At the end of every trail of breadcrumbs is a monster, and that monster is usually a witch. There’s something about them that’s almost primordial in a way. I suppose that’s why you’ll find them in the darkest of forests or the grimmest of fairy tales, stealing children or advising a doomed Red King on matters of war.
No matter, beyond the safety of the firelight, is where they dwell, and in Jwar, you can, for an unspeakable price, ask them to aid in another’s suffering. Loremaster Nichiren simply calls it the Ritual of Hate.
There are places in Jwar that you should shun lest you expose yourself to something from beyond your comprehension. There is a darkness that you would not like to find there, a darkness that would no doubt corrupt your very soul if it got inside you.
Sites of murder, execution, violence, and areas of great treachery or battle attract those who would do someone harm. Yuta and yokai flock to these places to draw upon the negative energy and corrupted Ki to fuel their fell deeds.
The Ritual of Hate takes place on the darkest night of the year before midnight. People who wish someone ill or dead gather at these sites to sacrifice animals, imbibe strong spirits and opium, desecrate graves or tomb markers while dancing naked under the starlight.
During the revelry, they should not forget to sing the endless praises of these dark sisters while bowing deeply before them. The ritual requires that the individual you wish harmed or killed be represented by having a piece of their being present such as a nail clipping or strand of their hair. Anything will do, just as long as it either belonged to them or was part of them. It is why those who groom the Emperor burn everything that comes from his body.
The pieces are either burnt or ground then mixed with the blood of the Yuta, sake, the blood of a sacrificed animal, more sake, then the soil from someone’s grave. This concoction is drunk while asking the dark spirits to grant you what it is you wish. If successful, the object of your hate should begin to suffer, mysteriously, within days. But remember, not only have you paid the price to the Yuta, you have indebted yourself unwillingly to Yurei, who would see the downfall of us all…
The Yuta of Yurei have made quite a splash since they were available for pre-order for Adepticon 2020. With their shared Ki pool and powerful spells as feats, the Three Sisters have been terrifying Samurai across Jwar.
Three became four as we discovered the terrible sororicide that preceded their bargain with Yurei and the fate of their once beloved sister. Adding the Gashadokuro skeletons to the Cult’s arsenal has been a source of anguish for all opponents of The Cult. In this box, we also see a new named Kairai, Minarai, to offer more options when raising the unquiet dead.
Hikari, in particular, has gained attention as she can use the Yuta’s Chaos Bolt Ki Feat and automatically win the opposed Ki test since she is soulless. This feat is just another trick the cackling warband offers that fleshes out more ways to play them. So, what will be your Ritual of Hate?
Will it be to add more Kairai and allow Josei to take the lead?
Or have the unquiet skeletons caught your eye?
There’s something dark and delicious for everyone...if you’re willing to pay the price.