The Sword Nobility
From Summoner
The Athletics Club, The Inquisitors, the Vanguard, the Kshatriya
He was running, bleeding. They followed. He was gasping, groaning. They followed. His arms were heavy, legs were heavy. They followed. He reached the safehouse...the lights were on. He cursed, he swore. They followed. He turned. They watched, they waited. He rose. They watched, they waited. He smiled. They watched, they waited. He drew...They advanced.
There is one need that must be met, before the Self can flourish: safety. By the oath of the Sword, the Inquisitors intend to ensure that safety not just for themselves, but for everyone they can. At their backs lie the World, and by necessity, they stand apart. Before them, the Mirror shatters. And they stand at the ready. The center will hold. The line will not break. The Sword cuts deeps as it defends.
The Sword Nobility has existed in one way or another since the Dark Ages, though they've been fully wiped out at least three times. There is a strange habit of Sword clubs being formed as unsuspecting Summoners find a cache of weapons in a crisis. The Nobility works hard to make sure such caches exist, and it is rumored that they've even set up Safe Havens in the depths of the Mirror. When part of a group, the Sword is the one who makes sure everyone has a place to sleep, and that everyone knows where to never go alone. They protect, because they know the price of carelessness.
Nobles as a group tend to view demons as a threat to be banished first, and above all. To them, demons represent a basic truth: unfettered, selfish desire leads to the death of Ego. Scars, both physical and mental, stand as a constant testament. It's no wonder that they take the most time in preparation for a potential shatter. To them, it's not just a matter of secrecy or safety. To a Sword Noble, it's usually personal.
Membership: Members of the Sword Nobility are often easy to make out. Usually within easy reach of a weapon or something that can be improvised. Most are members of a gym, dojo, school athletics club, or some other way to keep in shape. Scars, chains, and random bits of metal are the fashions the younger, more brash Swords favor, trying to look the part of night club warrior. Older Swords tend more towards reserved garb...that can conceal more serious firepower.
Icons: The Sword Nobility tends towards the obvious in their decor. Obvious emblazoning of their crest tend to mark their safehouses, clothing, armbands, communications...even their weapons, to the point of redundancy. The more clear their stance in battle, the easier it is to sort out of the fog of war. Weapons of all sorts are common imagery in their Alter Selves, as are banners, shields, mounts, and poses of glory and victory.
Exams: If you can't protect yourself, you can't protect anyone else. A potential Noble is put through rigorous physical testing, and often tested in a 'live fire exercise' against a small outbreak of demons, before being allowed to wear Sword icons or claim membership in the estate. There are cases of the physically weak joining the Sword, but they always have other talents, such as Perception, to bring to the fore.
Art: The Art of Swords
Stereotypes:
Cup Clergy: Someone has to clean up the mess. Collateral makes the next fight harder. Good for them, we could use the maid service.
Coin Merchants: Dance with the devil, and the devil don't dip. The devil will dip you...
Wand Peasants: Intel is a valuable thing...but be careful not to go native. By the way: we have enough enemies, y'know, without conjuring up new ones.
Vampires: Why aren't they dead yet? No, I mean DOUBLE-dead.
Werewolves: I hear they do a similar job. That's nice. As long as Fido can take a hint.
Mages: What the f...
Prometheans: Huh? ...sounds like a demon to me...
Changelings: I can feel for the weirdos, and I'd have their back against these Fae. Sounds like a hell of a fight.
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