The Severed Hand
Backstory: 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 likely candidates would be best suited to take the lead of the Coterie. In the end, a controversial decision was made and Marie-Helene Dutois was chosen; 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 chosen for its ability to unlock every door.
The Coterie's purpose was to be twofold; First, to support the Prince and 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.
Purpose and goals:
- Assist the Prince of Montreal ( and neighboring cities ) in seeing to the Camarilla's interests in Montreal.
- Assist the sister Coteries in upholding the Traditions, as well as keeping the city free of threats.
- Those elevated to the offices of Keeper of Elysium & Harpy should see to the court's operations within the domain, including the care of all Elysia, as well as to the prestation and recording of boons.
- Assume and maintain control over the Financial, Political, Legal and High Society spheres of Montreal.
- Ensure that the domain's traditions are properly enforced, including sanctions, punishments, and lex talionis.
Symbol: Hand of Glory
Color: Blue
Symbol: Hand of Glory
Spheres of Influence: Finance, Legal, Politics, High Society.
Favored Candidates: Leaders, Politicians, Lawyers, Financiers, Tacticians, Philosophers, Mediators, Artists, Socialites, Nepo Babies.
Domains: The Severed Hand has dominion over a handful of domains in and around the downtown core that, while not the largest in size, are key to achieving their ambitions and goals. The first and most prominent of the three districts is the Financial district, located at the very heart of the downtown core, it is the epicentre of the city's financial and legal business. The Financial district is defined by it's imposing glass and concrete towers that loom over the downtown area.
If one were to venture further down south, they would find the Severed Hand's second most important district: Old Montreal. It consists of a moderately sized neighborhood along the south shore of the city, and encompasses the old city and old port. This upscale, culturally vibrant district is the poster child of Montreal's high society. It's where the old meets the new, with it's cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, rustic wood & stone buildings and neoclassical architecture. Old Montreal, and especially the old port area, is where many of the city's elite and wealthy choose to reside, attracted by it's impressive array of quaint and upscale shops, galleries, restaurants and taverns. Old Montreal also conveniently happens to be where the city's administrative buildings and mayor's office can be found, granting them easy access to the city's political mecca.
The third and final domain held by the Severed Hand is more of a collection of venues and landmarks than an actual domain; it is a small island just south of Old Montreal, in the middle of the St-Lawrence river known as the Notre-Dame Island. The island plays host to a handful of extremely important locations, the most prominent of which is the Montreal Casino. Other key venues include the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, a race track that plays host to racing events, including one of the city's most profitable; F1 Week. One can also find a handful of leisurely establishments such as the Jean Dore beach, a location especially popular during Montreal's hot and humid summers.
The Severed Hand's structure is very straightforward; While the Prince is not a part of the Coterie proper, they are in charge of picking a Seneschal among the Coterie members. The chosen Seneschal then acts as the Coterie leader, they are both the voice and the will of the Prince. However, the Seneschal is not omnipotent and may be demoted and replaced by the Prince at any given moment. The Seneschal has two primary tasks; the first is to appoint the offices of Keeper(s) of Elysium and Harpy, and to ensure that the chosen Kindred fulfill their role properly. The second help coordinate, counsel and dispatch Coterie members so that they may put their skills to the sect's service.
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 Harpies 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, both the Keeper of Elysium and Harpies benefit from a +1 dot to their resources background ( Up to a maximum of 5 ).
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.
The Hand Provides
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 and likely unique to each individual member. Once per season, each member of the Coterie is expected to pick a cause to sponsor from the shadows. Examples include, but are not limited to; charitable donations, the organization of charity events or bals, paid or vigilante protection, artistic patronage or even volunteering one's retainers.
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:
- Characters who are part of the Severed Hand and are among the 7 official Camarilla clans automatically gain the advantage: Status 1 with the Camarilla.
- 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?
Blythe
Marie-Helene
