Historical Background

The Romani people probably emigrated from Rajasthan in northern India to the Punjabi region in
Northwest India around 250 BC. From there they continued their migrations westward. Interestingly, the
Yavana or “Greeko-Indian” kingdom existed from around 200 BC to the turn of the millennia, covering
various parts of present-day Afghanistan and northwest India, meaning that (through my own inference)
the Romani very likely passed through this region on their journey to Europe. Note that Islam entered
Afghanistan in the late 800s and rose to dominance in the 1000s (although the Mongolians ruled from
1219-1370).

(For World of Darkness, I think it is reasonable to assume that the Romani might have begun their
diaspora west a couple of centuries sooner than was actually the case, thus allowing northern Africa and
the Mediterranean to be well populated by the Romani peoples by the turn of the 12 th century).

Etymology:

Savitri: “She who is the illuminator of the three” (an epithet of Kali)
Ugratara: “She whose illumination is fearful” (an epithet of Kali)
Akash: “Upper sky.”

Savitri Ugratara, the Goddess of Dreams (Embraced circa 50 BCE)

Savitri was born to a Brahman family in the Yavana kingdom (Gandhara). Her family was resentful of
Greek rule while nonetheless being fascinated by Greek thought, and Savitri was allowed to study both
Vedanta and Platonic philosophy. From an early age, however, she had been marked by strange,
visionary dreams which even the combined wisdom of India and Greece could not fully explain. Only the
siddhis could really understand the special relationship she had with the other world: the fateful realm
of destiny, of living dreams, and of the mighty goddess Kali.

Just as she reached womanhood, and just before she was betrothed, the siddhis came for her, claiming
that the Black Mother herself had declared that Savitri would become her child. While Savitri’s family
was at first reticent to part with such an intelligent and beautiful daughter, the blessings they began to
receive as a token of the Black Mother's good favor assured them that this was the right path for Savitri.

Savitri traveled for many years as the Black Mother’s companion, crossing back and forth between
south-west Asia and the Mediterranean. These journeys were generally of an astral nature, since the
Black Mother had an auspex power that allowed her to transport Savitri with her during her astral
projections. Together with her sire, Savitri learned the secrets of the fae and of fate, and gained
glimpses into the ultimate meaning of karma, maya, the cycling of the yugas, and the inevitable descent
towards Gehenna.

Savitri Ugratara (Update, circa 700 CE)

Eventually, though, the Black Mother sunk deeply into torpor, only communicating with Savitri in
dreams. At that point, Savitri was free to pursue her own svahdharma, which is deeply linked with the
Romani people who received her mortal blood. As time goes on, however, Savitri has grown more
gloomy; as her visions of Gehenna become more clear, so too does our world seem more tightly bound
by a dark, nigh-unalterable fate.
Savitri, though, has begun to have visions of a special child who would arise among her Romani people
to bring new oracles, new lessons, and new possibilities. He will have a vision and a will capable of
guiding even the very powerful and proud towards their svahdharma, and he will be blessed with hidden
truths which might even show the way through and beyond the Darkest Days.

Savitri Ugratara (Update, circa 800 CE)

After long awaiting the coming of her champion, Savitri believes that he has been born among her
descendants in the Persian world. Savitri has claimed him for her own and shall teach him the wisdom of
the maya in hopes that he can teach her in turn. He shall be her priest, and she shall be his ever-
watchful spirit guide. Together, perhaps, they and their people may survive the Kali Yuga.

Akash the Prince-Priest of Dreams (Update, circa 1100 CE)

Akash was chosen by Savitri to be her student and yet she seeks to learn from him as well. His fae blood,
bequeathed him by a changeling father, has given him a special connection with the realm of dream. His
inherent, fae sensitivities, combined with Savitri’s centuries of ancient lore, make them a most
formidable pair. Together they travel with their Romani family, with Akash leading the band as an
oracle-servant of his mother/goddess, “Savitri Ugratara, the Dreaming Face of Kali.”

Akash’s life is a paradox: he is the student and teacher of everyone he meets. He studies others, often
presenting them with “tricks” in order to discern their svahdharma. Once he has (with the help of his
goddess) discerned their svahdharma, further “tricks” are gifted them in an attempt to help them
understand their rightful path. The greatest and most sacred “tricks” of all, however, are those meant to
teach the truths of maya itself. These he reserves for those worthy of seeing past the veil of the profane.

He has recently become acquainted with a Guruhi elder by the name of Kuto. This Kuto is a curious
creature, and both Akash and Savitri are fascinated by his unique Laibon spirituality as well as by the
forcefulness with which he seizes his life and takes hold of his own destiny. Could he be one worthy of
learning the deepest secrets of Maya? And could he, in turn, have his own lessons to impart? We shall
see.