Knights of the Smoke

Adamantine Arrow Caucus • London, England
Organized along the lines of a traditional knighthood, the Knights of the Smoke are sworn to defend the Awakened of London and the city of London itself from predation by the Seers, the Abyss, and similar enemies. It is not enough to be an Adamantine Arrow to be part of the caucus: individuals who achieve Knight status in the caucus must take oaths swearing to the defense of the city and the Body Magical of England. The Knights of the Smoke can be traced reliably back to the late 1600s, although elements of their practice can be found in other groups associated with the Arrow for further back than that. Indeed, the caucus' traditions maintain that some form of the Knights have been in residence in London since its founding.

Caucus House: The Chapterhouse

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Gatherings

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Titles in the Knights of the Smoke

Squires

Those who have been accepted as an Arrow in the caucus, squires are given to a single mentor who acts as trainer and master in the order. This is roughly equivalent to the Talons of other caucuses. Requires initiation into the Adamantine Arrow.

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Banner Wardens

An Arrow who has achieved some renown in the Order may petition the Caucus to become the Banner-Warden for his cabal. If accepted, his duties in the Caucus are lightened, to allow him the time to guard the cabal's sanctum, answer challenges as his cabal's champion and bodyguard cabalmates going into difficult situations. According to tradition, the Banner Warden safeguards the banner of the cabal, and bears it in times of war or ceremony - she is dishonored if she permits it to fall into the hands of those outside her cabal. Requires Adamantine Arrow Status •+.

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Knight of the Smoke

The title given to a Knight who has completed the requirements of his squire tutelage, undergone the Ordeal of the Smoke, and held Vigil in the High Chapel, Knights of the Smoke are required to swear an Oath that binds them to defend London's Body Magical, and that of England as a whole. A proper Knight of the Smoke looks for opportunities to be of assistance, and holds themselves to a chivalric ideal. Though they are roughly the same as "First Talons" of other Arrow caucuses, any Knight of the Smoke is expected to be willing to take on a squire at any point. Requires Adamantine Arrow Status ••+.

Knight-Sergeant

Leaders of the Knights, a Knight-Sergeant must also bring another skill to bear for the good of the caucus. Like the "Thunderbolt Guardians" of other caucuses, a Knight-Sergeant not only has a useful skill other than battle, but also is willing to offer specialized training to other Knights' squires as part of their responsibilities. "Knight-Sergeant" is an umbrella term; individuals are given titles that reflect their specialties: Knight-Tactician, Knight-Engineer, Knight-Covertician, for example. Requires Adamantine Arrow Status •••+

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Knight-Lieutenant

There are only ever three Lieutenants, as they serve a very specific role: each is to act as an intermediary with one of the other Orders, conferring with the leadership of that Order to oversee their security needs. While strong fighting skills and tactical acumen are useful here, being a Knight-Lieutenant demands social adroitness and an awareness of the nuances of other Orders in the Diamond. Requires Adamantine Arrow Status •••+

Knight-General

The "Adamant Sage" of the Knights of the Smoke is the unquestioned leader of the caucus. Unlike other caucuses that call upon someone with this title only in times of conflict, there is always a Knight-General, advised by the three Knights-Lieutenant. The Knight-General often evolves an interesting relationship with the hierarch: unlike the Dragon-Knight and the Knights Vermilion, the Knight-General of the Smoke does not serve the hierarch directly, but considers themselves a defender of London. In the past, some Knights-General have taken this to mean putting themselves at odds with the hierarch for what was best for the city. This is not the case today, however. Requires Adamantine Arrow Status ••••+.

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Cabals in the Knights of the Smoke

• Lions of Charing Cross: Adamantine Arrow • The Square Mile, the City. A cabal of Adamantine Arrows, dedicated to the defense of the city. The Knight of Talons usually comes from this cabal, and its leader is the acknowledged Adamant Sage of London. The Lions of Charing Cross maintain a public sanctum within a small side-building in the Admiralty, overlooking Charing Cross proper, in Downtown London.
• The Knights of Hyde: Adamantine Arrow • Bayswater, the West End. A cabal of Adamantine Arrow magi dedicated to defending the Open Hallows of Hyde Park, in West London, from poaching. A large house on the edge of Hyde Park, the Wolsey House, acts as their public sanctum. Sponsored by the Order of Brigantia.
• Taurean Brotherhood: Adamantine Arrow • Whitechapel, East End. An Adamantine Arrow cabal that claims its origins in the Mithraic Mystery Cult that once had strong roots in England during the time of the Roman Empire, the Taurean Brotherhood maintain that old cult's warrior ideal. The Brotherhood is rumored to maintain a subterranean labyrinth in North-East London as their sole sanctum, eschewing any need for a public one. Sponsored by the Sublime Lodge.
• The Hampstead Watchers: Adamantine Arrow • Hampstead, the Hills. The exact purpose of the Watchers is not publicly known. It is know that they claim as their territory the multiple asylums and hospitals of the Hampstead area. Some believe they are healers of minds and bodies, while others believe that they focus on rooting out an ancient legacy of the Mad from this place, or otherwise explore the Mysteries behind madness and insanity from among the many inmates in these places.
• Defenders on the Thames: Adamantine Arrow • Up and down the Thames. Another Arrow cabal, the Defenders on the Thames are all boatmen and skilled marines who focus on protecting the powerful ley line that runs along the Thames from those who might corrupt it. They are said to include members of the Tamers of Rivers legacy. Their sanctum is rumored to be located on a houseboat usually moored somewhere on the Fulham docks, somewhere in the West End.