Cabal Et Astrum

The Cabal of Two Stars is a cabal explicitly built for one purpose – to retake New York and reestablish its Consilium. Made up of young Turks and those who are politically adept from all over the world, it consists of one of each Order, and one of each Path, considered an ideal cabal. The Cabal Et Astrum's formation was overseen by the Hierarchs of Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., who called upon their resources and allies from all over the globe.

Timeline of Cabal Et Astrum

• Arc One: Pallia (who was still known as Antonia) vied against Marcus for the position of Hierarch, all the while inter-cabal strife raged, primarily between herself and Dusk. Ultimately, though, with the threat of the Nemean weighing heavily on their shoulders, Marcus conceded the position, and Antonia changed her name to Pallia. Cabal Et Astrum also contributed one of their Hallows, Good Tidings Manor, to serve as the gathering chamber for the Consilium of the Phoenix.
• Arc Two: As things led up to the Feast of Flesh, Pallia found her job as hierarch more and more difficult, relying on her cabal more than ever to assist her. This was the last straw for Dusk, who nearly left the cabal entirely. Nevertheless, the cabal banded together to accomplish the task they set out to achieve, though things began looking grim after the Evangelists left the Consilium to hunt vampires. The death of Dusk during the Feast of Flesh was a blow, one that has clearly shaken Pallia to her core.
• Arc Three: X

Sigil Banner: The cabal's emblem is the Et Astrum, or two stars - a pair of pentagrams, one imposed over the other, one right side up and the other inverted to form an interlocking ten-pointed star. Within the arms of these stars are the Atlantean symbols for the Paths and the Orders, alternating. Its background is a deep royal purple, which is also the hue of an aggressive aura. Beneath the emblem are all five of the Great Right symbols: the crossroads, scroll, chalice, sword and shield, and the arch above it bears a book, scales, torch and ring, as well as the crossed staves and apple tree branch that mark the Acknowledged Cabals of the Consilium of the Phoenix. At the very bottom of the banner is writ: "in necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas" (In necessity unity, in doubtful things liberty, in all things charity).

Positions

• Farseeker: Cabal Et Astrum's former Farseeker was Dusk. In her absence, however, Noah has taken over in the role.
• Doorwarden: Patroclus
• Hearthmaster: Noah
• Lorekeeper: Faunus
• Edgetender: Pallia

Declared Holdings

• Van Haeltur Building: A large building with offices on the lower levels and apartments on the upper, the Van Haeltur Building's penthouse is made up of two of its topmost floors, all entirely owned by Cabal Et Astrum as a gift from the Hierarchs who sent them here. Declared Cabal Sanctum, Consilium of the Phoenix.Cabal Et Astrum are based out of the penthouse floor of a luxury apartment building, the top floor of which is a Hallow. (Sanctum 8 [Space 5, Security 3], Library 3 [Finances, Hellenic lore, Catholic Christian mysticism], Hallow 3 [Resonance: Luxury])
• Good Tidings Manor: Cabal Et Astrum also laid claim to a manor in the Upper East Side which was built over a very minor Hallow. This they intend to use as meeting place for the Consilium. (Sanctum 6 [Space 5, Security 1], Hallow 1 [Resonance: Nobility]).

Cabal Protocols

• Contact: Those who wish to get in touch with Cabal Et Astrum are expected to call a given phone number. All active members are requested to place the numbers in their records under the name "Stella Deux."
• Creed: The Cabal Et Astrum is dedicated to representing the Awakened in their entirety in New York, and bringing Consilium back to the city. They are also dedicated to finding out what happened during the Feast of Wisdom, and making sure that not only does it never happen again, but that those responsible are punished.
• Requite: Exchanges of favors may not happen on a cabal level.
• Celebration: Cabal Et Astrum has not established any official celebratory events or similar traditions. The cabal meets every full moon, however, to discuss cabal business.
• External Disputes: Conflicts with other cabals or Awakened are to be mediated as quickly as possible; Cabal Et Astrum prefer to act as a force of unification, rather than dispute, and are expected to call on the Silver Ladder to help mediate such disputes. The Duel Arcane is a last resort in dealings with others, and Cabal Et Astrum is expected to be graceful in defeat and generous in victory, sacrificing their own pride and holdings if necessary to keep unity among the Awakened.

Pallia

Obrimos Silver Ladder; Faith/Pride

Hierarch, Consilium of the Phoenix; Adept 2°

Pallia is from Spain, where she Awakened as an Obrimos. She was eventually taken into the Silver Ladder. Though she was born in poor society, she is very much the cultured Spanish lady, conscious of her power and reputation. She is also a devout Catholic.

Magic: Gnosis 5; Forces 4, Prime 4, Space 2, Spirit 2, Time 2

• Active (8 maximum; 4/3 personal): Supernal Vision (Pot 15, 1 month, Tar 2, ConPot 5, 5 hour ritual), Magic Shield/Unseen Shield (Pot 2/2, 1 month, ConPot 5/5, 5 hour ritual), Transform Aura (Pot 22, 1 month, 5 hour ritual), Telekinetic Strike (Pot 2, 14 successes [lethal damage], 8 days, ConPot 5, 5 hour ritual)

Rotes

• Fire of Righteousness: “Influence Fire,” Forces ••, Presence + Intimidation + Forces; Making the sign of the Cross over the fire +1, Speaking a prayer to St. Michael for one turn +1
• Armor of Faith: “Unseen Shield,” Forces ••, Resolve + Occult + Forces; Wearing a protective amulet of St. Michael +1; Tradition Rote: Must be performed after having given Confession.
• Righteous Judgment: “Telekinetic Strike,” Forces •••, Intelligence + Occult + Forces; Speaking a sharp rebuke in Latin +1, Giving the target a chance to atone for a crime first +2; Tradition Rote: This must be used on a target the magician knows has committed a sin, and the magician must offer him the chance to repent and make amends for this to be considered a Tradition Rote.
• Sorcerer-King’s Scrutiny: “Supernal Vision,” Prime •, Intelligence + Occult + Prime
• One with the Court: “Transform Aura,” Prime ••, Presence + Socialize + Prime
• Glorious Visitation: “Communion with the Messenger,” Prime •• + Spirit ••; Presence + Persuasion + Prime; Tracing the sign of Baphomet one turn before +1; Tradition Rote: Must be standing in Holy Cross, in presence of Baphomet, in possession of cipher of angelic name.
• Holy Investiture: “Imbue Item,” Prime •••, Wits + Occult + Prime; Ritual is performed on holy ground +1; Tradition Rote: The item to be Imbued must be a relic of the church, or blessed by a priest.
• Shattering of Sorceries: “Supernal Dispellation,” Prime ••••, Resolve + Occult + Prime
• Cajoling the Spirits: “Spirit Tongue,” Spirit •, Manipulation + Persuasion + Spirit; Setting out a small bit of milk or honey +1
• Banish the Interloper: “Exorcism,” Spirit •••, Presence + Weaponry + Spirit; Wearing vestments +1, Sprinkling target with holy water +1; Tradition Rote: Must quote from scripture and brandish Holy Sword against spirit.
• Sympathetic Ear: “Glimpsing the Future,” Time ••, Wits + Empathy + Time; Observing the target for at least one minute +1, sitting down and discussing the target’s hopes and feelings for an hour +2
• Kingly Bureaucracy: “Library of Time,” Time ••, Intelligence + Academics + Time; Performed in a private study +1, Performed in a study specifically prepared to facilitate this spell +2
• Reading the Past: “Postcognition,” Time ••, Intelligence + Occult + Time

Faunus

'Councilor, Consilium of the Phoenix; Adept 1°

Councilor, Cabal Et Astrum

A scruffy, blonde-haired Thyrsus magus, Faunus is a member of the Mysterium. He is unsure as to the rightness of their mission here, and feels rather swept up by the sudden creation of this Perfect Cabal. But most of all, he is unsure that he is up to the task of what needs to be done. However, he is easily led by Antonia, and somewhat naïve.

Magic: Gnosis 4; Forces 2, Life 4, Prime 1, Matter 2, Spirit 3

• Active Spells (7 max; 1/4 personal): Spirit Tongue/Organic Resilience (Pot 5/2, 1 month, 6 hr ritual)

Rotes

• Beast Shaping: “Control Median Life,” Life •••, Presence + Animal Ken + Life; Performed in animal’s natural habitat +1, feeding animal a bit of food with the caster’s blood in it +1
• Invocation of the Great Beast Soul: “Transform Median Life,” Life •••, Intelligence + Occult + Life; Making symbols on a tablet of wax +1 (+2 if the tablet has a bit of fur or feather from the animal imbedded in its underside)
• Thunder Sage’s Voice: “Exorcism,” Spirit •••, Presence + Intimidation + Spirit; Walking a specific pattern +1, Floor-diagram of Taoist Thunder Magic +1

Patroclus

Moros Adamantine Arrow; Fortitude/Envy

Provost, Consilium of the Phoenix; Adept 2°

A blue-eyed man fond of simple black jeans and jacket with a white shirt, Patroclus is a Moros of the Adamantine Arrow. He is also an initiate of the Perfected Adepts, having Awakened in Greece during a university trip. He was taken in by a cabal of Greek Perfected Adepts who upheld the ideal of the Perfect Athlete, an ideal that Patroclus seeks to embody himself. He is incredibly fit, and exercises frequently, and is a skilled wrestler.

Magic: Gnosis 4; Death 4, Forces 2, Life 3, Matter 2, Time 1

• Active Spells (7 max; 3/4 personal): Supreme Honing (Pot 4, 8 days, +3 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +3 Stamina 5 hr. ritual), Entropic Guard (Pot 2, 24 hours, cast daily), Supernal Vision (Pot 15, 1 month, Tar 2, ConPot 5 — Pallia)

Rotes

• Whispers from Beyond: “Speak with the Dead,” Death •, Intelligence + Occult + Death; Performed at a grave or haunted location +2
• Menace the Corpse: “Corpse Mask,” Death ••, Manipulation + Intimidation + Death; Speaking a threat to the corpse the turn before casting +1
• Imperil the Form: “Decay,” Death ••, Presence + Intimidation + Death; Emitting a sudden shout as spell is cast +1
• One With the Shadows: “Summon Shadows,” Death •••, Presence + Stealth + Death
• Bone-Breaking Blow: “Kinetic Blow,” Forces ••, Strength + Brawl + Forces; Spend one turn “warming up” +1, Wielder knows and uses Boxing +1
• Biofeedback Meditation: “Body Control,” Life ••, Composure + Athletics + Life; Spend one turn in meditation +1, Spend ten minutes in meditation +2
• Calming the Injured: “Healing Heart,” Life •••, Presence + Empathy + Life; Spend one turn speaking to the patient, calming him +1
• Athlete’s Regimen: “Hone the Form,” Life •••, Stamina + Athletics + Life; Actually performing a routine of exercises for at least 10 minutes before casting +1, Working out for at least an hour before casting +2
• Olympian Regimen: “Supreme Honing,” Life ••••, Stamina + Athletics + Life; Actually performing a routine of exercises for at least 10 minutes before casting +1, Working out for at least an hour before casting +2

Noah

Acanthus Guardian of the Veil; Hope/Envy

Liegeman, Consilium of the Phoenix; Disciple 3°

A poet and dreamer, Noah is an Acanthus Guardian of the Veil who has been initiated into the Walkers in Mists. He causes the most problems for Antonia and her methods, though he seems to have a weakness for Faunus and his naiveté, which Antonia is only too happy to use. Noah sleeps where he can, eats when he is invited to, and generally is a curious, prophetic sort.

Magic: Gnosis 4; Fate 3, Matter 2, Mind 2, Prime 1, Space 3, Time 3

• Active Spells (7 max; 0/3 personal): None

Rotes

• Fates Smile on the Unseen: “The Perfect Moment,” Fate ••, Presence + Stealth + Fate; Performing the spell from hiding +1
• To Win Every Game One Engages In: “Bestow Exceptional Luck,” Fate •••, Manipulation + Occult + Fate; Tying a red string to the right arm +1, Tying a red string to the right arm with the heart of a bat attached +2; Tradition Rote: To be considered a Hoodoo Tradition rote, the string or bat’s heart must remain for as long as the conjure-man wishes to benefit from the magic.
• Hunting Talisman: “Alter Accuracy,” Matter ••, Intelligence + Occult + Matter; Possession of the Hunting Talisman, a written incantation +1; Tradition Rote: A conjure-man must rub grease made from an ounce of bear’s fat, half an ounce of badger’s grease, half an ounce of snake’s fat, one ounce of almondoil and a quarter of an ounce of powdered indigo into the weapon to be affected.
• Willow Wand: “Supernal Vision,” Prime •, Wits + Occult + Prime; Prayer spoken to reveal witcheries and sorceries +1, Using a forked wand of willow, yew or apple +1; Tradition Rote: The conjure-man must use the wand to cast this spell.
• Thread Across the Doorway: “Intrusion Warning,” Space ••, Wits + Investigation + Space; Tying thin thread across the area to be protected +1
• Urban Tracking: “Moving Target,” Space •••, Intelligence + Streetwise + Space; None