Editing Independent Alliance (section)

==Positions==

===Regional and Global Positions===

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'''Shepherds of the Dead'''

The ruling body of the IA are known as Shepherds of the Dead. These eight vampires, four of each Clan, are the upper echelon of the Sect and are responsible for setting its direction. Each Shepherd is said to be a formidable creature in its own right. The Shepherds meet every three years in one of the Great Temples to Set or in Venice to discuss the Sect’s future; to date, they have met fifteen times.

Collectively the Shepherds of the Dead form The Council of the Shroud; a meeting of The Council is called the “Sacred Symposium.” Through their combined might and influence the Council of the Shroud sets the direction and policies of the Sect by passing Ordinances. Passing an ordinance require six of the eight appointed members to vote in favor.

By the passage of an Ordinance the Council of the Shroud can do the following:
* Remove or appoint Janus Guard and anyone else in a lower office;
* Determine the IA’s political and social direction;
* Rule upon IA-wide issues and doctrine, including interpretation of the Treaty;
* Issue edicts to alter the fundamental doctrine, law, or custom of the Sect;
* Define methods of judgment and punishment;
* Remove or impose any Alliance status bans;
* Issuing a global hunt on any Kindred.

Individually a Shepherd of the Dead has the power to do the following:
* Order any member of their Sect to be taken into custody;
* Order any member of their Clan, that does not hold the title of Shepherd, destroyed;
* Hold immunity from the authority of any lesser Sect office;
* Call an emergency meeting of the Council of the Shroud.

Shepherds of the Dead gain the abiding status traits of ''Authority'', ''Commander'', ''Hallowed'', and ''Prominent''.

'''The Janus Guard'''

The Janus Guard have the authority to administer large geographical territories known as Spheres (Regions or Affiliate). Each Sphere has two Janus Guards: one Giovanni and one Follower of Set.

Appointed by the Council of the Shroud to eleven year terms, combined the Janus Guard are the regional authorities empowered to act as the eyes and ears of the Shepherds of the Dead over their specific Clan. Janus Guards enjoy immense power over the members of the IA and are regarded with awe and fear. No member of the Alliance dares refuse them, even if it aids in that vampire’s own destruction.

Empowered by the Council of the Shroud, the Janus Guards of a given Sphere have the ability to ensure an insane or criminally despotic Doyen is formally removed from power before lasting damage is done to the IA. If the two Janus Guards of a Sphere agree, they can automatically strip a Doyen of all abiding status traits related to the office. In addition, they can announce a Sphere wide hunt upon criminals of the Alliance. Such a hunt can only be removed by sanction of the Council of the Shroud. All Alliance Emissaries report directly to the Janus Guard. They can be formally removed from office with an Ordinance issued by the Shepherd's and they are immune from the prosecution of any lesser Alliance office.

A Guard’s individual authority over those who reside in their Sphere includes:
* Holding immunity from prosecution from any lesser Sect office;
* Issuing a Sphere wide hunt on criminals of their own Clan, in which the offender is to be brought in “alive”.

Combined, the two Janus Guards of a Sphere have authority to:
* Issue a writ to require the presence of any Accepted Sect member;
* Issue a Resolution to alter the laws of the Sect in their Sphere (NOTE: No Resolution will stand if it conflicts with an Ordinance);
* Remove a Doyen who resides in their Sphere and strip their abiding status;
* Issue a Sect-wide hunt on criminals and enemies of the Sect in which final death is permitted;
* Appoint Emissaries to non-Alliance domains within their Spheres.

Janus Guard gain the abiding status traits of ''Commander'', ''Prominent'', and ''Celebrated''.

'''The Curare'''

The members of the Curare are the administers of The Alliance Codex. They oversee its operations, its security, and its daily machinations. The Curare are housed in a secret facility created by the IA and rarely have direct face-to-face interaction with anyone other than the Shepherds of the Dead. To all but the Shepherds, the identity of the members of Curare is unknown, as is there exact number. Nonetheless, the title of Curare demands greatly respect among the IA. Although rarely encountered, a individual Curare has authority over all members of the IA that do not hold the title of Shepherd of the Dead, including the Janus Guard itself. As such, their individual power is as follows:
* Holding immunity from prosecution from any Sect office except the Shepherds of the Dead;
* Setting up Codex Accounts for Vampires seeking to join The Alliance Codex;
* Oversee the Codex Boon registry;
* Oversee the advertising of the price specified by the buyer/seller plus the IA’s “tax”;
* Brokering the deals between buyer and seller;
* Holding the payments in escrow until the service is rendered;
* If a good is purchased, holding the payment in escrow until the good is received by the IA at which time the Curare will arrange and ensure the exchange of the payment and the good for the parties;
* Handling any refunds;
* Overseeing the Free-For-All posting forum.

The Curare gain the abiding status traits of ''Authority'', ''Commander'', ''Prominent'', and ''Celebrated''.
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===Doyen===
The ruler of an IA Domain is called a Doyen. In IA Domains that have at least three resident Followers of Set and at least three resident Giovanni, there are two Doyens that jointly rule over the Domain; one for each Clan. A vampire becomes the Doyen for their Clan by claiming the right to rule over their Clan in the Sect’s Domain. If successful, they have the freedom to do as they wish within their own Clan and limited authority to direct the Clansmen of their fellow Doyen. The title Doyen is gender neutral. Like a Sabbat Archbishop, a Doyen must be cunning and subtle if they hope to retain their position.

Together the two Doyens keep the peace and create local laws known as Resolutions; they also do whatever is required to keep the city orderly and safe from incursion by outside forces. Each Doyen wears many hats, including diplomat, commander-in-chief, lawmaker, patron of the arts, and judge. While their authority derives from The Treaty of Alliance, their success as a the Doyen depends as much, if not more, on their ability to manage the affairs of their Clan though skillful application of influence, persuasion, personal charisma and force of will.

Within their Domain, a Doyen rules absolutely over their Clan until they lose power and another takes their place via political maneuver or a bloody coup d’état. If a Doyen shows themselves incapable of managing their Clan, they may be forced to abdicate by their Clansmen or through an act of the Shepherds of the Dead or Janus Guard. If a Doyen suffers the Final Death or is forced from office without a clear successor the position will remain vacant for up to one month as a successor for the Clan is chosen.

During that time the remaining Doyen will rule over both Clans and the city as a whole. If, at the end of one cycle of a moon, a new Doyen does not rise up to replace the Clan’s fallen Doyen, the Shepherds of the Dead will make the appointment. In Domains that have only one Clan with more than five members, there is only one Doyen with power over all the Domain’s residents; that Doyen is from the Clan with the most members.

Members of the Independent Alliance who are not Giovanni or Setites are usually considered an associate of one of the two IA clans. Thus, in reference to "their clan", these positions refer to associates in such a fashion.

A Doyen’s individual authority over her Clan includes:
* Accepting all members of their Clan arriving in the Domain;
* Exiling the undesirable members of their Clan from the Domain;
* Declaring or revoking sacred spaces for their Clan in the Domain;
* Withdrawing support from the Virago;
* Holding the right of destruction over members of their Clan within her domain.

A Doyen’s individual authority over her fellow Doyen’s Clansmen includes:
* Securing offending members of the fellow Doyen’s Clan by any force necessary save final death;

Both Doyens must agree in order to do the following:
* Allocate feeding territory;
* Issuing hunts, known as [[Blood Hunt|Reclaim of the Blood]], on criminals and enemies of the Sect where final death is proper;
* Punishing miscreants for violating the Treaty;
* Appointing and overseeing emissaries to nearby non-Alliance Domains;
* Approving new citizens that are not members of Clan Giovanni or Clan Setite;
* Exiling the undesirable Vampires that are not members of Clan Giovanni or Clan Setite;
* Appointing a Virago;
* Creating laws and courtesies (Resolutions) for the Domain;
* Appoint and remove the Hatchet.

If the Doyens cannot agree on the matters requiring consensus for action, the Virago shall act as the tie breaking vote. In Domains in which only one Clan has more than 5 members, causing the Domain to be ruled over by only one Doyen, that one Doyen has all the authority and powers listed above. In a Domain with two Doyens, individually each gain the abiding status traits of ''Commander, Prominent, and Celebrated''; when acting together they gain the abiding status trait of Authority. In a Domain with only one Doyen, the Doyen gains the abiding status traits of ''Authority, Commander, and Celebrated''.

A Doyen can be removed from power in the following ways:
* A bloody coup d’état followed by an IA member of the Clan declaring herself the new Doyen; or
* By Ordinance passed by The Council of the Shroud if only one Doyen rules over both Clans in the Domain; or
* By Ordinance passed by The Shepherds of the Dead of the Clan of the Doyen to be removed from power if both Clans have a Doyen within the Domain; or
* By command of the Janus Guard over the Sphere in which the Doyen resides; or
* If only one Doyen rules over both Clans in the Domain, that Doyen can be removed by petition to the Janus Guard over the Doyen’s Sphere that is signed by ⅔ of all the resident IA members in the Domain; or
* If two Doyen’s rule over the Domain, the Clan that seeks to remove its Doyen may send a petition to the Janus Guard over the Doyen’s Sphere that is signed by ⅔ of all the resident IA members of that Clan that reside in the Domain.

===Virago===
Boons and scandals have always been a part of Kindred society and the Serpents and the Necromancers have always capitalized on their trade. In the Camarilla and Anarch Movement it is the Harpies that ensured that the social mores are respected and boons are properly recorded. In Alliance cities, the Virago is the equivalent of a Harpy. The Virago is the arbiter of social propriety, an enforcer of Alliance dogma and a calculating favor broker who ensures that the boon economy is secure.

As a young Sect, the IA has a vested interest in maintaining social power. The Virago’s work keeps conflicts confined to the social arena, and that in turn keeps the Alliance together. The Virago may sponsor other vampires to assist her as Lesser Viragos to help bring news, gossip, and information her way. A Virago with two or more assistants is referred to by the title “Master (or Mistress) Virago.” A Virago must have backing from both Doyen to maintain her position.

The Doyens need a strong Virago to ensure their power. As long as the Virago maintains the Doyens’ support, she continues to serve in her office. In Domains in which only one Clan has more than five members, thereby resulting in the Domain being ruled over by only one Doyen, that one Doyen appoints the Virago; the Sect encourages the Virago be chosen from the other IA Clan, if possible.
A Virago’s authority includes:
* Accepting all members of the Sect arriving in the Domain;
* Brokering and negotiating boons on behalf of members of the Domain and the Sect;
* Maintaining the official record of boons for the Domain;
* Judging and mediating conflicts over boons for the Domain and the Sect;
* Advising and informing the Doyen(s) about recent events;
* Administering praise or scandal to the vampires of the Domain;
* Appointing up to two Lesser Viragos (permanent deputies) into their service;
* Monitoring and enforcing status expenditures within the jurisdiction of the IA Domain;
* In cities with two Doyens, acting as the tiebreaker for matters that require agreement of both Doyens should they be unable to reach a consensus.
A Virago (or Master/Mistress Virago) gains the abiding status traits ''Prominent'', ''Venerated'', and ''Cerberus'' during their tenure in the office. A Lesser Virago gains no abiding status of their own, but temporarily gains the abiding status Cerberus at their local gathering, if the Master Virago is not in attendance.

===Guardian of the Sacred Spaces===
The Guardian of the Sacred Spaces is designated by the Doyen(s) of a city to oversee places of import to both Clans. In a Domain with two Doyens, the Giovanni Doyen designates the places of import to the Giovanni and the Follower of Set Doyen does the same for her Clan. In a Domain with only one Doyen, the Clan with the Doyen title designates the Sacred Spaces for her Clan and the opposing Janus Guard in
the Sphere may designate the Sacred Spaces for that Clan.

Once the Sacred Spaces are designated, it is an honor to be responsible for those areas. The Guardian of the Sacred Spaces has impressive powers, but can only use them within certain strictly delineated boundaries. In the confines of those designated spaces, the Guardian has the authority to take whatever actions she feels necessary to preserve the sanctity of location.

Guardians are charged with the physical security of these revered areas, as well as, the societal ramifications of what transpires there. The Guardian does not need to approve gatherings held in the designated spaces and may not deny any member of the Alliance in good standing admittance, however, the Guardian has the right to search any vampire who requests entrance and may limit a the ability of any attendee to carry weapons or invoke the powers of the blood.

A Guardian’s authority includes:
* The authority to remove weapons from any Vampire in the sacred space;
* The authority to mandate that a specific Vampire or all Vampires may not use powers of the blood
in the sacred space;
* Using any force necessary to defend the sacred space;
* Exiling the undesirable from the sacred space;
* Commanding all mortals (including Retainers and wraiths) within the sacred space;
* Holding immunity from prosecution from the Doyen(s) or Virago when in defense of sacred space;
* Holding status jurisdiction in the sacred spaces within their physical Domain of residence.
A Guardian of the Sacred Spaces gains the abiding status traits of ''Cerberus'', ''Venerated'', and ''Enforcer''.

===Hatchet===
Best described as a combination of Sheriff, Constable and Scourge, the function of the Hatchet is to serve as the Doyen(s)’ chief enforcer and executioner. The Hatchet protects the domain from violations of the Treaty, exacting decreed punishments, and culling the city of undesirable vampires. In addition, it is the Hatchet’s responsibility to protect the alliance and its territories from mortal awareness and incursion. 

Finally, the Hatchet must always be prepared to defend the domain in time of crisis. Hatchets can appoint up to four Ministers to assist them with their duties. Hatchets and their Ministers visit communal hunting grounds to ensure that everything is suitably quiet. They listen to EMTs, the police, local media, and similar sources for rumors of suspicious occurrences. The Hatchet is permitted to use any force necessary to fulfill his responsibilities as long as Final Death is not inflicted. 

A Hatchet’s authority includes:

* Protecting the alliance and its territories from mortal awareness and Hunter incursion;
* Appointing up to four temporary Ministers into their service;
* Preparing and carrying out strategies for a military crisis;
* Combating enemies of the Sect;
* Protecting the Doyen(s) within their Domain;
* Destroying non-Setite and non-Giovanni Vampires who are not Accepted by the Doyen(s);
* Maintaining an armory for the defense of the Domain;
* Carrying out the punishments decreed by the Doyen(s).
A Hatchet gains the abiding status traits of ''Enforcer'' and ''Earnest''. An appointed Minister gains the abiding status trait of Enforcer.

===Emissary===
Also called Heralds or Ambassadors, among the IA the title of Emissary carries great weight for they are the Sect’s representatives to Domains that are controlled by other vampiric groups. In non-IA controlled Domains, the Emissary is the highest ranking member of the Alliance. As ambassadors, they understand the rules and courtesies of the Sect that controls the Domain in which they reside. In these hostile cities, it is the Emissary’s responsibility to socially monitor, reward, or punish other members of the Alliance.

In order to ensure there is no abuse of power, where possible each city that receives an IA envoy is assigned two Emissaries; one Setite and one Giovanni. The Emissaries speak for their clans at formal court, and perhaps more importantly, ensure the objectives of the IA are achieved. In both Camarilla and Anarch Domains, being an Emissary is a dangerous political position as it can lead to grudges and bad blood between fellow Sect members and non-Alliance Clans. All IA members entering a Domain controlled by another Sect are required by the IA to meet with their Clan’s resident Emissary, or the sole Emissary if both Clans are not formally represented. In cities with two Emissaries, in many things their authority is joint and requires both Emissaries to agree in order to act against a member of the IA.

The joint authority of a city’s Emissaries includes:
* Refusing a member of the Alliance admission into the Domain that the Emissaries oversee;
* Administering punishments or rewards to members of the Alliance;
* Speaking and negotiating for the Alliance within the Domain that they reside;
* Holding jurisdiction over all Alliance members within their Domain.

In addition, each Emissary to a Domain has the following individual duties and responsibilities:
* Collecting information and providing an educational resource;
* Gathering and utilizing boons on behalf of the Alliance;
* Maintaining a general knowledge of boons owed by Followers of Set and Giovanni and assisting in getting them out of debt where possible.
In domains with only one Emissary, they have all of the authorities and power stated above. Emissaries do not reside within IA controlled Domains. Emissaries are afforded great respect during visits to IA Domains. Emissaries report directly to the Janus Guard for their area. An Emissary gains the abiding status traits of Venerated, and Established.