The Second Saeptum: St Henry’s House

The Second Saeptum: St Henry’s House “Not one of those given me have I lost."

The Sanctified members of St Henry's house are often the most approachable for those of other covenants, neonates or unaligned. Noticeably charitable, gentle, patient, of all the Sanctified they most resemble the living memories of the archetypical church.
As the Sanctified believe that each kindred's damnation has a purpose; it should be utilised for its intended purpose. Many kindred are inconvenient; none are worthless. So, while a sire's sins may result in their final death, his childer may seek the hospitality of St Henry. In like manner, travellers, pilgrims, or those otherwise dispossessed or in need may present themselves with proper respect and piety to request benefit from the Church Eternal's charity. Those who have committed secular crimes not condemned by the Church; that is, no deliberate breach of the Traditions, may petition to receive sanctuary; only young, arrogant or foolhardy princes attempt to break that sanctuary by force. Indeed, it is achievable, but it is always considered a deliberate and atrocious action of hostility against the covenant bordering on an act of war. It is often unwise to attempt; however – the solitary kindred monks of St Henry are among the most humane and scholarly of the Sanctified, and therefore tend to be liberally blessed and terrifyingly capable with the miracles of Thebes.
The leader of the Saeptum – often an Abbess addressed as Mother Superior – is explicitly protected by and may call on the Pilgrims of the Third Sect even though she may not know who they are. It is not unknown for diablerists to attempt to claim sanctuary under false pretences, and while discreet the Nameless always examine those under St Henry’s roof – it is one of the services a Pilgrim is required to perform unasked in any House that they enter. All others who come are expected to contribute according to their means. Those from the Institute are assumed to be well-supplied and to donate accordingly; the exorcists of the Abbey often as not repay their charity in service rather than supplies.
The provender is everyday fare: The House is usually an orphanage, convent, hostel or some similar charitable institution. Somewhere there will be a marking on a dark, usually black, area – a tall white cross with a dull greenish-gold snake wrapped around it. Members of this Sept are most likely to be found in monkish robes or nuns' habits, having chosen a simple life, and their white metal crucifixes have the same brass snake wound around them. Few if any neonates decide on this path; most members of the House have come to it in an odd sort of semi-retirement, having tired of whatever violence or intrigue plagued their earlier requiem. Occasionally, kindred will leave or be called out from the House to re-join the whirl of the danse macabre, but even fewer remain away from the relative peace of the sanctuary.
Relic: A container of glass which was reported to hold the vitae of St Valentina, who was a powerful Mother Superior.
Merits:
O: Herd 1
OO: Flock
OOO: Empath (merit)
OOOO: Peacemaker 3
OOOOO: The Sanctuary merit can be offered to a PC instead of only an NPC (exact application of this rule is set by the VST). The Kindred must still be maintained and upkept. While the PC is within an established Safe Place (with a minimum combined dot rating of 5 or more) owned by the user of this merit, that PC cannot be attacked whilst inside of the Sanctuary; in Brisbane game terms, that player counts as being a green level player).