TEXT: Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
  1 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
   
  CULT OF TANIT 
  INTRODUCTION  
  elcome to the Mystery Cults series 
  for the Amazons vs Valkyries 
  adventure setting. The religious 
  cults presented here are just a few 
  of the hundreds that exist in this 
  setting. Some are dedicated to 
  chthonic gods that are almost forgotten, while 
  others worship new deities, such as Alexander the 
  Great. These cults are most common in Greece and 
  the Greek colonies, but also exist in Egypt, Persia, 
  Rome, and Carthage. Even in less civilized lands 
  druids, witch doctors, and other religious leaders 
  join together, keep secrets, pursue common goals, 
  and organize themselves in a hierarchy. 
   
   
  Content Warning! 
  This file contains disturbing content that is not 
  suitable for all audiences. This content includes:   
  • Extreme violence/cruelty  
  • Sexual references  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  W 
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
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  Cult of Tanit 
   
  MYSTERY CULTS  
  Mystery cults are secret societies that exist within 
  religious institutions. Like other secret societies, 
  their existence is well known, but their rituals, lore, 
  and objectives are concealed. Only the initiated are 
  allowed access to these secrets.   
   
  Levels of Initiation. Cult membership is divided 
  into a hierarchy of at least twenty degrees or ranks. 
  Some cults have more than sixty ranks. Only the 
  high priestess (or priest) is privy to all the cult’s 
  secrets.  
   
  Exclusivity. None of these cults require their 
  members to disavow or deny other deities and 
  cults. In fact, many people are simultaneously 
  members of multiple cults.  
   
  Cult Secrets. Only the initiated know the true 
  name of the cult’s deity, and they are forbidden to 
  speak it to anyone outside the cult. At each level of 
  initiation, a different true name is revealed to the 
  member with only the high priestess knowing the 
  actual true name of the deity. Mystery cults also 
  harbor many other secrets and esoteric lore. Some 
  examples are listed on the table below. 
   
  Initiation Fees. Although membership in most 
  cults is open to everyone, initiation rites have fees. 
  These fees offset the cost of the ritual and help 
  support the temple and its ambitions. The amount 
  of the fee increases with each degree and depends 
  on many factors, including how much the applicant 
  can afford and how much the cult leaders desire 
  the new member.  
   
  Initiation Times. Most cults conduct initiations 
  once per year. Common dates include the first full 
  Moon after the Winter Solstice, the Spring Equinox, 
  and the Summer Solstice. The process usually 
  involves preliminary ritual purification, eating 
  sacred foods, and confessing of wrong doing. This 
  takes at least three days and sometimes up to two 
  weeks. The actual ceremony begins at sundown 
  and continues until sunrise. During the ritual, the 
  initiates consume psychoactive substances and 
  venture into a deep cavern where they have 
  unnerving encounters with deities and demons.  
   
  Membership Advantage. Besides access to 
  secret lore and powerful associates, being a cult 
  member has other perks. Membership can mean 
  that your business wins a lucrative contract from a 
  trade guild or local magistrate. It could mean that 
  your child is educated by an expensive Greek tutor, 
  or your competitor suffers a tragic setback.   
   
  Leadership and Members. Cult hierarchies are 
  separate from temple priesthoods. While most 
  leadership positions within the cults are occupied 
  by priestesses (or priests), not all temple 
  priestesses are members of the mystery cult. 
  Likewise, most cult members are not priestesses or 
  employed by the temple; they are private citizens, 
  lawyers, merchants, stage actors, lords, scribes, 
  and princesses. 
   
  NPCs Only! 
   The Cult of Moloch is for DMs to create heinous 
  villains for players to defeat. Players should not 
  play paladins with this oath. 
   
   
  D20 
  Secret Lore 
  1 
  Facts about mythical events  
  2 
  Location of an entrance to the Underworld 
  3 
  Location of a gate to another dimension  
  4 
  Location of a prison holding a demon or deity 
  5 
  Formula for creating magical items 
  6 
  Rare spells  
  7 
  Facts about other planes in the multiverse 
  8 
  Facts about a mythical beast 
  9 
  Facts about distant lands 
  10 
  The true ambitions of a major political figure 
  11 
  Archaic or extinct language(s) 
  12 
  Secret of navigating the tunnels of Europa 
  13 
  Lore of a lost or forgotten civilization 
  14 
  Location of a legendary magic item 
  15 
  Clues or answer to a puzzle or riddle 
  16 
  Location of a sacred site  
  17 
  Lore about a humanoid or monstrous race 
  18 
  Lore of a lost, magic-like technology  
  19 
  Location of a magical island  
  20 
  Lore about the Amazons Vs Valkyries conflict 
   
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
  3 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
  THE CULT OF TANIT 
  Domains: Fertility, Life, the Moon, and War 
  Location: Carthage, Egypt, Spain, Malta, Sardinia 
  Cult Secrets: Seduction, midwifery, martial training 
   
  As the chief deity of Carthage, Tanit rules their 
  pantheon along with her consort Ba’al-Hammon, 
  god of the sky. 
   
  Although she has a consort and is considered a 
  symbol of fertility and sexuality, Tanit is often 
  thought to be a virginal mother goddess. She is also 
  known to be fierce when needed, riding a lion and 
  wielding a spear as she charges into battle to 
  protect the city and people she rules. 
   
  Tanit has no children, but takes it upon herself 
  to protect all of the warriors of Carthage as though 
  they emerged from her own body; for that reason, 
  her symbol is commonly found on their shields as 
  they invoke their mother’s protection and blessings 
  for the fight ahead. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
   
  Members of the cult tend to have a more 
  free attitude toward seduction, but not toward the 
  act of sex itself. While it is fine to seduce someone, 
  whether it be for pleasure or for a purpose, many 
  cult members will draw the line before they 
  actually have sex with a partner. Cult members 
  may even choose to follow the path of Tanit- 
  seduce, take a consort, but never consummate the 
  relationship or have children of their own. 
   
  THE TEMPLES 
  Tanit’s main temple is located in Carthage, and is 
  accompanied by a cemetery for children. Smaller 
  temples can be found throughout Egypt, Spain, 
  Malta, and Sardinia, though they are often hidden. 
   
  It is in these temples that the most 
  objectionable (to the Great Mother, at least) 
  activity associated with Tanit’s worship takes place: 
  child and animal sacrifice. 
   
  Inscribed on the wall of the Great Temple of 
  Carthage are the words: “To our Lady, Tanit, and to 
  our lord, Ba’al-Hammon, that which was vowed: 
  Life for Life, blood for blood, a lamb for a 
  substitute.” 
   
  It is under this chilling inscription that members 
  of the cult bring either their firstborn child or a 
  lamb to be slaughtered, charred, and then placed 
  in an urn and left at the feet of the Goddess. 
   
  RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GREAT MOTHER 
  Tanit is one of the ancient goddesses, and as such, 
  she demands complete loyalty from her followers. 
  Her need for human sacrifice is something that the 
  Great Mother cannot abide, especially because 
  Tanit requires the sacrifice of young children to be 
  satisfied. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
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  Cult of Tanit 
   
  INITIATION 
  Initiation rites are typically held on the winter 
  solstice, the longest night of the year. However, the 
  goddess may intervene and allow a particularly 
  worthy applicant to be initiated immediately, 
  rather than waiting for the annual ceremony. 
   
  FESTIVALS 
  Tanit is not strongly associated with any festivals, 
  but there are some significant days of celebration 
  for her worshippers. 
   
  The Crescent Moon. The crescent moon serves 
  as a potential substitute for the initiation ceremony 
  for the cult of Tanit (see “The Winter Solstice” 
  below). 
   
  The Full Moon. This is when all firstborn 
  children brought into this world during this moon 
  cycle are brought to the temple of Tanit and 
  sacrificed, unless a lamb can be given in their 
  stead. 
   
  The Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is the 
  longest night of the year, the night when the moon 
  is at its most powerful. As such, this is the night 
  when the cult of Tanit welcomes new initiates into 
  their folds. They believe that, under the strong 
  moonlight, Tanit smiles and shines her approval 
  upon them. 
   
  There is an exception to this. If the Winter 
  Solstice falls on a new moon, the cult will wait until 
  the next crescent moon to hold the initiation 
  ceremony so that Tanit may see who they are 
  inducting into their ranks. 
   
  Victory in Battle. The night after Carthaginian 
  soldiers experience a victory in battle, they hold a 
  celebration giving thanks to Tanit, their mother and 
  patron, for blessing them with the strength, 
  courage, and fortitude that was needed to defeat 
  their enemies. 
   
   
   
   
   
  OATH OF THE MOON’S BOND 
  Tanit’s most devoted warriors swear the Oath of 
  the Moon’s Bond under the light of the moon. They 
  vow to never balk from doing what they’re told, 
  regardless of the order, and to live their life in 
  accordance with the tenets of their mother, Tanit. 
   
  TENETS OF THE MOON’S BOND 
  The tenets of the Oath of the Moon’s Bond were 
  detailed centuries ago and do not change.  
   
  Obey Without Question. Orders will be given, 
  and you will obey them, no matter your personal 
  opinion or feelings. 
   
  Make Any Sacrifice. Anything that is worth 
  doing will require a sacrifice; do not be afraid to 
  give up your possessions or loved ones to 
  accomplish your goals. 
   
  Accept Fair Substitutes. Your demands are to 
  be met, but you are also expected to accept what 
  you see as a different, yet still equal, offer if one is 
  made. 
   
  CHANNEL DIVINITY 
  When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the 
  following Channel Divinity options: 
   
  Commanding Weapon. As an action, you can 
  use your Channel Divinity to imbue one weapon 
  that you are holding with the power of the 
  goddess. For 1 minute, you add your Charisma 
  modifier to attack rolls made with the weapon 
  (with a minimum bonus of +1). The weapon also 
  emits a dim light, as though it has become a shard 
  of the moon, for a 20-foot radius. If the weapon is 
  not already magical, it becomes magical for the 
  duration of this Channel Divinity ability. 
   
  You can end this effect on your turn as part of 
  any other action. If you are no longer holding or 
  carrying the weapon, or if you fall unconscious, this 
  effect ends. 
   
   
   
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
  5 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
  Divine Mastery. As an action, you can use your 
  Channel Divinity to obey any order that Tanit has 
  issued to you. As a bonus action, you may select a 
  single skill or tool, and for the next 10 minutes, you 
  may become proficient in it. Instead of using its 
  usual ability modifier, you would use your 
  Charisma to determine success or failure. 
   
  You can end this effect on your turn as part of 
  any other action. If you fall unconscious, this effect 
  ends. 
   
  OATH OF THE MOON’S BOND SPELLS 
  You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed. 
   
  AURA OF PROTECTION 
  Starting at 7th level, Tanit works to actively hinder 
  those who would cause you to fail to complete 
  your orders. While you are conscious, hostile 
  creatures within 10 feet of you have disadvantage 
  on their first attack roll of each turn. 
   
  At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 
  30 feet.  
   
  RETURN TO BATTLE 
  Starting at 15th level, you can use a reaction to use 
  Lay on Hands on yourself when you fall to 0 hit 
  points. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  AVATAR OF THE MOON 
  At 20th level, you have come to truly know the ways 
  of Tanit. You have made many sacrifices to get here 
  and thus the goddess smiles upon you. As an 
  action, you are able to become the earthly 
  representation of Tanit, gaining the following 
  benefits for 1 minute: 
   
  • You automatically succeed on all Wisdom 
  and Charisma saving throws. 
  • Hostile creatures within 30 feet of you 
  cannot take the Dash or Disengage actions. 
  • Roll 2 additional damage die for each 
  critical hit that comes from your melee 
  weapon attacks. 
   
  Once you take this action, you can’t use it again 
  until you complete a long rest. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  Paladin 
  Level 
  Spells 
  3 
  divine favor, command 
  5 
  augury, magic weapon 
  9 
  magic circle, revivify 
  13 
  guardian of faith, death ward 
  17 
  geas, necromantic surge 
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
  6 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
  APPENDIX I: NEW MAGIC ITEM 
   
  TANIT’S EMBLEM  
  Shield (leather, metal, or wood), rare, requires 
  attunement by a paladin 
   
  Carthaginian soldiers often carry shields with 
  Tanit’s symbol emblazoned upon them for good 
  luck and blessings in battle. However, some of 
  these shields are magical and when attuned by a 
  paladin, they manifest special powers, including: 
   
  • +1 bonus to AC (+2 total for leather or +3 
  total for metal or wood) 
  • Hostile creatures within 10 feet must 
  succeed on a Charisma saving throw against 
  the shield bearer’s spell save DC or have 
  disadvantage against the shield bearer on 
  their first attack roll of each turn. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  APPENDIX II: NEW SPELL  
   
  NECROMANTIC SURGE 
  5th level necromancy  
  Casting Time: 1 action  
  Range: Self (60-foot cone) 
  Components: V, S, M (a)  
  Duration: Instantaneous 
   
  A blast of necromantic power erupts from your 
  hands. Each creature in a 60-foot cone must make 
  a Constitution saving throw. A creature takes 8d6 
  necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much 
  damage on a successful one. 
   
  If the target fails the saving throw, its hit point 
  maximum is reduced for 1 hour by an amount 
  equal to the necrotic damage it took. Any effect 
  that removes a disease allows a creature’s hit point 
  maximum to return to normal before that time 
  passes.  
   
  A creature killed by this spell becomes a 
  withered husk. 
   
  At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using 
  a spell slot of 6th level or higher, the damage 
  increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 5th. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  Bloodstone Press                                                                                                                                                Amazons vs Valkyries: Mystery Cults 
  7 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
   
  CREDITS 
  Design and Development. Hannah Wolfe 
  Editing. L.J. Ogre  
  Art. Brian Brinlee and Joao Mileski 
  Some Graphic Elements. Lord Zsezse Works 
   
   
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  8 
  Cult of Tanit 
   
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  System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; 
  Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, 
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  Amazons vs Valkyries: Cult of Tanit, Copyright 2022, Bloodstone Press 
  
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