Architects of Eternity

The Architects consider themselves to be the only ones to have a true stake in Eternity: immortals
(of various stripes, ranging from Undead and True Immortals to powerful Gifted and Seers). They
believe that their ageless condition gives them the perspective - and thus the right - to rule over the
masses of mortality.
[Note: While I've statted them up normally, the Eternals were conceived as a dark covenant that
most PCs would oppose. But they don't have to be]

History
The Architects do not have a single date of founding for their covenant - instead, it came together
gradually in the centuries following the conquests of Alexander. While Alexander's empire did not
last long intact, it left a legacy of Hellenistic culture and Greek-speaking elites across the whole of
Persia - it also sparked a growth in long-distance trade - both within the region, and between it and
elsewhere.
The Architects began as members of one or more gatherings of supernatural predators, Vampyres
whose great age had allowed them to accrue more personal might than their competing predators.
Some of the Vampyres, fancying luxury as much as power, took advantage of the new trade routes
and lingua franca, becoming prosperous and well-connected. They also encountered others like
them in distant provinces and lands, which made it possible to trade with those who knew the
answers to certain difficult questions others might have asked. These Vampyres used their wealth to
secure mundane as well as supernatural influence.
The Greek empires gave way to the Parthians and others, but the Vampyres managed to hold onto
their lines of trade and contact; they attributed this to the experience accorded to them by their ages,
and began to see themselves distinct from their Red Kingdom origins, having more in common with
one another. By now, they were to be found not just in Persia, but also the Roman Empire, north
and east Africa, and India.
The eventual falls of Rome and Parthia further developed their philosophy, as they came to
understand that mortal empires were themselves mortal, while their own immortal nation went on:
thus, they began to attribute their success to their very immortality rather than its resulting
experience. During this period and the rise of Islam, they began to encounter, have dealings with,
and eventually accept as members immortals of other kinds than Vampyres.
During the Middle Ages, most of the Eternals, as they now collectively called themselves,
gravitated to Islamic lands; during the Renaissance, they followed the drift of power and settled in
Europe. By this time, they had formulated power as a philosophical as well as emotional goal. In
the Age of Empires, they spread globally, sometimes following European expansion, sometimes
even driving it.
Despite their universally supernatural nature, the Architects welcomed the Age of Reason - they had
little concern for a bygone past, holding their hopes in the future - one which they were better suited
for than the mortals who gave it birth. The Eternals played a part in the French Revolution (though
they were far from alone in their interest; those events attracted covert players from all over the
continent). The Revolution collapsed into brutality and horror, which most Eternals took as proof of
the limits of mortals (though a few took the opposite lesson, and eschewed power for scholarship,
joining the Lodge of the Undying).
Beliefs
The Architects believe that the condition of immortality has an intrinsic benefit on human
perspective, granting a level of enlightenment that no mortal can hope to match - though their take
on enlightenment is a Nietzschean one. As such, they hold that immortals have the right - and to
some degree, the duty - to rule mortal humans. No distinction is made as to how the immortality is
attained, but it must be true agelessness - constant rejuvenation is insufficient.
The Eternals attach little value to the past or their cultures of origin, considering such things to be as
mortal as the humans who populated them. Instead, they concern themselves with the trends of the
future, including the rise of technology.

Organisation
The Architects form a pyramid of rank, with precedence placed on age (measured in mortal
generations). Species is mostly unimportant - a Gifted human who has lived for a thousand years
will probably outrank a younger True Immortal or Vampyre - in practice, personal strength will play
a part in any group of would-be rulers (though of course age allows one to build up a lot of personal
strength).
Younger Eternals are expected to obey the orders of older ones, unless they are clearly suicidal - in
such a case, it is permitted to go over the elder's head to have the order rescinded - and to avoid
interfering with an elder's dominions. Other than this, they have a free hand to take whatever forms
of power they see fit
Those of the same rank do compete, sometimes violently, though the Architects maintain a system
of courts to resolve disputes.
Ranks in the covenant are not denoted by titles: instead titles are articles of respect taken from
those of mortals whom the Architect in question has enslaved or suborned; they supply prestige, but
not formal power.

Relations
Combine: Any who seek power come up against the Combine at some point; the Architects
consider them their chief rivals. The Eternals are aware of several such organisations, and if you
have several Combines in your campaign, are well-placed to tell them apart.
Lodge of the Undying: The Lodge of the Undying is the largest other group of immortals the
Architects know of; as a whole they seem to be more interested in scholarship than power, though
individuals do pursue positions of influence. The Architects consider the Lodge to be misusing and
betraying the potential of their condition (the Lodge reciprocates this view).
Sentinels: Many of the Architects are Undead and other predatory kinds of creature, which brings
them to the notice of the Sentinels. The Architects view the Sentinels as a major threat, and will go
out of their way to dispose of any they detect.
Sere Rose: The Eternals typically regard the Sere Rose as rivals, though the two have some
business dealings too, and have been known to cooperate against the Sentinels or Combine.
Cult of Pain: The Eternals see the Cultists similarly to the Sere Rose; they have some dealings
with them, though they prefer to deal with the Rose.
Characters
Mundane Traits: Eternals do not universally favour any particular Attributes over the others.
Social Qualities are sought and prized; members have strict Obligations to higher ranks. Any kind
of Skill set is deemed to have value - obviously this applies especially to Skills of influence, but
scientific and technological knowledge is also valued.
Metaphysics: By virtue of their diverse membership, the Architects practice many different kinds
of art: Magic, Black Magic, Necromancy, and the Sight are all found; as well, supernatural Eternals
practice their own innate powers, including some Arcana fashioned by True Immortal Makers.
Special Abilities: Architects receive a free level of the Resources Quality.
Common Professions: Architects seek out positions of power - any profession that enables them to
exert influence from the shadows is valued.