eldritchmods (eldritchmods) wrote in eldritchwiki, @ 2011-04-19 07:21:00 |
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The Hellfire Club in an internationally established chain of gentleman’s clubs whose members hunt and uncover aspects of the supernatural world. Established in the 18th century after the discovery of the Lazarus Pits, the clubs spread from England and now reside in major cities across the globe. Members come from wealth and fame, and therefore often possess high political and economic influence. Membership can be purchased, but it is more commonly gained by descendents from families already within the club. There are five highly prominent families in its history, which are said to come from the bloodlines of five of the first Hellfire members. Due to its members having political wealth and social standing, the Hellfire Club has a large impact on society and often abuses its control for its own benefit, though this is never done as a blatant attempt at corruption or domination. In the United States, some Congressmen and advisers in the President’s Cabinet are said to be Hellfire members, but authenticity of this is only known among the club. Hellfire continues to exist, above all else, in secrecy, and its members will vow to do anything to maintain this secrecy and the naivety of the public eye. It has no tolerance for members going rogue and deals with them accordingly. Pursuing supernatural beasts and items is a strategy to increase their power. The Lazarus Pit was a fine starting point, but it’s existence lead to theories that more than what could be seen by the mortal eyes existed. Notable figures such as Van Helsing and Mina Harker were among the Hellfire ranks and uncovered the existence of vampires, demons, ghouls, and spirits, and more are sought daily with the aim to use and control them for Hellfire’s benefit. The Hellfire Club is divided into ranks depending on an individual’s power, experience, bloodline, and hunting prizes, and while there are upper ranks, soldiers are more common, but are nevertheless crucial. Sometimes called Hellfire Hunters, these gentlemen and ladies are trained in the arts of Eastern fighting styles and are equipped with special weapons for dispatching creatures of darkness. They answer to the hierarchy of their master club and are strategically sent to areas of the country where weird sightings proved common. They are often in competition with one another and Eldritch Hunters to bring back the prize. Background Lord Issac Wyngarde accidentally uncovered the Lazarus Pits in an effort to cure a dying princess of the Sultan he worked with during his time as a British Ambassador. Wyngarde dug a pit where he discovered the restorative chemical pools that he dubbed a Lazarus Pit for its abilities to heal those at death's door. After using the pit to save the life of the princess, a side effect of the pit's restorative abilities revealed itself as the princess went mad and killed the Sultan. Blamed for the murder by the people, Wyngarde was left to die, buried in the desert, but was soon rescued by his own troops and a female explorer named Lilith Dashwood. Afterward, he used his troops to gained vengeance on the princess and her people for what happened to him and preceded to call himself the “The Hellfire Demon.” Social warfare was and still is very common among members. For centuries the pits served the purpose of prolonging the lives of the Hellfire Club as well as the lives of their troops. They carried the tradition of the exclusive clubs to the New World, and have several Hellfire Clubs throughout the United States to this day. In the United States the term gentlemen's club is frequently used as a euphemism for strip clubs; this works to the advantage of the Hellfire Club as they are able to hide the dark side of their society affairs behind unscrupulous but more acceptable activities. Meetings occurred twice a month. The members addressed each other as "Brothers or Sisters" and the leader, which changed regularly, as "Master." During meetings members supposedly wore ritual clothing: devilish masks finely crafted from porcelain, white trousers, jacket, and a robe, while the "Master" wore a red ensemble of the same style. Rumours of orgies and demon worship were well circulated during the time the Club was in popularity. Other clubs, especially in Ireland and Scotland, were rumoured to take part in far more dubious activities. Rumors saw female "guests" (a euphemism for prostitutes) referred to as "Nuns." Dashwood's Club meetings often included occult rituals, items of a pornographic nature, much drinking, and banqueting. The Hellfire Club had grown to be as corrupt as the monsters they hunted, and it maintains a similar form and similar practices to this day. The progression of society has done little to tamper with its ways and means, and its elite hierarchy in cities continues to influence politics, economics, technology, and other areas of advancement. The Hellfire Club will always remain a step ahead though, dictating where they can and continuing their pursuits with the supernatural. RANKS The Hellfire Club is organized into a variety of ranks to distinguish the power its members wield and their responsibilities within the club. Each city the club manifests in has its own set of ranking individuals, but all metropolitan clubs and their activities are overseen by the Hellfire’s Inner Circle: the supreme group of elders. Soldiers are the most common and plenty type of member, and with higher rankings being few, obtainment of them is cause for competition and rivalry. The main five Hellfire families are often involved in conflict over the titles, and cities containing many bloodlines contain deadly confrontations, as though the families were rivaling gangs and not brothers and sisters in the same cult. So while the titles demand respect, the individuals who obtain them must maintain their wit and security or else lose their posts or their lives. The ranks follow as thus: ✥ Inner Circle: The global leaders of the Hellfire Club. The size of the Inner Circle and the identities of its members are kept secret from most of the club for its safety and purity, though they are among the club’s elder members. Their exact ages and the frequency the Circle changes is also unknown, since it’s said that they pilgrim to the Lazarus Pit often. The Circle is charged with the duty to oversee the whole club, to hold congress regarding threats to its integrity, to recommend the appointment of new Princes, to appoint Justicars, and to dictate its long-term goals. ✥ Prince: The overseer of a city’s club members and the holder of rights over the city’s domain and prizes. (I.e. the Prince of Chicago or the Prince of Vienna.) Original tradition gave the title to an elder member, but contemporary society has made that more lenient and power-based. Yet strength or not, the title can only be gained and maintained with the Inner Circle’s approval. There is a delicate balance of power between them since princes receive word from the Circle to enforce the club’s integrity, but princes are still the club lawmakers of his or her particular city. Conflicting agendas can therefore be a prince’s demise. They also resolve disputes between lower club members, approve orders for soldiers, and establish the ritualistic practices within his or her domain. Each prince has his own tastes and preferences, so clubs can either have specialties or experience varieties of practices through different reigns. ✥ Seneschal: A Prince’s second-in-command. This is a rank earned through power and status and again must be sanctioned by the Inner Circle, and it can be a highly influential role in the right hands. A seneschal advises the prince and will make decisions and issue orders when the prince is unavailable. Such decisions can ultimately be reversed and overruled when the prince returns, so it is not uncommon for there to be a strong rivalry between a prince and his or her seneschal. Most of the time, it is expected for a seneschal to become the next prince, and the majority of seneschals expect it, but this is by no means a guarantee. ✥ Harpy: A social rumour-monger and bestower of privilege within a city. The lead harpy is selected by the prince with support of the Inner Circle, and from there, the lead can appoint sub-harpies. Harpies often hold positions with a high proportion of social connections and media, like news broadcasters, and they bring these skills to the club as acting historians and moderators for any trouble between the club’s activities and the mundane world. Thus their main duties are to ensure the club’s secrecy and to keep record of the city’s activities and obtained prizes. They also control the giving of favors and added wealth to the members, resources to soldiers, and iron over scandals. ✥ Herald: An intermediary who serves directly below a prince. A herald acts as a secretary and tracks all appointments the prince has regarding the Hellfire Club and the prince’s life outside of it. A herald is appointed by a prince’s right hand members if not directly by a prince himself and must remain with the prince for his full reign or until the herald’s death, whichever comes first. A herald is to ensure the prince’s time is not wasted, and although a trusted member, failure to do so can be swift and severe. It is easy to overlook this rank since it lies directly in the prince’s and seneschal’s shadows, but it continues to be an important standing. ✥ Justicar: The judges and executioners of members who cause transgressions in and out of the club. Justicars are the ultimate authority (besides the Inner Circle, who appoint them) and there are only five at any one time - one from each of the five main bloodlines. All within the club are subject to their authority except the most privileged members, and they exercise the most freedom within the club. They are free to travel among the club’s cities, though their presence causes expected tension. They are powerful and conclaves are only initiated by their word, which is where their judgments are dispensed. There are no written guidelines for specific crimes within the club, so each justicar brings a unique stance and outlook to his or her reign. Harsher justicars are applauded, but there have been occurrences of pacifist and fair tempered justicars in the club’s history. One justicar’s decision can only be disputed by another. ✥ Soldier: The common and therefore lower rank within the club, but one that is nevertheless important. Soldiers provide the vital manpower to the aims and goals of the club, and they receive their orders from higher-ranking members. Soldiers are Hellfire’s seekers and hunters. They are the members trained in combat and sent to pursue supernatural beings and items. Competition is high between soldiers and backstabbing is not uncommon, since a high retrieval rate of prizes for the club brings power, wealth, and greater ranking among fellow soldiers. A soldier will happily ride on an Eldritch Hunter’s coattails to snatch a creature before it is killed and some soldiers completely imbed themselves in Hunter society for intel. These double agents do not earn much respect among his fellow gentlemen and ladies, but it is a necessary role to employ. THE TOP BRANCHES AND THEIR HIERARCHY:
The Lazarus Pit. The Lazarus Pit Lord Issac Wyngarde’s uncovering of the Lazarus Pit was what led to the foundation of the Hellfire Club. The pit itself is a restorative chemical pool with the ability to heal those at death’s door, and it has therefore become a symbol of worship, belief, and power within the club. Not all have a spiritual connection to it. To many, it is simply a means to an end - the means for advancement and the club’s success. Nevertheless, it has served the purpose of prolonging the lives of its members and troops for centuries. Only the more privileged members know of its location, but they lead pilgrimages to it so that the benefits can be reaped by all. The pits are also extensively guarded by the club’s troops so no civilian may accidently stumble upon them. Though the story of the princess reigns true: the pits are restorative but come with a price. Use of them is immensely addicting and only strong minds can maintain their sanity. Frequent use of the pits is therefore discouraged and those who’ve had multiple douses are closely monitored. The club has had many instances of members and soldiers going berserk, or worse, becoming wretched and bloodthirsty creatures. The Contemporary Hellfire Club Meetings: The more ritualistic and satanic practices have leveled off over the centuries. They remain relevant in some cities, depending on the reigning Prince’s tastes, but overall, Hellfire has regained its face as an elite club. Meetings still occur bi-monthly and members still address each other as “Brothers and Sisters.” The leader of meetings - the designated “Master” - is never the Prince himself, but a Hellfire scholar who is given the position for the sole meeting or the whole month. The meetings themselves consist of information exchange and the presentation of advancements, prize lists, plans, and new orders. Drinking and banqueting also takes place, and again, in accordance to the Prince’s preference, a variety of occult rituals, sexual practices, and/or sacrifices may take place. Female leadership is more common now. Travel: It is not uncommon for one city’s club members to visit another’s. It is actually encouraged, as is the free flow of information between them, what with the information age being upon them. Competition is put aside for these shared meetings and mingling, and resources and assistance are offered to members of the brother and sisterhood. There is no dispute and members have open arms so long as respect is given to whoever’s domain one is in. Hunting: Soldiers conduct the majority of hunts and obtainment of the supernatural. A ranking member may be tempted out into the field though for his or her own pleasure, but anyone who represents the Hellfire Club, no matter their ranking, is well taken care of. Funds, weapons, and resources are always at their disposal, and any item, creature, or intel obtained (called a prize) can be exchanged for further wealth and prestige. Soldiers also have a city club they report to, and therefore a specific Prince they receive orders from, so soldiers from different cities compete with one another for prizes, but they will band together in an instant to foil an Eldritch Hunter. Eldritch Hunters and their Network are well known to the Hellfire Club. Some soldiers even infiltrate these hunters to gather information and leads when they do not already have a mission. Such strategies are often fruitful, though are not looked highly upon by higher-ranking members. Demons: It is a known fact that one of Hellfire’s earliest practices was demon worship. Thus since the club’s beginnings, the club has caught the eye of demonic entities. It was initially a strained relationship, where the first demon summoning ended in disaster and both sides proved power hungry and unyielding, but compromise was eventually found and Hellfire now has business with some demons. Some are extremely old too, which unlocks priceless resources to the club. So to a degree, worship continues through their strange partnership. Some members have even volunteered themselves as hosts to demons while others have been “bestowed” with demonic powers. Others still are designated summoners, which is a title not wanted by many but comes with ample reward and fame within the club. The Lazarus Study: The Lazarus Study is the ongoing research on the Lazarus Pit’s properties and the transformative affects it can have on weaker minds and bodies after exposure. It is a bold study, where voluntary soldiers and even civilians are taken and a transformation is provoked. The once-human creatures are then studied and experiments are conduct to try to reverse the process. Regardless to the outcome (which is more than likely a fatal one), the subjects are kept in Hellfire’s lab for the rest of their lives. This study is also being conducted on creatures and beasts brought back by the soldiers. These investigations are into the creature’s origins and the possibility of them taking human form and becoming monster “sleeper agents” within society. There are also attempts being done to harvest their supernatural abilities and Hellfire would love nothing else to move their studies onto mages. The final branch of the study is for inoculating the Lazarus Pit’s restorative properties. This medication would prove beneficial to their soldiers and could also be marketed to the mundane populous if Hellfire was ever to step out into the public eye and need public support. Facts and Trivia
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