From: STEPHEN ESDALE Subject: Illuminati: Part 5 KEEPERS OF SECRETS Nickname: Lurkers The Keepers are perhaps the only Society actively helping enlighten mankind. Once lowly throngs, the Keepers of Secrets were a confederation of small societies from around the globe. They were keepers of libraries and caretakers of the centres of world knowledge. From the ancient library of Alexandria to the lands of the far east, the Keepers sought out the mundane secrets of the ages. In the 15th century, as the Pax Concordat was being negotiated, the Throngs gathered together and formed the Keepers of Secrets. It was a defense measure against the encroaching Illuminati as well as move to enter the arena of the greater societies. Both moves were successful and the Keepers of Secrets became the second-last Society to sit on the Court. Besides controlling libraries, universities, and other organizations devoted to knowledge; they also invested time and effort to influence communication technology. Over time, the Keepers gained considerable power in mundane society as contact over long distances became easier and less costly. The Keeper of Secrets encouraged all forms of telecommunication and free transmission of thought, from the pony express, telegraph and telephone, to the modem, Internet and the ever-expanding information super-highway. Currently, the Keepers are a rising power in the Illuminati. The Global Elite is trying desperately to stem the Keeper's power, trying to discourage free speech across the Internet and police the telecommunication networks. However, such policies are not as successful as the Elite would like, causing many to see a shift of power from the Global Elite to Keepers in the next few years. The Keepers never use Hostile Takeovers and shy away from any direct approaches to problems. By utilizing their libraries, databases, and telecommunication taps, they have collected much damaging material on both the supernatural and mundane world. They use these "skeletons in the closet" to blackmail potential holdings or discourage any adversaries. They could easily destroy a person, business, or multinational if they so planned. Of any of the Illuminati, they have had the most success in stemming the Technocracy. Many Progenitor, Iteration X, and Syndicate business have had damaging information leaked when they investigated Illuminati affairs. The loss of reputation, company holdings, and billions of dollars have so far persuaded the Technocrats to abandon _active_ inquiry of the Lurkers. Goal: Every question as an answer, every person a hidden secret. The supernaturals are not an exception. All that is necessary is to find those secrets and use them to their best advantage. Basilica: Somewhere near the ruins of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt. Suspected Holdings: Information Gathering sources (TV/radio stations, newspapers, Internet sites, post offices, phone companies, government think-tanks, etc) Preferred Backgrounds and Skills: Contacts and Allies are prized by the Lurkers, for a personal information network can augment the Keepers gathering sources. Additionally, Knowledges of all types (except for skills such as Occult) are helpful. Stereotypes: Blood Covenant: No mystical secret will cure our ills. The mundane information of this world will be the tool that controls the uncontrollable. Enigmatic Stratagem: This Illuminati seem to have information beyond even our great scope. They deserve more investigation. We will learn what they know. Global Elite: Brutal Pencil-pushers! The world under their control has done little to throw off yoke of supernatural oppression. Their reign is at an end. Pantheon: They have long suppressed information, for they know its power. Ignorance and superstition are their tools, but only we know the light of truth. They never got out of the Dark Ages. Shadow Bank: Money and Stocks? You only the others knew the truth. We know much more about you than you suspect. Watch your step, bankers, or your little secret might slip out. THE PANTHEON Nickname: Preachers Splitting from the Global Elite during their schism, the Pantheon concentrated its control of the huge Imperial Priesthood of the Roman Pantheon. They infiltrated every temple with their influence, matching their sister Society, the Global Elite, holding for holding. As provinces were being added into the Empire, the Pantheon would attempt to convert them to the Roman gods or infiltrate their religious ranks. When Emperor Constintine made Rome a Christian nation, the Pantheon quickly shifted its attention from propagating the Roman gods to the God of the Judeo-Christians. They were responsible for the transformation from the Christian church from the non- aggressive collection of believers to the expansionist, intolerant, megalithic Catholic Church that exists even to this day. The original goal of the Pantheon was to unite the world under one religion, that of Christianity. Though the Society soon became the most influential force in Europe, they had very limited success in other parts of the world. The Crusades to take the Holy Land was the most ambitious of Pantheon plots. Its purpose, to begin to convert the world to Christianity and uniting it under the Pantheon-controlled Papacy. It had early success but in the end failed badly. They couldn't convert the Islamic nations to Christ, nor did they have any success with the invading Mongol hordes. They did, however, destroy the Celtic civilization and eventually convert the Vikings; harming the Blood Covenant greatly by doing so. The separation of the Eastern Orthodox church, the Protestant movement of Martin Luther, and the Age of Reason all harmed the Catholic Church greatly and devastated the Pantheon. The Pantheon had supported the Age of Reason grudgingly, for they knew that by doing would only hurt the mages (specifically, their nemesis, the Celestial Chorus). The Chorus had always had been a thorn in the side of the Pantheon, always interfering with their holdings. Several times the Chorus came very close to uncovering their Society. The Age of Reason permanently debilitated the Chorus control in the church and allowed the Pantheon to strengthen its grip on the populace. Currently, the Pantheon still seeks a one world church, but its not an immediate goal. Instead, its infiltrated each of the Western and Near Eastern religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and some Televangelists. The Pantheon now seeks to unify each nation under a particular religion. When this is done, they will then attempt create political religious blocks (such as the an Islamic Federation in the Middle-East). >From there, its believed the pantheon will attempt to create an World Ecumenical Council from which will spring forth a single World Religion. However, Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Shintoism have given the Pantheon great agitation. Perhaps its from the non-confrontation attitudes expressed by the Buddhist Priest. More likely, its from the Akashic Brotherhood, who is always vigilant for outside interference in its affairs. In the past they have attempted to convert them to other religions, with little success. Now, for the time being, the Pantheon has focused west, perhaps building up for an eventual religious Jihad. Goal: A Supreme Being. Whether we believe in it is not important, for its his power over the minds and hearts of the populace is all that's matter. Whether following God, Jehovah, Allah, or Buddha; they will all flock under our Earthly banner. Then, perhaps, we can wage Holy War on the Abominations that walk the Earth. Basilica: Jerusalem. The Centre of three of the world's great faiths: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Suspected Holdings: Religious men in most Western (and Near Eastern) religions, the Society of Leopold (?), the Knightly Orders (see the net supplement Church Knight). Preferred Backgrounds and Skills: Besides Theology (Vampire Players Guide Pg.67), character's should be appear to be upstanding and pious men in their respective communities. For the Pantheon, appearances are everything. Knights generally have True Faith as their Numina. Stereotypes: Blood Covenant: Magic is a tool for imbeciles. The masses need firm leadership, not obscure guidance. You are an aging dinosaur, soon to fall into extinction. Even the Neo-Pagans can't help you now. Enigmatic Stratagem: Aliens have no place in our world. They undermine our great plan. Cease now or suffer our wrath. Global Elite: Though they more powerful than us, a time will come when we will outshine even them. They will then be our enforcers, loyal Crusaders in the impending holy war. Keepers of Secrets: They know much, but are unwilling to share that knowledge. Nevertheless, they are a rapidly rising star. Care must be taken, lest they overpower us. Shadow Bank: Money breeds greed. Greed diminishes faith. Faith is the root of our control. Yet, we have no quarrel with them. We will not harm them, unless the get in our way. SHADOW BANK Nickname: Gnomes Though the Global Elite, Keepers of Secrets, and the Pantheon dominate the world of the Illuminati, the Shadow Bank would appear to hold the strings. The masters of money, they have the power to cripple the other Illuminati's holdings with ease. However, they seeming have no interest in attacking their fellow Society members. If anything, they are the most stalwart supporters of the Court. This in itself has eased the fears of the other Illuminati, but has made them wonder... Though, the Shadow Bank only began to rise to Society status during the Industrial Revolution, it existed as a Throng since the early middle ages. The first holding of the Bank was the Knights Templar, stealing them from under the nose of the Pantheon. Under their influence, the Knights became very rich and powerful. Its even rumoured that the Knights found the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia, an artifact which the Shadow Bank is believed still to hold. Eventually, the Knights were destroyed, lost in a Hostile Takeover by the Pantheon. The fragments of the Templars not reeducated or killed by the Pantheon were saved by the Shadow Bank. They would later set the foundation for the sprawling Monetary Empire of modern day. Currently, they hold banks, stock markets, and fiscal agencies such as the IRS and Merril Lynch. In recent years, it has been alluded to that the Shadow Bank and the Syndicate of the Technocracy may know of each other, perhaps even sharing relations and resources. Some have gone so far as saying that the Shadow Bank IS the Syndicate, and that the two are following some unfathomable plan at present. With the recent rumours of the Architects (see Architects of Reason, below), some believe that the Lucidites remained in control of the Syndicate and have used that dominance to reinitialize links to their old Society friends. While this is not been proved, it has given the other Illuminati a lot to think about. Goal: The Golden Rule: He who has the gold, makes the rules. Money does make the world go round, and its influence extends even into the supernatural world. Once we master currency, the world will soon bow before our might. Basilica: Geneva, Switzerland Suspected Holdings: Various banks, stock brokers, stock exchanges, and commodity exchanges. Preferred Backgrounds and Skills: Finance and Resources are very important to both the Society and its followers. Its become a necessity (or at a very least a rite of passage) to get at least one dot in each. Knights who are part of the Shadow Bank have a mix of all Numina, but rely on their Financial Skills (all Shadow Bank Knights must have at least two dots in Finance) to fulfil their objectives. Stereotypes: Blood Covenant: They spent too much time using the tools of our enemies. Like the psychic hot-line idea, though... Enigmatic Stratagem: Hmmm, they always seem to have enough money their ventures, yet we have no records of transactions. I wonder if they've filed a tax return... Global Elite: The rich and powerful they may be, but we hold the purse strings. Keepers of Secrets: Information is nothing. Records are only important in transactions and contracts. Their methods are useless. Pantheon: Their idea of religion involves only two things: Control and money. They are very much like us, whether they believe it or not. ARCHITECTS OF REASON (DEFUNCT) Nickname: Lucidites Its not clear whether the Architects were a real Society, or a concoction of the Court to reinforce their dogma. Basilica documents due speak of another Society which existed before the Pax Concordat, but that society was never officially named. According to the official line, the Architects were a throng that wished to remove Supernatural influence once and for all. Thought to have begun in the late 12th century, it grew by recruiting members of the "mundane" Order of Hermes, especially those who were against the so-called Mythic age. However, instead of pawns, they were inducted as full members, filling the ranks of Knights, Pawns, and Rooks. It only took a few years, but the Architects power-base blossomed. They soon rose above the status of Throng, and caught the eye of most of the Great Illuminati. Their own Conspiracy, based on reason over mysticism was beneficial to all the Societies in the World and greatly hampered the supernaturals. They rapidly rose in power, their influence growing until they were large enough that it was destined to join the ranks of the Greater Societies of the Illuminati. However, by the 15th Century, the Architects had all but disappeared. In its place, was the society of static mages known as the Technocracy. The Court says that the Technocracy and the Architects are one and the same. The mages overcame the mundane Illuminati and took control of the Society, transforming it into the Technocracy. This party line has been used by the Court to strengthen their view that Supernaturals must always be dupes and pawns. To work with Supernaturals or allow them into the Pax Corcordat would be suicide. While this is the official account of the fate of the Lucidites, there are other theories. Some say the Architects were not overthrown, but merely split up. The mages left to become the Technocracy, while the humans left for who-knows- where. Perhaps they were reabsorbed into the other Societies or formed their own. A radical theory states that the Enigmatic Stratagem are the remains of the Architects of Reason, still following their radical programs under a new guise. Some have even gone so far as to say that the Architects of Reason are still controlling the Technocracy, but in the shadows. Often those who theorize this also believe that the Syndicate has joined/subverted/merged with the Shadow Bank. They also state evidence that the Architects (or whatever they were really called) were seeded by the Shadow Bank (as a Throng) while it controlled the Knights Templar. Is any of this true? One could say many things about the Architects, but there is little proof to back up their claims. Perhaps the Architects don't exist, or maybe they were just the Shadow Bank in a different aspect. Unless they can find the Lucidite's elusive Basilica, then the truth may never be known [Author's Note: This has been left vague intentionally. Storytellers are chose the origins and fate of the Architects.] Goal: They are believed to share the views of the technocracy. By creating static reality, you hamper the supernaturals ability to effect reality and humanity. It is much easier to kill a scorpion that has lost its sting. Basilica: Unknown. If it exists, it could be a treasure trove of information. It is believed to exist somewhere in Europe, presumably in some areas with a long history of technical/scientific achievement. Suspected Holdings: ???????????? Preferred Backgrounds and Skills: They no longer exist (if they ever existed...). Their preferred abilities and advantages are lost in myth and fable. Technical skills were probably important. Stereotypes: Their views are a complete mystery... d) The Throngs The Throngs are small up-and-coming Societies which are have not gained enough power to seek acceptance in the Court. However, the Court and members of the Illuminati force these smaller groups to abide by the Pax Concordat. Penalty for these Throngs ignoring the Concord of Peace is hostile dissolution of their assets. Some Throngs ally with those Societies which closest match its ideology, while others remain totally neutral. There are still others rumoured to fight against the unknown power of the Illuminati and risk total destruction at the Society's hands. In any case, there is much resentment in the ranks of the Throngs. Many believe that the Illuminati fear their power and use the Pax Concordat to prevent them from reaching full Society status. This is not entirely true, for the Societies fear that the ambition of the Throngs might cause them to breech the long- standing veil of secrecy. Still, when Society and Throng elements meet, there is plenty of tension but rarely any violence. This is the opportunity for the Storyteller to customize his particular campaign by adding his own secret organizations into the World of Darkness. These Throngs can be existing WoD organizations or you may make up your own devilish creations. There is no limit to the number oforganizations available to you, only your imagination. [Author's Note: There are plenty of Secret Societies in many RPG's that you could adapt/borrow/steal to use as Throngs. I especially suggest Nephilim for their secret societies and the Illuminati (GURPS, game, card game) from Steve Jackson Games] Here are a few societies (one of many ideas and information donated by Anders Sandberg) to give you ideas: The Synarcy: Originally called the Bavarian Illuminati. They seek to destroy the current political structures and unite the world into a meritocratic one-world government. They supported socialism and fascism, but has lost a lot of power since their golden days. Right now they are close to the Global Elite and enemies of the Pantheon (which claims they are secretly working for or with the New World Order). The Society of Light: A small society devoted to spiritual and technological growth of mankind, but also the removal of *all* secret control over mankind. They try to fight the societies, the Technocracy and everybody else. Not very strong, but irritating. Stephen Esdale (sesdale@flemingc.on.ca)