Lerona Mere Coteria

Contrary to popular belief, catastrophic disaster and violence create hope and community far more than they create chaos and distrust. In these hells we can see humanity creating a paradise in held hands as bonds once thought to be flighty things become all that keep us from the abyss.

The poverty of Lerona Mere and its subsequent revolution both stand as examples of these periods of catastrophe.

Prior to the revolution, as the starving of the people grew worse and worse, the only true way to survive was through solidarity. The social contract between servants to cover each-others struggles for personal time, or the group of squatters in the old mill, guiding each other to where there was a week of transient farm work. These bonds were unofficial and unnamed, but they formed the smouldering ember of not only revolution, but of a new social order. When the flames began to lick at the buildings and the foundations of the world began to shake, it is hand in hand with these brethren that Lerona Mere marched. They knew that those who had seen them through the dark and into the light could always be relied upon to shelter, love and understand each other. Together, they had become Coteria.

A co-option of an oligarchic term for the luncheon clubs and reading groups of the rich and powerful, Coterias differ from within Lerona Mere by the most Lerona Mere of reasons; intensity. Coterias are truly found family and while they may not have shared blood in their veins, they are more than willing to spill it with their hands.

Coterias' unofficial history as supportive groups operating in a hostile culture that abused and used them is responsible for the humanistic and loyal traits held by such groups. The needs of the downtrodden were survival and dignity for so long, and Coterias existed to eke this out at the edges. At the same time, they protected each other from the maladies of the society, both targeted and careless, ensuring that everyone stayed fed, sheltered, and protected.

But when revolution came it was no longer a simple matter of food and drink, but of blood and fire. Coterias stood by each other against the barricades and the legions. Coterias freed each other from bondage. Coterias proved that they were more than comforting words, but would stand together in the undertaking of destiny.

It was in these moments of shattering terror, glorious success and truest loss that the final stone was laid. Posthumous instructions, whispered confessions and inflamed oaths saw that there were no secrets between Coterias members. They would hold each other as brothers with no lies between them, for you can die for a lie, but it is a weak thing to kill for one.

In this suffering and vengeance, the four pillars of a Coteria were forged:

Camaraderie

Coterias are living brotherhoods, founded in care for each other in an uncaring world. Members of a Coteria should look to each other’s needs, ensuring that everyone has food to eat, wine to drink and shelter. Sharing meals, camping together and working together forms the core of a Coteria in play.

Loyalty

Coterias are an extreme form of loyalty. They are family forged in secrecy, and sealed in revolution. The Coterias goals are your goals, the Coterias enemies your enemies and all will revel in the victories together.

Undertaking

Coterias are not passive organisations. They are your blood. Coterias act together, work towards shared goals and shared vengeance. Being in a Coteria is an active life. Insults should be answered in kind, opportunities should be exploited ruthlessly. Life should be lived with your hands around its throat.

Honesty

There are no secrets between members of a Coteria, there are no lies. To join a Coteria is to see your hidden laid bare and to lie to your Coteria is to see your life forfeit.

While all these pillars were raised prior to and during the revolution, they have served the Coterias of Lerona Mere well in becoming the most powerful societies in the new order. The greatest political parties, Docklands gangs, Bravo companies and Captains Fleets find a Coteria at their nucleus. The combination of care, support, ambition, and trust is a powerful impetus to action. While the mixture of solidarity, protection, vengeance, and obfuscation offers greater defence than any shield or maille.

In Character

As a bonding of people in shared purpose, there is no real requirement for a Coteria to be approved by the civil government or registered in any record.  The only true forming moment for a Coteria is the swearing of their oath. Traditionally sworn with a bloody hands upon the Coteria’s ledger (see ‘Joining a Coteria’), this oath is sworn before the Spheres as a part of the Blessing of the Warhost’ ceremony.

Out of Character

A Coteria is a very flexible concept, focusing more so on the trust and ambition between individuals than any profession or geographic home. So when crafting your Coteria it is most important that you have a group of players who enjoy playing closely together, have shared goals (or a willingness to step outside their goals to support each other) and want a style of play that pushes them to act rather than waiting for a perfect moment.

The group should discuss the overall goals of the Coteria so that everyone is aware and, more importantly, excited to pursue them. Coterias are not limited to a single objective over their life, or even a single objective at a time. What is important is that they pursue them together.

Coterias should camp, live, and operate together. This builds the sense of family and camaraderie while also providing the best opportunity to support each other, it is hard to throw down the gauntlet when someone insults your Coteria brethren if you’re camping on the other end of the district. While there is no hard and fast focus on mealtimes such as in Bordevar, making some time for your Coteria to sit, rest and be merry is advised, as it will also provide time to rally, arm and scheme.

While Coterias previously went unnamed, this has fallen out of practice in the new Lerona Mere. It is far more difficult to represent your people if your people have no name. Most Coterias share a name with a larger organisation they control (for example: A Bravo company may not have every rank and file soldier in the Coteria, but the Coteria wouldn’t call itself by something different). Other Coterias may call themselves some sort of society, order or carta.

The symbology and calling cards of a Coteria are as important as its title. While martial or particularly ostentatious Coterias may adopt a whole matching colour scheme for their regalia, the most common form of shared sigil in a Coteria is matching jewellery. Traditionally looted from the dead of the Revolution, this practice has evolved into Coterias wearing matching rings, badges, bracelets, pins, or earrings. For some Coterias this is a matching design on a variety of formats while for others will have the same matching item. Referred to as a ‘Coteria Piece’, losing this piece of jewellery is a point of great embarrassment, having it stolen from you is a point of great violence.

Finally, it is important to note that Coterias are private societies, but not secret societies. They will have their secrets and guard them dearly, but their existence, name and members are far from secret affairs. On the contrary, to hide your Coteria membership is to dishonour it and your brethren.

You may submit your Coteria through the Player Group submission link Here. Your Coteria may be both a Band and a Sect. A Coteria requires a minimum of three active members to be recognised. While Coteria’s are fully egalitarian, it may be useful to have an OOC leader or point of contact for The Concord team to use.

Joining a Coteria

It is impossible to detail the path towards joining a Coteria as the first step is ‘Find people whose spirits are likened with yours, whose blood you would protect with your final breath, whose loves are your loves, whose breath you would hold precious.’ Understandably, this process is complex and sometimes lifelong. Unlike other groups, Coteria’s are invite only. There is no appeal for membership. That being said, it is likely that any intent to join a Coteria would be obvious by proximity and support.

First, the Coteria must meet and decide if a friend of the group should be offered membership. A simple vote is held, where the new member must receive unanimous support. If the vote fails, nothing happens. If the vote passes, the friend is invited to take the next step, the balancing of the Ledger.

The balancing of the Ledger is the true welcoming to the Coteria. In a private setting, the Ledger is opened, and the new member is asked to disclose:

• What debts they owe to others (they are now the Coteria’s obligations)
• What vengeances they need to fulfill (they are now the Coteria’s satisfactions)
• Who they count as enemy (they are now the Coteria’s Opposition)
• Who they count as friend (they are now the Coteria’s Confidants).

With the balance taken, the new member is taken to a sanctified square where they swear, bloody handed upon the Ledger, the oath of the Coteria. They are presented with their piece and welcomed in.

While it is assumed that any married couple would be of the same Coteria, this is not always the case with children. While the children of a Coteria are a thing to be protected as if they were members, it is expected that young people will grow to find their own brethren, although following their parents is not unheard of.

To leave a Coteria is done in one way, and that is with a travel to the Spheres.

Leadership in a Coteria

Unsurprisingly, Coterias lack formal leadership structures. Born in egalitarian revolution, they are true democracies. Every member of the Coteria has equal voice at the table.

Some Coteria’s may create titles or responsibilities within their ranks to focus on particular elements of their lives or to lead during battle, but in all things these members can be questioned.

Being close knit and coordinated, Coteria’s rarely need to ‘meet’, but it is often important to formalise some functions. Any member of the Coteria can ‘call a vote’. This is a summons to pass a vote on a particular issue. If a vote is called, all members are obliged to attend as quickly as is possible. Born out of political radicalisation, Coteria’s do not allow proxies or abstention. Votes are not considered binding if at least two thirds of the Coteria are not present.

Important Notes

The Ledger

Mentioned throughout this summary is a Coteria’s ‘Ledger’. This tome contains records of the funds owed, vengeance required, enemies and allies that the Coteria holds. Tracking these details serves two purposes. Firstly, it ensures that the Coteria is constantly aware of its opportunities and direction. Secondly, it proves that every slight against a member is a slight shared, as proven by its presence in the Coteria.

While each Ledger is slightly different, there is a standard format. Each Ledger will tend to have the following sections.

Obligations

A summary of the Coteria’s debts, be they funds, resources, support or something similar. It details to who that debt is owed, for what reason and whether it has been fulfilled.

Satisfactions

A summary of slights and trespasses against the Coteria and its members. It details each slight, the transgressors and how it has been repaid (if it has).

Oppositions

A summary of the Coteria’s enemies, their nature, their weaknesses and their strengths. May even contain a record of their opposition to the Coteria and any Satisfactions involved.

Confidants

A summary of the Coteria’s allies, their nature and their skills. This record is often used to seek out the correct hand to solve problems or seek advantage.

The Ledger should be a commonly used item, not only being updated when new members join the Coteria, but also whenever new Obligations, Satisfactions, Oppositions and Confidants are gained. It is a constant source of play, providing a record of opportunities and things in need of doing.

It is important to state that a Coteria’s Ledger is an exceedingly private document. Handling it should be reserved for members only and it should generally remain hidden, lest the Coteria be put at extreme disadvantage.