Author Games: Red Room

Cults

HUNTERS OF ARTEMIS

Summary: A cult dedicated to hellenism and the worship of the Greek Goddess of Hunt, their followers are known to be extremely devoted and loyal to their beliefs. Although an isolated group, their ritualistic slayings in the mountains have gained them media presence in both the dark corners of the internet and the deep web alike.

Beliefs and Practices: Members of this cult are skilled hunters who are known to practice animal sacrifice and purification rituals. They spend their gatherings in meditation and prayer, often bathing and cleansing themselves in khernips or otherwise offering Artemis gifts to gain her blessing. Their inspiration comes from the golden verses of Pythagoras, although their beliefs have become twisted over time as they've reached the point of human sacrifice and often wear the skulls and masks of animals as part of their ritualistic killings. They are known to consume the blood of animals and humans alike, often drinking the blood before offering it to the gods during their ceremonies of worship.

Red Room: At the beginning of each hunting season, members of Hunters of Artemis slay "monsters" on a dark web live stream as part of their grand offering to Artemis. No one knows where they found these unlucky men and women, but rumor has it, they hack and target sinners who cannot be saved. These sinners are then dressed in white from head to toe and purged for the entertainment of red room viewers.

ST. JUDAS

Summary: A network under the guise of a Christian organization, St. Judas is an infamous satan-worshipping cult that's gained a following on the dark web. Their organized criminal behavior has had them on the police radar for years, though no investigation has ever been completed due to complications with officers and journalists winding up missing only days after opening an investigation. They're known to be one of the most dangerous cults to fuck around with, and some say they're supported by corrupt police officers and wealthy political figures, making them untouchable.

Beliefs and Practices: Bizarre sexual acts aside, St. Judas is known to practice a number of blood rituals that include two or more parties cutting each other, followed by the consumption or intermingling of their blood in some way. They use human sacrifice as an offering to God whose son sacrificed their own life to cleanse the world of its sins, so in turn, St. Judas offers the lives of others as a reciprocal exchange for the sacrifice. They read bible verses during their sacrifices frequently, and each member is required to attend their Sunday sermons hosted by their leader, Brother Joshua. No other practices have been confirmed but there have been whispers of "free sex" and forced prostitution, as well as the kidnapping and torturing of people off the street to coerce them into a lifetime of worship. Rumor has it, anyway.

Red Room: Once a month, the cult of St. Judas will sacrifice a random group of young men and women in an undisclosed location for their viewers to see. Being a large and expansive cult, Brother Joshua hand selects which members of their cult participate and his preference for an interactive and hands-on experience is what makes their red room so unique. Their targets are the unlucky individuals to have crossed paths with them at some point whether it be through the dark web, meeting one of their members at the bar, or simply being a naive investigator digging too deep in their doings. They get off on human suffering—their red room shows this, and bless the souls who suffer at the words of a viewer who requests to see something darker.