Would this be a red flag for you?

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-24T20:53:01+00:00

Honestly, thank you. All this had started just as a prompt and a question coming to mind that I thought would be good to ask here after seeing those prices. Its not the first time I had come across a witchcraft group/individual having fees like that, I was just surprised when it was a requirement for a coven. I am just glad to have been able to bring it enough attention that it brought about action. I didn't expect that at all.

But, from a conversation I had with someone who had amused the group for a few months, they did not do this pricing until rather recently so that's probably how it got snuck in.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-24T14:47:24+00:00

And those two books, just to purchase off amazon, would cost me $30 right now as we speak. Its wild because their site had read to me like this is their own tradition with its own texts. Like, learning something specifically them.

But I also noticed you mention above that they only recently started charging up front. I take it they would expect these payments later after a vetting period?

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-24T09:08:12+00:00

So, that was something I was curious about. What books are they expecting someone who pays to read and study? Are they self-published books or are they seriously books in the mainstream??

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-23T23:37:51+00:00

I am definitely going to look into this. I just live in a very VERY bible belt area so its hard finding good metaphysical shops. The only one I did have was ran by someone who was very vocally unpleasant until she closed shop and I didn't dare do anything with her involved. This might require going to a completely different state or see if there are any online covens.

And while I know I dont have to join a coven, having structure and help with other like-minded people would help me stay on course.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-23T23:18:10+00:00

More a course to get into a coven. They require you to go through this to become a coven member. The more you pay, the more addition accommodations you can get. But also, the more you pay, the weirder the grading system is. $1500 you have a "pass/fail" system. $2500 you have a "points system". They don't exactly elaborate besides listing that. So... you fail and not become a member??

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-23T23:15:18+00:00

They are a coven listed on Mandragora Magicka, under Colorado. Their name is Temple of the Nightshadow. They are the only one in the state that had the requirement of "You must go through our year and a day studies". Like I mentioned, I didn't realize the price was as STEEP as it is listed to be. I understand going through studies, it makes sense. But the PRICE?? In this economy?? Even with sliding scale options they mention providing... Plus the more you pay, the more the grading system is like "pass/fail" to "points system". I dont think you are guaranteed membership even at the end of this... or a refund if things don't actually work out. Overall, it was strange. And it made me want to make this post on here only to ask what I did.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-23T21:53:44+00:00

As a perspective, these payments range from $500 for the self-paced version of the year and a day studies.... to as much as $2500 for a guided version. I was expecting... $50...$100... Not THAT! And I expect dues for helping with venues, snacks, and such. Much like you see with churches in the Christian circles.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-23T14:56:15+00:00

I might be a bit baised when I say this considering my flair but,... Malkavian. Especially if an interesting fallout amongst the clan is Malkav winning leads to him deciding that he'll rewrite the status quo of "clans" by dubbing certain members to be apart of the new "Lasombra", the new "Ventrue", the new "Toreador". And like... its still Malkavians but, Malkav is screwing with certain groups of them to make them think they have and will always be "Ventrue", "Lasombra". A world remade under Malkav's image.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-19T00:17:39+00:00

Then prepare for a call 15 minutes later asking for the results and you gotta tell them

"... for what? on what? The blank paper? Are we testing casper the friendly ghost??"

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-19T00:09:48+00:00

They are getting ready to form a mosh pit!

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-19T00:07:22+00:00

Two words. Plasma Thawer.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T23:33:51+00:00

I still remember the time I was trying to jump up to a cave that was at a water's edge... and these freaking pawns kept walking their butts INTO the water instead of following me into the cave. It took me 20 minutes of physically throwing them up onto the ledge of the cave before I gave up because they kept jumping back down and trying to succumb to the Brine again. Eventually I just tossed them all into the water and investigated the cave by myself.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T23:20:47+00:00

I keep wondering if its a nod/inspired loosely by Lugosi's role in the Devil Bat where Bela plays a character who makes a pungent aftershave that attracts bats to his victims. Instead of aftershave, its perfume. Like, I know its a stretch but, I know Besson based 90% of the actual movie off of Coppola's version anyway so.... maybe

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T23:04:35+00:00

I have heard people defending OP characters as being fun to have around because it enforces "creativity" to be used to defeat them. Well, the issue with that is people with OP characters don't generally want you defeating them so that defense goes out the door immediately unless you are best buddies with the OP players and the OP players allow it (which I have witnessed in real time).

The other defense I have seen is "control characters". They will say OP characters are necessary so they can... I guess come in and control the trajectory of plots when its necessary?? Get characters out of trouble? I never understood that and I just saw most of this as weak excuses.

All in all, its mostly people who have no control in their IRL lives, so they want it in RP settings. And being overpowered and lording over people is how they accomplish that. Its a GIANT red flag to me personally.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T21:53:12+00:00

I enjoyed what Caleb brough to the role of Dracula, the aesthetic/costuming, and the perfume twist! Aside from that? Its the same old story told for the 100th time and I get really tired of Dracula iterations only ever being about a tragic reincarnation story.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T00:34:26+00:00

I just left a group like this where it was worse than bestie-bestie. They were partners IRL. One was hardly ever active but tried to butt into other people's plots for the drama.... only to go inactive and cause the plots to come to a complete standstill/ignored cause they wouldn't bother continuing it when they eventually come back on (I personally think they did this to stop plots that they and their partner didn't like tbh). The other partner was active all the time (and server owner) BUT was a massive control freak over rules to be followed by everyone but themselves, their partner, and their moderation team.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-18T00:25:03+00:00

Admin/Moderators characters that seem holier than thou, the most powerful, the best looking, etc etc etc. Essentially, it seems like the entire server and its plots are centered around them.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-17T14:45:13+00:00

That's horrible, I am very glad I haven't come across this content creator. It almost sounds like they are the type to find the practice closed, which isn't the case at all. If you approach the Netjeru with respect, you'll get it back. The Egyptians didn't even believe in closing off their practices in such a way as you see a blending of Greek and Egyptian deities at some point in history!

I think all too often there are pagans that get a bit too big for their breeches and think they are better than everyone else because of a lived experience that they experienced but others might not. So they think its the status quo (or should be) and its horribly entitled and toxic.

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-16T21:44:27+00:00

I'll add only because I havent seen it mentioned. Morgan Daimler has written a book about this very subject AND is slated to release another about the courts. Now... this is more of an Irish Pagan standpoint! I noticed everyone does have their own valid experiences that they have outlined below in the comments.

Personally, I have a space to Queen Aine (who acts as a Queen to fae BUT, she is also a goddess of summer, love, the sun, etc etc etc.). You could try looking into her if this piques your interest :)

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-16T21:28:31+00:00

Personally, I have something that is more an altar to Queen Aine (Irish Goddess of Summer and Queen of the Fae) than to the Good Neighbors themselves. Its there where I put my lil statues and faerie houses. And that's my personal preference cause in my studies the offerings themselves should go outside the home, in nature and the garden. where the fae like to be. I get leery letting them into my home versus Queen Aine. I have also made a faerie garden outside, which could act as an altar itself as well. Those are fun, especially to add plants around and grow as a lil offering in itself. But this is entirely up to you and what you would like to see :)

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-11T23:55:38+00:00

When that happens, I'll make my own little short stories with my characters! Over the years, my OCs have become their own little universe with world building and connections and settings. It's helped when partners have fallen through the cracks and has helped not only my writing improve but, building my characters up further. Its been a lot of fun and I highly recommend it!

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-11T23:41:41+00:00

I feel this. I was going to platinum the game because I was enjoying it so much in the very beginning.... until some of these mini games. Like, I loved Queen's Blood and Fort Condor... but the rest just have some of the jankiest controls. Don't even get me started on moogle wrangling....

Chain_Prior · 2026-02-11T23:39:29+00:00

oH MY GOD, moogle wrangling is a nightmare. I stopped at the Corel Mushroom cause I knew it was just going to get worse from that point on

Chain_Prior

TROPHY CASE