The Order of the Green Cockerel
The third mystery cult we're looking at are the Order of the Green Cockerel. This fairly new mystery cult pursues the new science of alchemy, aiming to achieve the magnum opus - immortality through the transmutation of the self.
These guys are interesting because on the one hand they are very definitely a mystery cult (the entire approach to the great work is ensconced in mysticism and mystery), but at the same time they transgress hermetic norms in ways mystery cults usually don't - by engaging genuinely with mundane alchemists, and through strong ties to the Islamic world. They have a duality that is at odds with the purely insular nature of many mystery cults.
For the Order of the Green Cockerel there will be presented a high ranking Albatross, one of the members near to achieving the great work and who been with the cult since near its inception. This character can be used as a Mystagogue and link between a player character and the elusive "secret master". Next is a newcomer to the cult, a recently gauntleted magus who can act as an ally or rival to a player character initiate, or as a student to a player character advanced in the mysteries.
Example initiation scripts are given for all seven stages of the alchemical process. Some suggested rules for using mystery initiations to remove flaws, as well as grant virtues, will be given. Some story seeds and ideas for the "Great Convocation" (the meeting of all members every seven years) will also be presented. Finally, some ideas for alternative versions of the great elixir will be given - the secret master has achieved immortality, but only recently. Who is to say their solution is the only possible culmination of the process?