[hider=History of Ianus Congreatio] Few people know the full history of how Ianus Congreatio began; it is lost so far back in time. The Ware family know some of their ancestor, Alexandru Moraru who began the society. He shared his name with a known politician but as much research as they have done into their ancestry it has been determined that the Founder of the society only shared a name. He himself was a commoner, obsessed with the occult in general and alchemy in particular. Alchemy turned out to be nothing more than hopes and dreams wrapped up in chemical formulas; but Alexandru had a Talent for languages and it helped him decipher alchemical script. He assumed it was because he was meant to unlock the ancient secrets. He left his homeland and traveled, learning more, and meeting others of like minds, including the woman he would eventually wed. When they settled the small group of obsessive eccentrics they founded the Society. They built a sort of commune over an isolated “well of alchemical power”, a massive series of underground caves that Alexandru claimed enhanced the alchemical forumulas and crafts they were researching that they could continue to study the secrets of Alchemy in peace. And they learned that it was not Alchemy that held the secrets to the universe but psychic ability. Over time the society grew, and flourished for it was almost natural for a person with a Talent to learn to use it to succeed in unexpected and prolific ways. The society also narrowed, seeking out Talented individuals to join it's ranks and as the generations passed it grew into a powerful, wealthy, and very secretive society with dedicated and driven members. The members of the society were often eccentric and obsessive; and they turned this obsessiveness to study. They learned much about paranormal talents of a psychic nature; and they cataloged what they learned. The found many different types of Talents, things one might not actually expect. They learned that all people, even the most mundane, have a whisper of psychic energy. They learned that exceptionally strong Talents resonate at certain frequencies; and that when two people whose talents resonate together join forces they grow much stronger or when two people whose talents resonate at opposite frequencies use their Talent's against one another their power grows much weaker. They found roots for the theory of “soulmates” was in fact buried in the psychic connectivity and compatibility. They learned that psychic talent is genetic and follows patterns through the generations very similar to hair or eye color. They cataloged famous people who possessed these talents. They researched myths and legends and sought out artifacts that were connected with supposedly paranormal events and powers. The Master of the Society was a hereditary position; and it fell on him to keep the society safe. In order to re-make the family name, and establish themselves in the newly growing city of Prague, the family became the Ware family. Money bought social rank, though soon that little financial matter was forgotten and the family became known as nobility in it's own right. They certainly had money a plenty for each member of the family used their talents to expand the Ware fortune. The society took massive amounts of money to run, and it fell upon them to run it. Over time the house grew into a mansion and finally a sprawling manor. And the underground caves that, the entire reason Alexandru Morau and the original members settled here in the first place, were enlarged, shored up, and expanded upon. Each Master of the Society has put their own personal stamp on the Society in some way. It has yet to be see what effect the current Master, Adam Ware, will have on Ianus Congreatio. Currently Ianus Congreatio is quite secretive, secluded, and Adam is extremely careful. He takes protecting the society very seriously; and it is a personal affront to him when a member does soemthign that puts the the secrecy and safety of the society at risk. He also dislikes all the frauds and charlatans who give psychically gifted people a bad reputation. Even if many folk accept them as carnival tricks and party games many more take everything such tricksters say as gospel. Adam has consented to be part of society, albeit it aloof and mysterious and avoiding the nighttime soirees, that he can move about the city without question as he investigates such cons. He is a member of many gentleman's clubs, attends lectures, and takes to personally shopping at the highest end most exclusive stores. He also employs a trusted man of affairs to do some of the nosy work for him. [/hider] [hider=House Ianus] House Ianus is a massive building that sprawls over large well tended grounds. Gardens, greenhouses, woods and fields surround the manor. It is, for the most part, now self sufficient able to draw food, water, wood, and even textiles from the lands around it. Staff are highly skilled, well trained, and well paid and keep the manor running very smoothly. The house has been outfitted with as much modern comforts as can be arranged. Even electricity and indoor plumbing, relatively new modern conveniences, are available. Both are unreliable but thanks to the former master of the society, a man with a psychical talent for engineering and building, such convinces are more reliable than than in the average noble manor. House Ianus provides a welcoming place of rest and study for all of the members of the society, to the extent that it even provides small personal quarters for members to make use of, to study or store sensitive information or even to live for those who need it. The private space is small but the public comforts of the manor make up for it. Light meals provided, wine produced on the manor grounds, libraries full of written works both new and old, and comfortable furniture, reading rooms, art studios, laboratories, are liberally seeded throughout all the common areas both above and below grounds. The master of the society even tries to keep a few luxuries on hand for the comfort and use of the members. High quality liquors and tobacco are the most common but occasionally members request other things as well. The current master, Adam, has financial interests in a variety of shipping and trading ventures and can often procure unique and rare items if requested. Since none of the members of the society are paid by the society for their work and research he considers it the best way to show his appreciation. The underground caves and passages are very complex, often requiring a map to navigate. Each member of the family has added to them; fortunately the Adam's father took the step of evaluating the whole warren of tunnels and passages and making them sound and safe or it would be likely that over time the whole thing would collapse. Below grounds more libraries, laboratories, works spaces, and vaults of strange items can be found. It is here the society records are stored, here that the artifacts gathered by members are cataloged, and here that most of the members conduct their research in uninterrupted privacy. [/hider] [hider=Master of the Society] The Master of the Society is a hereditary position; having been passed down to the first born males of the Ware family for generations. They are devoted to the care and maintenance of the society, as well as promoting its growth and keeping it abreast with the developing world. House Ianus, its grounds, and properties and all investments are funded and owned by the Ware family. It is likely, however, that the current Master, Adam Ware, will leave no successor. The fate of the Society in the future is very much up in the air, though few realize how precarious it is. It is possible Adam will do his duty and sire an heir, which will reveal much that he doesn't wish revealed, but considering his distaste of the social requirements of the age it is equally possible he will simply name a successor from among trusted members of the society and allow the Ware family to fade off into obscurity. [hider=Adam Ware. Master of the Society] Adam is utterly devoted to the society and has put in countless hours trying to improve and strengthen it. He is acutely aware that he stands alone in this project, without a strong mate to stand with him the task falls solely on him. He works hard to further the society's goals, to the extent of almost everything else. [img]http://i.imgur.com/iRwP967.jpg?1[/img] [/hider] [Hider=Marcus & Esme Ware] Marcus and Esme vanished on a trip to the continent. They are presumed dead, though nothing has been proven. Marcus was the former Master of the society and an engineering genius. His wife's ability to read aura's helped in day to day running of the society and between the two of them it flourished. [img]http://i.imgur.com/efMUGQa.jpg[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/aTi4qdK.jpg[/img] [/hider] [/hider]