Birds of a Feather and Worms of a Scale

'Not many in Noon now consider themselves Birds of a Feather, but fewer still will say they're Worms of a Scale. Most come to Noon to remain apart. But there are those who work to ensure the war is won as they would wish it. St David's Key, the Biting Key, the Forest Key, among many others, are their weapons and their prizes. Their messages pass in secret among those who Know and those who do not.'
'Birds and Worms'

Birds and Worms are two factions of Long with opposing ideologies, supporting or defying the Hours respectively. Though their conflict is enigmatic and obscure, it is involved in a number of the deeper mysteries of the Secret Histories Universe.

Birds of a Feather

'The rooftop club where Birds of a Feather watch the Sunset, and speak of a day when it might bleed no longer.'
'Cryppys Club'

Birds of a Feather are servants to the Hours, who long for the return of the Sun-in-Splendour and the return to the "glorious" days of his reign. They oppose any threat to their master's power, though they may also hold ambitions of ascending further.

The core of the Bird philosophy seems to be that through the Hours, mankind is able to achieve its true potential and destiny, and support the stability and order brought about by these higher beings.

Worms of a Scale

'The cellar bar where Worms of a Scale grouse about the nature of things and, in theory, plot the downfall of the Hours and the freedom of every other order of being.'
'Bar Vienna'

Worms of a Scale reject the Glory and the Hours as a whole. It is their desire to bring down the current world order and "liberate" existence from the tyranny of Light. It is unclear if they have an actual connection with the Worms of Nowhere, though it is assumed that their name reflects the threat that such creatures pose to the reign of the Hours.

One of the most notable Worms is Julian Coseley, a 17th century magus who was once a member of the Obliviates, who generally avoid involvement with the Hours. However, Hersault's writings of the Secret Histories refer to his former colleague as now being a "Worm of Worms", and in Cultist Simulator Coseley may appear as an enemy Long to oppose the ascension of a new Name.

The core of Worm philosophy is that the order of the Hours is incompatible with human existence and that its stability rejects the possibility of freedom and the ability to define oneself. They seek the return of the Gods-from-Stone, which share their opposition to Eternity.

Hokey

'A neglected triangle of parched grass and bravely intended flower-beds behind the Ciervo. In one corner, a tin-roofed shack dispenses burnt coffee. Here congregate the Hokeys, those ambivalents and apathetics who care neither for freedom nor for Glory. Perhaps, some day, they might be permitted to return to polite society.'
'Pocsind Park'

Hokey is a derogatory term used for Long who do not identify as Birds or Worms, preferring to remain independent of the conflict. It is unclear how Hokeys differ from other Long such as the Obliviates and those in Port Noon who avoid interaction with the Hours in general, though it seems they exists somewhat as outcasts from "normal" occult society.

Other Notes

'The Children of the Leashed Flame celebrate their victory with gay abandon... too soon? By day, by night, the old wars of Feather and Scale continue. Here they call them Trap-Wand and Sea-Throng. Until the Long are ready to pronounce an end, the wars drag on.'
'Crossroads, Utrecht, 148X'

• While there are some hints at the conflicting viewpoints of Birds and Worms in Cultist Simulator, the majority of information regarding the factions was limited to that game's Enigma ARG, which has since concluded and had its secrets made more accessible.
  • Participants in the ARG were asked to identify with one of the two groups, who would at times receive variations of clues and compete to complete puzzles first.
• Each enemy Long from Cultist Simulator's Apostle legacies has either a Bird or a Worm piece of jewelry in their promotional image, signifying their allegiance. J.C. is the only Worm, with the Diarist, Welland and Lady Tryphon all being Birds.
• It's hinted that "the Worms" are, in fact, supposed to be "the Snakes", and their current name is a mistranslation/wordplay.

Sources