Militia
A Militiaman and his Hound
Cocky bullies whose steel masks hide their faces the Militia are a familiar sight to the teeming masses of London. Over the centuries their organization has evolved and grown more insular. They are a tight knit clan sworn to serve House Tennyson with an almost religious loyalty. Generations of families have served as the anointed law keepers of London, keeping the chaos at a manageable level through simple, brutal means.
Hats and Masks
Their strange uniform with its bowler hat and steel mask coupled with the long coats are viewed by newcomers to London as comical, an attempt to appear intimidating and overcompensating as a result. Yet their belligerence and physical prowess quickly destroy such assumptions. They are skilled and brutal brawlers well versed in inflicting pain. Their coats are stab proof and to a limited degree can stop low caliber bullets whilst their hats are reinforced with metal plats making them excellent protection for their heads and can serve as a shield or improvised bludgeoning weapon. The masks also serve a purpose beyond intimidation. They hide the identity of the Militiaman and distort their voice, The masks can also raise the volume of the speaker's voice, allowing them to be heard over the hustle and bustle of the crowds or terrify. They display no obvious ranks but the higher ranked Militiamen do have certain tell-tale items about their uniform that the trained eye can see.
The favored weapon of the Militia is a baton. A simple but effective tool. Only the higher ranks are permitted firearms.
The Families
The Militia recruit from their own, a clan of sorts made up of families whose have each served in its ranks over the centuries. To them there is no higher calling and to be serve the Conclave as their enforcers is an almost divine duty. They have adopted strange rites and practice's and even those of the clan who do not serve in Militia directly belong to this mysterious fraternity, scattered throughout London and aiding their brothers and sisters wherever they can.
It should also be noted that women serve in the Militia, yet it is often hard to tell a male from a female beneath the padded uniform and mask.
Ultimately, the clan see themselves as better than everyone else, except their masters in House Tennyson, and enjoy great privileges due to their loyal service.
Corruption
The Militia do not investigate most crimes. They are there to keep order and put down dissent. Only when someone with money and influence is affected will they deign to investigate and seek out the perpetrators. Their network of family members across the city in every level of society and profession means they know a lot that goes on in London.
The criminal syndicates who conduct the skin trade, racketeering, smuggling and drug distribution all pay their due to the Militia. House Tennyson does not care about such petty crimes and the suffering of mere humans and the Militia are quite happy to follow their example. If someone has enough money and knows the right people they can bribe their way out of the most heinous of crimes free and clear.
The Hounds
A more recent addition to the Militia's tools as the Hounds; dogs made far larger, stronger as well more intelligent through Conclave science. They are few in number at the moment yet have been deemed a tremendous success in keeping order as the mere sight of one of them is enough to break up crowds. The Militia officers who have been training the Hounds and using them on the beat express their prowess at chasing down criminals and for intimidating the populace and the Militia are clamoring for of them to be disrupted.
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