Rite of Sin was a battle team founded by Sith Bloodfyre that focused on a return to darker arts and rituals. Also called the Sinners, the team resided in the Mystics Asylum before its closure in 35 ABY.
Introduction
The Rite of Sin was an addition to the array of cells within House Tarentum. The initial founding of the Team came through the efforts of Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae, along with the first circle who would enact the Rite with the Sith Master. Located within the warded and feared sub-basements of the Mystics Asylum, the Team draws upon the powers of the ancient past, and the history of Tarentum itself.
The First Sinners
The first formation of the Rite was enacted by nine individuals. Those eight who joined with Master Bloodfyre were called through the Force from all parts of Yridia, and were allowed entrance into the dreaded sub-basements of the Mystics' Asylum. The Sinners, as members of the Team are often referenced, draw from the entire spectrum of Tarentum's finest. They represent the newest, as well as some of the eldest that the House has to offer.
As the Rite was enacted, the circle of membership sent ripples throughout the House, and forever changed the fates of those who stood with the Shaevalian.
Apollo, also known in some circles as Hades, had been a friend and compatriot of the Sith Master's for many years. Hades had served as Aedile of Gladius when Bloodfyre had first taken the mantle of Quaestor from his departing friend, Aari Nikus.
Coop Ter'An had suffered loss in the form of family disasters. As the darkness drew out to the Nautolan, tendrils of bonding sought him out through the ancient powers, and drew him to Yridia IX. Though Coop and the Sith Master had not interacted much, the Dark Side had a deep bond with all of its adherents.
Elric Kyes had been cursed with misfortune in a similar manner as Bloodfyre. Both had lost an arm; the same arm, in fact. Tragedy can created some of the deepest ties, even if only with the Force. The connection through the Farce drew out to Elric during the initial preparation for the Rite, and drew him into the path for the Dark Side's own reasons.
Raimi Mistwalker had served as Aedile of Cestus, a House that had been lost to Tarentum during the outburst of Aptrgangr upon Koros. Sith Bloodfyre had seen the reopening of Cestus during his second term as Consul of the great Clan, that would return to being an elite House. Ties of the Force often form even when we do not seek them.
Tyyravis Nami Dantes had been a student of the former Grand Master Sarin, sometimes knows as "Aristan Dantes." Sarin and Sith Bloodfyre have been deep allies for some years. Perhaps the Dark Side had sought out for the Grand Master, but those potent beings can resist any call they do not wish to answer. Or perhaps the Rite sought out to the family, and one who was willing accepted the call.
Ryollo Shaden came to Tarentum in silence, without clarion calls or exhibitions of grandeur. But all within Tarentum had a guardian and ally with the Sith Master. And as new adherents to the path of darkness seek power, understanding and tutelage, the Rite drew out to young blood to induct it into power with the hand of Bloodfyre.
Principal Sin
The first modern enactment of the Rite of Sin was undertaken by members of House Tarentum, forming a new cult-like order within the membership. The Rite itself was hidden throughout the many centuries by the Lords of the Sith, but was revealed in these modern times by Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae, last of the line of Sith High Warriors that had served the Dark Council of the Brotherhood. Whether Bloodfyre had received official authorization from the Grand Master is unknown.
The Rite itself was enacted, as referred to within the materials Tarentum possesses, on the "Night of Madness." Blood-letting and ritual sacrifice was rumored to be a part of the enactment of the Rite. There was also the possibility that the forbidden arts once practiced by Tarentum may have been involved in the Rite, but there had been no clarification made by informed individuals.
Command History
Previous Commanders
- Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae
Background Information: Notes by Dr. Steiner
The Rite of Sin
Team Status: Active
Team Locale: Mystics' Asylum Sub-Basements
Team Leadership: Sith Bloodfyre-Tarentae
Team Membership: Anshar Kahn Tarentae, Apollo, Raimi Mistwalker, Tyyravis Nami Dantes, Elric Kyes, Coop Ter-An, Ryollo Shaden
It seems that the prodigal son has returned, and he has brought some new playmates with him to the place of his origin. Sith Bloodfyre was once one of my patients, along with the rest of the Mystics of the Black Arts, when this Asylum was their home. Since then, it has been turned into a place of medicine, of science, of study.
However, upon the formation of the so-called "Rite of Sin," Bloodfyre returned to the Asylum, broke the seals placed upon the Sub-Basements of the Asylum, and called out to his fellows within the House. The Sub-Basements had been locked away, sealed off from the rest of the current Asylum staff, since they had once been the... "playground" of the Mystics. It was best to leave the memories and the spirits within that place to rest.
As Bloodfyre has returned to restore those memories and spirits to their rightful place, as he states it, the Asylum staff has been warned to remain as far away from those areas as possible.
To the Rite of Sin, though, there is information that has begun to circulate to very specific members of the House, what used to be known as Clan Tarentum. Very few members outside of the Rite itself are aware of its background, its portents, and what it means both to those of the Rite, and to those of us outside of the Rite.
The Rite of Sin is apparently a ceremony passed down through various Sith traditions. As last of the High Warriors, Bloodfyre was the final person to have access to Sith Lore on the level of the Grand Masters, though even some of the mysteries of the Sith were barred from him. However, the Rite of Sin may be one of the traditions of the Sith that the former High Warrior kept in reserve for when it would be required. Or, perhaps for when he would desire its power for himself, when others would not be as observant of him restoring the ritual.
Those who partake in this Rite are referred to as "Sinners," for obvious reasons. Partaking in the rite, while a powerful prospect, was supposedly seen as a threat to the ancient Sith Empire, and would only be allowed to those Sith Lords who had the power to defend themselves from any and all threats presented by their fellows; for this reason, I imagine very few ever partook in the rite.
On the so-called "Night of Madness," which I cannot begin to speculate upon, those who will join in the rite meet in the "depths of despair to form a circle of blood and brotherhood." The ritual chants are said to be inscribed upon the "souls of the oppressed, who will forever serve the rite in bondage." I have questioned Bloodfyre about this aspect of the rite, and he merely replies that the dead have many secrets, which are gained by those who still hold the keys. I assume he refers to the practices of the former-Clan Tarentum being Necromancers. There are rumors that Bloodfyre himself still practices those dark arts, even though they are no longer publicly exhibited by the House. I would ask him further about his meaning, but I know from prior time spent with the Shaevalian, I would get nothing he does not wish to provide. Perhaps in the future.
I have learned from him, though, that the Sinners are required to pay a tithe in blood upon the "Night of Madness," which suggests that each member may participate in blood-letting, either of their own bodily fluids, or of others caught and prepared specifically for the ritual. The thought of this is rather intriguing, I must say. As a scientist, I would love to be able to watch one of these rituals, but I believe I would likely be brought in as a sacrifice by the Shaevalian were I to ask. It has been some time since I held any kind of dominion or respect in the eyes of that one. In time, if I can afford to rebuild the bond that I once had with him, I may ask for an invite. Or, perhaps I will ask for one of my staff to be given an invite, and send them with a recording device.
The power that the rite is said to offer is "the bond of strength from all who raise up their acts of sin, and the powers of those demons who respond to the call." Apparently, demon worship, or demon calling is the end result of the rite. For one who was once known to call and dominate specters and ghosts, I would say that demon calling falls within the expectations of Sith Bloodfyre. And with the wards and seals placed upon the Sub-Basements of the Asylum, I can also understand why he has chosen this place as the headquarters for the Sinners. While I have studied those who use the Force, both the Light and Dark Sides of this mystical religion, I can honestly say that I have never before known the worship of demons, or other beings, except in those who do not see the Force as "an energy field," but rather, as the gift of a god, or deity, or other being who provides gifts to their worshippers, or otherwise.