The nephandic presence in London is one of the more united in Europe. Established last century by Sir Francis Dashwood, it has been subtly insinuating itself into British high society since its inception. Drawing its ranks primarily from mages of other groups which have been subverted, it also counts among its members many sorcerers and simple mortal followers who have been drawn in by its immense social network. While many of these 'inferior' members take part in the obscene practices of the Black Mass and Feast of Flies, as well as other debauchery befitting their damned state, the Enlightened members tend to be subtle corrupters who remain within the ranks of their former organization, drawing others into their clutches.
This degenerate covenant calls itself the Monks of Medmenham after the original club of aristrocrats and artists who Sir Francis gathered on his estate in West Wycomb to take part in blasphemous rites. Using another organization founded by the baronet, the Society of Dilettanti, an organization of neo-classicists who had taken the Grand Tour, the covenant was able to count among its members several of the most influential and powerful men of its time, including the Marquis of Bute, Benjamin Franklin, the Earl of Sandwich, and the son of the Archbishop of Canturbury. Even after Sir Francis' club disappeared into local myth, the covenant lived on, still using his contacts and influence to grow in secrecy.
Since its foundation, a number of other 'Hellfire Clubs' have sprouted up, mainly in university towns and large urban areas, catering to the same decadent, rich aristrocrats as before. However, rather than restricting itself solely to the political and social elite, it has now shifted focus to the Enlightened. Led by the supposed son of Sir Francis, a man calling himself Alfred Dashwood who has been said to have aged not a day since his appearance at the end of the last century, they have continued to maintain a powerful network of nephandi throughout England, centered on London. Although the local mages have now and again ousted a cabal of 'inferior monks' they have yet to touch the inner circle.
Player characters will be allowed to be members of the Order of St. Francis of Wycomb (another name for their covenant), so long as they accept the inevitable costs of being a Nephandus and dedicate themselves to the mission of corrupting the organization they are a part of and turning its members to the same path they have chosen.