Duchy of the Icebound Heart

The Duchy of the Icebound Heart is an entitlement that revels in breaking others’ hearts.

Background
"I refuse to be a slave to love and a servant to grief. I prove this by breaking hearts and drinking the sorrow from within."

The Dukes and Duchesses of the Icebound Heart recognize that the heart is a vulnerability. Having faced the pain of that vulnerability being pressed, changelings of this order are determined to be the puppet-masters, rather than those dancing on strings. All members of the Duchy are potent manipulators, capable even of moving those who are aware of order’s reputation. As a side-note, the entitlement’s usurpation of desire ensures a sour relationship with the Spring Court.

Organization
The Duchy has a rather informal organization, traveling and attending parties together. There are, however, two rules of note: First, members of the Duchy are not to ply their trade on one another; this is not part of their oath, but it is expected. Of course, this rule is often ignored, for all that the entitlement refuses to admit it. Second, each year, the most successful libertine (the metric of which is determined by the last year’s winner) is declared the Rake. In some domains, the Rake is granted tithes of Glamour by others in the order.

Joining and Membership
Prerequisites: Wyrd 2, Persuasion 2, Subterfuge 2, Mantle (Winter) 1 Title: Icebound Duke (male), Icebound Duchess (female)

Those who join the Duchy are often those who can turn a con around on the Duke or Duchess running it, perhaps even orchestrate a con from the get-go. This is the key to impressing those in the order. Regardless of impressiveness, however, a changeling seeking to join the order must be a Winter courtier, as other Courts lack a firm grasp on the nature of sorrow.

Naturally, members of the Duchy will have strong Social Traits, though many only developed them after their inclusion. Many will specialize in one or two key Social Skills which inform their means of social attack.

Mien
The mien of an Icebound Duke will be an exaggeration of the ordinary Winter Court trappings: frosty breath, ice skin, hoary eyes, and the like. Additionally, a trail of frozen tears will cling to his face. As Wyrd increases, so too will the number of tears.

Privileges

 * Hearthooks: Those in this order gain +3 Social dice over those whose hearts they have truly broken. This bonus remains until the victim loves again, as intensely as he once loved the Duke of the Icebound Heart.