Potent as Gifts of cat magic are, some tasks require more ceremonial rites. Although the Baster, being less social and more individualistic, don't place the same importance on rites as their lupine cousins, some occasions are still significant enough to warrant an elaborate ritual.
Like Gifts, rites involve story elements more significant than the game mechanics. Such rituals are important milestones in a werecat's life, especially the Rites of Kuasha, Need and Moon, and shouldn't be brushed off with a simple "Yeah, you did the Rite of Contrition and everything's fine." Folklore speaks in hushed tones of mad-cat rites, where screeches and yowls could be heard for miles and villagers locked themselves inside, lest they catch sight of the dancing cats even by accident, and be hunted down and ripped into pieces. The Folk are not casual with their rites -- no stranger, not wizard nor werewolf, not mortal nor immortal, is welcome at feline rituals. Play a rite for all it's worth; to a Bastet, it's worth a hell of a lot.
In game terms, Bastet rites function much like Garou ones. Each right level requires at least 10 minutes worth of ceremony to enact, although the cat-folk don't require the various celebrants that werewolf rites do. A cat can only perform rites that she has the Knowledge Ability to understand, and must set aside a ritual space by clearing and preparing a spot for a sacred working. Although the Baster don't have the strict social codes that Garou abide by, they take their rituals fairly seriously. The cat must be in the right state of mind to invoke the proper magics, and among some tribes that may take a bit of preparation in itself.
Overlapping Rites
Many Bastet rites duplicate Garou rites in effect, if not in form. Storytellers and players should work together to define the variations in a rite; for example, a Baster might perform the Dedication Rite only at twilight. The following rites are shared, if not in name, by both werecats and werewolves.
Kuasha: Dedication Rite (Rite of Talisman Dedication), Rite of Contrition.
Moon: Bind the Spirit-Fetish (Rite of the Fetish), Rite of Summoning, Rouse the Sleeping Spirit (Rite of Spirit Awakening)
Need: Rite of Cleansing, Rite of the Opened Bridge
Taghairm: Festival of Flowers (Gathering the Departed)
I will put these rites within each of their respected places among the rites below. Or at least I will try. We shall see.
During a werecat's "apprenticeship," he undergoes many trials and learns many things. Most kuasha celebrate a pupil's progress with a series of rites which they pass to a new Bastet as his teachings end. Most of these rituals are considered Level One rites; once taught, they can be performed at any time. The kkit has earned the priviledge to learn the secrets. The more advanced the rites are taught to brilliant pupils who attain highest levels of knowledge before they finish their training. Of course, if the Tekhmet fails his First Year, or if he has no official training at all, he won't know any of these rites until another Bastet sees fit to teach him.
Speaking of the Name (Level One) - Names have power; thus, all Bastet change their birth names to new titles during their FIrt Year. This rite, performed by the Tekhmet and the kuasha together, "seals" that new name and makes it part of the cat. Traditionally, the Swara mark this rite (and the apprentice) with a ceremonial tattoo, usually across the initiate's chest. The Balam often pierce the newcomer's lip, earlobe or nostrils with a jeweled plug. Simba and Khan mark the rite with a hunt, usually of a human target, in which the initiate tastes the blood of her first kill as a Bastet. Pumonca and Qualmi send their kits on short visionquests, take them to sweat lodges, or offer them ordeal rituals like the Sioux sun dance, while the Ceilican bless their new members in old faerie rings. The more ceremonial Bagheera and Bubasti perform elaborate and formal rites to welcome their offspring; these rituals, which might take as long as a day to complete, often involve two or more elders who have been invited to attend.
Dedication Rite (Level One) - This rite allows a werecat to bind object to her body, allowing these objects to fit her various forms (jeans will grow to accommodate the size increase of the Crinos form, for instance) and accompany the Bastet into the Umbra. Such talismans are most commonly mundane items, for spiritual items such as fetishes and talens remain with the werecat in all forms automatically. A werecat most often performs this rite during the time of day in which she first changed (pryio). Each Prio has its own peculiar ritual.
Rite of Contrition (Level One) - This rite is a form of apology used to prevent the enmity of spirits or Baster whom an individual has annoyed, or to prevent war between septs or tribes. The rite most often involves the enactor dropping to her belly and sliding forward. The ritemaster may also whine or lick his paws or hands. If performed well, however, a simple inclination of the head may suffice. To enact this rite successfully, the Bastet must either give a small gift to the offended individual or, in the case of a spirit, possess some aspect of the spirit in question (for example, a clay falcon if the Baster is appealing ot the totem spirit Falcon)
Rite of Recognition (Level Two) - To be accepted into a new Rank, a Baster must perform this rite before the spirits, his peers, or both. Like many werecat rituals, this ceremony can be done by a solitary cat, and it often is. A Balam in the wilderness doesn't have to travel to the nearest taghairm to be recognized -- the spirits will carry tales of his deeds to other cats. To petition for a new Rank, the cat stands in a circle prepared for the rite with herbs and, if possible, trophies of his achievements. Speaking the ritual phrases, he recites his deeds, relates his accomplishments since attaining the last Rank, and demands to be recognized for what he has done. Is he succeeds, the other agree and delcare his new standing; if not, they tell him why they're dissatisfied and deny his petition. These reasons can range anywhere from a lack of progress to bad politics. The Bastet may only perform this rite once per season.
Passing the Yava (Level Two) - These secrets contain the seeds of survival or destruction for the entire tribe. Passing them on to a youngster is a sign of the utmost trust and pride. Imagine handing a loaded gun to your child and tell him to shoot at a target behind your head; that's the kind of importance the Yava convey. They're not passed on lightly, or to fools. Thus, this exchange, often the last rite between a kit and her mentor, is deeply important. This ritual, traditionally performed at dusk, involves recitation of the three secrets, a reminder of their importance, and an admonishment to keep them safe. The kuasha informs her apprentice that someday he too will pass on the Yava, and that his judgment will reflect the future of the tribe. To betray the trust, even under torment, is the worst crime a Bastet can commit. Before this rite is performed, the mentor scans the area for spirits or other eavedroppers. If the area is clear, the secrets are then passed between elder and kit. Afterward, the two spend their last night together and part ways at dawn. Although they may bery well remain friends, the First Year has ended. The kit is on his own.
Kuasha Degree (Level Three) - With this rite, a teacher passes on the secrets of her teaching, so that the purpil may become a kuasha. Normally, the Degree must be uncovered through the "proper channels" -- that is, the secrets of the rite must be dug out of a series of mentors, contacts and friends, then pieced together. An especially apt Tekhmet might impress her mentor so well that he passes on everything she needs to know before her apprenticeship ends; it's rare, but it has been known to happen. The Kuasha Degree contains all the rites, advice, secrets and preparations a Bastet needs in order to take a pupil, and confers the right to do so. Even so, the elder usually cautions her kit to take a bit of time to see the world for himself before he begins teaching someone else about it. Taking a kit means responsibiliy; most kuashas stress that their pupils must run free for a while before taking on such a burden. At the end of the ritual, the mentor invests her student with the power to take a student of his own, and advises him to do so carefully. In the Degree, a Tekhmet learns how to find taghairms, how to petition spirits, how to find a new-changed Bastet and how to chastise him for doing wrong. It relates the responsibilities and rights the mentor recieves under Bastet law, and offers lots of common wisdom about the feeding and caring of a kit. The Yava is not passed on through this rite -- that requires its own rite. The Tekhmet has been taught how to pass on the tribal secrets, but isn't told what they are until the mentor and student part ways.
These magical rituals can only be performed beneath the glow of Seline and the vault of Ahu. Moonlight is an essential part of all of the following rites, each of them occurs outside after sundown. Although cloudiness won't prevent the rite, it'll make performing it a bit more difficult. Baster often choose full-moon phases to enact such rituals; the strength of Seline makes the rites easier and more powerful.
Moon Rites involke the power of the Bastet patron, stengthening their ties with her and infusing them with her essense. All Moon Rites have mystical effects; tales of them have colored human folklore and superstition for millennia. These are the most sacred rites of all; anyone caught spying on them will be hunted down. This punishment is rarely necessary; Moon Rites evoke such power that any non-Bastet -- including wizards and other shapechangers -- feel distinctly uneasy and physically sick. A breakdown may occur while watching these rites, the effects of the breakdown depends on the spies and the Storyteller, but include insanity, uncontrolled nausea, total panic (as the Delirium) or phantom pains. Vampires and werewolves have been driven to frenzy, while sorcerors have fallen into Quiet as a result of peeking at Moon Rites. Bastet elders, of course, know what such signs betray, and the worst fate -- being ripped apart by angry claws -- often follows a spy's discomfort.
Rite of Warding (Level One) - A simple precaution taken around any site of importance, this rite is typically performed before the guests for a taghairm arrive. By calling up spirits, securing the corners and entrances of the site and charging the safety of the area to Seline, the Bastet sets up an "alarm system" which bars the site against lesser intrusions and alerts the reispeaker against greater ones.
Rite of Summoning (Level Two) - Bastet mystics are adept at calling spirits, be they minor Gafflings, totem spirits or even Incarna. Summoning spirits involves complex rituals, long periods of meditation and tribal mantra chanting. Within the Umbra, this process is far easier. This rite compels spirits to seek those who call them. Furthermore, the spirit cannot escape its caller once the summoning is completed successfully, and it must attend the mystic. Many spirits, particularly minor ones, are too weak to resist a powerful summoning. Powerful ones come out of curiosity. The chance of a successful summoning depends upon the skill of the mystic, the power of the spirit and the strength of the area's Gauntlet.
Rouse the Sleeping Spirit (Level Two) - This rite is used to awaken a sleeping (inactive) spirit. To perform this rite, a Bastet must play a rythm of some form of instrument (drums being the most common). While the Bastet plays, any other participating Bastet pace around the ritemaster hissing and growling in counterpoint to the beat. When performed on a mundane item, this rite enlivens the object's spirit, causing it to awaken and appear in the Umbra. For example, if the rite is performed on a VW bus, any Bastet stepping sideways could see the bus as a true part of the landscape. However, it would appear as a driverless vehicle to anyone in the Umbra. When performed on plants, this rite is known as sanctification. Plant-spirits are generally benevolent, and an awakened plant spirit will lend its powers as though it were a talen (one use). Different plants grant different abilities when sanctified. For example, sanctified foxglove protects against faerie magic.
Rite of Claiming (Level Three) - This mystic secret proclaims the foundation, or transferral of a Den-Realm. To do this, a Bastet travels across his territory on foot, marking the boundaries with scratches, urine and other forms (graffiti, incantations, blood, etc.). When the circuit is completed, the werecat performs the rite in the place where he began, and binds himself to the essence of the place. From then on, the area is his Den-Realm, and he may do what he wants within it. Occasionally, Den-Realms exchange hands; some upstarts take the lands from dying elders, while others receive old friends' territory for safekeeing. This rite is still essential to becoming one with the land; until it's performed by the new owner, it's just another hunting ground. Sometimes, a dying elder will pass the rite along to the newcomer as a gesture of respect. If the Den-Realm has been ripped from her hands, however, the old owner's not likely to help the thief. Although Den-Realms may be expanded by performing this rite again, no werecat can keep more than one separate Realm. Fewer still would give up their lands without a fight. The Den-Realm is the cat's true home, and until she dies it remains a part of her.
Bind the Spirit-Fetish (Level Three) - This rite allows a werewolf to create a fetish (and object with a spirit bound into it). To do so, the Bastet must first cleanse the potential fetish by placing it under running water (sufficiently drinkable tap water counts), burying it in pure earth, exposing the object to constant breezes or suspending it above flame for three consecutive nights. The Bastet must then force or persuade a spirit to enter the prepared object.
Eater of the Dead (Level Four) - The Bubasti alone command this rite, a vile punishment reserved for oathbreakers among their tribe and thieves from outside it. By calling to Sobk, the Egyptian crocodile lord, an elder Bubasti sends the soul of the offender into a labyrinthine spirit realm deep within the ground. Here (they say), the victim is stalked by Sobk, who pursues him, corners him, judges him and may consume his soul. Once a transgressor is caught, the shadowcats bind him for the rite. During the ritual, the offender's tongue is ripped out, his eyes are seared and his ears are plugged up. Special wrappings, prepared in sandalwood oil and honey, are wound around the cat from toes to forehead. Then his head is struck off, followed by his limbs, and the whole mess is burned in an oven prepared for the rite. This ceremony, horrifying in itself, sends the cat's soul to the tunnels of Sobk to be judges. The chase begins as the cat, now whole again, rips out of his bandages and flees into the tunnels. The Eater of the Dead pursues the soul for what seems like weeks, until he finally corners the cat. Biting off each of his limbs in turn, he judges the soul on a golden scale. If the punishment so far is ruled enough, the soul is freed to its final journey. If Sobk doesn't like what he sees, he devours the offender forever.
Call the Four Winds (Level Five) - Cats are renowned masters of the weather. While many Gifts reflect this talent to a small degree, Call the Four Winds affects weather patterns across the whole sections of a country. Unlike many rites, the Call demands the presence of five Bastet. One leader, the ritespeaker, decides what changes to request and begins the ritual. The others take the roles of the four corners of the earth and invoke the powers of each of them in turn. The ritespeaker acts as a center, and stands amid the others in a prepared circle, channeling their power. As the rite progresses, the power builds until the circle is swept through with elemental force. Spirits swirl screaming past the ritespeaker, who sends them up into the sky to bind the clouds and invoke the werecats' will. In time, storms gather or disperse, rain comes, winds rise, blizzards begin, tempests rage or calm... A whole range of weather effects, from dust storms to squalls, can be evoked with a pride of cats, this rite, and a knowledgeable leader.
Rite of Nine Lives (Level Five) - The secret knowledge granted by Seline to the wisest of her children allows them to literally return from the dead. This rite, which may only be performed once in a werecat's life, allows her to return from the dead as many as eight times before her spirit departs for good. To begin, the werecat sets aside a ritual space outside and calls upon Seline's favor. After mixing a bit of blood, water, spit and fur in a bowl, she holds the bowl up to the moon and chants the rite. Once finished, she drinks the broth and hopes for the best. Seline will be the final judge as to whether the cat survives her death or not.
Wishing Waves (Level Five) - By yowling, spitting and dancing around a lake or sea, a werecat can stir the surface into waves. Ceilican who drowned their enemies this way gave rise to tales of witches who danced with cats to create storms at sea. Although this tribe claims to have originated the Rite, the Bubasti say otherwise. In their stories, Bast herself taught her children to wreck invaders on the Nile, and supposedly used it to punish Pharaoh Snefru II, who persecuted her kind.
In an emergency, a wise Bastet can perform certain rites whcih may carry him through the crises. Unlike most rites, these ceremonies take only five to ten minutes; time is often of the essence when such rites are involved.
Jamak Promise Bond (Level One) - Even a cat can need a friend. When a spirit and a Bastet come to an understanding, they offer each other a pledge of friendship. This rite seals that bond; while it has no mystic repercussions, it's considered a formal oath and is taken seriously by both a parties. Standing alone in a clearing or room, the Bastet and her Jamak recite certain promises: to help when possible, to be truthful always, to respect, and to trust. Both sides agree to protect (or to refrain from harming) the other's loved ones, and to meet once in a while to share secrets and good times. The rite lowers the Gauntlet long enough for both parties to exchange a handshake or a kiss, and reduces the difficulty by two if one party wants to cross over to the other side. By the end of the rite, both cat and spirit feel flushed and happy; although it confers some responsibilities to both sides, the Bond carries a sense of fellowship and love. For a while, at least, both partners are united.
Rite of Cleansing (Level One) - This rite purifies a person, place or object, allowing it to be used without fear of Wyrm-taint. The most common form of this rite involves the ritemaster inscribing a circle on the earth, walking widdershins (counterclockwise) around the afflicted person(s) or object(s) while holding a smoldering branch or torch. She must use a branch (perferably willow or birch) dipped in pure water or snow to sprinkle the object or person cleansed. As the ritemaster does so, all Bastet present release an eerie, otherworldly roar in an attempt to "frighten away" and thus banish the corrupting influence. Ideally, this rite is performed at dawn, but it can be performed at any time.
Rite of Fear (Level Three) - A relic of the Madness and the tiger hunts, this rite sends a cloud of terror across the land, conjuring nightmares and spreading panic. Animals may stampede, riots may flare and brave men may decide that now is a good time to leave... To begin the rite, the cat assumes her Crinos form and dances madly, howling her hatred to the moon. As her fury rises, she rips everything around her to shreds, living or otherwise, and flings the pieces across the site. Screeching, spitting, arching and slashing, she sends her fury outwards to infest the minds of everyone in reach. Once there, the terror festers, bursting outward through dreams into waking and sending the locals into a panic. At the end of the ritual she falls exhausted, but has begun a wave of fear that continues until the second sunrise.
Rite of the Opened Bridge (Level Four) - This rite creates a moon bridge, a shimmering portal serving as a mystical means of transportation between two caerns. Such moon bridges are vital links between the sacred spaces of Seline. Once per year, a caern must renew its connection with other caerns to which it wishes to maintain moon bridges. This rite is always held during a moot, and it must be enacted simultaneously by both participating caerns. The primary requirement to open a moon bridge is a moongem, or pathstone as it is most often called. Pathstones are found in the Umbra, and they are often the objects of quests. These extraoridinarily rare stones resemble flat pearls with the imprint of a wolf's paw on one side. It is possible to steal a pathstone from a caern, but such a theft is considered blasphemous, and it may well result in war between two Bastet septs. The rite establishes (or reestablishes) a spiritual connection between the pathstones of two second caerns by way of the caerns' totem spirits. At the rite's culmination, a moon bridge opens between the two participating caerns. During this time Baster from both septs can travel between the caerns to join in a wild revel.
Baster aren't social animals as a rule, so when they gather, certain rituals must be observed. These rites create an aura of fellowship and trust -- essential ingredients for a gaterhing of territorial Folk -- and keep things proceeding smoothly.
During each taghairm, one Bastet is chosen as the ritespeaker, either by the group or by the host of the gathering. From then on, that person carries the respect and responsibility of her office. Most regular taghairms have permanent ritespeakers; these cats gain additional status with the post. Although the ritespeaker performs most Taghairm Rites in that location, she'll often appoint assitants in case she leaves between gatherings, or to help her perform elaborate rites.
Caliah (Level One) - Like the Garou Moot Rite, this ritual opens all taghairms, charging the participants with ystic energy. Unlike the Garou, werecats rarely keep sacred sites. Instead, the Caliah refreshes the Gnosis of all participants and generates a sense of wonder and togetherness. As the ritespeaker chants the histories, rivalries are put aside and quarrels silenced. For a few minutes, at least, everyone present is hamaal, one family.
Festival of Flowers (Level One) - This rite is enacted in honor of the newly dead. A Kuasha or a tribemate of the departed Bastet usually performs the rite. This rite varies dramatically from tribe to tribe.
Grooming the Newcomer (Level Two) - When a new Bastet etners an existing group, she must be welcomed with this ritual; until then, she's considered naa, an untrustworthy stranger. First, the ritespeaker questions the newcomer, often using Gifts like Sense the Truth and Righteous Gaze; she then asks others whether or not they've heard of the newcomer. Some taghairm groups test new visitors with questions, quests or ordeals to see how worthy they might be. If the examination satisfies the ritespeaker and the host of the gathering, they both welcome the newcomer into the group. All attendees rise and greet their new cousin with gestures of affection and offer her gifts of food and drink. From then on, that Bastet is always welcome.
Hanshii (Level Two) - Some grudges can only be settled by force. To keep the peace, a host might demand that quarreling Bastet enter a ritual combat to decide the issue. All attendees and their allies agree to abide by the decision. The formalities depend on the host's tribe, the grudge and the location of the gathering. The combatants are obliged to follow the host's rules regardless of their tribe. The Balam, Khan and Simba favor death-matches more than the other tribes do; Ceilican and Qualmi prefer tests of wit, while Bagheera and Bubasti respect tests of judgment. The Swara often send both parties questing in the Prenumbra, opening a "window" to watch their progress. Pumonca let the elements decide, and sponsor tests by fire or exposure. No use of Gifts or outside assistance is allowed. The rite ensures that both sides play fair; those who cheat are magically marked. As the duel begins, the ritespeaker chants a litany extolling challenge, fairness and honor. From there, she watches what transpires, watching especially for fair play. If someone does cheat, the ritespeaker feels a sharp tingling and calls the contest to a halt. The cheater's skin or fur blazes with a sickly yellow or green light. His punishment depends on the host. If a winner is declared, the despite is considered over. While this often ends the problem, a few Bastet take their grudge home with them and handle it without witnesses next time...
Exile (Level Three) - Taghairms are gatherings of trust; if someone breaks that trust, the others throw him out. The rite marks such betrayals, and carries the stigma of shame to other gatherings. A werecat's future companions may judge him by this sign. When the host has declared an Exile, the other cats must vote. If the majority agrees, the ritespeaker begins the ritual. In some cases, the gathering must decide unanimously; in others, the host may simply demand a majority vote. The rite itself involves a revocation of the Grooming ritual, a recitation of the exil's crimes and usually a few choice words. As the ritespeaker spins a cloak of words, the exile's forehead begins to glow; by the end of the rite, the sigil of an oathbreaker appears. As the glow fades, the sigil remains and the other cats chase the offender from their gathering. If they catch him, they'll beat him to a pulp, but leave him alive to remember his shame. The mark fades from view by morning, but remains a part of the exile's soul. Any subsequent Grooming rite reveals the mark; only the forgiveness of the host (a separate rite of the same Rank) or some powerful quest will wash away the mark.
Festival of Dreams (Level Four) - By inhaling smoke from burning wood and herbs; steam; psychoactive drugs or all three, the collected group enters a vision trance. Depending on the circumstances, they may experience memories of the past, future sight, soul-seeing or simple hallucinations. These complex insights are often consulted for future plans, battles or other tasks which involve the whole taghairm. As the other cats gather in an enclosed circle, the ritespeaker and her assitants begin the fires. Tossing in herbs, wood and stone, they chant, sing and play music as the vision smoke rises. The other Bastet breathe deeply, sharing their essence with each exhalation. As the visions begin, a feeling of peave descends to keep the taghairm from scattering. One by one, the Bastet hit their personal limits and stagger out into fresh air. The last werecat to remain receives a special vision that only she remembers. As the ritual ends, the smoke clears; the remaining Bastet receives gifts of water and affection from her companions, and is celebrated for the rest of the night.
