Disclaimer: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Angel" and all characters from the shows are the property of Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox, and the UPN or WB Television Networks. The Cthulhu Mythos material is loosely based on the "Call of Cthulhu" role-playing game (copyright Chaosium Inc.) and the book "Encyclopedia Cthulhiana" by Daniel Harms. SAVE is based on the organization in the Chill Roleplaying game (copyright Mayfair Games Inc.) and the earlier version of the game (copyright Pacesetter, Ltd.). My main source for information on Arthurian legends was "The Arthurian Companion" by Phyllis Ann Karr. The character of Melissa Johnson is my own invention. Any similarities between the organization called the "Order of the Grail" and any organization of a similar name in anyone else's stories are purely coincidental (apart from constraints due to basic Arthurian Mythology).
As per your request, I've drafted an overview of key players
in the current situation. The overview can be used as an
attachment to your memo. All sensitive information has, of
course, been omitted. Brief notes have been included in
some sections.--Nigel
Good work. Some comments below.--Quentin
DRAFT Attachment 1
OVERVIEW OF KEY PLAYERS
I. Introduction
This attachment contains an overview of current information on
selected key players. Section II contains capsule summaries for
selected allies of the Watcher's Council. Section III contains
similar summaries for selected adversaries. Section IV contains
summaries for selected independents. Independents vary from
groups that are favorably inclined (but not clear allies) all the
way to groups that basically hostile (but whose energies are not
directed primarily at the Watcher's Council or our allies).
II. Allies
This section contains capsule summaries for major allies of the
Watcher's Council. Each summary contains an overview of basic
information, recent developments, and general Watcher's Council
policy with regards to the individual or group.
A. S.A.V.E.
An organization that investigates, and when necessary, deals with
supernatural events. Their basic mission is to defend humanity
from hostile supernatural forces. The Watcher's Council and
S.A.V.E. have been allies almost from the founding of S.A.V.E.
Over the past few years, S.A.V.E. has suffered increasing
casualties, although recruitment is still keeping up with losses.
However, S.A.V.E. has also acquired powerful new spells and
strengthened the defenses of its key Headquarters. The favorable
developments appear to be due to assistance from the Shatterers
(see Section II-D).
Mention that S.A.V.E. envoy Melissa Johnson is in Sunnydale
working with Giles.--Quentin
Council Policy: Full cooperation with S.A.V.E. on routine
matters. Sensitive information should be shared only with
permission of the appropriate Council authority. The Council has
allowed S.A.V.E. to take the lead in the coordination of the
activities of the various groups involved in our coalition.
B. The Order of the Grail
A group of vampires organized along the lines of King Arthur's
court in Arthurian mythology. They have a long-standing bitter
feud with the Order of Taraka.
The Order of the Grail has become more active in seeking allies.
They have even pledged to refrain from feeding on humans. The
Order has been substantially strengthened by the reawakening (in
late May 2002) of someone calling himself Arthur Pendragon. The
actual identity of this being is unknown. One of the more
visible effects of Arthur's return is that all members of the
Order currently appear to be unaffected by sunlight.
Omitted speculation that Arthur is a Great Old One, although
one with an unusually favorable attitude.--Nigel
Mention that Caliburn was found last year. And that the
Order has established a stronghold in Sunnydale.--Quentin
Council Policy: Cautious cooperation. The alliance may not last
past the current crisis. One should use caution when sharing
information.
C. Morningstar
A powerful demon who believes that his own best interests are
served by the continued survival of humanity. However,
individuals dealing with him have often regretted it.
Morningstar has become more active in assisting organizations
attempting to prevent the impending apocalypse. Most of this
assistance has been in the form of information. Recent
information indicates that Morningstar has taken up residence in
Sunnydale. He appears to be trying to use the energies of the
Hellmouth for his own purposes.
Council Policy: Cautious cooperation. Morningstar cares little
for anything other than his own power and amusement. One should
always look for hidden motives when dealing with him.
Omitted information about Morningstar's campaign to recruit
Willow on the grounds that it did not appear to be of
general interest.--Nigel
Add the information to Section II-F. Reports suggest that
Willow is powerful enough to be potentially important on a
global scale.--Quentin
D. N'Tse-Kaambl, the Shatterer of Worlds
A fierce opponent of the Outer Gods and the Great Old Ones.
N'Tse-Kaambl has little true concern for humanity as a whole. To
her, a few thousand lives is a trivial matter.
Omit the last sentence in the paragraph above. It comes too
close to sensitive information.--Quentin
The Shatterers, N'tse-Kaambl's representatives on Earth, took up
residence in the World Headquarters of S.A.V.E. in early 2001.
The Shatterers appear to have provided S.A.V.E. with new spells
and other useful information.
Council Policy: Cooperation is usually indicated on the rare
occasions that N'Tse-Kaambl requests something, either directly
or through the Shatterers.
E. Anti-HST Special Operations Force
A special military unit formed to counter incursions of "Hostile
Sub-Terrestrials" (HSTs, the unit's term for demons and similar
creatures). A number of its troops were part of a previous
effort called "The Initiative."
This unit is a recent addition to our coalition. S.A.V.E. has
already sent investigators on joint missions with members of the
unit. The unit has access to almost any needed firepower.
However, they may not sufficiently realize the limitations of
human weapons when dealing with demons.
Council Policy: Cautious cooperation. Use extreme caution when
sharing information about the Watcher's Council. Information
about demons can be shared more freely.
F. The Slayer and her friends
Buffy Summers is currently the active Slayer. A number of
prophecies indicate that she has a major role to play in the
events of the End Times. In addition, one of her friends is
known to be a witch of considerable power. Their residence on
the Hellmouth adds to their importance.
Include additional information about Willow and information
on the overtures by both Morningstar and the Order of the
Grail.--Quentin
Council Policy: The Council has decided that Rupert Giles
(Buffy's Watcher) should be provided with full research
assistance whenever needed. It is important that this Slayer
remain at least nominally subject to the Council. It will
usually be strongly advisable to use her Watcher as an
intermediary when dealing with Buffy and her friends.
III. Enemies
The capsule summaries in this section have a similar structure to
the summaries in Section II. The section on "Council Policy" has
been omitted. The policy of the Watcher's Council towards all of
these groups and individuals is to defeat them whenever
practical.
A. The Order of Taraka
An organization of assassins dedicated to sowing discord. Bitter
foes of the Order of the Grail. The Tarakans have allied with
servants of the Great Old Ones and the Outer Gods. They have
been attempting to bring Azathoth, the lord of the Outer Gods, to
Earth. They are currently involved in a bloody war with the
Knights of Byzantium. Shortly after the return of Arthur
Pendragon, the Tarakans launched a major assault on the main
Headquarters of the Order of the Grail. The assault was
unsuccessful and resulted in heavy Tarakan losses.
If there are members of the Order of the Grail or the Knights of
Byzantium nearby, it is often best simply to alert them to the
presence of the Tarakans.
B. Cthulhu
Great Old One. Currently sleeping in the city of R'lyeh deep
beneath the South Pacific. The rise of R'lyeh is supposed to be
the start of the apocalypse. Cthulhu has the largest cult of any
of the Great Old Ones or the Outer Gods. He is a bitter foe of
Hastur. The hostility between the cults of Hastur and Cthulhu
can often be exploited for our own purposes.
C. Nyarlathotep
Outer God. Nyarlathotep enjoys bringing madness and destruction
to humanity. His cult is a loose collection of groups, each
group following one or more of the forms of Nyarlathotep. Some
have speculated that the deity called the "First Evil" is one of
his forms. Reports indicate that ghouls following Nyarlathotep
have clashed with other factions of ghouls.
Move the "First Evil" to its own section.--Quentin
D. The Scourge
Demons obsessed with "demonic purity". They are intent on
"purifying" the planet by eliminating all creatures "tainted"
with humanity. Historically, they have directed most of their
efforts to eliminating various types of half-demons. Recently,
however, they seem to have decided to "purify" the entire planet
at once. Shortly after the return of Arthur Pendragon, the
Scourge unsuccessfully attempted to open the Hellmouth. The
Scourge has since allied with the Cult of Cthulhu.
The Order of the Grail has experience in combatting the
Scourge.--Quentin
E. Mi-Go
Alien creatures that have outposts on this planet. They vaguely
resemble winged crustaceans and are reported to be followers of
Nyarlathotep. Some followers of Hastur are hostile to the Mi-Go.
Did not mention the Fishers from Outside, since they do not
appear to be currently active on Earth. However, one of
them was sighted in Sunnydale last year.--Nigel
IV. Independents
The summaries in this section have a similar structure to the
summaries in Section III. Except when stated otherwise, Council
policy for all of these groups and individuals is to use extreme
caution in dealing with them.
A. Wolfram and Hart
A law firm based in Los Angeles. The firm has strong demonic
connections and our information indicates that the ultimate
authorities in the firm are demonic. They appear, however, to be
independent of the Outer Gods and the Great Old Ones. The Order
of Taraka unsuccessfully attacked the firm's headquarters last
year. The firm appears to be covertly assisting the Knights of
Byzantium in their war with the Order of Taraka.
B. Knights of Byzantium
A fanatical order of warriors. The Knights have suffered severe
losses in the recent past. They are currently involved in a war
with the Order of Taraka. After a disastrous start, the Knights
have been doing reasonably well in this war. The Council
believes this is due, in large part, to covert assistance from
both Morningstar and Wolfram and Hart.
C. Mordiggian
Great Old One. Currently confined to a portion of the
Dreamlands. The traditional god of the ghouls, Mordiggian is
also a god of death and cannibalism. Reports indicate that
followers of Mordiggian have clashed with followers of
Nyarlathotep in both the Dreamlands and in Earth. Reports also
indicate that the followers of Mordiggian have been assisted by
both independent ghouls and by nightgaunts serving Nodens (See
Section III-E).
D. Hastur
Great Old One. Currently confined on a dark star near Aldebaran.
Bitter foe of Cthulhu. The Brotherhood of the Yellow Sign, one
of the more important Hastur cults, is also hostile to the Mi-Go.
Often the best weapon against Cthulhu cultists is the nearest
group of Hastur cultists.
Even so, the freeing of Hastur would doom humanity as surely
as the waking of Cthulhu would.--Quentin
E. Nodens
Enigmatic deity whose attitude towards humanity is unknown.
Occasionally helps humans who are pursued by the Great Old Ones
or the Outer Gods. Last year he recovered a magical item called
the Hand of Nodens. This item is believed to be a powerful
weapon intended for use in the End Times. In addition, reports
indicate that Nodens has sent his nightgaunts to assist both
independent ghouls and followers of Mordiggian in clashes with
ghouls following Nyarlathotep.
Council Policy: In the event that Nodens ever requests
something, cooperation is likely to be indicated.
F. Powers That Be
Title given to a deity or deities whose true identity is unknown.
The Powers appear to be favorably inclined towards humanity as a
whole but not particularly concerned about individuals, except as
they fit into their own plans.
Council Policy: It is usually wise to follow the instructions of
the Powers, at least when those instructions can be determined.