What’s that?

What’s that? A Chorister without religion? Sure. The Celestial Chorus explores a way for humanity to commune with the One in the role of servant, partner or friend. That doesn’t necessarily mean that Choristers are religious; it means that many have a strong faith. They can feel in their bones the essential rightness of being that comes with knowing that you have a purpose in the universe. It’s a strong thing, to feel like you have a purpose in life. On the flip side, a Chorister doesn’t have to go around spouting Bible quotes or persecuting people who have other beliefs. If you can stretch your imagination to play other characters as heroes, why not the Chorus? A good Christian and a good Chorister are alike in that both have a full measure of compassion, love, tolerance and mercy. Anyone can be spiteful, meanspirited or hateful. To paint all Christians with this brush - even with the specious arguments that Christians tortured people to death in the Crusades or that they persecute people in today’s society (which are things that no good Christian would condone) - is, dare we say it, prejudicial. In short, anyone can be a bastard. You’ll find fanatics in every pot. Show a little tolerance for your fellow man, and look for the good in everyone. The Chorus suffers from practitioners of many different religions all trying to reconcile with individual faiths. At some point, each Chorister feels a twinge of doubt or despair over the many different interpretations of canon. Ideally, the Traditions and the Chorus hope to merge disparate groups in order to create a stronger whole. Yet how much must the individual give up? Where are the lines of compromise? If you have a faith that sustains your soul, will you give it up in order to promote some greater community that shuns your enlightenment? Some days, it’s a wonder that Choristers manage to work with any other mages (or each other) at all. Each Chorister eventually finds this variety a point of strength, though. He takes it as a means to see other views, to reaffirm his own beliefs and to learn to judge every individual on a personal basis. Inspite oftheir tenuous ties to religiousgroupsthe Chorus’ beliefs are heretical to many worldly religionsindividual Singers prosper and thrive on the strength of faith. The Awakening may provide a proof of faith, and the miracles that come with enlightenment certainly C E L ~ L CH~RUS seem to do so, but the Chorister must recognize that such miracles stem from his personal connection to the Divine. While it is the Chorister’s will to perform magic, it is the conviction of faith that makes the Chorister’s will one with divinity. Therefore, the Singer’s whims are simply extensions of heaven. From this faith comes a great wellspring of hope. While other Traditions fight, die or squabble over political and secular agendas, the Chorus knows that a greater fate awaits mankind. The universe may not be caring and nurturing - growth comes through adversity and trial, as shown often in holy writ - but the Chorus recognizes that some greater destiny awaits humanity. Every Singer who sees a greater hand behind creation understands that somehow, someday, humanity will find a way to touch that hand. Choristers are confident that people will speak to and know the Creator some day. In that faith, the Chorus knows that even if the Ascension War is over, if the masses reject faith and the world grinds toward Armageddon, there’s always a door to hope for those who take up the search. C@rn€rnS The Chorus exemplifies reverence as an everyday part of life. In their search for the Divine, Choristers apply the quest of faith to every task. One doesn’t have to be a priest or a prophet to do so. Anyone can live a life filled with the awareness of grace. However, the chorus recognizes that each individual must have a unique perspective on the Divine. The whole of God is too great, and every person is too special, for a single design to suffice for every Chorister. Not that this stops them from trying to establish a sole vision of one deity.. . Since the Chorus celebrates the wondrous variety of creation, Choristers also find room for diversity within their ranks. As you read the tale herein, you’ll find many paths to the divine. Chapter One: St. John’s Words - A historical exploration of the Celestial Chorus and what has occurred since the founding of the Tradition. Also, where Choristers can be found today, as well as what they believe. Chapter Two: Holy Tasks, Sacred Paths - The organization of the Tradition, how Apprentices are found and trained, internal politics and justice, factions, paradigm and foci, Resonance, perks, problems, rotes and artifacts of the Tradition. All the tools of the trade, so to speak. Chapter Three: Scattered Souls - Some key figures in the Chorus (past and present), legends, character templates and advice on how to run a game with a group composed solely of Singers.