Graves and Roses -> The History of Graves and Roses

The History of Graves and Roses, Every Secret has a beginning.

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the Chancellor	Posted: Nov 11 2008, 07:47 PM
from the top of the Ivory Tower. Group: Administrator Posts: 89 Member No.: 304 Joined: 11-November 08	History: The Graves and Roses Society was founded by Harold Rosenberg III, the descendent of a 49er that struck big during the gold rush whose family line then successfully opened a chain of renowned jewelry stores around the country, on October 1, 1884. The reason behind its development is largely unknown, though speculators have come up with several theories behind both the creation and the origin of the name. They range from potential anti-Semitism of the fraternities on campus, for Harold Rosenberg was a practicing Jew, a desire for exclusivity, or, according to extremists, much more grisly answers. Most experts on secret societies agree that the name Graves and Roses takes its significance from the symbolism of graves meaning death and roses rebirth. Upon initiation, a member experiences their death from the real world and their rebirth into the society. While the significance of the grave holds only one meaning, many agree the rose holds a much more diversified role in the Graves and Roses. Throughout history the rose has been a symbol of power found on the family crests of many prominent lines as well as in the gardens of kings and emperors in ancient civilizations, reflecting the society's exclusivity to those with ambition and connections to power. In Greek and Egyptian myth the rose was also used to represent an oath of silence and in the days of Rome they were also used to honor great champions in war. Although innocence is connected to the rose, there are those who quietly whisper about the darker meaning of the name. To some shedding blood, the bleeding rose, has a deeper connection to the society than victory, silence, and power. Because it was known as the Rose and Grave back in the time of its founding, the quiet few speculate the name boasts of a mystery buried by the school's snooty board members and the prominent Rosenberg family itself. Long ago a murder occurred on the campus-owned beach a few scant yards away from the abandoned seaside tomb that now acts as the society's haven. The stabbing of a young woman who was rumored to have scorned the advances of its founder caused a stir among university students, but investigations into the act were halted before any suspects could be brought to trial. The young woman's name was Rose. Of course, anyone who reminds us of these allegations is ignored for spreading urban legends about a society whose public reputation is more pristine than the White House. Graves and Roses is a society of the elite, the promising students who will continue to top the social hierarchy of Monroe College. Tapping/Initiation: If a new member is being tapped for the society, a ribbon-tied rose is left on their pillow with the tarot card, Death. On the back of the card two names are written: the potential's name and the name of a grave. If they wish to accept the bid, they return the rose to whichever grave they were assigned and it must be there by midnight of the same day. The next day they'll be pulled aside, kidnapped, and tossed into a large stone room. They're told not to identify themselves to the others and not to trust everyone in the room. They will then reveal their sexual histories while blindfolded after being injected with sodium pentothal (truth serum). After finishing, they are assigned their codenames and unmasked. They then introduce themselves to the group with their newly given names. Notes: - A student won't be considered for the society if they are a member of a fraternity or sorority. Members of the society must be loyal to the society above all other things. - Rose oil is used in joining members to their brother or sister during initiation, much like it was used in marriage ceremonies to join a husband and wife. - Graves and Roses codename for non-members: Plebians - Graves and Roses shorthand for members: Diggers; the Society - Nixon and Eisenhower were allegedly in the Society, but their membership was never confirmed nor denied. Rumored Codenames Assigned to Members: Monroe: Most academic driven. Washington: Longest legacy. Adams: The one least likely to party. Franklin: Scholarship student. Lincoln: Most pompeous, IE the one they wanted to shoot. Pierce: Biggest alchoholic. Clinton: Least likely to keep it in his pants. Kennedy: Biggest possible liability. Reagan: Biggest Actor / Fake. Jefferson: Wealthiest. Bush: Lowest GPA Nixon: The most clinically insane Harding: Biggest slacker, least involved in society activities. Jackson: Most intimidating. Grant: Most Machiavellian. Roosevelt: Most likely to be president of the society one day. Wilson: Tries hardest to be neutral. Cleveland: Most likely to need a super-senior year. Harrison: Most likely not to graduate.

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