The Thracians
Backstory: The Thracians are one of the three sister Coteries, and act as the military arm of the newly established Free State. However, they prefer to be referred to as a War Pack, rather than a Coterie. Most may think that a War Pack would be quite straightforward, but the Thracians are anything but; most consider them the strangest Coterie in Montreal, even stranger than the Keepers of the Gate. From the outside looking in, the Thracians probably look like a strange cult of masculinity and the body, where strength and herculean physiques are not only preferred, they are a pre-requisite. The insular, men presenting only War Pack is the twisted creation of three men known simply as Soldat, Thorsten and Evander, who had already formed a semi nomadic War Pack in the Chicago and Milwaukee area, acting as an offshoot of the famous Anubi.
Their story began in the early 2000s, in Montreal, on the evening of the Night of Ashes. Soldat had long been a member of the Sabbat War Pack known as 25:17 when the Second Inquisition launched their attack on the Montreal Cainites. Soldat is said to have been the sole survivor of his pack, and according to the stories, he barely escaped the city in one piece. After the bond of the Vinculum had broken, he fled the city in a daze and spent a few years in hiding; a single nomad, finally free of the indoctrination that blinded him to a single, devastating truth; he had been nothing but a pawn to his former sect. He finally made it to Wisconsin where he found a niche by joining the ranks of the Anubi, a faction of Werewolf hunters led by Prince Deckard.
He spent several years making a name for himself, but he felt he had no place with the Camarilla, and after meeting with Edward Scott, also known as the Black Prince, he was introduced to the local Anarchs where he forged bonds and finally found a place to belong. This is where he met his now longtime associates, Evander & Thorsten, with whom he would form a Coterie known as the Neo Mattachines, a War Pack that specialized in hunting and eliminating the Sabbat. Semi nomadic, they called Wisconsin their homes, but they sometimes travelled all around the US, offering their expertise to whoever needed them. Their name became known far and wide, but with the fame also came a bit of notoriety. Whispers of strange blood rituals, violent behavior and ties to an ancient byzantine cult followed in their wakes, but they didn't seem to care.
Soldat and his brothers in arms were content with their lives for a time, but as they grew more and more efficient at their job, the need for their services shrank year after year, especially in the recent decade, after most of the North American Sabbat seemed to leave the continent in droves. They were growing restless, looking for the next thrill, and so when tales of plans to take back Montreal reached Soldat's ears, he had Edward Scott arrange a meeting with Baron Bobby Ward of Ottawa. A deal was struck, and Soldat would be in charge of putting together a Coterie of elite warriors, bringing with him his combat expertise, and his intimate knowledge of Montreal before the Night of Ashes. Soldat's talent, however, came at a price; he would be able to run his War Pack however he wanted, no questions asked, as long as they did not endanger the integrity of the Free State and the Traditions the local Anarchs would have to respect in order to safeguard their alliance with the Camarilla.
And thus, the Thracians were born; a War Pack and brotherhood, where loyalty is bound by blood and victory is claimed with strength and cunning.
Purpose and goals
- Assist the sister Coteries in upholding the agreed upon Traditions, as well as keeping the city free of threats.
- Assume and Maintain Control over the Police sphere of influence, more specifically the individual Stations and patrols operations.
- Patrol the city's streets, especially and act as an elite guard during gatherings and important meetings of local Kindred Society.
- Act as the city's Scourge, and answer the call of the Lex Talionis when needed.
Symbolism
- The Coterie's chosen crest is the Aquilla.
- The Coterie's chosen color is Red.
- During battle or missions, the Coterie members are encouraged to wear dark tactical or tech wear clothing, along with either masks, balaclavas or bike helmets to hide their identity. It is said that Soldat, Thorsten and Evander are big fans of Modern Warfare.
- During certains rites, Coterie members are expected to wear ritual armor or gear resembling Spartans or Roman Gladiators.
- Civilian wear tends to favor hyper masculine ( that sometimes borders on the homoerotic ) styles of dress; tech wear, gym wear, alt himbros, leather or fetish gear isn't off the menu either.
Exclusive Spheres of Influence: Police ( Headquarters ).
Clans: All Clans.
Favored Candidates: Martial Artists, Soldiers, Police Officers, MMA Fighters, Bodybuilders, Athletes, Criminals, Bullies, Self-Proclaimed Alphas, Gun Enthusiasts, Grunts, Goons, Enforcers, Bouncers, Sadists.
Domains: While the domain owned by the Thracians isn't the largest in size, it is strategically located; Not only is it at the very heart of all other domains in the city, allowing for quick response in the case of emergencies, it is also closely located to the city's main points of entry ( the Jacques Cartier Bridge and the docks ), which also happen to be the areas that the Thracians are tasked with patrolling the most.
Their two main domains include the Gay Village area, as well as the Sainte-Marie & Hochelaga area. The Gay Village is a boisterous strip right to the east of downtown where one can find countless nightclubs, restaurants, gyms, sex clubs, saunas and fetish stores, but it is also ripe with criminal activity and violence, especially at night. It is where the Barrack can be found, an imposing abandoned concrete building that used to house a massive nightclub, and that the Thracians have repurposed as their communal haven, training grounds and base of operation.
St-Marie and Hochelaga are two neighborhoods a bit further to the east of the Gay Village. Both neighborhoods are fairly similar, consisting for the most part of residential areas, the only difference being that St-Marie catters to the upper-middle class, while Hochelaga is better suited for the Lower-middle class demographic. The most important location in this area is the Montreal Police Department Headquarter which oversees the activities of the city's police precincts, and coordinates patrols and covert ops, which the Thracians are tasked with keeping under their control.
Their final domain is one they share with the Eyes of Argus, and it is known simply as the Moat. It is a long strip of land along the southern shore of the city, where many of the industrial shipping docks can be found, and the area through which most enemy kindred may attempt to infiltrate the city. ( Considering the Northern, Eastern and Western entry points are reviled for being infested with Werewolves. ) The Moat is the area where the Thracians and Eyes of Argus focus most of their patrols and surveyance.
The Thracian's structure and way of life is heavily influenced by the Gladiators of Ancient Rome, the Sacred Band of Thebes, modern military, as well as Soldat's former Sabbat ties. It is pyramidal in structure, with each rank claiming authority over those lower.
When it comes to leadership, the pack's leader is known as the Ductus, while the pack's spiritual leader is known as the Priest. The Ductus is the pack's commanding officer and his word is law. The Priests act as the Ductus' second in command, they are also in charge of taking the lead when it comes to the pack's many rites and rituals.
Below the Ductus and the Priest are the Praetors. There is usually one to three Praetors at all time, and they usually act as the senior officers and trainers for the rest of the pack. Usually, each of the three Praetor is an expert in one of the following types of combat: Unarmed combat, Weapon Master, and Marksman.
Below the Praetors are the Brothers in arms ( or just brothers for short ). They are the full fledged members of the pack, the rank and file.
At the very bottom of the pyramid are the Pledges, new recruits who have yet to be fully accepted into the pack, and who have not yet undergone the first rite of Vinculum.
Life in the Thracians isn't for the faint of heart, and those who disturb the strict military structure of the pack may face violent reprisal, or even Final Death.
The First Hunt
Potential recruits must demonstrate their combat prowess by beating or killing a target set for them by the Thracian leadership, usually the Ductus, Priest(s) or the Praetor they are assigned to. This is often a mortal individual trying to encroach on the Court's territory, or some troublesome Unbound Kindred that needs to be disposed of. The recruit must plan out how to dispatch their quarry on their own. Success in this ordeal will grant them Thracian membership and the rank of Pledge, though they will only become true members once they have undergone the Vinculum.
Sanctified Armaments
This rite takes place over a few days or weeks, whenever a new member of the pack ascends from the rank of Pledge to become a fully fledged Brother. The new packmate picks his favored weapon ( Any melee weapon that can be forged using conventional methods ). The chosen weapon is then to be expertly crafted by the pack's Blacksmith(s), and customized to fit the needs of the newly ascended Brother. When the quality of the crafted weapon is determined to be suitable, a ritual will be held by the pack Priest(s) which will bind the weapon to the brother that chose it ( The ritual requires 1 rouse check ). This enchantment allows the target to summon the weapon(s) out of thin air with a single rouse check.
Vinculum
Once a month, members of the Thracians get together in a solemn bonding ritual. The night usually begins with inspiring speeches by the pack's leadership. One of the pack priest then initiates the ritual and pack mates share in each other's vitae. Afterwards, the Thracians often indulge in loud music, dancing, roughhousing, and sometimes a feeding and fucking frenzy. This rite grants them +1 to their rolled initiative for the following month, but also forms a blood bound between all of packmates. ( See the Vinculum section below for more information )
Erastes & Eromenos
Inspired by the Sacred Band of Thebes, this custom encourages more senior members of the Pack such as Praetors & Brothers to take on members of lower rank under their wing as apprentice, and make sure that they constantly refine their combat capabilities. Similar to the Sacred Band's customs, this may or may not involve romantic or sexual aspects.
The Armory
The Thracians would not be able to do their job as well as they do without suitable supplies. Thanks to Soldat's connections, the Thracians are able to get their hands on a limited supply of equipment and weapons other Kindred would only dare dream of. Legal or simple equipment such as hunting knives and rifles, baseball bats, fire axes, tasers and pepper sprays are available to them at all time. For more complex or illegal weaponry such as handcrafted medieval and martial weapons, firearms, tactical gear and small explosives like grenades can be obtained at a rate of one item per month that can be added to the character's personal arsenal. These items can be kept for later use or even traded to other kindred in exchange for favors or boons. Note that heavy weaponry such as machine guns, rocket launchers, flame throwers and other similar equipment cannot be obtained in this manner.
Ludus Magnus
Named after the famed and ancient Gladiator school, the Ludus Magnus is a night where members of the Thracians test their mettle in a secret tournament. Adorning ceremonial armor reminiscent of mythic warrior figures such as gladiators, roman legionnaires, spartan warriors or savage barbarians, Thracian brothers fight one another in bloody combat until a champion is crowned. As is often the case with the Thracians, the tournament's aftermath usually plays host to revelries and excess.
Pre-Requisites:
- There are no restrictions as far as Clans go for the Thracians.
- Have at least one dot in one of the three physical discipline ( Potence, Celerity or Fortitude )
- Have at least one combat skill at 3 dots ( Brawl, Firearms, Melee )
- Have physical Attributes as Primary.
Merits and Advantages:
- Characters who become full fledged members of the Coterie ( once they've undergone the Vinculum ) are considered to have a level 2 bond with all other members of the pack.
Vinculum:
- To become a true member of the Thracians, all of it's members must undergo the pack's very particular variation of the Vinculum rite. This uncommon ritual comes with a few merits and flaws;
- Your character is considered to have a level 2 bond with all packmates, this can manifest in a number of ways depending on your relationship with each individual pack mate, including but not limited to; infatuation, blind devotion, admiration, brotherhood, friendship, love/hate or even a friendly rivalry. It also makes attempting to harm your pack mates in significant ways ( Significant meaning life threatening ) to be difficult and require you to spend one willpower point, and succeed a willpower roll. Disobeying orders from your direct superiors also comes with the same challenge.
- This bond also takes the place of a level 3 bond, and while this means that the Vinculum's bond cannot be broken or overwritten by another blood bond, it also means that any attempts by other Vampires to enslave your character through a blood bond will be stunted at level 1.
- The Blood in the Vinculum has a strange property; the first time new Thracians partakes in the Vinculum ceremony seems to have an effect on their appearance; blemishes or age spots vanish, their features sharpen and they become visibly more pleasant to the eye, attractive even. All Thracians ( except for those of Clan Nosferatu ) gain the Looks(••) merit, or if they already have the •• version, they instead gain the Looks(••••) variant.
- Nosferatu: The effects seem amplified on members of the Nosferatu Clan who see the visible effects of their curse fade as they regain their mortal appearance ( and perhaps even beauty ) overnight. Their curse, however, does not vanish, it instead seems to evolve into something arguably even more terrifying; they just radiate an unnerving aura that causes others, especially mortals, to feel uneasy around them. This can manifest in a feeling of unease, or even cause others in their surroundings to suffer from light hallucinations, such as the Nosferatu's shadow moving or twitching in strange ways, or having their features twist in monstrous ways just as you blink, making them do a double take. It is up to the player(s) to decide with the storyteller(s) how that new bane manifests itself. Mechanically, their Clan Bane changes to instead give them a -2 to all social rolls when interacting with mortals or strangers. ( This flaw does not apply to the Nosferatu's ghoul(s) ).
- Strange Side Effects: Your character will sometimes have strange dreams that meld a feeling of deep helplessness with sensual pleasures only equalled by feeding on vitae can provide. Roll one dice each day you go in character, if the result is a success, nothing happens. In the case of a failure, your character will experience the strange dream and must do a rouse check. Note that this can only happen once per week. Whether your character is disturbed, intrigued or aroused by the dream is up to you as a player.
Character Creation Tips
- Important Disclaimer: Players who wish to make a character for the Thracians should be aware that the Coterie comes with heavy adult themes which include adult and potentially difficult themes such as uncensored depictions of sex, violence, abuse and an atmosphere many would qualify of toxic masculinity. Potential characters and their face claim must also fit the hyper masculine theme of Coterie. If you are uncomfortable diving into these themes, or unwilling to abide by the Coterie's restrictions, we ask that you instead create a character for one of the other 4 Coteries.
- While most characters within the Coterie should have a focus on combat, it shouldn't be their only focus. Avoid falling into the trap of making a combat monkey or murder hobo.
- Think carefully about their reasons for joining the Thracians, and remember that while the pack seems to be nothing but a cult of masculinity on face value, there is clearly something else at play beneath the veneers of brotherhood, strength and community offered by the Coterie. Is your character simply lonely and trying to put on a brave face, when in truth they are only looking for a place to belong and the company of a chosen family? Are they broken or traumatized, seeking an outlet or for help in controlling their violent rage? Maybe they are a veteran who feels lost without the rigidity and purpose of a military unit? Perhaps they are simply a bully, unhinged, perverted or sadistic, seeing the Coterie as an opportunity to unleash their vices, regardless of whatever caveats comes with it.
- Potential characters could have been part of the Neo Mattachines, or could have been sired by Soldat, Thorsten or Evander. If that is the case, seek out storytellers for assistance.
Soldat
Thorsten
Evander
