The House of Keys is a long-standing Hermetic chapter house located along Greek Row at the university campus — a discreet yet vital anchor for the Awakened within academia’s shadow. Though originally founded by the Order of Hermes as far back as the 1920's, the House has since broadened its purpose, serving as a neutral sanctuary for members of the Nine Traditions, Tradition-friendly sorcerers, and bygones seeking refuge or study among the initiated.
Shielded by a subtle perceptual field (Arcane), the property remains invisible to Sleepers, revealing itself only to those whose senses have been opened to the Mysteries. Within its walls, new arrivals find guidance, resources, and community under the oversight of a Caretaker, appointed by the local Traditions Council. The House acts as both residence and crossroads — a place for research, collaboration, and the quiet defense of Awakened ideals in a world that increasingly forgets them.
[ edit ]
|
Mortal
- Campus Rp
- Secret Society: What goes behind closed doors - generally stays there. News clippings and university records from 1927 report that a "Key Society" finished constructing the building that year but no mention was made as to who the society was nor its purpose. The fascia stones were reportedly imported from Egypt with the foundation blocks brought in from Cambridge. Local builders and architects made quite a noise about its construction for they were not offered the chance to put a bid in for the project nor know any of those who completed it. To date, no one's been able to even find where the building is and it's suspected that it was demolished decades ago.
Supernatural
General Perks
- Library: The House of Keys is known for its archives, an impressive collection of supernatural Lore.
- The archives can be used as a rationale to purchase various lores (which can be very handy for things like Alchemy / Enchantment).
- Secrecy: Not as open as some nor restricted as others, it's a safe space for meeting, teaching and temporary housing for those in need.
- Cabal Incubation: One of the main purposes of the Chapter House is to assist in the creation of Cabals; groups of Magi and Sorcerers that work together for common purpose.
Mage
- Traditions Hall: It's a holding and outpost of the Traditional magi within the city.
- This is a Traditions and Tradition-Aligned space so Nephandi and Technocracy won't be accepted.
Sorcerer
- Teaching Chantry: The purpose of the group is to help educate its members in various lores, mystical arts and the necessary skills required in life.
Others
This is open to Sorcerers, Psychics, Mages and their allies who are not Nephandi or Technocracy. It is expected that the Veil, Shade, Masquerade, etc, will be kept.
[ edit ]
|
History
The Key House is the home of an old, secret society on the campus known of UC Prospect similar to the academic honors clubs on Yale's campus (skull and bones / wolf's head, etc.). Rumors have circulated for years that the "Key Holders" (the common name for the members of the Secret Society) were an elite group of students and alumni on campus. Although many knew of their existence, no one seemed to be able to locate where they met or what, exactly, they did. Membership was rarely offered and when it was the recipient was sworn to secrecy about what happened behind closed doors. Like any secret society, speculation about their activities ranged everywhere from child sacrifices, drunken orgies to power-brokering within the city and the nation and everywhere in between.
For more information on the origin of the House see below
Location
The Key House is located on a corner of the campus that seems to have been forgotten. This is a square building constructed in the Moorish revival style complete with a small court yard, double stairways that lead up to the massive iron-clad doors with three windows set above. The waist-high, stone wall that surrounds the courtyard completely encloses the grounds but rather than following the perfectly square proportions of the building, the perimeter wall is a perfect circle. Viewed from some adjacent rooftops, the building appears to be two stories tall with a central, domed, wrought-iron skylight that encloses a garden-like courtyard common to Edwardian architecture. There doesn't appear to be a parking lot behind the structure nor does there appear to be any entrance other than that of the front doors.
Familiar Faces
- Professor Twig: Professor Horace W. Smallwood was known as 'Twig' by many due to his small physical appearance. Though small in stature, Professor Smallwood is a giant of intellect, possessing three different doctorate degrees in Archaeology, Ancient Languages and History. As a Master within the Order and a scholar of the Bonisagus House, his achievements within the study of primal magic are quite impressive - just ask him. Twig serves as as an adviser to the Chapter House though is academic duties typically keep him far too busy to deal with the day-to-day operations; that's what good apprentices are for.
Membership
Guests:
Guests are welcome to visit the House to study, socialize, or relax within its public areas. They may make use of the House’s basic amenities and attend open gatherings but do not hold any authority or influence in its operations. Guests are considered non-contributing visitors—they have not donated to the House’s shared resources or “perk fund.”
Voting Members:
Voting Members are those who have actively contributed to the upkeep and improvement of the House through the donation of Homebase points to the collective “perk fund.” These contributions grant them both a voice and a vote in matters concerning the operation, expansion, and background purchases of the House. Voting Members may propose expenditures, improvements, and policies, and participate in regular votes on how resources are used.
Becoming a Member
Membership in the House isn’t bought — it’s earned through contribution.
To be recognized as a Member, an individual must provide something of lasting value to the House and its residents. This contribution reflects both their commitment to the community and their ability to enrich it.
Examples might include:
- Donating rare or useful tomes, texts, or research to the Library.
- Offering the use of a Contact or Ally who benefits the House collectively (e.g., a professor, curator, or craftsman).
Each contribution is reviewed or acknowledged by the Small Council (usually the Chamberlain or Archivist), who formally recognizes the individual as a Member once the contribution is accepted into the collective holdings of the House.
Operations
Small Council:
The Small Council consists of Voting Members who have volunteered (or been appointed) to assist in the day-to-day management of the House. These roles help maintain its operations, safeguard its resources, and ensure a functional, welcoming environment for all.
Typical positions include:
- Chamberlain: Oversees the House’s daily affairs, coordinating activities, managing logistics, and ensuring the comfort and safety of all residents and guests.
- Archivist: Maintains the House’s records, library, and magical archives.
- Groundskeeper: Responsible for the maintenance and warding of the building and surrounding property.
- Steward: Manages the House’s pantry, meal preparations, and general hospitality — ensuring that residents are provisioned and guests are cared for.
Additional roles may be created or adjusted as the needs of the House evolve. Members serving on the Small Council typically have contributed Homebase points and are recognized for their willingness to take on a leadership or service-oriented role within the community.
[ edit ]
|
|
|
|
| Name
|
The House of Keys
Aka "Key House"
|
| Type:
|
College Chantry / Chapter House
|
| Location:
|
UC:Prospect Campus
|
| Sponsor:
|
Order of Hermes
|
| Governance:
|
Traditions Council with day-to-day operations run by the Caretaker / Chamberlain
|
| Contact:
|
Tyler
|
Benefits:Current
These benefits extend to the house itself and those members while they reside within it.
Details
+hangouts/jump Key should get you through the front door if you're a Tradition Mage or a Tradition-Affiliated Sorcerer. If not, just message a member to get you inside.
Plots
[ edit ]
|
|
As the strength of the node increases the number of cabals it can support will grow also.
For now this is just a list of those people who are affiliated with the House. (AKA, those with a clue)
Secrets
The House of Keys welcomes a wide range of Sorcerers, Psychics, Magi and their allies within its doors but each guest and member is still expected to maintain the secrets of any other group they may belong to. So be careful about breaking the Veil, the Masquerade, Shade, etc. as all of these could get you in trouble with your own faction.
Additionally, what is discussed within the House should remain within its walls. Our members appreciate an expectation of privacy so don't reveal their nature or affiliations to others. Anyone caught 'outing' a member could potentially be excluded from future House functions.
.
House Rules
- Clean up your own mess
- Don't start problems with others.
- If you've got a problem, talk to the Chamberlain (Tyler).
- Don't reveal the House to others.
[ edit ]
|
|
