THE.KEEPERS.OF.THE.GROVE
" You know too much and that means one two things will happen. One, we kill you or two we wipe your memory. It’s up to you which option we choose."
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The Keepers of the Grove
The Keepers of the Grove are an ancient order that are based out of an old, run down church up in the community that sits in the mountains that overlook Cloverfield. This coven was founded to, and still does, maintain an underground grove simply known as Grove of Vitality. The Grove is a pool of crystal clear water within a difficult to access and navigate cave system near the community of Hopes Rest. The waters of the grove are a place where any and all wounds will be healed. No one knows where the cavern Grove came from, nor who created it, but it has been here for several centuries at least.
The coven has hid the location of the grove successfully for many years and every action they take is to protect it from outside influences. Even as the city around them was being destroyed, and thousands were injured and in need of help. As the city has emerged from the battle victorious this grove has drawn renewed interest from many of the various factions that call Cloverfield home, especially those on the north side of the river.
The Grove’s waters are magical and can heal all wounds, whether physical, emotional, or magical. The waters are also able to return the dead back to full life without any strings attached. The Grove is illuminated by the ceiling of the cave which is painted in a strange, unknown yellow paint that not only gives off light but warmth as well. It also enables this underground location to support the plant life that manages to grow here. There are no structures and nothing man made here. The waters of the grove work passively however there is a chant that can be uttered by the coven to speed up the process, or empower the effect.
The Coven will defend this grove with their lives even if they’re numbers have dwindled over the years. The coven is led by Elara, a direct descendant of the original leader who perished in the cataclysm. |
THE.HALLOW.TAP.COVEN
" While those rich fucks get everything handed to them on a silver fucking platter we’re forced to sit here and beg for the fucking scraps. Are we going to let them destroy our home or are we going to do something about it?"
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The Hollow Tap coven gets their name from the infamous two-story bar centered at the heart of the lower district. Flanked by abandoned warehouses, and with a constant police presence around it, the ambiance of this location is gritty and worn. The exterior walls are marred with graffiti that has long since become a stable of its image. The inside maintains this as the dim lighting hides more in the shadows than it reveals in the light. There is a jukebox in the corner that is locked to a selection of old country music and the blues. Despite the crime in the area, and the desolation that surrounds it, it is constantly packed each night with regulars and newcomers alike. It was one of two bars that survived the cataclysm, and the only one that stayed open afterwards.
The Hollow Tap coven maintains the bar as a sort of neutral spot for all the other criminal elements of the city and it has dedicated tables for each group that are always reserved for them. The second floor of the bar is the VIP lounge where business matters are handled. No phones or other electronic devices are allowed in this space.
This place, and this group, is an open secret that has long blighted the powers that be over on the north side. As such it has been raided and shut down twice over the past year yet nothing seems to stick. Despite the constant police presence around it and the pressure from the rich folk across the river nothing seems to stick. This is in part due to the coven having a significant number of the local police force, and the local PRA group, in their pocketbook. As well, they maintain a solid database of compromising information on politicians and other influential figures. They maintain these secrets but never deal in them.
The group is led by Gideon, a man born and raised in the lower districts. He wants to unite the district, and force out the north side influences. He often directs his crew to build up support for his vision, through threats of force and the brutal application of it. |
THE.BROTHERHOOD
"In Tenebris Fortitudo."
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The Brotherhood is a secretive order of knights founded during the medieval era of Europe, a time marked by superstition, fear of the supernatural, and rampant violence wrought by malevolent Apparitions and Aberrations. A coalition of brave warriors, scholars, and clerics gathered to ally to safeguard humanity from these dark forces. They established their first sanctuaries in the crumbling ruins of ancient monasteries and hidden cathedrals, drawing upon knowledge and ancient texts to develop their combat techniques and magical practices. This early formation emphasized martial prowess and the understanding of magic as a force to be respected and wielded responsibly. Over the centuries, as Europe transformed through the Renaissance into the modern age, the Brotherhood adapted, remaining vigilant against evolving supernatural threats and maintaining its mission in an increasingly skeptical world.
Recruitment into the Brotherhood is a selective and often tricky process. Candidates are typically individuals who have encountered the supernatural firsthand, whether through personal tragedy, the loss of loved ones to Aberrations, or as witnesses to horrific events. Prospective members often come from diverse backgrounds and initiates undergo rigorous trials that assess their resolve, intellect, morality, and ability to wield magical artifacts. Those who pass are bestowed the rank of Acolyte, tasked with learning the Brotherhood’s ancient rites, combat techniques, and magic secrets.
The Brotherhood’s hierarchical structure consists of several ranks, each representing different levels of mastery and responsibility. At the pinnacle is the Grandmaster, a figure shrouded in mystery, believed to possess extensive knowledge of the Paranormal and unparalleled combat skills. Beneath the Grandmaster are the Councilors, seasoned knights who advise on strategy, recruitment, and training. The next rank, Paladins, represents the elite warriors of the Brotherhood, skilled in martial combat and the use of magical artifacts, including legendary weapons such as the Vampire Hunter and the Undead Hunter. These artifacts are steeped in the order’s history and designed to combat the undead and other dark forces. Paladins lead missions and are responsible for confronting powerful Apparitions, while the Acolytes, still in training, gradually take on field assignments under their guidance. The lowest rank, Novices, are the newest recruits who have yet to prove their worth.
The Brotherhood's operations are often shrouded in secrecy, with members conducting missions that range from small-scale reconnaissance to full-scale assaults on strongholds of evil forces. They combine traditional combat techniques and magic, often relying on artifacts steeped in their order's history. These artifacts are carefully guarded, each possessing unique powers that enhance the wielder’s abilities and safeguard against dark forces. The Brotherhood also gathers intelligence, maps out areas where Paranormal occurrences are reported, and tracks activity to strike before chaos ensues preemptively.
Some members advocate for a more aggressive approach, arguing that striking decisively against Apparitions and Aberrations is the only way to send a clear message and deter future threats. Conversely, others within the Brotherhood urge restraint and deliberation. This philosophical divide creates tension during council meetings, where strategies are debated and missions planned, reflecting the Brotherhood's struggle to balance aggression with caution in an ever-changing world of supernatural threats. The membership primarily consists of Adepts, and there is a stigma against Aberrations, including those who are Adjoined, Abominable, and Afflicted, further complicating the dynamics within the order.
The Brotherhood's arsenal includes a cornerstone weapon known as the Knight's Edge, a mass-produced artifact that serves as both a sword and a versatile tool. Forged from a unique alloy with magical properties, it can adapt to the wielder’s needs, shifting between forms such as a traditional blade or a ranged whip. It is customizable to imbue it with elemental properties or temporary enchantments. Alongside the Knight's Edge, members employ specialized weapons like enchanted crossbows, spears, axes, shields, etc. As time progressed, the Brotherhood transitioned to more modern weaponry, integrating firearms enhanced with enchantments to maintain their effectiveness against supernatural foes.
While the Brotherhood primarily operates within Europe, its influence and reach extend to other continents whenever the threat of Aberrations arises. This expansion is marked by careful planning as they connect with local groups and individuals who share their mission. Through meetings and cooperation with other factions, the Brotherhood ensures that the knowledge and tools required to combat supernatural threats are shared, creating a web that spans borders. This adaptability reflects their understanding that evil knows no bounds and that their vigilance must extend beyond the confines of Europe to protect humanity from the encroaching darkness.
While the Brotherhood does not have a sect in Cloverfield, they participated in the Cataclysm, and have some membership working in Cloverfield to recover the Undead Hunter, and the Vampire Hunter. |
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