The Rite of Solomon is a set of powerful occult workings with the name being related to the eponymous king.
Description[]
When executed properly, it is capable of instigating what the Global Occult Coalition describe as a GR-Class Hostile Demiurge Event. Completing the Rite allows for the arbitrary reassignment of thaumaturgic capabilities as well as making fundamental changes to the nature of thaumaturgy, enabling the user to gain complete control over the distribution of occult ability among the human population.
Completion of the Rite requires the performance of two distinct workings and results in the creation of a deific entity to serve as a demiurge capable of enacting extensive control over the nature of thaumaturgy. This involves the use of several artifacts of religious or mythological importance; the working makes use of the collective human belief in a divine power that is present within the artifacts, which is then manifested as a new, actual deific entity. Although the precise extent of the demiurge's capabilities is unverified, recovered documents indicate that it is able to fundamentally alter the basic laws that govern how thaumaturgy can be used and its effects.
The second working of the Rite is used to control the demiurge, and is the mechanism through which thaumaturgy may be restructured at will. Seven artifacts, referred to as “Solomon's Keys”, are required to complete this working. The exact nature and location of these objects is not known to the Federal Bureau of Control nor the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense; however, all seven artifacts are reported to be in Coalition custody. Successfully completing the working grants the user total control over the demiurge, allowing them to enact arbitrary changes to the fundamentals of thaumaturgy. There is currently no known counter-measure to prevent this.
History[]
Background[]
The details of how to perform the rite came into the Hellsing Organization's possession after the capture of Ahnenerbe commander Konrad Weiss in 1944. He revealed the Ahnenerbe's intent to utilize the Rite of Solomon and based on this intelligence which was shared with the B.P.R.D., a joint operation was launched by the Office of Strategic Reserve with the Hellsing Organization, the Order of the Silver Cross, and the B.P.R.D. in the pursuit of preventing its completion.
During this operation, the Ahnenerbe attempted to use the Rite of Solomon to remove thaumaturgic capabilities from everyone of non-German origin as part of their efforts to realize their ideological belief in a superior Germanic race. At the same time, they intended to instill occult abilities in every member of an organization associated with the German government at the time (most prominently the Ahnenerbe itself, the SS and the Nazi High Command). With the capture of Weiss, the High Command of the Nazis installed Wolfram Von List in place of Konrad Weiss to oversee and ensure the successful activation of the Rite of Solomon.
As the war was slowly going against Germany's favor, it would all be for naught as the Ahnenerbe's plans were intercepted by the Allied forces, more specifically the Allied Occult Initiative which consisted of the Hellsing Organization, the Order of the Silver Cross, and the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, who were sent out by their respective superiors to locate and destabilize each of the projects, thereby also destroying the keys. Realizing their enemies are gaining an advantage over them in the supernatural aspect, Von List had his scholars design nine new keys using the magic inscribed inside the Tome. This apparently proved to be successful, with both Von List and Himmler gathering resources to perform the ritual.