Editing Independent Alliance (section)

===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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