The Factions of the Invictus

"The Order of the Thorned Wreath is a duty, a task that we have taken on. We perform that duty because we have sworn to perform it, but had we sworn a different oath, we would also have chosen a different duty. Our blood is what we are. We fight with courtesy because of our nature, not because of any oath. Had we chosen to swear to bring the Invictus down into the dust, we would yet have done so without descending to boorishness." ~ Artus Le Jumel

Put simply, the Misericordia are problem-solvers and situation cleaners. They exist within the bounds of the First Estate to ensure that the Masquerade remains secure, to see to the subtle manipulation of political situations, and to remove obstacles that stand in the way of the goals of the First Estate. Unlike their compatriots who comprise the Catechism, the members of the Misericordia are to their name sake as members of the Catechism are to a brickbat. Despite their differences in methods, the leaders of the Catechism and the Misericordia often trade information, determining which organization is best designed to handle a particular situation. If the Misericordia are sent to address a problem, then the rest of the world is rarely aware that anything was addressed.

The Catechism does not target external enemies, but rather the covenant's own members - Invictus subjects who engage in diablerie, violate the Masquerade, betray secrets and so on.

Catechists are recruited from the most driven and committed members of the Invictus, and only after being rigourously watched and tested over years - or even decades.

Intelligence and resourcefulness are far more important to these agents than combat skill or powerful disciplines - they're executioners rather than assasins - they are ruthless committed Kindred who realise that the Invictus must be cleased of corruption or weakness, whatever the cost.

- Nomads, page 44.

Details of House Auctoritas' internal organization are unknown to outsiders. Any members of the Invictus can petition for membership, and will progress through the internal order through a system of strict meritocracy and adherence to the ideals of authority, tradition, nobility, dignity, and order.

The origins of House Occido can be traced back to the early 13th Century, though some believe that Occido is older even than this. They were a preeminent house of the Invictus until the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Around 1776 they started to lose ground and domains as a hidden war continued. Elders began to fall into torpor at an increasing rate, and Kindred society turned against the House. This continued until the mid 19th century. This decline was halted when the First of the House ensured that another, lesser known house, was absorbed into the ailing Occido, boosting their numbers and prestige.

Details of internal structure and initiation remain unknown to outsiders. It is known that members of this House are extremely loyal to their house, to one another and to the First Estate.

Members of House Trillius were always warriors of one sort or another. Marcus Trillius Rufus himself having been a Legate within the Roman Legions and a Roman Senator. Many of the line are of military or political arenas before their embrace. Whether facing down a member of House Trillius on the battlefield, or in a forum during a debate, one should beware that they are never one to backdown willingly, and if it appears they are doing so, you are more then likely just been outflanked by them in another manner. Loyal to a fault, be it to their Lineage, their religious Belief, their Coterie, they tend to be loyal friends and deadly enemies, but one's friends are kept close and one's enemies are kept closer.

Imperium Genero Beneficium.

Power begets privelege.

One of the Great European Houses of the Invictus, members of House Augustinian understand that power for its own sake is worthless, the true mark of power is what you do with it once it has been gained. Members are known for indulgence, excess, and hedonism all couched in the civilities of the society of the damned.

House Augustinian held great power in France during the reigns of Louis the XIV, XV, and XVI and into the early post revolution period. Mirroring the decline of the Invictus power the house is not nearly as monolithic as it once was. Many of the members now live in the States, though there could be individuals spread out almost anywhere.

Please check out the website and lineage pages for more info.

The creation of Phillip Gage, a prominent Invictus in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The Knights of Gore is the name for a group of counter-revolutionaries and loyalists who were affiliated with Gage. Hamilton being a largely Carthian territory, The Knights of Gore are no longer a minority faction within Canada. They grow steadily within Canada and the United States. They even have a few from the European side of the world.

The Knights are a conservative faction, wearing their ritual and formality proudly as an Invictus.

The Knights are known for their public rituals and Masonic trappings. To be one of the Knights of Gore is to be one who longs for the solemnity of the old ways and to serve with loyalty and honour. To be a Knight of Gore means that you stand for the "Old Code" of being a Knight. We have training centers set up and require all Knights to cross train in their diciplines.

We have long protected the Invictus and have set up a network to achieve this. We are the sword of the Invictus.

As long as there has been the Covenant of Invictus, there has been the Praetorius Invictus. There has always been an organization of staunchly loyal Invictus who have mentored the young, policed their ranks, provided guidance to the Covenant, and has served as a policy body for the covenant. While there have been times that its influence has waned, it has always been present and has never taken lightly any of the members of the First Estate infringing on the dignitas of the Covenant.

Its membership has never been public, rumors abounding of the oaths of loyalty sworn by new members in pursuit of retaining the secrecy. There has always been one voice for them through which information is passed. Often there has been speculation regarding membership by prominent members of the First Estate, but none to this date have ever broken the silence to reveal who exactly is a member of the organization.

In recent years, the voice of the Praetorius Invictus has been the Reverend David Jarvis, the Murder Prophet of the Invictus. There are some that question if the organization has taken a more violent bent given its speaker and his title, but there is no definite information one way or the other. Many, however, refer to the Praetorius Invictus whenever a member of the First Estate disappears, especially when their indiscretions come to light.

The Atlantic First Estate was founded in the early half of the 20th Century by Miguel de la Torre as a joining of the interests of several prominent Invictus on the Eastern seaboard of the United States. The original founding members were Miguel de la Torre, Rev. David Jarvis, William Talbot, Miguel de la Cruz, and Adrienne of Washington, DC. In the early part of the 21st Century, the coterie expanded to include Garrett Kreutritter and Cadeyrn. In the time since its founding the AFE has seen a large expansion of its influence and power within the United States and it is rumored to be one of the driving forces behind the rise of the Trust.

The Order of the Eclipsed Moon is an old, but not ancient Guild of Invictus Occultists. The Order ensures that mystic phenomena related to power (such as the effects of a confluence of ley lines on the success of a city) are carefully studied. They also serve to keep Dragon and Crone allies honest when dealing with the Unconquered. While the Guild has been known to arrange "student exchanges" to accept Dragon or Crone students, this is the exception rather than the rule, and usually comes at the price of the student accepting a significant degree of loyalty to the Guild in exchange for their training. The Guild rarely engages in fatal testing for applicants, but that does not imply that there is a high success rate. Membership in the Guild means that the Unconquered is looked at slightly unusually- while not a Guild designed to promote rulership, it does empower the student with knowledge which is uncommon in the Invictus, and therefore makes the student a rare and valuable asset to the First Estate- a wise advisor and vizier if not the direct ruler. The full membership is unknown, but is suspected to be less than twenty worldwide among the Unconquered, preserving the rarity of the skills imparted. Few are accepted into the Order, and still fewer reach the level of Master. The known Master of the Order is Victor McKay? Raleigh, NC and most recently Atlanta, GA.

Additional information on the Order can be obtained by contacting Rob Fowler at rfmaestro@gmail.com. Applications from interested Invictus occultists seeking to be truly tested are always welcome!

The Guild of Marathon is a long existing service for the delivery of messages, people and other goods between members of The First Estate. Rumour has it that the Guild has existed longer than some countries have been in existence, perhaps as far back as Nero himself. Anyone has the chance to join the Guild as long as they are willing to follow the few simple rules that are in place.

Membership in the The Guild of Marathon is both prestigious and somewhat looked down upon. This happens quite simply because of the difference in the views members of the First Estate holds on modern technology. Guild members except that modern transportation is much more reliable to deliver messages in a timely manner than horseback could ever be in this modern era. The members have adapted to new communications techniques where appropriate taking on the stain of this new technology so the eldest need not do so. The full membership of the Guild is unknown as it is ever expanding but, it is suspected that there exists on member of this esteemed service in every Region of the world of size and note. Some Regions have many members throughout various Domains.

Additional information on the Guild of Marathon is available online. The eventual goal is to make the Guild a truly Global "faction" and interest has been shown by some US players and other affiliates. Contact us. Join up. See the Guild of Marathon Yahoogroup for more information.

The Guild of a Thousand Roses began in the early Victorian Era in Britain. It's home undoubtedly would have been the Staffordshire Estate home to its Prince. It's schooling lies in a variety of different subjects though most notably it is a school for honing the skills needed to being an Advocate, Interpreter and/or Speaker for either your City or the Covenant.

If you'd like to set up a linked background situation regarding the Guild then please do get in touch. I'd like to think the Guild could have taught some of the rising stars of the Covenant, whether they're still in the limelight now or not, and even some of the respected members of the Covenant.

The Guild of the Darker Gardens dedicated to pampering the vain. With the supply of custom perfumes, plants and other decretive pieces, the guild caters to the elite.

Members of the guild are instructed in the basic tenants of the guild, that being poise, dexterity and concentration. Skills such as gardening (cultural, past, present, and ancient) are taught, as well as how to pluck the particular specimens for preservation and use.

Members are also trained in the art of making perfumes. They are taught how to detect specific notes in the flora/minerals/fungi/musks that are shown to them in their studies.

The guild is often times called on to create a perfume specifically tailored to subject. Such perfumes are highly sought after as gifts between members of the First Estate.

If you wish to be a student or former student, please concerning.

Colloquially known as The Finishing School, the Guild of the Golden Lily was created to ensure that those within the First Estate were unparalleled socially and politically. Trainer of Harpies, Ministers, Notaries and Au Pairs, the Meisters and teachers within the Guild are well connected and well spoken, a shining example of the lessons they teach. Failure is not accepted within the Finishing School, students are expected to stay until they graduate. To leave without graduating or to be removed from the school levies shame not only upon the failed student’s name, but that of his liege as well, for this is not a group you want to anger or disappoint…not if you value your reputation, and in the First Estate, reputation is everything.

Although the nature of the Finishing School might indicate a leaning towards Neonate students, it is not unusual for distinguished Elders to find themselves enrolling for a refresher course, especially following torpor. Any Neonates wishing to enter into the Guild of the Golden Thorn should have their liege contact the Meisters. Alders who desire entrance are, of course, encouraged to contact the Mesiters themselves.

Lady Elizabeth Fitzroy Smythe Somerset, Councilor, Seneschal, Viscountess of the New River Valley, Guildmeister of the Golden Lily, Harpy of the First Estate

Baroness Alder Mirandia, Councilor and Keeper of Elysia of Washington D.C., Guildmeister of the Golden Lily, Trusted Au Pair of the First Estate

If you wish to be a student or former student of the Finishing School, contact either Jenn Hutt or Heather Teodorescu-Badia at the above email addresses.

The Strout's Grooms Guild is based out of Los Angeles, California. It is a fine school dedicated to the teaching and growth of the perfect tender to our most precious herds. Only the highest standards are kept at this school, graduating is not easy, but the results are well worth the efforts put in. Upon graduation you will be known as a Strout's Groom, a high honor that is both respected and admired across the globe for the quality of such is beyond that of any other. If interested in becoming a groom please contact Madame Strout. Madame Jacqueline Shae Strout Meister Groom of Strout's Grooms Guild Groom of Los Angeles Prince's Harpy of Los Angeles Viscount of Beverly Hills

If you wish to be a student or former student, please contact me at the email provided.

Skilled in many modern areas such as, Computers, Democracy, Medicine, and Technology just to name a few.

- Nomads, page 43.

The Knights of the Dark Horse is a new order founded in Knoxville, TN. Envisioning themselves as a modern Cavalry of the Invictus, the Order trains their Knights in mobile combat and rapid reaction to threats against the covenant. Be it in a high performance sports car, a HumVee, on horseback, from a helicopter or airplane, or on a Harley Knucklehead, the Knights of the 'Spur' pride themselves on their speed, manouverability, and martial skill.

There are three distinct divisions of the Dark Horse, reflecting the different needs fo the Order, and the Invictus. The Diplomatic Corps is comprised fo those who's skills are unparalled among the social circles of the Danse, serving as negotiators and envoys to others. The Division of Intelligence serve as the eyes and ears of the order. These Kindred serve as Spies and Counter Intelligence agents. The Field Operations Group are the soliders and warriors of the Dark Horse. Swift, determined and strong, they take to the field of battle to defend the Traditions and the First Estate.

Training is rigorous, and candidates are screened through a very selective process of interviews, correspondance, council with Lieges and Sires, and a final interview with the Commandant Meister. Potential Knights are selected based on their knowledge of combat, ettiquette, personal initiative, and honor.

Training is taken in stages, starting with Basic Indoctrination Training, where fighting skills are honed, courtly ettiquette and social graces are polished, survival is refined, and the ideals of the Order are instilled in the recruits. At the end of BIT, the candidates take their offical oath into the order.

Following BIT, the candidates enter specialized training to equip them with advanced mobility and combat skills, as well as leadership focused education.

The Knights of the 'Spur' are well trained, well mannered, loyal, focused, and ambitious.

Each and every Knight is expected to live by the ideal Invictus Above All.

The Plan thus far:

Selections and the application process will be RPed via eMail and IRC. Training will also take place via IRC and eMail, and will be based on the PC's existing capabilities.

If a PC needs to remain at an Acadeny for an extended period of time, IC the staff of the order can allow and arrange for your PC's to travel from the Main Academy back to your local game/domain for Requiem sessions.

If interested, contact Pat Gerrity, US2004061573, at Stoutwalker@gmail.com or SirRoderickMaxwell@gmail.com

The Most Honorable Order of the Sunset is the tongue-in-cheek name for a loose-knit communications network of young Invictus that grew out of email and IRC channels at the turn of the century, only recently becoming slightly more centralized with the creation of an invite-only mailing list. Sometimes called the Sunset Guild or the Neonate's Guild for short, it's membership is a mixed bag of young Invictus up-and-comers, almost all of which are reasonably powerful or respected for their age.

While it may seem odd for the Invicuts to have a "Neonate's Guild," in some ways it's formation was inevitable. As the twentieth century progressed, the Invictus elders found themselves embracing more and more childer. The reasons for this were many fold; one was a simple matter of food supply - as populations exploded throughout the world there was suddenly more kine to feed on, and while the First Estate takes the embrace far slower than covenants such as the Carthian Movement, there is no doubt it is being done with more frequency now than in any past century. The other reason is one of need. Elders waking from eclipse in modern nights often find themsevles bewildered by such things as computers, the stock market, and even simple travel. How does one drive a car? How does one even buy a car? Get a driver's lisence? Book a plane flight? Get a credit card?

While creating new ghouls solves this to an extent, the vinniculum tends to create "yes men" out of even the sturdiest of personality, and an Elder that truely wishes to, for example, learn to play the stock market must have an underling that retains a great deal of free will, giving rise to a generation of young Invictus who have the ears of influential elders.

Of course, this isn't the only way young Invictus gain power. Some have gained reknown as able warriors in the various knightly orders. Some have gained political power in more politcally liberal cities where elders have difficulty working with other covenants in a democratic setting. Still others have gained power through sheer cunning and ambition. Of course, young powerful Invictus are still exceptions to the rule, but it is inaruguable that there are more excptions today than there was a century ago.

As a group, it is certainly the youngest Invictus network of any size in existence today. Indeed, while the "informal neonate network" began ten years ago, it has only been truely named in the last few months - a name that often confuses outsiders, but has a simple explanation. The sunset is the begining of the "day" for Kindred, and the Sunseters are all Invictus "young to the nights." And, of course, the name is suitably over-wrought in self-conscious imitation of established Invictus orders.

POLITICS

Internally, the Sunseters have little in the way of a unifying politcal theme. However, nearly all of them believe that the Invictus is, first and foremost, a meritocracy. Those that have power deserve it by the very fact that they are able to take it and hold on to it. Powerful Elders are to be respected since they have held their power for so long, but your average Sunseter will feel they they are due respect (if not necessarily as much) as well, due to their contributions to the covenant.

However, there are nearly as many reasons for becoming a member of this informal group as there are Invictus in it. Many joined for advice and support. After all, not every young Invicuts is computer-savvy, or an expert on the stock market, and thier elders often expect them to be knowledgable in all things modern. Thus, they tend to trade tips to better represent their lieges, and by extension gain more power themselves. Others join simply to have others to talk to that are going through the same process of acceptance that they are, and others still join for no reason than establishing contacts and possible allies throughout the country.

VIEW BY ELDERS

Most Elders don't even know the Order of the Sunset exists, and those that do often feign ignorance (as such a thing should be below their notice). However, among those that are aware of it, there's a mix of contempt, respect, and a little bit of fear. First and foremost, a guild (even an informal one) run by neonates is something of a mockery. Some view it as a sham that should be forbidden. Others view "playing guild" as good practice for their eventual acceptance into the real guilds of the Invictus. Most simply ignore it.

And yet, those Elders with vassals in the Order find that they have a larger base of connections to draw on than any previous genearation of neonates did, giving them a wider range of connections and more ability to influence the covenants zeitgeist. And so there is certainly a bit of fear there as well. Some Elders are nervous of a powerful Neonate group developing, and are poised to crush the Sunsetters should it even begin to organize formally or attempt to influence politics as a bloc. Even discounting such a thing, there is little doubt that the Neonate's Guild of today will be the Old Boy's Club of twenty third century.

OOC: This is a new venture lead by Marjorie Sinclair, and we are looking to find players wanting to be part of this, both Historically and currently. We're looking for Students, Mentors and Patrons … and if you're quick, you could even get involved in the contest for the Guild lead, the Meister.

Begun in the city of Bologna by an American Invictus with a passion for the art, the Guild has trained young members of the First Estate in discipline, history, and swordsmanship. Traditionally, most students of La'arte di dall'Agocchie have been members of the Most Honorable Order of the Thorned Wreath.

Within the last year, the Guild has relocated to the United States.

The Guild of Reverence began in the early Victorian Era in Britain. It's home undoubtedly would have been the Staffordshire Estate home to its Prince and the Guild Master. It's schooling lies in a variety of different subjects though most notably it is a school for honing the skills needed to being an Advisor, Councillor and Prince for either your City or the Covenant.

If you'd like to set up a linked background situation regarding the Guild then please do get in touch. I'd like to think the Guild could have taught some of the rising stars of the Covenant, whether they're still in the limelight now or not, and even some of the respected members of the Covenant.

Coming Soon.

Really Soon.

The Knights of the Pale Lotus have never had more than a dozen or so Knights on their rosters at a time, but in these modern days are even further depleted. Pale Lotus Knights are honorable upstanding members of the First Estate, showing respect to all and always available to aid those in need. The true calling of the Pale Lotus, however, is perfection.

Knights of the Pale Lotus are given rigorous training in many forms of combat (though most tend to specialize in one area or another). This Order is rumored to have nearly half a dozen "powers" created solely for the use of their Knights, and not available to be taught to any outside the Order - powers that have kept Knights of this order alive even in the most impossible situations. This Knightly Order is now out in the open, and in need of new Knights to train for future operations.

"If in prosperity the gods also gave us wisdom, we should consider not only what has happened in the past but what might happen in the future. To ignore all else, I, alone, am sufficient warning of what Fate might bring."

~ Hannibal Barka, General of Carthage