Sample Sanctum: The Monastery

On the south end of the city, two cabals of militant mages train to protect their allies and the city in general. Using an abandoned factory as their base, these students of the Monastery seek to perfect themselves both in body and spirit. But divisions grow as to how to use their strength. The elder cabal seeks glory in battle while their disciples want mainly to survive.

The Monastery

Actually a couple of miles outside of the city, this former munitions factory now stands surrounded by a declining neighborhood. The World War II era compound has completely refurbished interiors containing barracks, a training hall, meeting chambers, and an armory.

The elder cabal, called the Inner Monastery, claims the inner administrative building of the complex. Here they maintain a small Hallow and work on constructing a well fortified Demense for use by members of the Arrow. The junior cabal, the Fist of Talos, occupies the outer buildings including the main factory which serves as the cabals' gym and training hall. It also holds a powerful Hallow which barely supports the sprawling cabal. Currently over a dozen mages reside here, not including the occasional fledgling mage fostered by the Arrow.

The influence of the Admantine Arrow over the past decade has led to decline in criminal activity in the area and the displacement of supernatural predators as the order expands its patrols. This success has led some to consider taking on the major forces within the city, such as the vampire hierarchy or the predatory shapeshifter tribes.

The Inner Monastery

Almost twenty years ago, a group of neophyte mages decided to change the politics of the Adamantine Arrow. Unhappy with the current corrupt leadership, this group, calling themselves the Inner Monastery, dedicated themselves restoring the Arrow to its core tenets. Recently they seized the leadership of the order by force of arms. Now they plan to raise a new generation of warriors guided by their "pure" principles.

The Inner Monastery uses the sigil of a circle with a smaller circle within it and follows the motto "Lead by Example."

The Fist of Talos

Formed 4 years ago under the direction of the new Adamant Sage, a member of the Inner Monastery, the Fist is dedicated to the defense of the Concilium, the Monastery, and the ideals of the Adamantine Arrow. Composed of relatively inexperienced Arrows it also serves as a source of training, fostering many of the new mages the Arrow finds. In the absence of more dangerous foes, they learn from the Inner Monastery and by teaching others.

Their sigil is a bronze fist and they have the motto "Honor through Service."

Quick

Adept of the Arcanum of Matter, First Talon of the Adamantine Arrow, Leader of the Fist of Talos

Background: Quick always new he would be a cop. His whole family has been cops since they left the Emerald Isle. Maybe longer. Quick's one distinction is that he made Detective.

That didn't help him when an investigation went south. A two-bit hood put 5 rounds into him (the 6th hit a lampshade). He Awakened to Stygia and later mundanely on an operating table. He quickly joined the Arrow and became one of the first recruits when the leader of the Inner Monastery ascended to leadership of the Order.

Now he leads the Fist of Talos and tries to keep his cabalmates and any fosterlings safe. When he isn't doing that he focuses on his old job: protecting Sleepers. At the Monastery, he is the primary firearms instructor.

Description: Long lanky blond hair helps to obscure his features except for a few days growth of facial hair. His loose coat completes his haunted look. His calloused hands are often dirty with whatever work he's been doing recently.

Storyteller Notes: Reserved and mature most of the time, Quick occasionally let's his facade slide and enjoy a laugh with the gang. Few things shake him outwardly but he's been known to let a pretty woman turn his head.

Alternate Version: Really though Quick has seen too much. Things on the other side are getting ugly. He's watched as Twilight fills with a bad resonance and the ghosts go mad. Some days he just wants to breakdown and cry. Most evenings he slips away from his allies to the local bars. Drowning the sorrows of a whole city.

Path: Moros Order: Adamantine Arrow

Virtue: Justice Vice: Lust

Legacy: Perfected Adept

Arcana: Death 2, Life 3, Matter 4, Prime 1, Forces 2

Kensai

Adept of the Arcana of Space and Time, Thunderbolt Guardian of the Adamantine Arrow, Brother of the Demon Wind, member of the Inner Monastery

Background: Once an ordinary blue-collar working living near the city's "Chinatown", Kensai grew up on the stories his father told of their homeland. He was enthralled by the tales of heroic samurai and epic adventures. But it was only once he grew up that the tales took a life of their own, weaving themselves into his life and casting him in the role of the hero. After a strange week that mixed Japanese mythology with his waking life, he pierced the Lie and Awakened.

Kensai had no doubt as to where his path lay and has devoted himself to honing his martial skills and helping others. He helped found the Inner Monastery to put things right within their home and to oust the corrupt leadership of the Arrow. To this end he traveled far to find a mentor who taught him his Legacy and helped perfect his use of the katana.

While he helps neophytes train within the Monastery, he rarely teaches his sword skills, saying he is waiting for the right student.

Description: This short Oriental man dresses simply and unassumingly. Wisps of gray show in his short hair but he moves with the surety and strength of youth. When he talks, it is a slight accent and surprising eagerness. Within the Monastery he typically wears a gi and carries a wooden training sword.

Storyteller Notes: Kensai is serious about combating the evils of the world. He trains constantly and remains focused and devoted to the cause. Secretly though he loves being the hero.

Alternate Version: Kensai has a destiny, though he rarely tells anyone about it. He knows he will save the city but at the cost of his own life. His bane is the Rejected Ally.

Path: Acanthus Order: Adamantine Arrow

Virtue: Justice Vice: Pride

Legacy: Brotherhood of the Demon Wind

Arcana: Fate 3, Space 4, Time 4

Notable Traits: Destiny 4, Fighting Style: Kendo 4