To deny magic is to deny life. Long before humanity could make sense of reality, magic has existed, and over the centuries we have learned ways to supplant, change, and manipulate it. These forces envelop our world, and always will, long after the gates of Gehenna open and long after the sun devours the earth. Where once magic was dominant and science was secondary, now science has its say but magic lies behind it.

With the widespread exploration of the past century, there is a greater need to safeguard  objects of power from those who would misuse them. These objects are relics, centuries old, born from tales of war, heroism and sacrifice; the product of faiths long dead and gone. They contain portions of gods worshiped in the dark corners of the night, since gone dormant. We collect them to protect them, to contain the madness, decay, and tyranny lest they take root in people’s hearts. It is both our proudest honor and highest calling to secure these objects, so that we may gather the knowledge they hold, and assure that they can be used for no harm. 

Our path is not for the weak of will or the hobby occultist, requiring devotion to the betterment of all through duty and service. A healthy respect and a working knowledge of the arcane is necessary, to better protect our siblings in the shield. When you become an Auroral Shield, you have chosen to protect and guide kindred society from ancient horrors and malevolent magics. Take arms with us, seek objects of power, and make the world safer with knowledge and sacrifice.

The Shield, raised to defend kindred and masquerade alike, rose together to hunt, contain, and destroy relics and magic too grim, powerful or esoteric for the general kindred population. In the halls of one of their reliquaries of knowledge they gathered and discussed the evening and the chances they knew were coming to perform their sacred duty.

Working diligently, members of the shield gathered relics and items of power including pieces of a mysterious mask, a mysterious black pearl, warding charms, and a relic called the Sphere of Souls. As part of their role as protectors, the faction held an intense debate on what to contain, destroy, and research. 

Some artifacts they decided were too powerful to risk their misuse. Their conclusion was to destroy the mask, and the pearl, but the Sphere of Souls was deemed too important by the prince. The Sphere of Souls was warded by a mage against spirits and and currently sits inert and waiting, under the guardianship of one of the members. Toward the end of the night, the Auroral Shield performed the Ritual of Oroborus, a powerful magic which rendered the most dangerous of artifacts dead and devoid of magic. The prince noted the faction’s bravery and persistence, they were rewarded with additional pieces of the mask to keep protected or destroyed as soon as they are able. The Auroral Shield Persists, protects and learns