The Stone Lions

The Adamantine Arrow Cabal known as the Stone Lions are one of several Cabals that operate in the Chinatown of Binondo Manila. A reclusive and mysterious cabal, the Stone Lions dedicate themselves to the preservation and protection of Chinese culture in the Philippines.

As self-styled local heroes, the Stone Lions are cabal of combat-ready Mages who use their abilities to protect Chinese owned establishments from crime and violence. They are regarded as an alternative to the police by those who are aware of them, and several wealthy Chinese businessmen have been rescued from their kidnappers by this team of Mages. This does not mean that they are blind to the faults of the Chinese community, of course, as the Stone Lions have also been known to extract bloody justice upon Chinese who are involved in drug-trafficking or the Triads.

This sort of behavior have put the Stone Lions at odds with the rest of the Cabals in the Manila Consilium, as they are generally regarded as magical vigilantes that cannot be trusted. The Stone Lions on their part do not seem to care at all about their reputation. The Silver Ladder and the Guardians of the Veil hold them in suspicion as their activities step on established mortal authorities that could result in a serious breach of the Veil.

One of the most striking features of the Stone Lions is their penchant for wearing striking makeup in patterns akin to those used in Chinese theater performances when they represent their Cabal in official Consilium business, or during one of their sorties.

To date there have been no successful applicants to the Stone Lions from individuals who do not have Chinese ancestry in their blood, but only time will tell if a sufficiently talented and devoted Adamantine Arrow mage manages to earn enough of the Stone Lions’ respect for them to extent and invitation to join them.

---

Originally published in:

https://philgamer.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/nmage-manila-by-night-the-stone-lions/