The Bull-People, also known as Gudthabak[1], are humanoid shapeshifters who can take the minotaur form of the Old God Bull.[2] They were said to have been born from the shattered horns of the god himself following a battle with Wolf.[3]
Overview[]
History[]
During the Neolithic, the Gudthabak, led then by Sun Rises Gleaming, became aware of the omphalos stones at the heart of most Vinča settlements — specifically, those created from pieces of Bull's heart; further, they knew the deicidal origin of the younger omphalos.[3]
The reason for the minotaurs' demands was their need for the essence of Bull so as to create a new generation. Unfortunately, while Bull's horns could imbue nearby mortals with his power to change them, his heart could not; doing so required painful rites involving the Wolf-blooded.[3]
At some point following the fall of Pangaea, either the Bull-People's society took a swerve, or their oral histories became warped. The "hidden" history kept by modern Bull-People's leaders from the young claim that they once opposed God by reveling in sin, demanding human sacrifice and killing the virtuous.[4]
Modern Times[]
| “ | The safety of the herd is paramount. Its liberty is not. | ” |
In modern times, they are also known as the Baal-Hadad. They often take Helion totems[5], steal wolf-blooded and have six auspices: Bone, Brass, Bronze, Lead, Stone and Wood.[4]
The Bull-People generally take a group of humans as a herd over which they watch, keeping them on the straight and narrow path.[6] They deny their herd the taking of any gods but them.[7]
Baal-Hadad reproduce through a rite they discovered, the Rite of Molech, that has made unnecessary the omphalos stone of Bull.[8] The ritual requires the victim be Wolf-blooded, hence their tendency to steal them.
Unique Aspects[5][]
Sun-Flecked Eyes:- Stampeded Rush:
- Spook the Herd:
- Castigating Brand:
The Rite of Molech[9][]
During this rite, a wolf-blooded (or so-called bull-blooded) victim is bound to an altar made of stone or wood. The victim is weathered in a garland of flowers, often laurel. A burning cluster of sage is pressed to the victim's bare chest while bull-changers slice inch-long slashes into the victim's palms. The victim is forced to drink his own blood (He may do it willingly, if he chooses). All Baal-Hadad participants - there must be three - expend one Willpower point and one Essence point. The bull-god with the highest Strength + Resolve roll must succeed against the victim's Stamina + Composure roll. If the victim wins, the process fails. If the minotaur wins, the rite is a success.
This rite must happen under a visible sun. The rite cannot be concealed by clouds or behind a mountain, and most certainly cannot be performed at night.
References[]
- ↑ WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 215-222
- ↑ CofD: Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras, p. 64
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 CofD: Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras, p. 65
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 219
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 220
- ↑ WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 218
- ↑ WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 215
- ↑ WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 216
- ↑ WTF: The War Against the Pure, p. 217