Moriones

Among Manila's Pentacle orders, none has earned more notoriety and suspicion as the Moriones. Their nom de guerre points to the Filipino fiesta of parading garish Roman soldiers to frighten children and confuse the faithful during Holy Week. In truth, the so-called 'Faceless Legion' embrace their dubious image as spies, conspiracists, and when needed, assassins. It is a reputation that precedes them, and a weapon they leverage when policing Manila for abuses of magic. Other high-minded willworkers might preach in the halls of Consilium, or wax poetic about honor, but the Moriones alone speak the cold truth: ''Sometimes, one must trade in falsehoods to fight a greater lie. Sometimes, one must wear the stain of sin to protect the Wisdom of others.''

Code of Dishonor

The Faceless Legion has been policing Manila for as long as the Diamante can remember. At some point in the 19th century, during the long years of their shadowy vigil, they adopted the controversial tenets of the Guardians of the Veil, and were adopted into the worldwide order. Legionnaires helped codify the Sarswela - a body of esoteric lore hidden in Philippine folk tradition - and actively opposed the Paternoster during the Spanish colonial era.

Never a prolific order, the Legion relies instead on their extensive network of informants ranging from government rank and file, police intelligence, the criminal underworld, and others they have bribed or threatened. Even among lower-ranking Moriones it is not uncommon to know of only one superior up the command chain. All major decisions however stem from the Babagwa - the Spider's Lair - a secretive council that orchestrates the Legion's activities and chairs the regional Caucus. Safe houses also exist across Metro Manila such as a rundown apartment complex in Sta. Ana run by a blackmailed landlord.

Moriones Roles

Kultor sustain the cults that the Faceless Legion use to alternately indoctrinate and winnow out Sleepers. A Kubrador might collect favors, or run one of the order's 'protection' rackets. Tiktik are sent in to solve occult crimes and other strange cases, while Makapili report Left-handed sorcery and suspicious activity. For leadership, the Moriones receive orders from the Babagwa - the Spider's Lair - a shadowy council that may or may not be an urban legend even to Awakened. The Consilium's Verdugo (sometimes referred to as 'Interfector'), traditionally comes from the order's ranks.

Personalities

As a Tiktik, Orfeo relies on cartomancy, gambling (sabong, jueteng, off-track betting), and games of chance to read omens of portent. When the Moriones needs the right personnel to solve a crime, Fate always pulls them to Orfeo - whether they like it or not.

Working out of a shop in the Dangwa flower market, Mandragora collects strange and rare plants - sometimes from the Primal Wild. She distills these for a variety of purposes for the Faceless Legion - medicinal herbs, hallucinatory drugs, and components for pheromancy.