In the heart of Buffalo, New York, an extraordinary tale has unfolded since 2020. Jemel Moody, a man who once believed he was perceived as the devil, has become an unlikely figure of reverence for a group of homeless individuals and those grappling with schizophrenia. What began as a simple card game — designed to simulate gang turf wars — spiraled into something far more complex and surreal.
The game, originally a tool for strategizing street control, inadvertently drew in participants from outside its intended audience. Instead of gang members, individuals from the fringes of society found themselves captivated by its rules and symbolism. Over time, the game evolved into a system of governance for this newfound community, with roles and hierarchies determined by the cards each person held.
For these followers, Moody became more than a player; he was a deity. They saw in him a figure of power and mystery, someone who could navigate the chaos of their lives with the same skill he displayed in the game. To Moody, however, this adoration was both a blessing and a curse — a reflection of his own internal struggles and the weight of being seen as something he never claimed to be.
But the story takes an even stranger turn. Moody’s followers, who exist in a world of blurred realities, have become his devoted informants and errand-runners. They deal in imaginary currencies and barter systems, their grasp on conventional reality tenuous at best. Moody assigns them tasks that range from the mundane — shopping and foot rubs — to the bizarre, such as gathering intelligence from psych wards, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The purpose of these missions remains shrouded in mystery. Is it for money? Power? Fame? Or something darker, like blackmail?
Adding to the enigma are whispers of Moody’s own secrets: repressed desires, a peculiar fixation on feet, and an army of hallucinating informants who see him as their guiding light. The cult’s activities, while seemingly chaotic, hint at a deeper, more calculated agenda. What is Moody’s ultimate goal, and how far will his followers go to protect his secrets?