Father Peyote is a Totem of the Fera and of the Nunnehi.
Overview[]
Revered by many Native Americans, peyote is a powerful sacramental drug, not a recreational toy. Peyote can show the way to a noble and fulfilling life. The Wendigo and Uktena Garou have a special relationship with Father Peyote, as do the Kachinas and Surems among the Nunnehi.
Peyote is a cactus; the "buttons" of the cactus are the psychedelic part, eaten like a radish by peyoteists. The name come from the Aztec "peyotl" (its Latin name is lophophora williamsii lemaire). Peyote is never smoked, although it can be ground into a powder for tea and served to those who cannot chew the buttons.
Ingesting a button causes hallucinations (or real spirit world experiences for those who know how to interact with the Umbra). It can cause nausea, so the peyoteist should fast for 24 hours before eating it.
As the drug takes effect, euphoria sets in. As the night goes on (Father Peyote prefers to work at night), good feelings intensify. Colors become more vivid and sounds pleasing. Prayers can gain intense meaning and moral quality. When the euphoria reaches its peak, inner peace and withdrawal from the world set in, and supernatural visions are experienced. To some, Father Peyote himself may appear in any of his numerous guises. However, it is at this time that monsters may appear. If the peyoteist has done wrong to them or the people they represent, Father Peyote will not defend them.
Peyote should not be confused with mescal (sophora secundifora, wild or mountain laurel), whose blossoms are poisonous (aerosol and ingestion). However, mescal is said to "point the way to peyote," for it often grows near the peyote cactus.
Father Peyote is said to be a very old spirit, but no one now knows all the tales of his history. The Uktena say he first showed himself to them when they migrated south from their trek across the land bridge millennia ago. He gifted them with intimate knowledge of the desert regions in which his cacti grew. They passed such knowledge on to their Kinfolk, along with the peyote way: the rules for communicating with Father Peyote.
The Dreamspeakers claim Father Peyote tells different secrets to his many children, and that Garou, humans, mages, and Nunnehi are all given special lore of their own. It is thus useless to argue any doctrine gained from him, for he gives each person different insights.
There are some, though, who whisper that Father Peyote has been touched by the Wyrm and this is the reason for bad trips. They warn that use of peyote could deliver the poor seeker into the lair of the Wyrm if Father Peyote is weak that night. Experienced Theurges scoff at this idea, claiming that Father Peyote has never led anyone wrong who came to him in a sacred manner. If anyone has fallen off the path, they say, it is because of their own will or failing.
- Attitude: Friendly
Image[]
Father Peyote appears in many forms, often one culturally relevant to the peyote ingestor. To Garou, he often appears as a Nuwisha wearing a tall hat.
Habitat[]
Father Peyote is anywhere his plants are; he is with those who partake of his gift.
Traits & Ban[]
- Background Cost: 7 for Fera or 4 for Nunnehi
Traits[]
Followers of Father Peyote each gain two extra points of Gnosis (Medicine for Nunnehi) per story, regardless of their permanent ratings. In addition, they may add one to their Rituals and Enigmas Knowledges.
Ban[]
Peyoteists must commune with peyote (take peyote in a sacramental manner) at least once per season, and they must uphold their cultural values.
Correspondences[]
Spiritual[]
Material[]
The buttons of the peyote cactus. Father Peyote can only be contacted by those under the influence of the psychedelic plant. Additional aids (helpful, but not necessary) include drums and rattles to call spirit friends during the peyote experience.
Gift Lore[]
The spirits Father Peyote sends to his children on their peyote journeys can teach Gifts that provide secret knowledge, such as prophesy or clairvoyance. Examples are Sight from Beyond (Theurge, level 2) and Wisdom of the Ancient Ways (Philodox, level three). Nunnehi children may learn such things as Soothsay cantrips.
Taboos[]
Those who seek to commune with Father Peyote should be pure in mind and body. Impurities may attract evil spirits, even Banes. Impurities can be thoughts of anger or hate, but they can also be toxins in the body (beer, modern food additives, etc). To cleanse oneself before meeting Father Peyote, a peyoteist can take a sweat bath. Also, tobacco and sage help cleanse oneself and the elements around.
Chiminage[]
Father Peyote asks only that his seekers walk on the Earth in a sacred manner. Failure to do so might bring bad trips.
References[]
- WTA: Axis Mundi: The Book of Spirits, p. 119-120