He will register on a
Detect Life spell.
Fireshaft Range: Touch; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Can be cast upon any arrow. Adds 20% to the chance of hitting and causes the arrow to inflict fire damage equal to the normal arrow. Stackable with
Firearrow, but not Speedart or Multimissile, (e.g. a longbow arrow with Fireshaft and Firearrow would do 1D10+1+3D6 fire damage). The Fireshaft
damage is subject to impaling.
Imp I Range: 60m; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Converts a Small Salamander into a fiery demonic winged being somewhat like a feathered, eagle headed gargoyle, of STR 2D6+12 SIZ 2D6 and CON 2D6. It
will attack with talons and beak (1D4 and 1D8 plus DB) at DEX×5%. If the elemental spell expires before the Imp spell, then the demon vanishes.
If the Imp is destroyed then the Salamander Spell remains reusable, but the Imp must be resacrificed for. The real terror of these creatures is that
they radiate an aura of flame just like a Salamander, 3D6 damage every round to total hits to anyone in combat.
Speak to Birds Range: 160m; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Enables the recipient to converse with any avian creatures with INT less than or equal to 3. Oratory can be used to influence them.
| POW Roll | Number of Chaos Features |
|---|---|
| ×1% | 3 |
| ×3% | 2 |
| ×5% | 1 |
Summon Chaos Bird Range: 160m; Duration: 1 day; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Summons a random bird, with a chaos feature, determined randomly from the tables below.
Eagles, Hawks and Thrushes will help the caster to the best of their ability. Ravens, Vultures and Demibirds will demand 1 point of Battlemagic POW per 5 points of POW they posses, rounded up, or they will side with the opposition or run/fly away. Penguins are strange birds that appear to be allied to the Darkness Rune in some way, for they hate Fire Cults and will attack on sight any Phoenix Cultist.
It takes 2D6+12 rounds for the creature to appear in a non-chaos area, 1D6 rounds to appear in the chaos zones. For the bird marked with an asterisk, (flightless), times are doubles. Orders must be given with a Mindlink spell or by Eaglespeech, (all understand this).
| 1D100 | Bird | STR | SIZ | CON | DEX | POW | Attack | SR | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01-20 | Eagle | 2D6 | 1D6 | 3D6 | 3D6+3 | 3D6 | Bite Talon | 5+ 4+ | 1D6 1D3 |
| 21-40 | Hawk | 1D6 | 1D3 | 3D6 | 3D6+3 | 3D6 | Bite Talon | 5+ 4+ | 1D4 1D3 |
| 41-60 | Raven | 1D6 | 1D3 | 3D6 | 3D6+3 | 3D6 | Peck | 5+ | 1D3 |
| 61-80 | Thrush | 1 | 1 | 3D6 | 3D6+3 | 3D6 | None | - | - |
| 81-95 | Vulture | 2D6 | 1D6 | 2D6+6 | 2D6+6 | 3D6 | Bite | 5+ | 1D8 |
| 96-98 | Demibird | 3D6+18 | 3D6+12 | 2D6+6 | 2D6+6 | 3D6 | Bite Kick | 5+ 4+ | 1D8 2D6 |
| 99 | Penguin | 1D6 | 1D4 | 3D6 | 2D6+6 | 3D6 | Peck | 5+ | 1D3 |
| 100 | Choose any bird. | ||||||||
- Notes:
- All attacks are at DEX×5%.
- Owls are as per hawks, except talons do a D4 damage, and beaks do a D3.
Totem Shape Change Range: Self; Duration: 15 mins; Stackable; Reusable
Allows the caster to assume the form of an eagle. The eagle's stats will be as if he had become a were-eagle. Each extra point stacked doubles the
duration of the spell. The character will start with 25% plus bonuses in Attacks and Skills.
Two Point Spells
Immolate Range: 160m; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Can only be cast upon a Sunfire Rune cultist of Initiate level or higher. Renders the recipient immune to all fire damage, save dragonbreath, and
makes him burst into flame burning all non-metallic equipment on his body and inflicting damage as an elemental upon a combat opponent. He will fight
as if he had Firehand on. Also confers Countermagic IV. May not be stacked with Absorbtion, Reflection, Shield, etc.
Imp II Range: 60m; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
As Imp I, only converts a Medium Salamander into a 4D6 Imp.
Life Drain Range: Self; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
Bestows upon the caster the ability to suck the blood (CON) and POW from a victim by touch and bite as a Vampire. NOTE: This spell is extremely
chaotic and would be frowned upon by a cultist in a lawful area and would almost certainly lead to persecution, possibly by fellow cultists if it
became generally known.
Three Point Spells
Rebirth in Fire Range: Special; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable
This spell is only cast on Holy Days, when it is used to hatch dead cultists from their eggs, and purify Iron/Gold armour for attunement by Runelords.
If the Egg of Phoenix is found, it can be used to hatch her on the High Holy Day and then she may be asked questions as a form of Divination, or
requested to perform some service. In return she will ask for a similar service from the High Priest and/or a blood sacrifice. After performing the
deed she will fly away and after laying her own egg in a well hidden place, she will sit upon it and destroy her material form by self-immolation.
When hatched, she must be influenced by Oratory and the Priest had better not fail. The Phoenix egg is presently believed to be in the possession of
the Firebird Temple of Karnak where Caesar Caligula Aquilae rules a chaotic, semi-feudalised, but colourful empire.
Subservient Cults
Spirit of Reprisal
In Lawful areas, cultists probably will not take exception to followers leaving the cult, though they will remain persona-non-grata ever after. Many are forced to do so by persecution. However, if a cultist with an unused Egg Rite transgresses, then he is immediately killed through immolation. Also, should Phoenix be hatched upon a High Holy Day, then after the matters arising from her hatching have been seen to, she will pay a visit to all living ex-cultists and demand they return to the cult, or else she eats them.
Chief Eagle Fella
The Totem Shape Change spell was brought to Phoenix by this cultist from his tribe. She gave nothing in return but many were-eagles join her cult and she remains friendly to them.
Vulkan
Phoenix stole her powers of Fire from the Godsmith in a most distasteful manner and all Vulkan cultists hate her and her cult eternally, though they frequently find there is little they can do about it.
Associate Cults
Klute
A premier beastman cult of chaos. They are not as close as they were in the past and the present relationship is strained by the arrogance of the Firebird nobles to the stench of Broos. Still, Klute offers the following spell in recognition of past alliances.
Hammerhead Range: 160m; Duration: 15 mins; Stackable to 4 pts; Reusable; 1 pt
When cast upon a bird-like creature, functions as 2 points of Ironhand and 2 points of Protection, but only affects the head. Cultists call this
spell Hammerbeak
.
Selene
The Moon Goddess and the Firebird Goddess were both renegades from the main stream Chaos Pantheon, they saw this in God Time and always stayed close to each other and it remains true now. Because of this association, Selene offers the following spell.
Delusion
See Selene; 2 pt
Zadok & Banuril
The Chaos Druids fought-side-by-side with Phoenix and the cult might have been a triple one had not the Firebird departed upon her Quest for
Fire
. The cults remain close however and many Firebirds have been healed by the Druids who offer in recognition, the following spell with which
Phoenix so wounded Vulkan.
Wounding Range: Touch; Duration: 15 mins; Non-Stackable; Reusable; 2 pt
Cast upon a weapon, natural or otherwise, any wound caused by that weapon will bleed at the rate of 1 point of Total Hits per round and will require
double the healing. Such a wound is extremely painful and the victim must make a POW×5 roll, or do nothing but writhe in agony and Heal himself.
Primal Chaos
Gives "Chaos Feature" with all the usual implications for 3 pts, non-reusably.
Miscellaneous Notes
Cult Skills
Eagletongue
The cult uses this language for ceremonies and conversing with all forms of birds. It is closely allied to Duckspeech. Ducks and Were-eagles may treat
this skill as own language
, all other races as foreign language
.
Hawking Knowledge Skill; Base 5%; Training 300/600/1200/2400
The mark of a true nobleman. Includes training and care of a bird of prey suitable to the user's station. Noblemen use Falcons and Hawks, Kings use
the smaller variety of eagles or the flashier hawks. No ticks are required for continued training.
Heraldry Knowledge Skill; Base 00%; 200/600/1500/4000
Knowledge of the rules of Heraldry and the ability to recognise a Coat of Arms.
Weapons
Two Handed Scimitar
A huge curved sword, like a scimitar but wielded 2 handed.
| Weapon | STR | DEX | Cost | HP | Enc | SR | Damage | Base | Training |
| 2-H Scimitar | 11 | 13 | 240 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2D6+1 | 5% | 500/1000/2000/EXP |
Cult Spells
Firehand Range: 80m; Focussed; Active; Temporal; 2000sh; 4 pt
Cast upon the recipient's person. causes any attack to inflict 3D6 fire damage instead of the attacks normal damage. If the caster is hit then the
spell goes down.
Relationship with other Bird Rune Cults
The cult is friendly with and to both the known Bird Rune cults of Chief Eagle Fella and Moonbeak. Were-eagles and Ducks both join the cult, Were-eagles in considerable numbers.
Starting Player Characters
Ogres, Were-eagles and Nobles may join by rolling POW×5%. Ducks must roll POW×3%. All other applicants POW×1% to start as a Phoenix cultist.
Non Were-eagles have 50% Attack and Parry in 1-H Scimitar and Small Shield and 30% plus bonuses in a 1 or 2-H Spear, 2-H Scimitar and a Bow of their choice, not Greatbow.
Nobles may also have Hawking and Oratory at 50% plus bonuses. Non-nobles may have 5 skills at 30% plus bonuses save for Lock Picking, Hide in Cover, Pick Pockets and Swimming. All will have Eaglespeech at 30% plus bonuses, save for Ducks and Were-eagles who have 50% plus bonuses. Were-eagles also have 50% plus bonuses in Beak Attack, Talon Attack and Flying. Nobles learn Riding as if they were heavy infantry.
They have the spell Firearrow, and may purchase 3000s worth of spells, priced as for initiates.