Iteration I

The subject, S-78, is currently being held under observation in a windowless room. No one is allowed to visit him without the Chair’s permission. Until now S-78 has been cooperative and several requests by the subject have been granted. Each Sunday Associate 62 accompanies him to the chapel near the estate to attend a Catholic service. During his time his visage has to remain hidden from the public. If asked, the cover story is the subject has been afflicted with Syphilis. 

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Iteration II

Since the 7th of November, 1861 the subject is no longer in the Association’s custody. However, observations of the Lions of Judah continue as they remain a potential hazard to The Association and its operations. Armed members of the order have been observed near various Rifts and we have reason to assume they are exploring other worlds. Caution is advised.

- Dr. Bourbon

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Description

The subject is an older male, dressed in a robe similar to that of a typical monk. His head is covered at all times by the hood of his robe and he prefers to be addressed as ‘Brother’. In custody, S-78 spends most of his time in contemplation and had requested to attend a Catholic mass each Sunday. During conversations, the subject had also voiced his disdain for non-catholic Christian denominations. Furthermore, S-78 asked for a diet of raw meat and consumes less than the average person. Whether this is due to religious convictions of his unique biology is unclear. Furthermore, his eyes are pinkish and have no pupils. Yet, S-78 seems to have a perfect vision. Especially for a male his age. However, the subject avoids direct sunlight whenever possible. Finally, his face has been disfigured by unknown means, giving him the appearance of an amphibian. His lips are retracted back while his jaws extend forward. The mouth contains a huge anteriorly-attached tongue that he can propel like that of a frog and is able to rope humans and objects larger than himself. S-78 claimed he at one time used his tongue to lift himself up a rafter to escape from a swarm of ‘Demons’. Whether S-78 is capable of this feat, we’ll take his word for it. Despite his traits, S-78 is very articulate and able to convey complex ideas and his own personal philosophies with ease, which he does often.  

 

S-78 was photographed while reading scripture by the light of his own body. Even when photographed in darkness the film is overexposed.

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Detention

S-78 was apprehended in 1860, while Associates were hunting down an artefact, C-29. C-29 is a mirror with anomalous properties, previously owned by a traveling sideshow that was active in Switzerland. The Association caught wind of C-29 when local authorities noticed a pattern among a number of suicides occurring in the wake of the carnival attraction. Unfortunately, by the time the Associates tracked down the carnival, C-29 had already been stolen by a previously unknown cult. This group was located in the French countryside and ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓

▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓. In the fight that ensued during the retrieval of C-29, Associates were forced to shoot a significant number of the order’s members. S-78 stood out due to his unusual appearance and therefore he was taken for questioning, assuming he knew more about the mirror’s origin. 

During questioning, the subject explained the mirror was used during initiation rituals in which a Neophyte could confront its weaknesses and desires. As a ‘Perfect’, it was S-78’s job to guide the Neophyte during the initiation as C-29 no longer has an effect on him. This is because, in his own words, ‘The Lord has already tested him’. 

The following segment is an excerpt from Associates 6 report on the retrieval of C-29 and his initial confrontation with S-78.  

“ […]
Oh, Brother [redacted]. We spotted him in the courtyard of the convent days before our raid, mingling with the human members. He is hard to miss in the dark. I was told there were other disfigured members, but they were gone before I arrived in France so I can’t comment on them. One was described as a huge hunchback in robes.
That night we didn’t intend to go in guns blazing. Unfortunately, our infiltrator underestimated the cultists and got caught. I must give it to them, her abilities are nothing to sneeze at. When we lost contact with her we went in. We caught them unaware at first, but once they realized they were under attack they threw themselves at us like lunatics. It was like being back in India all over again.
I was taking cover when something grabbed me by the leg. It was this, fleshy, slimy… It was as if my ankle got lassoed with an intestine. Then my leg was pulled from underneath me and I got dragged toward this glowing thing hiding in a dark corner of the courtyard. Fortunately, I managed to collect myself and point my revolver at his face. At first, It didn’t seem to be impressed by a screaming man, shaking his barrel in its general direction. But then something weird happened. He froze as he looked me in the eyes. It was like gazing it the [redacted] Void itself. This creature is not afraid to die, yet right there he surrendered. I like to say I took him hostage, but I think he simply allowed me to. Whatever it might be, it worked. Our hostage gave us the opportunity to collect ourselves and getaway. The next morning the gendarmery cleaned the convent out and we collected C-29.
I imagined he came from another world. Just another creature that came through a Rift somewhere. But the [redacted] thing claims he is human! We managed to retrieve his birth certificate and everything but found no mention of any medical conditions in his past. We are keeping a close watch on the monk. He talks back to us like a stubborn geezer but is very cooperative and calm under his predicament. And I don’t like it.

 

Beliefs

After extensive conversations with S-78 we have learned he is a member of a Christian sect called, The Lions of Judah.
According to S-78’s statement, the orders came into existence around the dawn of the 19th century. One night a catholic priest from Italy, father Abraham Albert, was awoken by an angel. The being guided him to a Rift which leads to a paradise, which the Lions claim to be the Garden of Eden. then Alberti was guided through another Rift. This one leads directly to one of the circles of Hell. The angle explained to the priest the Rifts are either divine or satanic portals.
S-78 claims there are nine such Hellgate that serves as portals for satan's legion. They are just waiting for the seven trumpets to be sounded which cues the Apocalypse. The only way for humanity to redeem its wicked ways is by destroying these gates, so the way to the Lord's embrace, Heaven's Gate, will reveal itself. Until then, these Hellgates will continue to corrupt the minds of men.

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Interview excerpt, S78-V

The following is an audio recording of a conversation between Associate 42 and S-78. 

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‘…Brother [redacted], you spoke before about the, um… Hell Gates and how they corrupt humans. According to the church records you were baptized in Montaillou, France… as a human, I mean. Could you explain how you acquired your appearance?’

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‘For our final trial to prove our worthiness we must conjure and put a yoke on a demon. Not only does it prove our purity, but it also allows us to wield power for the Lord in the coming war.’

 

‘Are you… I’m sorry. Did you allow yourself to be possessed?’

 

‘I have challenged the beast to spiritual combat and with God's guidance, I defeated it and acquired its name. I am its master now and he will aid me when the horns are blown.’

 

‘Uhm. I am sorry. But, that sounds like madness.’

 

‘What’s wrong? Does the man of science not believe what his own eyes are telling him? No matter the weapons you develop,  when to end approaches only those who wield the swords of righteousness will prevail.’

 

‘We have studied creatures from beyond the RIfts. We have never seen abilities like this. How have -’

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‘You really think you can prod the Satan out with with a scalpel? No! While you use your microscopes and Rontgen to investigate its host, the Satan reads your mind. Learns your desires and makes those science types see whatever they want to see. They’ll be consumed by their passions and self-righteousness and before they know it they execute the Devil's bidding. Don’t you see? The more you think you know, the more ignorant you become… The old ways are better.’  

 

‘You mean by putting the torch to all progress?’

 

‘We put things to the torch? Once humanity tasted of the tree of knowledge its thirst for more is insatiable. But when it comes to true evil, ignorance is bliss! For the wicked poison the righteous in the most heinous of ways… Now we have allowed so much corruption to enter our societies we can’t separate right from wrong anymore. All we want now is to build machines to serve the fat little men of the future, and pretend to the past is nothing but a stain on the human ethos.
And there you sit, judging the faithful to be some anachronism, while blinded by the religions of the modern age. Oh, the lord is merciful indeed for allowing all of this to go on unchecked.’

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‘Please, explain to me again how allowing an Outsider to poss- You know what, one sermon was enough for today.’

 

‘If you wish. Bless you, my son.’

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Addendum, Incident S-78

Two days after the last interview with S-78, the estate where the subject was being held was attacked by about a dozen members of the Lions of Judah. Among them were two Perfecti, who stood out due to their inhuman forms.
Thanks to the presence of [Redacted] the attack was finally repelled, at the expense of many wounded and maimed security personnel. Fortunately, there were no mortalities. After the incident, a representative of the Chair was dispatched to negotiate with the Lions and managed to arrange an audience with the chapter master. The Lions demanded the return of the Perfect, S-78, and artifact C-29. After some negotiations, both were returned to the Lions.