The Veil

"'Play your cards right, and rise in rank to access control and opulence offered….though peril of sliding back down ever remains.'""" Dredged in games of power and artful deceits that comes with them, this Kith offers opulence and hedonistic luxury but at a cost. With a strict Caste System founded on the higher stepping on and using those below, it’s a desperate climb upwards or being pushed down into shackles. The Veil offers all manner of physical comforts which can be dreamed up…but with a cost and open danger.

Joining The Veil
The requirements to simply enter The Veil may seem minimal, but those requirements raise fast. In a Kith based heavily on subservience, and principles of stratum with the internal caste system, joining may be simple but to reap the benefits of being in this Kith to the fullest requires ‘playing the game’ and growing in power is a must. Stepping on others and growing in strength is key….unless you want to be the one stepped upon. Many may join seeking material comforts or affluence afforded to the upper echelons…many more are shackled into this Kith through poor dealings or forced Pacts. However one joins, once in The Veil it can be a tangled web difficult to escape.

Because only Outsiders are able to directly create a Kith Pact with the Archaeon, Mundane may only enter using an Outsider as an in-between. These Pacts formed can be all-important as the Keepers of Pacts will frequently levy them against the Mundane.

For the Mundane desperate enough to attempt a Pact with the Veil (or forced in through bad luck or trickery), there is expectation that anyone low enough in the caste works for those higher — works to get higher. Various institutes exist for those of low caste to be assigned and work off their ‘debts’— the Bath House, Tower Theatre, Brothel & a scattering of other profit-making institutes under The Veil.

Pacts & Tribute
See Kith Pacts

Roles & Structure
The Veil treats rank as a Caste System in which those higher may freely lord over those lower. To move up in rank and role, one must exert power over others — pushing another down to move up and take their place. Individuals are only ever able to get higher through a direct ‘swap’ between members — lifting one up while another is shoved down. Similarly, anyone may find themselves pushed downward suddenly.

Primary Ranks
While there are only three primary Ranks, each of these individual ranks holds three sub-levels to them. An individual raises up in the role they are given, as a Third, Second and finally First of their Role (Second Doll, First Lord, Third Master, etc.).

Doll
Willing or not, a Doll is bound to The Veil, and respect to both the Kith and all within it is demanded. Dolls are not usually given a choice as to where or how they serve, expected to be given a place by their Keeper and then move upwards from there.

If an individual is exceptionally strong, they have every right to enter into The Veil at a higher position...so long as they are taking the place of another. To begin higher in the Caste, an individual must push another down to the status of Doll first.

Many Dolls are also considered Chattel, and because of this their Pacts are likely to change hands over time.

Lord
The slow climb can be arduous, and while most Lords can’t afford much in the way of luxury they aren’t completely powerless. With enough sway and reputation to not be expected to forced into serving…it’s still often a good idea when dealing with those above.

Master
Masters have shown they have a reason to have been elevated to this rank through sheer force of will as they push others down so a space for them might exist. Those of this rank guide the hand of The Veil, ruling the establishments run by this Kith and taking part in the fruits of all its labours.

Emissary of The Vessel
''A Storyweaver role for those helping to lead The Veil, IC and OOC. Storyweavers may also use this rank for NPC characters.''

A caste of power and importance within The Veil they are Keepers of Mother’s whim and enforcers of her will. Loaning or trading out Chattel Pacts is usually done with the aid of an Emissary — many of the larger scale auctions directed by their hand. Similarly all earnings made through various establishments run by The Veil are overseen by an Emissary — a rather hefty profit margin going to ‘the house’.

Specialty Roles
Each person has their place within The Veil. Because of this, each individual must seek to find a role which suits them...or else have an appearance of not holding as much power as they might otherwise. When given a specialty role, the (name) is added onto their existing title (Second Doll of The Flesh, First Lord of Ritual, Third Master of Ordinance). This allows for everyone to know their place easily, to understand who holds dominion over what and what respect is afforded based on the current order of Caste.

of The Flesh
Brothel Worker or Leader

of
Collection, Gathering and Recruitment

of Ordinance
Punishment, Torture

of Arsenal
Guard/Attk

Chattel
Chattel of The Veil are little more than slaves — bound to serve whoever their Keeper is however they see fit. Only when they are strong enough to break these bonds and create an Archaeon Pact on their own do they have any true rank.

Archaeon: Mother Metis
Main Article: Archaeon: Quell The Vessel

Profoundly ambitious, Metis name is renowned and widely feared -- far reaching even beyond the Court she holds. Ages ago, having found her way into The Veil through an unfortunate pact made between her and the previous Archaeon of the Kith, Metis acted as bound conscript.

Relationships
The Veil has an often strained relationship with all but those within it. Founded upon a desire for personal gain and gratification, members of The Veil are seen frequently as nothing more than self-serving, hedonistic and quick to betray even their dearest ally.

The Hive
Frequent patrons of the bathhouses and brothels, members of The Hive, there is little hostility towards members of The Hive, though occasional conflict based on respect and role can arise as The Veil hardly sees tier as a form of status. The Hive are common patrons of The Veil — often lending (even trading) Chattel Pacts between one another.

The Covenant
Open and well established disdain is well established towards The Covenant. Very frequently are those of this Kith allowed in the any run by The Veil…and those who do choose to enter these spaces are often met with harsh words or outright violence.

The Seeming
The Seeming are often found at the institutes run by The Veil, though there is little reverence or respect towards one another. Little care is given to members of The Seeming other than infrequent attempts to press them to join a ‘better’ Kith.

Kithless
The Veil actively searches for those to join it — particularly, those of little power and low tier. Always looking for more to fill the spaces of the institutes they run, fresh Mundane and young Cambions are especially sought after. Those who manage to bring in new members to the Kith are awarded with raised reputation — something highly desired.