[cellophane]

For years, a manic woman sought to cure the woes of heart. In this journey, she wished to heal people who suffered from the same as her -- pariahs to the functioning gears of society, cast away to never be gaze upon again. After five Winters, she claims to have found a solution. Is it truly the remedy to a societal disorder, or the beginning of yet another crisis?

All those who sought Carmilla Gautier found a madam morphed.
No longer subject to mood swings, obsessions and paranoia, she seems changed and is now willing to offer similar bliss to any -- for a cost.

The brew of her cure involves much more than simply Alchemy, and many risks are involved.
In order to accomodate to these challenges, she has surrounded herself with a group of trustworthy allies, founding a company.

SOMA.

The Commandments

• We protect our brethren and those who prove loyalty to us;
  
• Children younger than fourteen are not to be wounded or offered alchemy;
  
• The way of the Sorcerous is taught for any who wishes to know, widely spread and explained in a manner most simplified;
  
• Non-Magi are never to be harmed;
  
• Those who have lost their souls to Nethradin should be offered redemption in Sorcery. If they refuse? The Zodiacs deem them a free for all, rewards given to those who bring limbs or severed nails and teeth as proof of their offense versus Fel;
  
• Above all, promises are never to be broken.
  
• True power is seized, not born with.
  
• Relief should be offered to those who suffer.
  
• Humanity is sin and virtue both -- a careful balance of the two.
  
• No good deeds unrewarded, no faults forgiven.
  

The Zodiacs
In their origin, the most trusted of the Serpent. 
Titles attributed in accordance to personality and stratagem, never appearance or race.
With the Serpent currently as the head of operations, they lead and keep the SOMA united.
Some dissidence is stimulated, as multiple points of view are believed to add to the final result.
A group most diverse is what the first Serpent sought after, adding powerful Magi from different backgrounds and upbringings to further extend available contacts and expertises.

The Serpent -- Carmilla Gautier

The Tiger -- Yi Hu

The Rooster -- Am'hina

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The Fox -- An ellusive member.

Common Rites

• Tattoos: once a member of the SOMA has proved their loyalty and worth to at least half of the active Zodiacs, they are branded with ink according to the beast the Inkseer has envisioned their true self as. Such may be done through traditional stick-and-poke tattoo means or magic, but never painless. It's the last test they're subjected to, in which commitment and endurance are tested both. The amount of agony is up to the Inkseer's best judgement. (Might be a short temp. Should not be healed through medic.)
  
  
• Drinking: liquor for celebration, mourning and breaking the ennui. Coming back from a particularly rough mission equals getting rights to the most lavish alcohol the Serpent can offer, no limits as all are in a somewhat decent shape to work again. Gambling is not frowned upon, sometimes even enabled by one of the leaders himself.
  
  
• Hunting of Magical Beasts: given the rising quantity of Sorcerers, the hunt for magical beasts is ever stimulated. Aggression against those capable of speech and potential in future allegiances is leered upon.
  
  
• Punishment: going against a explicit order or breaking one of the SOMA's commandments will earn the member punishment regardless of rank. The most common is the severing of a pinky finger, which must be done by the punished themself. Treachery and willing association with Fel is responded to with death.
  

The Roles
Being a Zodiac does not exclude one from taking on one of these roles(save for that of Beast), but it's heavily advised against.

The Beasts: initiate enforcers who have passed their trial and proved loyalty. Paid on an yearly basis, fully equipped by the SOMA. They must receive tebori on their skin, and the design is upgraded with each conquest as they prove themselves further.
Does not need to be based on a Chinese Horoscope animal.

The Hedonists: people in charge of the local bars and casinos. Just make sure to keep the hookahs clean and the games going.
MUST be somewhat knowledgeable of running the minigames.
Will be provided with plenty to start off with.

Ashling: someone of the Artist of Compounds extreme trust. Only one can exist at the time. Aside from the Artist herself, they're the only person with knowledge enough to brew the SOMA's special. Their identity is never known to the public.
MUST be a Sorcerer.
MUST have Alchemy unlocked.
MUST undergo Contract magic.

Inkseer: the Magi in charge of branding those who pass the initiation. They are capable of seeing through one's façade, a soul reader. With the aid of magic, they make the design that is soon etched into the initiated's skin.
MUST be an artist character.
MUST be able to schedule initiations.
MAY be able to read minds/telepathy. Not mandatory.
Ink magic dev in the future, maybe?
Willing to dev +bonus for the ritual.

Engineers: for reasons unknown, the SOMA are open not only for those who are of Sorcerous path, but also the technologically inclined. They will be tasked with making firearms to furnish the initiates, and maybe something more. Who knows.
MUST be an artificer.
Devheads...?

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OOC Notes: new spawns accepted. Neutral to any but Fel. Willing to schedule scenes through letters or discord(plaguedby).
More rolehooks to be added. Originally Shengese-flavored since most characters ended up having connections to Sheng, then turned Latino-flavored with a vague reminiscence of their past as they evolved.
Dev-heavy faction because of scientific and Sorcerous origins. Eccentric characters loved!