Keepers of Paradise
Watchers of the Isles
In Hawai’i, there is a saying that the gods take care of their own. At the heart of the debate, however, is whether the gods (or God) handle things personally, or send envoys. Some do not waste time debating this and act! Willing to confront supernatural creatures gone wayward in Hawai’i, hunters of all stripes walk the islands. Some are bent to protecting the people, others to converting.
But all of them have best intentions for the islands at heart. They are devout people, hoping to learn about and save another soul. They must just realize that not all of the gods’ envoys are monsters, and the islands do take care of themselves. Humanity just needs to take care of itself and these folk may be some of mankind’s best hopes.
Arcanum
The Arcanum certainly set up a chapterhouse in Honolulu, back in 1951 in fact. It is based out of a spacious, former (and well-cleaned) fraternity house at the University of Hawai’i. There are just too many breathtaking wonders in Hawai’i for the Arcanum to ignore this opportunity. Most of the chapter’s scholars are avid collectors of Hawai’ian lore, and are often quite respected by natives (although some realize and resent just how nosy these sages can be).
Bandaiyan League
While most hunters in Hawai’i seek knowledge or scalps from the supernatural, the Bandaiyan League forms the opposite. They are actually natives skilled in the ways of shamanistic magic – kahunas, no less. And they are interested solely in the preservation of their people’s original culture, beliefs, and spiritual allies. They have friends among the Menehune and Kopa Loei (sometimes without realizing it) and are scattered across the islands.
Actually, their organization is a loose affiliation at best. Most live among the people as influential advisors or even chiefs in sustenance-based rural villages. But they meet twice a year in Honolulu and Hilo to discuss their current events, plans, and enemies. It is often their lobbying, political or magical, that has helped the Hawai’ian people reclaim some of their lost lands and rights. These kahunas learn a host of elemental and spiritual paths of magic, but must be careful not to break kapu (taboos) in their workings.
The Brethren of Kuan-Yin
Who has ever heard of a Buddhist-led Inquistion? But such a thing has long existed. Unlike the Society of Leopold, the faithful monks of the Brethren of Kuan-Yin seek out the shen and other supernaturals, and try to insure that these creatures are following their proper paths. When they encounter wayward demons, the monks humbly bless those creatures and illumination is thereby exchanged. These handful of benevolent hunters are based out of the Hongwanji Temple in Hilo. The Brethren of Kuan-Yin have long had an “understanding” with the Shih demon hunters; where mercy fails, the warriors of Yi move in to punish a demon properly. Unsurprisingly, a few Shih work out of this temple, too.
Society of Leopold
The missionaries helped change the ways of Hawai’i and its people forever, breaking the back of the heathen beliefs so many once held. There has been a resurgence in the old beliefs, which concerns the Catholic Church mightily. They have always kept a vigilant pair of cenacles in Hawai’i, one in Hilo and one in Honolulu. Mostly, they are intent on stalking and purging the land of heathen demons, but are quite clueless as to how outnumbered and outclassed they really are.
Nonetheless, the Inquisition’s finest, including knights of the Gladius Dei, stand by to pick up where the missionaries’ efforts to convert failed. The Honolulu cenacle is based out of the Church of Saint Peter, built between two downtown bars in an effort to discourage the rowdy behavior of sailors in the old days. Hilo’s cenacle operates from the Cross of Sister Theresa, a small church located among orchid nurseries on the edge of town. The Hilo mission actually contains a strong Sanbenito sway. Some of these Inquisitors reason they can at least try to convert the heathens they encounter before having to destroy them.
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation is often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Prince Kuhio Day
An official state holiday commemorates Prince Kuhio, the last of his line, who became Hawai’i’s first congressman, and battled hard to get his people as much of their land recognized as possible. Even non-natives celebrate the generosity and virtue of that fine man. The holiday acts as a symbol of unity to the peoples inhabiting the state of Hawai’i, and promises hope for the future. Prince Kuhio Day is often marked with communal luau barbeques on March 26th.
“Not all spirits are demons. But like human beings, even the spirits need guidance now and then.”
-- Zheng He, Fuqin of the Brethren of Kuan-Yin
