Hellfire Club

History


The Hellfire Club was a name for several exclusive clubs for high society rakes established in Britain and Ireland  in the 18th century, and was more formally or cautiously  known as the "Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe". These clubs were rumored to be the meeting places of "persons of quality" who wished to take part in immoral acts, and the members were often very involved in politics. Neither the activities nor membership of the club are easy to ascertain.

The very first Hellfire Club was founded in London in 1719, by Philip, Duke of Wharton and a handful of other high society friends. The most infamous club associated with the name was established in England by Sir Francis Dashwood, and met irregularly from around 1749 to around 1760, and possibly up until 1766.Other clubs using the name "Hellfire Club" were set up throughout the 18th century. Most of these clubs were set up in Ireland after Wharton's were dispelled.

The club motto was Fais ce que tu voudras (Do what thou wilt), a philosophy of life associated with François Rabelais' fictional abbey at Thélème and later used by Aleister Crowley.

The Inner Circle
The Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club is made up of five members, each on holding a title corresponding to one of the Major Arcana of the Tarot Deck. The current Inner Circle is.

John Claremont, The Emperor
Claremont is the current head of the Inner Circle of the Hellfire Club. His is a powerful business man outside the club having made a fortune in land transactions. He is a magician of no small skill, able to tap into Ley Lines and store a great deal of power.

Adelle Crowe, the High Priestess
Adelle Crowe, The highest ranking woman in the Inner Circle. Adelle's ability lies in divination and farseeing. There are few secrets in the world safe from her scrying eyes and she has used her knowledge of powerful peoples darkest secrets to blackmail her way to the top. While she may seem weak in comparison to some of the other Inner Circle members it is best to remember in the occult world that knowledge is power.

Christopher Byrne, The Hanged Man
Christopher Byrne, Claremont's chief rival for control of the Inner Circle. Byrne is an Illusionist able to craft illusions that are virtually unidentifiable from reality. He is capable of killing with something that is not really there.

Dr. James Layton, The Moon
Dr. James Layton a successful surgeon is a relative new comer to the inner circle Layton is an practitioner of the rare art of Biomancy. The ability to use magic to control the functions of one's own body of that of another. It can be used to heal or harm in great measure.

Ivana Fraust, The Sun
Ivana Fraust, The youngest member of the Inner Circle. Ivana is an Enchantress using her mystical abilities to charm others and bend them to her