Trenchcoaters Today
By Adam Simpson Nov. 2018Many years have passed since World War I but the Trenchcoaters are still active today. Many in the Technocratic Union and the Council of Nine call them an Orphan group. Others think of them as a secret society. Those who understand them best would call them a movement. The Trenchcoaters do not concern themselves with Ascension and avoid the Ascension War as best they can. Crafts pursue magical traditions from antiquity. Orphan groups try to make sense of Awakened life and help their members find a place there. Secret societies seek knowledge or power. Trenchoaters are dedicated to protecting ordinary men and women from supernatural forces. They put their lives on the line to keep the forces of darkness at bay.
Because of this focus, even though Trenchcoaters are mages they identify more with the common man then they do with other mages. They look with scorn on those who use their arcane power to seek greater power. Those who manipulate society or ignore it in Horizon Realms are seen as nothing more than selfish.
Trenchcoaters are known primarily for two qualities: fierce independence and a sense of duty. Their movement has no recognized leaders but an informal circle of the oldest members carry great influence. This circle has refused offers to join the Conventions, Traditions and Crafts. Members do not answer to bosses and are not given assignments. Instead, they carry messages to each other in a variety of methods forming an information network. As they share intelligence they discuss who is best suited to take on particular missions.
The informal structure of the movement makes safeguards necessary. A group of volunteers take the title Chaplain (named after the battlefield chaplains of the Great War) and watch fellow members for signs of trouble. If a member becomes too independent or shows signs of being tempted by greed or power a Chaplain will either intervene directly or gather help to confront the trouble maker. Chaplains are always on the lookout for observant members with a strong moral compass to share the duty of policing the ranks.
Although Trenchcoaters dislike being questioned, they understand the necessity of the Chaplains. When Mary O., specialist in removing vampires on the east coast of the U.S., was found to be hiding a stash of priceless jewelry and art objects from vampire strongholds she’d raided a Chaplain was called in. Everyone was relieved to hear Mary repented and returned to the straight and narrow. Sebastian K. of the London area was a different story. His work against arcane cultists lead him to several collaborations with the New World Order. The Trenchcoaters didn’t mind him working occasionally with the technomancers but when a Chaplain saw a shift in his personality he observed carefully until the truth was uncovered: Sebastian was passing secrets to both sides in his obsession to learn more about the conspiracies of the Awakened. When confronted, a fight ensued and Sebastian defected to the Technocracy. His ability to compromise the Trenchcoaters was finished.
Trenchcoaters recruit mages who Awaken as a result of a supernatural attack. On the occasions that one of their members detects a person with a strong sense of duty and the potential to Awaken they take them in but this is rare. Most Trenchcoaters are dedicated to their role of protector and as a result the movement has fewer mentors than other mage factions. Mages from the Traditions, Conventions and a few Crafts join the Trenchcoaters. Chaplains are on the lookout for infiltrators but because the movement stays out of the Ascension War and does not guard magickal secrets this is less of a concern than it is for other mage factions.
Those who are not mages but are aware of the supernatural also join the ranks. Vampires are not accepted after problems experienced years ago but those who possess mental talents and practice hedge magic (Numina), a rare few shapeshifters and other, mysterious, individuals also don the trench coat and stand as equals.
One of the weaknesses of the movement is its lack of magickal paradigm and training methods. Orphans who are recruited are usually trained by their recruiter. Members who come from other magickal groups retain their old methods and foci. Members who live long enough to slow down from age are encouraged to become instructors but some are better qualified than others. Trenchcoaters generally are open to methods and ideas that fit into the Hermetic tradition. Indeed, several members who left that Tradition have become active mentors. Some of the elder circle speak against the movement being tied down by one magical style but the need to train new members cannot be ignored much longer. Some members leave the group and hang up their coat out of frustration at their lack of advancement in magickal knowledge.
The only standard equipment of a Trenchcoater is the trench coat itself. Seen as a tangible connection to the stalwart troops who died on both sides of the Great Wars with silent dedication, the coat is worn with pride. Some members prefer dusters or similar long coats. The exact style of the coat is not important. Many Trenchcoaters use magick to enchant their coats. Increased durability, armor, oddly large concealed pockets – the list of enhancements is endless.
One area where Trenchcoaters have no trouble providing instruction is tools of the trade. When it comes to non-magickal weapons and equipment the Trenchcoaters are second to none. Elder members are a wealth of knowledge for finding guns, explosives, high quality melee weapons and obscure equipment for climbing, spying, etc. Trenchcoaters have a reputation among mages for being well-stocked for any conflict. The Technocracy has tried on several occasions to gain influence over the Trenchcoaters by offering them high-tech toys but the Trenchcoaters prefer weapons they can trust.
Trenchcoaters accept women who display the required fortitude and resolve but there has always been a greater number of men in the group. No disrespect was intended when the nickname "Binford's Boys" started being repeated.
Trenchcoater Characters
Trenchcoater characters are handled the same way as Orphans in whatever edition of Mage you're playing. Recommended Backgrounds are Allies (other Trenchcoaters), Arcane and Talisman (weapon or trench coat). Players are encouraged to choose a paradigm for their mage but be aware that most Trenchcoaters use magick that would be familiar to the Houses of Hermes or the technomancers.
Trenchcoaters are ideal for World of Darkness crossover chronicles. They carry less baggage from the Ascension War and use techniques that would attract less attention in mixed company.
Next: Browning's Respite