Ordo Dracul

Conspiracies, cults, and secret societies—that was how the Order fought their influence wars with the First and Second Estates. The Order was a latecomer to the scene, rising to prominence during the years of the Enlightenment. Scientific enquiry was all well and good, but in order to stem the influence of Sanctified dogma on occult research, something must be done. In the cloisters of an obscure, ancient Bavarian university, three Dragons gathered to form an organisation called the Illuminati. You may have heard of them. Their purpose was to usher in a world ran by rationalists and scientists, and where religious dogma has no place in public life. They were, of course, declared heretics.

The three Elders of the Bavarian chapter succumbed to torpor before seeing the fruits of their labour. Their secret organisation took off like a runaway horse, spreading into a global conspiracy that is firmly entrenched within mortal institutions. Other Dragons have tried to duplicate their success. Rosicrucian pamphlets in the early 17th century mention “Invisible Colleges”, which were mysterious groups that operated in academic circles, researching natural philosophy and alchemy. Following all this, the Palatine Rite was established in the Rhineland. Rumoured to have stolen the secrets of Cruac and hoarding potent relics (like the Holy Grail, Hector's Sword, and the Spear of Destiny), Palatine Academics are often linked with the Thule Society, the Ordo Templi Orientis, the Luminous Lodge of the Vril Society and other secret orders associated with the Nazis and their occult ambitions.

The Ordo Dracul thrived in Berlin. Built by its philosophers and engineers, Berlin had attracted the best and brightest in Europe, if not the world. An innovative research environment was provided by the Humboldt University, founded by the Prussian educational reformer Wilhelm von Humboldt and his brother Alexander von Humboldt. For centuries the Ordo toiled behind the university walls, advancing the Great Work. World War II caused a lot of the Dragons to flee the city, but now they're back, in greater and ever increasing numbers. The Dragons survived the Purge relatively intact, and many believe them to be the only thing standing in between the Praxis and the horrors beyond the Wall. What deals did they make with the Carthians to keep their covenant?

Due to past indiscretions (starting WWII and all that), the Dragons are banned from involvement in secret societies. Declaring oneself as a member of the Palatine Rite is considered unfashionable and to an extent, dangerous. Despite this, the Dragons are of the opinion that if a society is truly secret, the Carthians wouldn't know about them.

### **Ordo Dracul Members**

* Konstanze Descoteaux-Czartoryska
* Wilhelmine von Geheim

## **Source books**

* Secrets of the Covenants
* Blood and Smoke: the Strix Chronicles

All stats and abilities from the above books are approved for use unless stated otherwise.

### **Other references**

* Vampire: the Requiem (Fluff only.)
* Ordo Dracul (Fluff, Bloodlines, and some Merits.)

## **Links**

* Ordo Dracul Events and Practices
* Ordo Dracul Titles
* Ordo Dracul Abilities