Allies & Enemies
By Adam Simpson Nov. 2018Awakened Allies & Enemies
Although not involved in the Ascension War, Trenchcoaters are mages and thus a part of Awakened society. Because they are perceived as holding little of value, few factions in the Ascension War seek them out. Trenchcoaters’ knowledge of the Great Labyrinth and their noted success battling shapeshifters does occasionally bring requests for meetings.
The Trenchcoaters would never have expected to find allies among the Celestial Chorus. The strict hierarchy and archaic mindset of the Chorus makes many Trenchcoaters uncomfortable but there’s no denying the bond that has formed between the two groups. Choristers dedicated to protecting Sleepers from Nephandi and their minions are well acquainted with Trenchcoaters and have made alliances in the field on many occasions. Information is regularly exchanged between them and the Chorus has even discretely left supplies and Tass for the Trenchcoaters to find. Members of the Trenchcoater elder circle have affectionately taken to calling them the “holy rollers”.
The relationship with the Order of Hermes is difficult to explain. Some admire them as the source of great magickal knowledge. Many Trenchcoaters use the Hermetic paradigm and wish they could find a way to further their studies with the Order. Other Trenchcoaters warn against the stagnation that results from true Hermetic studies. These mages worry that increased contact with the Order would lead to obsession with magickal secrets and a loss of the pragmatic, minimalist magick that serves them so well in the field. The Order of Hermes generally considers the Trenchcoaters a fringe group that will eventually be wiped out by the inhuman forces they keep disturbing. Some among the Houses of Hermes respect how long the Trenchcoaters have lasted and their uncanny knowledge of umbral backdoors and difficult areas. A number of Hermetic mages have joined the Trenchcoaters and become popular as instructors.
The small Disparate group known as the Templars are another ally against the night. The missions and general outlook of the two groups share many things in common. Both are dedicated to protecting regular people from supernatural horrors. Both are disgusted at how selfish most factions of the Ascension War have become. Religious differences have created some distance between the leaders of the two groups but agents in the field are usually relieved when they meet. They have supported each other on countless missions and trade supplies and favors more often then they’ll admit to their leaders.
The New World Order is a dangerous friend to have but contact does exist with the technomancers. After World War II the New World Order decided the Trenchcoaters would make a nice cat’s paw to move against dangerous threats. They passed information to many Trenchcoaters and even tempted some with timely supplies. They went too far when they tried to manipulate the great Nigel Binford. Binford made an ingenious use of radio transmissions to stymy NWO spies while simultaneously shutting down equipment used by a group of Nephandi Acolytes. After cleaning out the nest of dangerous thugs Binford left the NWO field agents with scattered minds, dysfunctional equipment and a clear message: “The men in the trenches will never be your pawns.”
Ever since then the manipulators in the Technocracy’s Ivory Tower have been careful with the Trenchcoaters. They pass valid leads from time to time but don’t push their luck too far. The Trenchcoaters recognize the New World Order’s desire to keep mortals safe but they know how quickly the technomancers will exploit any opportunity for control. Tips from the Technocracy are regarded carefully.
No one will be surprised to hear the Trenchcoaters have gained their fair share of enemies over the years. With few strongholds and less resources than other mage factions, Binford’s Boys need to watch themselves. They are aided by their loose organization. Most Trenchcoaters who are tailed only lead their pursuers to dingy apartments and seedy bars.
The dark mages called Nephandi know the name “Trenchcoaters” very well. Not only are they vigorous in their pursuit of Nephandi schemes but few of their members are tempted by what the Fallen have to offer. The Labyrinth of the Ebon Gates is biding its time as it watches for an opportunity to strike back. Its Horizon Realm is deep in the Umbra, quite near the Lower Umbra, but this didn’t prevent the Trenchcoaters from raiding it. The raid was mounted after the Trenchcoaters got word of the Ebon Gates’ successful elimination of a Cabal of Choristers who sacrificed much to bring intelligence to the Trenchcoaters. The Ebon Gates has shifted its portals so no one can currently find the way. The Trenchcoaters would pay generously for any information enabling them to finish what they started.
A group within the Progenitors is also eager to take down the Trenchcoaters. Commonwealth Trio Labs are located in Richmond, Virginia. Charles Reid directs the lab and has not forgotten the numerous raids of his laboratories in Germany in the early 1940s. Although decades have gone by he still hopes to exterminate the mages in long coats who wrecked his research.
Other Allies & Enemies
From the earliest days of the movement Trenchcoaters have met with members of the Arcanum. Trenchcoaters see the Arcanum as a useful source of occult information while the servants of the White Monks have been grateful for the occasional artifact or bit of information confirming or denying one of their theories. The mages have been very wary in their interactions. The Arcanum has vague knowledge of an occult group settles vendettas around the world. Not wanting to get their people harmed in arguments that don’t concern them, they don’t enquire too carefully when they meet the mysterious figures. Members of the Arcanum aren’t familiar with the name “Trenchcoaters” and recognize their sporadic contacts as “Binford’s Boys” and “The Sloggers”.
Although some members speak for increased cooperation with the Society of Leopold, most are content to keep their distance. The two groups have similar missions but the different motivations create a wall between them. The Society wants to remove monsters to make the world “pure” while the Trenchcoaters want to keep regular people safe to live their lives however they choose. The risks taken and unreasonable collateral damage caused by the Society’s operatives have made the Trenchcoaters loathe to coordinate with them. Some Trenchcoaters have a policy of hiding in the background while Society agents work to make sure their quarry doesn’t escape in the confusion.
There are several intelligence agencies around the globe that have created special task forces to hunt down arcane threats. Many younger Trenchcoaters agitate for increased cooperation with these groups. They argue passing information and aid to task force agents can only help the situation. Members of the elder circle warn of the unseen hands pulling the strings of these intelligence groups. They do all they can to rein in younger Trenchcoaters.
A vampire elder of Clan Tzimisce currently resides in Austria. As is typical of her kind, her memory is long and carefully nurses a grudge against the Trenchcoaters. Decades ago her vampiric “children” maintained a manor house in the country where they visited unspeakable atrocities on captured victims. The underground levels became a prison and a laboratory for tortures that shook the resolve of even the toughest Trenchcoaters who shut it down in the mid 1990s. Two mages were lost in the assault that lasted three gruesome days. Today, the Trenchcoaters think the matter is closed. They have no idea what is being planned for their “benefit”.
The Sabbat in the United States are circulating warnings to be on the lookout for subtle mortals in “long winter coats”. They suspect wizards after multiple reports of arcane powers being wielded by mortals who interfered with planned operations to gain control of the leadership of key cities. They suspect hedge wizards being manipulated by Clan Tremere.
Trenchcoaters in Britain are on alert after losing a member to a sudden attack by werewolves. Trenchcoaters have long known of the corrupt werewolves called Black Spiral Dancers but this latest attack appears to be from the other tribes. The elder circle are hoping it’s a misunderstanding that can be cleared up before more blood is shed.
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