The Inner Circle

Ours will be a subtle rule, benevolent in its very invisibility and ubiquity, where every talent is nurtured for its most appropriate use, and the most gifted rise through the ranks of a silent network of information and influence.

~Sebastian Shaw, NYC Black King (1998-2007)

The Inner Circle is the name of groups within several branches of the Hellfire Club: Rome, London, New York. Traditionally led by the King and Queen of the Hellfire Club, the members of this elite cadre take their names from chess pieces: Bishops, Knights, Rooks, and Pawns.

The leadership is usually stable, with periods of high instability; especially when there are two kings (a Black and a White) or two Queens (again, Black and White) in office at the same time. Such a thing comes about with a great deal of politicking between the Monarchs and the members of the Council, with the extra King or Queen acting as a check on the one in office, who is seen to have failed to meet expectations. It is much the same as a vote of no-confidence, and instantly the power balance shifts.

On rare occasions, there is both a King and Queen of White and Black, but this invariably leads to power struggles and a fractionalizing Circle.

When a member of the Inner Circle deposes a King or Queen, he or she becomes King or Queen in his own right, taking as his color the opposite of the person displaced. When Sebastian Shaw deposed his predecessor, a White King, he became the Black King; when Magneto killed Shaw, he became the White King.

Members of the Inner Circle are not necessarily members of the Hellfire Club. However, those Circle members who are not Club members do not have public access to the Hellfire Clubhouse (including visits to the Monarchs' offices) unless they have a suitable cover story. There are side entrances, and secret entrances, however.

Pawns who are aware of their status in the Inner Circle are generally encouraged to become suitable for Hellfire Club membership. Pawns are groomed both inside the Circle and out to become powerful and successful members of society. Once they have reached a certain level, they may be offered probationary membership in the Hellfire Club. Probationary members have access to the Clubhouse's facilities, as well as to the contacts that membership in the Club affords. This probationary membership is offered in order to help those with promise fulfill their potential. However, they do not have voting privileges and their membership may be revoked.

Only in New York has the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club become dominated by mutants, and its power wielded by mutants for a mutant agenda.

Joining

Characters must RP their way into the Inner Circle. If you're interested, contact a member of Player Management staff to find out the faction contact.