Companies

 

 

The Black Orde

The Black Order is the covert ops wing of the Roman Catholic Church. Small, secretive and ruthless, the Black Order has carried out the neccesary dirty work of the Church for the last three hundred years. It's existence is the stuff of rumors (and Jack Chick pamphlets) and it only operates when the situation is dire indeed. In horror or modern fantasy settings, the Black Order tracks down and eliminates dangerous cults, magicians and strange creatures. In action and espionage settings, it would work to prevent the subversion of the Church by terrorists and the superpowers, and safeguard ancient, embarassing secrets.

Why: Clement XI established the Black Order in order to safeguard the Church from threats from the shadows. The Black Order has carried out this mandate ever since. Its main goal is to protect the Papacy and the Church from subversion and assault. Beyond that, it has a broader duty to protect Christendom as a whole from that which threatens it.

The Black Order is very much a 'dagger in the night' organization. Even when the Church still ruled much of the Italian countryside and had proper armed forces, the Black Order operated in the shadows, using only what force it needed to resolve situations. Often, it didn't even have to engage in violence - subterfuge, theft, and the like were employed instead, usually to good effect. These days, the Black Order still works in the shadows, not that there's any real alternative now.

When: The Black Order was established during the early 18th century in recognition of the changing climate in Europe. The days when Rome could command kings were essentially over and it was clear that the Church would need its own agency to deal with especially urgent crises. Clement XI recognized this, and thus the Black Order was born. Little of its history is known, although there are many rumors. It is said to have had a hand in all manner of incidents ranging from the turmoil of the French Revolution right down to the death of Pope John Paul I (either caused by the Black Order - for whatever Byzantine reason - or a rare failure on their part).

The rigidly secretive nature of the Black Order prevents any real knowledge of their actions. It is rumored that records of all their operations are kept somewhere in Rome, but this is considered doubtful by those in the know. The risks of such an archive coming to light are believed to be far too great for the Church to risk. But stranger things have happened...

All that said, the Black Order has appeared in public knowledge a few times. One of their members, an Italian woman posing as a prostitute, was peripherally involved with the hunt for the Beast of Gevauden in 18th century France, and her name appears in the posthumuously published memoirs of a local aristocrat. Another, anonymous, operative was executed for his role in arranging the escape of Napoleon from exile on the island of Elba. Since then, the Order has managed to keep a lower profile.

What: The current head of the Black Order is a Nigerian priest and former Army officer named Joseph Okobo. Okobo (supposedly) reports solely to the Holy Father, and is directly responsible for the operations of his subordinates. Only Okobo knows for sure how many people belong to the Black Order now, but the best estimate is under twenty. They receive their assignments directly from him and are only introduced to other agents as the need arises. The need doesn't often arise.

Although few agents of the Black Order ever visit it, the Order does have an actual headquarters. A small, discreet office building near the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls in Rome serves as Okobo's base of operations, and has a small arsenal and collection of useful gear. The Order moved here from a larger estate in the heart of the city just after World War One.

18th Century

Total Value: 10 points (17 in supernatural settings).

Clout: Criminal (Street cred) (1), Financial (Big bucks) (4), Governmental (Shadow Government) (5), Supernatural (Occultists) (2) (only in appropriate settings). Total Cost: 10 (12) points.

Quarters: Large (2), Physical Security (Military-level) (4), Supernatural Security (Warded) (3) (where appropriate). Total Cost: 0 points (reduced by eight from Financial and Governmental Clout levels).

Gear: Medical Facilities (Advanced) (2), Workshop (Advanced) (2), Occult Archives (5) (where appropriate), Vehicles (Vehicle Fleet) (2), Weapons (Getting Medieval) (1), Weapons (Gun Bunnies) (1). Total Cost: 0/5 points (reduced by ten from Criminal, Financial and Governmental Clout levels).

21st Century

Total Value: 12 points (19 in supernatural settings).

Clout: Financial (In the money) (3), Governmental (Influential) (2), Supernatural (Occultists) (2) (only in appropriate settings). Total cost: 5/7 points.

Quarters: Medium (1), Physical Security (Excellent) (3), Supernatural Security (Warded) (3) (where appropriate). Total Cost: 0 points (reduced by five from Financial and Governmental Clout levels).

Gear: Computers (Advanced) (2), Laboratory (Advanced) (2), Medical Facilities (Basic) (1), Workshop (Advanced) (2), Occult Archives (5) (where appropriate), Vehicles (Vehicle Fleet) (2), Weapons (Paramilitary) (3). Total Cost: 7/12 points (reduced by five from Financial and Governmental Clout levels).

 

 

 

The Runaways

,remain active by the end of the Millennial period, but generally keep to themselves whenever they can. How long they will last and stay together is unknown, but some day they will grow up and head out on their own. They may not expect to see the future, but it is coming for them.

Total Value: 9
Clout: Criminal 2, Financial 1, Supernatural 1, Super Heroes 2
Quarters: Large (The Hostel) (3), Physical Security (Hostile LocationBelow Tar Pits, Counts as level 3 without guards), Supernatural Security (Protected). Total Cost: 2 (8-6 from clout)
Gear: Computers (Basic), Workshop (Basic) Vehicles (The Leap Frog) (5) Total Cost: 7

 

Young Avengers (original)
Clout: (10)
- Criminal: 1
- Financial: 3
- Governmental: 2
- Supernatural: 1
Location: Medium, One Location (1)
Security: Physical (Good) (2), Supernatural (Believers) (1)
Gear:
- Computers: Advanced (2)
- Medical Facilities: Advanced (2)
- Workshop/Repair Facilities: Advanced (2)
- Occult Archives: Basic (1)
- Training Facilities: Full (3)
- Weapons: BYO (0)
Total Cost: 7 (14-7 from clout)

 

 

Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense

Cost: 32
Why, When and What: Formed during World War 2 to combat the Nazi use of the occult, it has since developed into an organization that monitors the supernatural for the US government.
Clout: Financial 4, Government 4, Supernatural 2
Quarters: Huge, One Location (5); Physical Security 3, Supernatural Security 3 (11 -10 from clout)
Gear: Computers 2, Laboratories 3, Medical Facilities 3, Occult Archives 5, Workshop 2, Vehicles (Tricked Up Car, Vehicle Fleet) (2), Weapons (Full Metal Jacket) (5) (22)

All members have Obligation (BPRD: Total) and Adversary (Agents of Ragnarok). The BPRD has been in operation since 1944.

 

Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Development (S.H.E.I.L.D)
Cost: 49
Clout: Criminal 3, Financial 4, Governmental 4, Supernatural 1 (12)
Quarters: Huge (5), Worldwide (10), Physical Security 5, Supernatural Security 1 (16-12 from Clout (4))
Gear: Computers 4, Laboratories/Research 5, Medical Facilities 4, Workshop/Repair Facilities 4, Occult Archives 1, Training Facilities (Range and Gym) 3, Vehicle Fleet (2), Air Fleet (5), Military/Exotic Vehicles (5) (33)

 

Slayer Organization (Unnamed) (47 Points)

Clout Spheres: Criminal (2), Financial (3), Supernatural (4), Governmental (2) (11)
Quarters: Huge (5), Multiple Locations (5), Physical Security (2* Slayer Guards), Supernatural Security (3)
Facilities: Computers (4), Lab/Research (3), Medical (2), Workshop (3), Occult Archives (5), Training (Full Gym + Range) (3), Vehicles (Military/Exotic) (Vehicle Fleet/Air Fleet) (15), Weapons (Getting Medieval) (1), (Explosives) (1) (58 Points total)

Main Operations Base: Scotland Castle, unnamed.
Unique Equipment: Independent Internet Access, Satellite communications, 4 Huey helicopters, plasma-shield disruptor, base shielding (minimal) (high speed (100+mph) impacts only), Slayer Armory
Occupants: Aside from the core cast, ~10 Witches, 100 Slayers organized into 15 squads of 5-7 filling in various roles.

The Academy of Tomorrow: (And Subsidiaries: The Hellfire Club, X-Factor Investigations, The Acolytes, X-Men, Jean Grey School for Gifted Youngsters, Utopia, etc.)
Clout:
- Criminal: 4
- Financial: 4
- Governmental: 3
- Supernatural: 4
Location: Large, Multiple Locations (6)
Security: Physical (Good) (2), Supernatural (Protected) (2)
Gear:
- Computers: Top Notch (3)
- Laboratories/Research: Advanced (2)
- Medical Facilities: Advanced (2)
- Workshop/Repair Facilities: Advanced (2)
- Occult Archives: Impressive (3)
- Training Facilities: Full (3)
- Vehicles: Vehicle Fleet, Aircraft, Paramilitary (6)
- Weapons: BYO (0)
Total: 16 (31-15 from clout)