Every group has its rebels and conspirators: is it any
surprise that Sorcerers are no exception? Hatiphas
would very much like to root out the Followers of
Ma'at, root and branch, but she's had little success.
She's lucky that she can keep knowledge of the
movement from being common knowledge. She's aided in
this, amusingly enough, by the very nature of the
Followers: they don't Summon demons. In fact, they
avoid doing so like the plague.
The central tenet of the Followers of Ma'at is that
the traditional view of the Cacophony held by most
Sorcerers is fundamentally flawed. Granted, this
isn't precisely news to most celestials, but it is to
Sorcerers: somehow, knowledge of the True nature of
the Symphony has been acquired and institutionalized.
This fact has the potential to be even worse than the
Dozen actually existing, from Hell's point of view.
The Circles that follow the teachings of Ma'at are
somewhat more palatable than groups that do not. They
still remain supremely egotistical (you can't be a
Sorcerer without a strong sense of self), but they
have a valuable sense of perspective that ordinary
sorcerers lack. This makes them cautious, careful,
and quietly terrified of attracting attention from
celestials from either side. Followers of Ma'at do
tend to work extensively with ethereals, however: the
Heliopolitans in particular are carefully trading
knowledge for Essence.
Heaven knows little more about Followers of Ma'at than
most of Hell does. Those that do know usually tend to
not care much anyway. Whether or not this is a
justifiable attitude to take has not yet been
determined. Heaven would benefit from having less
Hellsworn Sorcerers in existence: however, most angels
would immediately point out that Heaven would benefit
more from having no Sorcerers in existence at all.
Mechanics
Followers of Ma'at, having a clearer understanding of
the Symphony, approach their Sorcery in a somewhat
different manner. Their rituals emphasize the
essential balance of the universe, thus giving them a
bonus to removing those entities that are where they
do not belong. Unfortunately, this same sense of
balance actually hinders them when attempting to call
or compel a demon: these Sorcerers subconsciously know
that doing either is fundamentally stupid, which
erodes their confidence and skills somewhat. Needless
to say, no Follower of Ma'at has gotten the Sorcery
Attunement via an Infernal Pact.
Fates and Destinies are tricky issues for Followers of
Ma'at. A Follower that goes to Hell (or Heaven, for
that manner) is going to be a prime security risk.
Many Circles handle the problem through the
traditional hooded robes, cell system, and/or changing
their meeting place every time any of their number
dies. Reincarnation is the ideal for these Sorcerers.
Banish - Followers of Ma'at do not need the
equivalent Summoning rituals to Banish demonlings or
demons. However, Banishing demonlings requires
Banishing/4, Banishing demons requires Banishing/6,
and knowing the true name of a demon has no benefit.
Command - Command Demonling is not available.
Exorcism - All rituals will cost one less Essence than
for normal Sorcerers, and a failure to Exorcise the
subject will prevent the Follower from trying again
for only CD days.
Focus - not affected.
Summon - Followers of Ma'at do not learn how to Summon
demons of any type. Trying to use regular sorcerous
Command Rituals will be at -2.
Enchantment - Followers of Ma'at may add their
Ethereal Forces to Alchemy and Enchantment rolls.
They do not learn Necromancy.
Will-Wars - Followers of Ma'at must make a successful
Perception roll to enter a Will-War. As they do not
normally Summon demons, they are only rarely compelled
to enter into one with a demon, and are thus (if they
enter a Will-War with a Diabolical) at -1 to rolls if
their Summoning skill is below 3.
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