The Knights of St. Judas Iscariot

[gjc8]

I should preface this by pointing out that I tend to give Sorcerers more options and powers than are included in canon, drawn both from various online fan sources and my own twisted mind. I've tried to make this write-up appropriate for "normal" games, too, but it may not work in all, or even most games. On the other hand, if you want to introduce some new Sorcerous powers, this group might be the way to do it.

That aside, they probably work best in a high-contrast game. The point, as it were, is that not everyone who fights for Heaven is nice, or even good. In a dark, low contrast game, that's beating a dead horse, and they probably don't fit in a bright game at all.

The Divine Order of the Fated Saint Judas Iscariot
The Resurrection required the Crucifixion, and the Crucifixion required the Betrayal. The Divine Plan encompasses the Damned as well as the Blessed
The Knights of Judas Iscariot are a loose network of Sorcerers and other Symphonically Aware individuals, who share an intention of fighting Hell by any means necessary. The members usually act independently, but come together to share knowledge and Songs, and cooperate on tasks requiring more than a single Sorcerer.

The "average" member of the Knights is similar to most Sorcerers, but will generally have a wider range of Sorcerous powers and Corporeal Songs than other unaligned Sorcerers. Further, they collectively have a surprising amount of knowledge about the order of things, and, given time to consult their comrades, they can often dig up information useful to their present situation.

The Sorcerers form the core of the group, but other Symphonically Aware individuals are often involved. And, if a Knight needs an explosive expert for a specific task, most aren't averse to sharing the secret in a more direct way, summoning up a minor Demon or taking a shared trip to the Marches by way of explaining the gravity of the situation.

In additional to Sorcery and Corporeal Songs, a significant few have Ethereal or even Celestial Connections. They are on relatively good terms with a number of Ethereal groups, which always helps. And it's rumored that some of them have a way to induce a Celestial Connection without the help of Heaven or Hell, striping a force from a bound Demon and "grafting" directly on to a human.

They also have a ruthless directness about them. Potential infernal tether? Make lure (or Summon) a Demon to the ally out back, and provoke a noisy fight. If some passer-by is caught in the crossfire, it's a shame, but the extra Disturbance is welcome.

Most active agents of Hell hate them. Not only do they throw disrupt any Infernal plans, they do it in a way that is particularly nasty, even by Demonic standards. The opinions of the higher-ups, though, are mixed. Baal, naturally, thinks they're just another enemy to be squashed. Beleth, if anything, hates them even more, for their willingness to incite Ethereals against Hell and their tendency to teach lucid dreaming to any mortal willing to learn. On the other hand, some of their more violent plots are among the few things both Kobal and Saminga find funny. Kronos is characteristically enigmatic, but most of his Barons feel that the Knights of Iscariot are blindly marching towards their Fates. Belial is always happy for any tethers that shift his way after a fire-bombing.

Despite the Knights opinion that they're on the same side, Heaven is not too fond of them. The more peaceful Superiors, naturally, strenuously object to their methods. Even the "war" faction dislike their casual attitude towards mortal life, and distrust their reliance on Sorcery and other "Infernal tools". Any Angel who gets too chummy with a Sorcerer, even a Knight, can expect a visit from Judgment.

Further, their open attitude, eager to recruit new mortals into their ranks, combined with their indelicate methods, make them vulnerable to manipulation by clever Demons and especially Soldiers of Hell. At least one member of their ranks is secretly but extensively reporting to Hatiphas on their activities and feeding misinformation to selected members. Celestials in general can be (comparatively) easily identified, but a little misinformation can make a Mercurian look like an Impudite all to easily. A quick, disturbance-free gunshot later, and that annoying Angel of Destiny is out of the picture for a while.

[PenitentDemon]

Interesting Idea... Always wondered that thing I admit about Judas Iscariot... and predestination...