Under-represented Conspirators
I'm considering a screenplay project that would require a secretive conspiracy or supernatural group, either historical or widely believed to be real, that could exist in or have survived to the modern day, and from which heroic protagonists could be drawn. Particularly good candidates would be under-represented in current pop fiction.
Who's got one (or more)?
Comments
for antagonistic purposes there's the bavarian illuminati, there are other obvious benign fraternal orders as well. but if you want to stray into the mythological you should consider the civilizations that originally worshipped the elder Titans and which i presume must have been necessarily converted or exterminated by the olympian gods.
Knights templar (they do still exist) and have ties to the red cross in some contries as I recall... (i'd have to research that 'cause my memory is kind of hazey.)
Also, what's up with the masons? They really are everywhere, and have you seen the masonic temple in san francisco? It's huge!!!
-Alex
Jeff, if you want to talk to me, just email me. This transparent use of your blog to get my attention embarrasses us both.
The Holy Vehm.
You mean aside from the BPRD? ;)
The Masons are the first to come to mind. Their history is quite fascinating, too. I guess the Priory of Sion has gotten too much press lately to be of use to you. Ditto the Skull and Bones. Wikipedia has a lot to offer on the topic here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_society
:)
I don't have any off the top of my head, but it would be refreshing (which means probably not OK for a screenplay) to have a non-European/American secret society.
Joe
The Danites.
1800's Mormon assassins out to kill anyone thought to be heretics to the faith. They loved Blood Atonement, where a murderer must have his blood spilled in order to receive forgiveness.
Porter Rockwell, bodyguard to Joseph Smith was thought to be a member.
You could take the popular, almost X-Files route and select a real word organization/society (like The Pinkertons) and turn them into something... else.
For religious societies, you can't beat the Mithraics and the Zorastrians (who even got the nod in the Koran) for supplying unique figures. The Ram Society in India also bears looking at in my opinion.
Non-religious societies are harder, as they are more often used in books and movies. Most of the Asian ones are used in Hong Kong cinema, most of the Occidental ones are used in American movies and British books. There have to be some interesting African or South American societies out there, but without research I have no ideas off the top of my head.
Why not make one up out of whole cloth?