Margravate of the Brim

The Margravate of the Brim is an entitlement that shuns the Court system and protects the borders of the freehold.

Background
"To the Margravate, I promise many things. I promise to never join the ranks of those perfidious Courts, much as I promise to never be stupid enough to go swimming with sharks. But I’ll protect my kind no matter what I think of them, from threats without and threats within."

Every freehold has its borders, separating the changeling community from the world outside. The Margravate belong to these “border marches”, believing that the Court-ruled innards of the freehold are no less dangerous than the edges — at least on the brim, an enemy will have the common courtesy to stick the knife in your chest, instead of your back. Distrusting the Courts’ willingness and ability to protect their charges, the March Lords and Ladies consider themselves the first and hopefully last line of defense against threats to the changeling community.

Organization
In many ways, this order acts as a smaller freehold, surrounding the freehold proper in a ring. Within this ring are several meeting places known as “outposts”, where the Margraves meet to discuss policy, compare tactics, and socialize with one another. When policy is discussed (always brought before the entire order), all members each have a vote, so that each March Lord or Lady can help forge the Margravate’s direction.

The entitlement has a few unique positions. The Cartographer keeps fresh the maps demarcating the territory within the border marchers, the freehold, and the surrounding environs; he also keeps tabs on changelings’ dwellings. The Doorman watches over Hedge gates, entering the Thorns when necessary; she is expected to be skilled in walking the roads and knowing the proper paths. The Crow’s Next polices the order, watching for threats on all sides, including from the Others.

Joining and Membership
Prerequisites: Wyrd 2, Clarity 5 or higher Title: Margrave, March Lord (male), Margravine, March Lady (female)

Joining the Margravate requires that the prospective member not belong to the Courts. Even those who have left the Courts remain distrusted for years. Additionally, the aspirant must live just outside the freehold, on the border marches, which may take the form of a street, a block, or even tracts of old forest. Any other requirements, particularly as regards skill, will vary from freehold to freehold.

Most Margraves develop a strong reliance of Physical and Mental Traits, particularly Power and Resistance above all else. Merits are similarly focused.

Mien
In terms of general appearance, March Lords and Ladies dress in old secondhand clothes, utterly disinterested in fashion. Some look more like homeless people than anything. The mien only reinforces this with dust-covered skin, calloused hands, and the like. Shadows drift across these changelings, as though clouds were moving overhead, blocking the sun.

Privileges

 * Safety of the Brim: Within the Brim, a Margravine gains a +1 to the Initiative Modifier, +1 to Perception rolls, and +1 to Stealth rolls. This bonus ends if she leaves the Brim.