In the next few weeks, I’m presenting groups devoted to exploring the supernatural. From séance-busters to mind enhancing experiments, each group is described for use in your games. Each group could be an association, an employer, the main villain, or a just a mob of protesters blocking the street during a chase.
Some information (like the Sinister Ideas and Benevolent Ideas) is contradictory and will be dependent on their use in play. The terms Private and Public describe the club’s activates. Public describes activities the club willingly lets the general populace know, and Private describes activates and pursuits known only to initiates and the group’s leadership.
Reputation modifiers (Notoriety and Propriety) are applicable to any member of the groups (NPC or PC).
The Brotherhood of Odic Enlightenment (BOE, the Enlightened, Sons of Odin)
Almost all learned men of the Guild agree magnetists are able to perform their fantastic feats of Clairvoyance and Spiritualism because of their innate connection to the Aether from birth (such as the Eldren), and nothing will give abilities to those lacking that connection.
The Brotherhood of Odic Enlightenment disagrees. The Brotherhood believes a powerful force called “Od” permeates all life on earth. This energy flows through all humans, animal and plants. Magnetists are innately able to tap into this force, With practice and the Brotherhood’s teachings so can everyone else.
The Brotherhood derives their beliefs from the experiments of German scientist, Baron Carl von Reichenbach. Like Reichenbach, some members claim they can see “Od” energy shimmering around “sensitives” (magnetists). All magnetists and those wishing to become magnetists are sought out by the Brotherhood for membership.
Public Goal: To better understand the Odic force that “truly” powers Magnetism, and teach everyone how to access their innate abilities (become “sensitive”)
Private Goal: To open the minds of their elect leadership for complete control of the Odic Force
Membership: 80-100; mostly middle class (open to any white professional man of any subspecies)
Meetings: Lectures and demonstrations, pamphlets, advertisements (Public); Concentration exercises, experiments, and rituals (Private)
Sinister Ideas: De-powered magnetists, brainwashing, stolen powers, experiments on kidnapped magnetists,
Benevolent Ideas: Scholarships for underprivileged magnetists, training in magnetic ability control, discussion and debate with open minded Guild members,
Notoriety: 2 (Most Eldren find the idea of everyone leaning their aetheric powers, laughable and insulting; The Brotherhood’s beliefs do not agree with popular Guild approved magical practice)
Propriety: 1 (a few key Guild researchers and prominent businessmen are members)
Sample Members:
Diggory Perch (proud dwarven publisher of European periodicals with a bent towards Mysticism and Mesmerism)
Dr. Tiffany Lacon (human physician, interested in the Brotherhood after his wife manifested Clairvoyant abilities)
Danny Mallerd (quiet orc shoemaker with recently manifested Spiritualist abilities and many mouths to feed)
Leadership:
Dr. Albert Westman (dogfolk ex-Guild associate, fascinated by Magnetism)
Jonathon Broghurst-Tychman (wealthy Eldren banker born without Magnetic abilities)
Plot Hooks
Magnetists unable to afford a proper education with the Guild have only one other option for formal training in their abilities: Free “Sensitivity Classes” with the Brotherhood.
An alarming string of kidnappings plagues middleclass families. Each time there is no sign of entry and no physical evidence of the kidnapper’s presence. The parents are all devastated, reluctant to work with the police, and members of the BOE.
The BOE announced one of their number learned to control Odic forces and can replicate some Magnetic Abilities. They arranged a demonstration before the Royal Society. Will the test go as planned?
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