Rules

A number of new religions were created when the variety of tribal beliefs of African slaves mixed with European Christianity during the colonization of New World. These new faiths fascinated the Serpents of the Light as much then as they do now. Even though there were fundamental differences in several of these beliefs, many shared at least a degree of common ground. Voudoun, Santería, and Palo Mayombe, for example, all feature communions with spirits that are the personification of various aspects of the world. The worshippers of these spirits could channel their power if the correct offerings and sacrifices were made to them.

The power they wielded became known among Serpents of the Light as Wanga (pp. 165-166). Many Serpents of the Light became practitioners of Wanga because, even though they had turned their backs on Set himself, they knew a powerful tool to help in their own quest for Godhood when they saw one. Many of the Cobras employ the trappings of Voudoun in their practices, which they perform in such a way to emphasize the nature of the power. Cultivating an aura of mystique and dread is characteristic of most wangateurs.

Stylistically, and much to the frustrated confusion of the Tremere that have heard of this Sorcery, Wanga rites are a blend of both Path and Ritual practices. Many powers that have been labelled as Paths have ritualistic components that they require to be successfully cast, and many rituals require little of the effort that a normal thaumaturgical ritual would require. This is the weakness of the Tremere: they try to

codify any new form of magic they discover as just another branch of Thaumaturgy. In some ways, Wanga shares more with Assamite Sorcery than it does with Thaumaturgy, in that it requires the invocation of specific spirits to be successfully cast. Little wonder than that many wangateurs are able to replicate the effects that normally compose the Path of Spirit Manipulation (pp. 142-145). It is also no surprise that Voudoun Necromancy (pp. 87-88) shares many thematic and stylistic similarities with Wanga. After all, it is the same religion they draw upon, although the two focus upon different aspects in different ways.

The Serpents of the Light are widely known to use the Voudoun practices of Wanga to place curses on their enemies and the enemies of those they protect. That said, the Cobras will curse anyone if they are paid enough for their services. While on the surface it appears that they are mercenary in the practice of their arts, this does not stop them from having the same faith and devotion that the other schools of Setite Sorcery have.