A.K.A. Praetorians, Vault Keepers
The Praetoriani are secretive caretakers of the most dangerous tokens. They dedicate their lives to finding dangerous tokens and squirreling them away where they cannot cause harm. The tokens they acquire come from many sources: would-be changeling tyrants, uneducated collectors, or the gentry themselves. In most cases, the Praetorians try not to take tokens by force from their owners. Everybody dies, and the Vault Keepers are prepared to wait.
Though the Praetorians hold some of the most dangerous tokens known, they know better than most the unintended consequences of careless use. So it is that even in dire need, the Praetorians almost never open their vaults to outsiders.
The Trifold Vault of the order’s name refers to the three principles which underpin their mission:
The Praetoriani of the Trifold Vault do not claim many members in any given freehold. They often work alone or in pairs, relying on their wit and skill to carry out the order’s goals. As such, members are expected to use their own best judgement instead of relying on orders from a superior.
When the need arises – or in very large freeholds – larger groups of Vault Keepers may gather under a Captain. These groups are often temporary and dedicated to a task of some sort: pursuing a particularly dangerous token user, investigating a fallen freehold, or to convey news and induct new members.
Many Praetorians carry a stick of rowan wood with them. For some it’s a walking stick, for others a wand of sorts, and more martial-minded vault keepers may use a pair of escrima sticks made of rowan. In all cases, it’s common to carve, burn, or paint the stick with designs of personal significance. Though the item has no mechanical benefit, it is thought among the order to be a symbol of protection and a way to spot other members when travelling to a strange freehold.
When a changeling joins the Praetoriani, their mien becomes more grotesque and monstrous. Many gain extra eyes, especially on the forehead, or their cheek bones flare outward, or the jaw shifts unsettlingly. Some may even grow snake-like hair reminiscent of the Greek Medusa. If the character has the Striking Looks merit, it should be noted that the strikingness of their looks now comes from grotesquerie instead of beauty.
The order teaches taht their hideous miens help to deceive or intimidate unruly tokens. It certainly helps intimidate their wielders.
Traditionally, Praetorians carry a carved stick of rowan wood about their person. Outsiders typically assume it’s a wand of some sort, and they’re half right. In truth, it’s a symbol of protection. Some members invest theirs with a bit of power, making it a trifle or even a token.
Becoming a Praetorian is no easy task. The following requirements must be met to be considered for induction, and the Praetoriani of each freehold often add their own unofficial (and much higher) requirements.
The goal of the tests needed to enter the order is to ensure the would-be Praetorian has enough power to control tokens, the wisdom to do so only when necessary, and the social guile to take them away from dangerous owners.
All Vault Keepers gain access to the following four-dot goblin contract. It cannot be learned outside the order.
This contract is what allows the Praetoriani to capture and contain any token they find. With but a glance, even the most powerful token becomes inert. In some cases, this can give the Vault Keepers an entire day to hide it safely before its power returns. The Vault Keeper must be able to see some part of the token she wishes to target.
Cost: 2 Glamour
Dice Pool: Intelligence + Wyrd - Token Dots
Action: Instant
Catch: The Praetorian is subduing a token that threatens an established vault.
Roll Results:
Dramatic Failure: The token’s power overwhelms your own, forcing your body to harden. You suffer a -2 penalty to all Physical skill rolls per dot of the target token.
Failure: The token is unaffected.
Success: The token is quieted for the scene: its effect, drawback, and catch completely cease to function. Its Mien takes on a stony appearance and the token feels lifeless or dead to the touch. It cannot be activated by any means.
Dramatic Success: The token is quieted until the next sunrise. If it is being wielded by another at the time of activation, that person’s hands turn partially to stone. They suffer a -2 penalty on all rolls involving their hands for the remainder of the scene.
Drawback: A Praetorian who successfully quiets a token becomes slow and lethargic, as their energy is spent subduing the token’s power. She suffers a -1 penalty to all Physical rolls for as long as the token is quieted.