Volume 1: Issue 4: Summer
The Breath of God Cryptic Alliance (Zealots) - 4th/Any Tormentor In the days after the apocalypse many faiths that consider the Old and New Testament to be holy scripture began searching the books of Daniel and Revelation to see if the evil, hard days of radiation and mutation meant that they were indeed living in the prophesied times near the end of the world. Revelation Chapter 13 talks of mighty beasts with strange features of various mingled species. It also describes the beasts as wielding great power, the ability to perform "miracles", and even heal themselves. Scriptures such as these, coupled with others (see notes at end), led several of the snake-handling churches in the Southeast to recoil in shock at the abominations of the new "so-called" sentient mutated animals and plants. In the years since the apocalypse these faith groups have evolved into the alliance now known as the Breath of God. This alliance is dedicated to the destruction of all "so-called" sentient animals and plants. They believe that according to scripture (see notes at end), God "breathed into [man's] nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Man was given dominion over all the plants and animals by God. This group believes now that obviously, demons have been given greater power in the world, and just as when Jesus Christ cast out the legion of demons which fled into a herd of swine, so demons now possess some animals and plants and give them the appearance of intelligence, along with other demonic powers. "Pure" animal/plant species, and non-sentient-appearing post-apocalyptic animals/plants, even if they have mutations, are not considered evil by this alliance; those animals and plants are just normal God-given resources for man's use. Mutated humans are treated with respect and/or pity as the case may warrant. The Breath of God believes that mutations in humans that do not give the person any animal or plant characteristics are either gifts (beneficial) or tests of faith (defects) from God. Those altered humans who have animal or plant-like characteristics are stoned and their bodies burned. Any members who receive such gifts as plant control, immunity to certain animal/plant poisons/venoms, healing, summoning, etc, are considered devout and holy believers indeed. Espers are respected, since they can probe and expose even those captured plants and animals which are "possessed with demons" and either cannot speak, or are crafty enough to try to hide from their captors that they indeed have the capability of human-like speech. Even more revered than the Espers, are those most holy members who have the God-given power of exorcism (devolution mutation). If the creature is "cleansed", then it is released. Unless that particular creature is captured again and recognized, the alliance members will never know that the "exorcism" was only temporary (since devolution's effects are not permanent). The group has no qualms about embracing any technology, and will use whatever means at their disposal to further the war against the demonic forces that have spread across the world. While they openly war with the Ranks of the Fit and the Zoopremists, Breath of God members also abhor the Knights of Genetic Purity. They consider the Knights evil since they will indiscriminately kill all altered humans, regardless of their specific mutations. Breath of God zealots will cooperate with reformed groups of the Iron Society to fight against the evil Knights. Members sometimes trade and deal warily with pure-strain-human-only groups of the Archivists, Restorationists, and Followers of the Voice. The Breath of God have a good relationship with the Seekers, who share their views that pure strain humans and altered humans are the only true races. So as not to offend their Seeker allies, members are more than happy to put aside all vestiges of technology during interaction with members of the Seeker alliance. When it comes to the Healers, and the Brotherhood of Thought, the Breath of God are about as popular as are the Friends of Entropy. Healers may grudgingly offer assistance to Breath of God members if they have not just witnessed some atrocity committed by the wounded zealot. Brotherhood of Thought disciples will flee from the Breath of God to avoid being killed. Zealots consider the Radioactivists to be vile pagans, who worship the false god of radiation. If possible, they will kill any Radioactivists they encounter; this includes pure strain and altered humans. Outright blasphemers of the one true God cannot be tolerated. Traditional Traditional Breath of God members often still carry around deadly snakes, especially those blessed members who have discovered they have a God-given immunity to the particular snake's venom. These members still believe in first attempting to exorcise and save every "possessed" animal and plant they encounter. If the exorcism returns the creature to its plant or animal intelligence, then it is left in peace. If the exorcism fails, of course, the animal or plant will then be killed and burned. Although their historical records show few successful exorcisms, they believe the failure is due to their lack of faith. As strong as their faith is, they feel that if they do not measure up, God will not grant them the power to cast out the demons. They feel that God has commanded them to continue trying to cast out the demons to test their faith.  Reformed The reformed Breath of God members (the majority of the alliance) believe that God simply wants these abominations of animals and plants to be destroyed. The reformed members rarely attempt an exorcism, unless a very holy member is present who has consistently proven his gift to cast out demons in the past. They usually "shoot first and ask questions later." Reformed groups may, however, send agents to "walk among the wicked" for a time, to spy out their evil purposes and aid the alliance's war against them. Disguised agents might be in any town, posing as regular citizens to collect information. Benefits Espers receive one-time starting +1 bonuses to Identify Mental Power and Sense Mental Powers skills. Scouts receive a one-time starting +3 bonus to Hunting skill. Restrictions Only Pure Strain Humans and Altered Humans may be members. The alliance is reviled by sentient animals and plants. Symbol A simple cross and a flame. The flame is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Experience Point Bonus A Breath of God member is eligible for a 10 xp bonus times his current level for any sentient plants and animals that he either kills or "exorcises". Notes The following scriptures are the basis of much of the dogma of the Breath of God. These scriptures, and many others, are committed to memory by the members, and are often recited by them in rituals. Genesis 2:7 "And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Luke 10:19: "Behold, I give unto you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over the power of the enemy: and nothing by any means shall hurt you" Mark 16:17-18: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" Gen 9:2,3,6 "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.  Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man." Gen 1:24-30 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good. And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His [own] image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so." Genesis 3:14 "And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field."