The Severed Hand

When the decision to send an official expedition to the city of Montreal was made, both the Camarilla and Anarchs began working on assembling Coteries that would see to their sect's individual needs and ambitions. The Severed Hand would be born out of the Camarilla's efforts. The courts of Quebec City and Ottawa debated for many nights about which of the candidates would be best suited to take the lead of the Coterie, and in the hand, a controversial choice was made: Marie-Helene Dutois, a former member of Montreal's Sabbat for whom Prince Annabelle vouched herself. The Severed Hand was chosen as the name of the Coterie. It's significance was simple; they were to be the hand of the Camarilla, but now severed from their original homes of Quebec & Ottawa. It's symbol, the Hand of Glory, was picked for its ability to unlock every door, representing every opportunity.

The Coterie's purpose was to be twofold; First, to see that the ambitions and needs of the Camarilla are fulfilled. Secondly, to serve as the local Kindred society's political and legal arm. Unlike most of the other Coteries in Montreal, membership to The Severed Hand is exclusively reserved to members of the Camarilla. No Anarchs or Unbound are allowed.

Domains: Old Montreal, Financial District, Notre-Dame Island

Color: Blue

Symbol: Hand of Glory

Spheres of Influence: Finance, Legal, Politics, High Society.

Tenets: Never kill the innocent. - Be your own, never submit. - Without a cause, you are nothing.

Favored Candidates: Leaders, Politicians, Lawyers, Financiers, Tacticians, Philosophers, Mediators, Artists, Socialites, Nepo Babies.

The Inner Circle: The Severed Hand's structure is a bit unconventional as they are meant to emulate a Camarilla court while still working as a self governing Coterie. The Coterie is led by what is known as the Inner Council; a collection of the Coterie's most influential and trusted kindred.

The Coterie's direct leader is chosen by the Prince and is usually the court's appointed Seneschal. While the Coterie is expected to follow the Prince's orders in most aspects, the Seneschal serves as the Prince's voice when it comes to voting on administrative decisions within the Coterie. The Seneschal is also in charge of managing the Coterie's day to day activities.

Completing the Inner Circle are the Coterie's Ancilla, as well as a number of kindred occupying traditional Camarilla offices ( Including the Sheriff, Keeper of Elysium & Harpies ) Members of this inner circle are not only expected to fill their individual office's duties, but will also be called upon to vote on more significant administrative duties when it comes to decisions that impact the Coterie as a whole. When an administrative vote needs to be taken, the Inner Circle convenes and, in the case of a tie, the vote of the Seneschal will act as the tiebreaker.

The kindred occupying the Keeper of Elysium position is in charge of managing the city's official Elysium. There is always only one Keeper of Elysium at a time. The Keeper of Elysium benefits from 5 dots of resources independent from their own resources that should only be used to manage security and maintenance of the Elysium, as well as any supplies or entertainment costs it may incur. Also, within the halls of the Elysium, the words of the Keeper is law, kindred who disobey the laws of Elysium may see themselves permanently blocked access or even expelled from the city altogether.

The Harpies are responsible to not only ensure that important news and announcements make it to the rest of the local community, but they also manage the recording and trading of boons. They also handle litigious conflicts when it comes to Kindred trying to cash-in on said boons. While boon records are kept public, the Heralds are the only Kindred who may modify them. Due to the importance of their work, Heralds benefit from cyber protection provided by the Iris of the Eyes of Argus himself. Any attempts to hack or dig dirt on the Heralds are always made at +2 difficulty, even by members of the Eyes of Argus themselves.

Lastly, the Sheriff is in charge of enforcing the Lextalionis of the Traditions within the domain. In most domains, this would involve handpicking a number of Hounds to assist them. However, in the city of Montreal, the Sheriff benefits from the assistance of the Eyes of Argus, Keepers of the Gate and The Thracians for their investigating and enforcing needs. Also of important note, the Sheriff is one of the few Kindred immune to the powers of the Keeper of Elysium.

The Blood Provides
As a form of initiation, each member of the Severed Hand is expected to provide what they call a Proxy. A proxy is a ghoul who has either a position of power or strategic authority/access within one of the Severed Hand's fields of influence ( Finance, Legal, Politics or Bureaucracy ). For example, an influential lawyer in one of the city's leading firms, a high ranking government employee with the clearance to expedite or approve immigration applications, a foreign diplomat or ambassador or the political deputy of a given district. The retainer is expected to be gifted to the Severed Hand's collective in order to empower the pack's influence. Once per month, members of the pack must maintain the Proxy via the blood bond. ( Rouse the Blood once per month ). As an added bonus, the Sphere of Influence in which the character's Proxy operates grants them full access to the level 5 dots without the requirement for leadership clearance.

Giving Back
It is very important within the culture of the Severed Hand to remember to give back to the community in some way. Whether that is out of the kindness of their dead hearts, to atone for past sins, or to attempt to stave off the beast and cling to their fading humanity is unclear. Most of the members of the pack are expected to pick a cause to sponsor from the shadows. This is often achieved through political proxies, ensuring that their puppets cultivate a positive public image. In turn, these initiatives often help to cultivate the herds and influences of the pack.

Pre-Requisites:

• Only members of the Camarilla are allowed in the Coterie.
• Potential players should favor official Camarilla clans ( Banu Haqim, Lasombra, Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere, Ventrue ). Non Camarilla Clans can join the Severed Hand, but they must have 1 dot in the Status ( Camarilla ) background.
  
• The character must provide a 2 dots in Retainer as per the The Blood Provides tradition mentioned above. The retainer must occupy a strategic position within one of the Coterie's preferred spheres of influence ( Finance, Legal, Politics or High Society ).
• Your character should have at least a rudimentary social or mental focus that serves the Coterie's goals.
  

Merits and Advantages:

• Members of the Severed Hand benefit from +1 dot to their Resources background. ( Cannot take it over 5 )
• Members of the severed Hand benefit from a full 2 dot Mask secret identity that grants them diplomatic immunity + 2 to social rolls when faced with the Coterie's favored spheres of influence or law related issues. ( Such as using their 'name' to gain access to a VIP room, get the best table at a restaurant, schedule a meeting with important members of the political elite, being accepted for a loan or getting out of a speeding ticket )
  

Backstory tips

• Founding members will usually have been recruited by Marie-Helene herself and most should come from either the Camarilla court of Quebec City or Ottawa. Other canonical cities of origins could include Vancouver, Milwaukee or Chicago as they are all well geographically situated.
• Think of your character's motivations for joining the local Camarilla; Are they eager for social climbing and attracted to the potential provided by a newly claimed city? Are they perhaps seeking a city where their skills and talents will be recognized? Are they a pariah in their former home city, attempting to run from past indiscretions or nasty rumors and start a new life? Maybe one of the major players behind the initiative to take back Montreal called upon a boon they owed? ( Such as Prince Blythe, Marie-Helene, or Prince Arundel? )
• Make sure to think your character's lineage through. Who is their sire? Grand sire(s)? Are they their sire's only childe? What kind of reputation did they inherit, if any?

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  Marie-Helene