The Age of Reason

"We first learned of them when we found this letter on the wall of our concillium, next to the hierarch's chair." -S7

The Age of Reason want all mankind to ascend by introducing Supernal concepts into the fallen world using mundane science, and, if it comes to that they're prepared to fight the Atlantean mages to do it. When Seeker7 and other mages used magic publically, Seeker7 had his knee shot out by a sniper in the Mall of Armidale in broad daylight. Two months later, Seeker7 was murdered with a double shot to the head. The assassin was tracked walking to a dumpster in town, where is fell apart into a collection of cheap circuit boards with a plastic latex skin covering.

Uncovered information

Chad of the AoR has invited the concillium to test a new invention.
This new device transports mages into an 'realm without paradox', apparently a futuristic cityscape with science-fiction technology.
Most worrisome to observers, the mages souls are not present while inside this 'simulation.

Employing robots that are veiled from magical scrutiny to look like humans - it is quite easy to tell they are not with some scrutiny.
The AoR Bugged the concillium with 7-8 robotic cockroaches in July 2013.
In the wake of the trolley attacks at the start of July, the AoR provided lab-grown fruit and vegetables at $1 per kilo, to any resident in Armidale that wanted it.
Resources 5 and knowledge a speciality in finance/trading is needed to attack their assets in any meaningful way.
Both Mr Krip and Arran have seen the astral reflection of the AoR. The device/creature that manipulates fate is beneath the Daedalus Biotechnology base of the AoR.
Arran signed a contract with the dream reflection of the AoR fate manipulation device without knowing the terms of the deal exactly. This was a terrible idea. His resonance changed to 'icy mechanics' and his fate was manipulated towards some nefarious doom.
The body of Charles Montgomery was delivered to Entropy's domicile in two black bin bags. He is/was a robot. His car was found burning in a ditch on the outskirts of Armidale.
Some mages think Charles is the fate master, but robots can't cast spells.

Known members

Only a few members of the Age of Reason have shown themselves:

"Chad". The only known member of the Age of Reason Cabal, large American guy who likes to talk about the Age of Reason's lofty Goals

Charles Montgomery, Chief Architect. A high ranking position/alias in the Age of Reason, only mentioned through company emails and the letter above. A thin white-haired man with an English accent, awakened. Had a meeting with the Concillium and tacitly confirmed the murder of Seeker7, though not directly (plausible deniability).

Garry A former Atlantean mage, Garry is a troubled youth that was convinced to join the AoR. He has not been seen since his defection.

'The Machine/the Era of Providence' Icy mechanics resonance. Only seen in dreams as a massive frozen clockwork machine that manipulates fate.

There are also a number of mundane employees with no idea about the supernatural goings on.

Known history

The Age of Reason (AoR) cabal are first mentioned in the anals of the Armidale concillium in 1888, when they created something called the 'Era of Providence.

1912: They reject the Atlantean orders entirely and both leave the concillium and Armidale, leaving the Era of Providence behind. 1940: They return to Armidale, seeking a meeting, but they are denied an audience. Again, they leave. Two weeks later the Era of Providence predicts an attack by the Seers of The Throne. The attack comes four days early, catching the concillium off-guard, and resulting in four deaths. The Era of Providence is decommissioned and consigned to the Vault. 1990: Strange robots are seen in the region in 1990 1998: Scions of Reason return to Armidale under the alias 'The Age of Reason'. They claim new leadership and a commitment to the principles expressed by the Guardians of the Veil. 2002: The Age of Reason offer to fix the broken EoP. Hierarch Icarus denies this request. 2003: The Age of Reason gives a lecture on Paradox to the concillium. Hierarch Icarus throws the Age of Reason out during the Q&A session for "subversion".

2013: Their shared resonance, Icy Mechanics, is linked to the deaths of the entire concillium

Beliefs

Technomagical cabal of Mages and sleepwalkers working together for the same goals.
They believe in global ascension though science. This is perpetuating the Lie.
The will shoot ANYONE who is seen performing overt magic in Armidale.

The original letter to the new Armidale mages is reprinted here:

Followers of the Atlantean traditions of Armidale,

We regret to inform you of the unfortunate situation that we find ourselves in. We understand that many of your colleagues have disappeared, along with some of our own. We have our own investigation under way, and we will let you know if it yields any result. Our internal predictions suggest that you will be bringing new fellows into the area to resume normal operations. In that regard we offer you a simple message on how to get along with our organisation: Obvious use of magic to the unawakened will be considered an act of war against us. By breaking the seal, we note that you have now read this letter. Ignorance is not an excuse.

We are the Age of Reason, and we will elevate humanity to greatness in this world, not the next.

Charles Montgomery, Chief Architect.

Resources

Own various biological and security companies in Armidale though intermediaries and shell-companies.
Robotic minions capable of conversations and mundane tasks.
Capable hackers, who retaliated agains A'grania, bricking her device.
Plasma-based weaponry used to melt enchanted trolleys that raided their assets.
Magnetic railgun technology used to murder Seeker7.
Stealth technology used to hide their robotic minions from sight.

The Age of reason have be found to own "Daedalus Biotechnology" in the New England Technology Park, close to the University, a biotechnology equipment supplier with their own chemical manufacturing labs. They are also known to have large holdings in the investment company "Ophelia Group", who own a controlling interest in the security company that administrates 70% of Armidale's CCTV cameras.

Rumours

The Age of Reason are believed to be keeping the Seers of the Throne out of Armidale to date, whether this is by force or agreement is not known.

Questions

Why/how do they all share the same resonance?
To what extent did they arrange the deaths of the previous conillium?
What is the Era of Providence?