An international secret association, l'Ordre Estimé de le Lampe et la Livre (the Esteemed Order of the Lamp and the Book) has member chapters across Europe and beyond. Drawing its members from across class, nationality, race and religion, the Order provides a space where all are equal, and a single goal is shared: to improve the lot of mankind through covert acts untraceable to the Order.
These acts range from anonymous deliveries of food to the destitute and debts inexplicably being paid off to mysterious ‘suicides’ of wicked men. Each chapter has autonomy to act as it sees fit within a set of guiding principles handed down ever since the Order was first founded.
Each nation that has at least one chapter has a seat on the Order’s Grand Council, which meets every four years to renew bonds of brotherhood. However, in the face of increasing reports of supernatural entities, the Grand Council of the Order called an extraordinary meeting on 3 November in Toulouse to agree its approach to this emerging threat. It was clear to the Grand Council that the Order could not sit idly by – the wars ravaging Europe and further afield were already a great danger to mankind and this added complication presented an even greater threat.
The Grand Council agreed to pool the resources of the various member chapters – a co-ordinated approach was deemed to be the only chance of success. Bands of hunters were formed across chapters and nations, bringing together men from a wide range of backgrounds to investigate, track, hunt and destroy the supernatural threats. These bands travel wherever they are needed – their passage even during wartime guaranteed through the intervention of local chapters.
Here’s one such group of men that has set out to combat the supernatural menace on behalf of the Order:-
Percival Boyd – British Officer
An officer in the British army, Boyd is a charismatic leader and a devoted Order man through-and-through. He fought with distinction in the Peninsula campaign, but he was a member of the Order long before that. With senior British military officers being high-ranking members of the Order, he is freed to lead a group of men across the continent, taking on cases as they go.
Dr Arnaud Pasquier – French Doctor
A doctor who helped save scores of poor lives in Clermont-Ferrand through his work as a member of the chapter there. As part of the hunting band Pasquier cannot resist providing support to those who need it wherever the band travel and in between investigations he can often be found tending to the sick and injured of the area.
Herr (Rolf) Brandt – Saxon Supernatural Investigator
Following the 3 November Grand Council meeting it was agreed to induct specialists in the supernatural into the Order to help combat the monstrous threat. Brandt is one such of these specially recruited individuals. He is a quiet and inscrutable man but his desire to take the fight to the evils of the world is without question.
‘Father’ Gaspar Khlebnikov – Russian Champion of Faith
From the Orthodox Church comes Khlebnikov, a man of great faith and great humour. A long-standing member of the Order, Father Gaspar is devoted to helping those in need. He makes friends easily and tries to see the good in men.
Dùghlas ‘Doug’ Murray – Scottish Highlander
Hailing from Aberfeldy, Murray is a Highlander and a formidable warrior. He has known Boyd the longest – they met during the Peninsula War, during which Murray joined the Order. He claims a familial connection to the famous Atholl Brigade, a point in which he takes great personal pride.
Maurice Gachet – French Sapper
A Sapeur from the Imperial French army, Gachet is a gruff man who prefers the company of his trusty axe over most men. He isn’t without a soft side however – in between missions he has been known to whittle small wooden toys which he gives to local children.
Christoph Rasch – Brunswick Rifleman
Known as ‘Schweißhund’ due to his ability to track his quarry, Rasch was once a member of the Brunswick Jagers before joining the Order’s mission. Rasch is also a ladies’ man – which sometimes can land him in hot water with the locals!
Ekrem – Ottoman Infantryman
Not all Order members are from Europe – Ekrem comes from Bursa in the Ottoman Empire. He has a firm friendship with Khlebnikov – the two men share many deep discussions about the nature of faith. Ekrem insists on wearing traditional clothes of his people, which does sometimes draw looks of suspicion and whispers from the villagers they meet across the continent.
Dazim Celaj – Albanian Scout
Hailing from Albania, Celaj is one of the finest trackers and woodsmen on the continent – skills that caused the Order to seek him out. Never one to miss an opportunity at adventure, Celaj eagerly signed up to the cause.
Piet Bartels – Nassau Grenadier
A decorated soldier of great valour, Bartels was recruited into the Order to combat the monsters that are plaguing mankind. He has taken well to the life of a hunter – he views the supernatural terrors as the ultimate opponent to test his skill against.
Philibert Boisselot – French Heavy Cavalryman
Boisselot is a flamboyant and dashing member of the Order; thankfully he is as brave and dedicated to the mission as he is flashy. He has an ongoing friendly rivalry with Murray – they call their friendship the “Nouveau Auld Alliance”.
Victor Ferṇo Faria Carneiro РPortuguese Rifleman
One of the Caçadores of Portugal, Faria Carneiro has seen much of hardship – caused both by man and the supernatural. He is somewhat of an embittered soul, and frequently questions if the world is worth fighting for – so far he has just about been convinced that the answer is ‘yes’.
Magnus Kapsner – Austrian Tactician
Kapsner is possessed of a particularly keen mind, supplemented through study at several of the continent’s finest universities. He was orphaned at an early age and taken in by the Wien chapter of the Order – the Chapter Master at the time saw potential in the young boy and ensured he received the finest education. He is an Order man through-and-through and was amongst the first to volunteer to fight the supernatural threat.
Edgar Feulner – Berg Junior Officer
Hailing from the Grand Duchy of Berg, Feulner often serves as Boyd’s second-in-command. Before the wars he was focussed on the more charitable works of the Order, but his military training meant he was ideal to join the monster hunting efforts when they began.
Laurens Hetz – Bavarian Veteran Hunter
Hetz has hunted monsters since before some members of the band have been alive. He has long travelled across Europe and beyond hunting down evil wherever it could be found. He encountered an Order band when they crossed paths while tracking a werewolf in the village of Kirchensur and was invited to join.
Santiago Vázquez – Spanish Infantryman
The Teixeio chapter is small, and the members it does have are mostly old men. Not wanting to see the honour of his chapter called into question, Vazquez, the youngest member, stepped up to volunteer to join the hunter bands. His bravado in the face of danger is a mask – he is actually terrified; but isn’t it only true courage if you feel fear and still act?
Janusz WoliÅ„ski – Polish Artillerist
As a young man WoliÅ„ski had a strong affinity for mathematics, eventually this found application in the artillery. He joined the Order recently following a hobgoblin raid on his hometown – he is always looking for opportunities to exact revenge upon all monsters in the most violent ways possible.
Grigore Amanar—Grenzer Rifleman
Amanar is a Grenzer and marksman of some note. He is probably Faria Carneiro’s only friend and it is most likely the Grenzer’s positive outlook and optimism that has kept the Portuguese rifleman alive and fighting for the cause.
Timoteo de Cosmo – Italian Swordsman
A dashing swordsman de Cosmo will speak at great length and detail about the noble history of the blade and swordsmanship. He seeks the intercession of Saint Maurice before every mission and frequently asks Father Gaspar to renew blessings on his blade.
László Kornél – Hungarian Light Cavalryman
László was sent by the GyÅ‘r chapter to join up with the band. He is possessed of a quick foot and a quick wit – both attributes are appreciated by his fellow hunters. He is the first to start a song around a campfire when spirits need lifting and he seems to have an uncanny knack of when to crack a joke at just the right time.
Albert W̦lfflin РPrussian Rifleman
One of the hand-picked Schützen, Albert is a skilled tracker and marksman that was recruited into the Order soon after the decision was made to wage war on the monsters plaguing mankind. He isn’t sure what he has gotten himself into, but he knows it is important work.
‘Baron’ Henrik Meldgaard IX - Danish Occultist
Meldgaard is an ostentatious chap with a flair for the dramatic – his claims to be a member of the Danish elite are more than a little questionable, but he is clearly of some wealth nevertheless. He was spending his days travelling across Europe and beyond, studying and researching all manner of obscure and occult matters by day and attending lavish parties by night. These travels caused him to eventually cross paths with the Order, who saw in him, despite his popinjay demeanour, an asset for his occult knowledge.
Klaas De Rooms – Belgian Infantryman
An infantryman from Belgium, De Rooms is, for all intents and purposes, a normal soldier. He is well drilled, but not noted for particular skill at arms, or bravery or tactical nous. However he holds within him a secret that only Boyd and Dr Pasquier know...
Potyomkin Kliment Sergeyevich – Russian Militiaman (Irregular)
Sergeyvich is a third-generation baker in Kolpino, and he thought that would be his lot in life. That all changed when he encountered Gaspar Khlebnikov and together they hunted a particularly cruel goblin. Inspired, Sergeyvich joined the Order and has travelled with Khlebnikov ever since. He sees the world through excited eyes and has a certain naiveté.
