CHAMBER OF THORNS

By Christopher Kobar

History

This group was founded in New York in 1790 by a group of patriots who believed that the US Constitution as adopted would result in the eventual failure of "the great experiment of Democracy" due to its implicit "rights" talk. Though these men believed it necessary to include such in order to convince enough states to pass the unprecedented document, they were sure that society would abuse the privileges the Constitution granted. To amend this problem, the group took it upon themselves to "fix" problems as they arose, taking their cue from the infamous Star Chamber in bonnie England.

From the first the secret society kept their numbers small for security's sake. They also adopted much of the trappings and ritual that they brought with them from their Masonic backgrounds and religious beliefs. These ceremonial aspects became so obstructive to the group's original purpose that by the mid-1800's the Chamber had ceased to be active in carrying out their purported goals of "fixing" societal problems as they arose, a euphamism for what had really been little more than vigilanteism.

In 1863, Franc-Louie Boudreaux -- an extremely mysterious member of the group (so mysterious in fact, that unlike the others, he ensured that even in the sanctity of the Chamber's rooms his face remained obscured, leaving many to believe that his very name even, was a lie) -- announced to his comrades that they would all die before sunrise! He then added that only half of them were, however, ready. When his fellow members demanded to know what kind of threat that was, he replied only that it was not threat, but simply the way it would be. The meeting was adjourned and each went back to their wives and children fearful of the enigmatic Frenchman.

The next morning exactly half the men who sat at Msr. Boudreaux's side the night before were reported to have died the night before, all of easily explainable circumstances. The other half had all been either involved in some accident or been struck by some illness that had almost resulted in their deaths also, but not quite.

When the evening of the next scheduled meeting of the Chamber of Thorns arrived, the men who had survived their brush with death sat silent, eyeing Franc-Louie with horrid awe. They realized that he was far beyond them in his understanding of death and his power over it. As children before a hero, the men listened dutifully as their new Bearer of Thorns took his seat and laid out the Chamber's new beginning. No longer would they reveal their identities to even each other, but would instead wear masks -- as Msr. Boudreaux claimed the dead themselves do -- to conceal their true selves. They would cast away their worldly cares and dedicate themselves to keeping democracy on track by ridding the world of those who would abuse its freedoms. They were patriots, and they would cull the troublesome from the earth.

Organization

Today the members remain a complete mystery to each other. While the Chamber is located in Washington, DC, individual members live throughout the country, carrying out their sacred duties wherever necessary. Only Disciples may actually attend the formal meetings, though the Masters wield the power of veto on any of the Chamber's decisions. The current Bearer of Thorns' identity is unknown, but some believe that he is the very same Franc-Louie Boudreaux that founded the group in its present incarnation. Some even whisper that he is actually a mage possessed by a powerful wraith, with his true intentions unknown. Others suggest that it is not a wraith at all, but rather a wraith's Shadow!!

The members act as assassins, most often framing someone else for their actions. Most are upstanding citizens holding respectable jobs -- lawyers, judges, doctors, etc. Each acts independantly, choosing to "fix" whatever "problem" they perceive. At the bi-monthly meetings in Washington, specific "larger" problems are discussed and strategies on how to deal with them are voted on. Then, the Bearer of Thorns will announce who shall be offered "the Crown of Thorns" (ie. the gift of death) and any member who wishes may then eradicate the individuals. Only one thing is required, and that is the individuals must be dead before the next meeting is convened.

Magick

In general, these mages do not think of themselves as "magickal". They believe that their understanding of Justice and the role Death plays in it is simply far greater than that of ordinary folk. They do not perform murder, but rather "patriotic necessity".

Regarding their "foci", their dancing is simply very precise somatic movements of the arms while tracing certain patterns with their feet. They usually try to acquire bone fragments of great patriots, while their weapons can be anything useful. Their dolls are very lifelike effigies, likenesses which they will adorn with a small circlet of thorns in order to affect.

Most members have Patterned or Dynamically essencial Avatars, as they concentrate on rectifying Democracy's flaws.