The Order of the White Coats

[darthauthor]

The Order of the White Coats

In the world of Rifts Earth, where conflict and disaster are constant threats to the population, the emergence of a guild dedicated solely to the noble cause of healing is a beacon of hope amidst the chaos. This organization, known as the Order of the White Coats, stands as a symbol of compassion, altruism, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of all beings, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Founded by a group of visionary healers who recognized the dire need for medical aid in a world torn apart by strife, the Order of the White Coats operates on a simple yet profound principle: to heal without discrimination. This core tenet guides every aspect of their mission, from the moment they don their signature white coats emblazoned with the symbol of healing, to their tireless efforts in providing medical aid to those in need.

Unlike other organizations that may be driven by political agendas or personal gain, the Order of the White Coats remains steadfastly neutral, transcending the boundaries of nationality, race, religion, class, or political affiliation. Their sole focus is on alleviating suffering and restoring health, wherever it may be found.

In times of conflict, the healers of the Order brave the frontlines, risking their own safety to tend to the wounded and dying. They are known to move swiftly and decisively, setting up makeshift field hospitals amidst the chaos of battle, their white coats serving as a beacon of hope amid the carnage.

Similarly, in the aftermath of natural disasters or humanitarian crises, the Order mobilizes its members with unparalleled efficiency, deploying medical teams to the most affected areas to provide essential care and support to survivors. Their presence brings comfort to those who have lost everything, offering not just physical healing, but also emotional solace in the darkest of times.

The Order of the White Coats operates on a strict code of ethics, adhering to the principle that the only person who can deny them the honor of healing others is the patient themselves, or in cases where individuals are incapacitated, their families. This ensures that their services are always provided with the utmost respect for individual autonomy and dignity.

Despite the inherent dangers and challenges they face, the members of the Order are driven by a deep sense of purpose and duty. They view their work not as a burden, but as a privilege and a calling, knowing that each life they save is a victory.

As word of their deeds spreads far and wide, the Order of the White Coats becomes synonymous with hope and healing in a world ravaged by strife. Their white coats fluttering in the wind, their symbol of healing shining brightly for all to see, they stand as living proof that even in the darkest of times, the light of compassion can still shine through.

In the heart of the Order of the White Coats, there reigns a figure whose presence is both commanding and comforting, a beacon of maternal warmth and unwavering strength. Known affectionately as Mother Healos, she embodies the nurturing spirit of a mother to all who cross her path.

Mother Healos possesses a gentle demeanor and a warm smile that instantly puts others at ease. Her eyes, though kind and compassionate, hold a depth of wisdom and understanding that belies her gentle appearance. With a comforting touch and a soothing voice, she has a way of easing the fears and pains of those who seek her guidance.

Mother Healos’s leadership style is rooted in empathy and compassion, yet tempered by a firm resolve and unwavering dedication to the cause of healing. She leads not with an iron fist, but with a gentle hand and a compassionate heart, inspiring others to follow her example through her words and actions.

One of Mother Healos's most remarkable qualities is her ability to diffuse conflict and violence simply through her presence. There is a sense of calm that surrounds her, a peaceful aura that seems to permeate the air wherever she goes. In her presence, tempers are cooled, and tensions are eased, as if her very presence acts as a shield against aggression and hostility.

Mother Healos's healing abilities extend beyond the physical realm, encompassing the emotional and spiritual well-being of those under her care. She possesses an innate understanding of the human heart, offering solace and guidance to those who seek her counsel. Her words are like a balm to the wounded spirit, offering comfort and reassurance in times of distress.

As a leader, Mother Healos leads by example, demonstrating through her actions the true meaning of compassion, selflessness, and unconditional love. She treats each member of the Order as if they were her own child, nurturing their talents and abilities, and guiding them along the path of healing and service.

Under Mother Healos's guidance, the Order of the White Coats has flourished, becoming a beacon of hope and healing in a world ravaged by conflict and despair. Through her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, she has touched the lives of countless individuals, bringing light and healing to even the darkest corners of the world. Truly, she is a mother to all, a source of comfort and strength in times of need, and a guiding light in the darkness.

One of the most renowned healers within the Order is known simply as Sister Mirra. A woman of quiet strength and unwavering resolve, Sister Mirra is revered for her exceptional skill in the art of herbal medicine. Born into a family of herbalists, she learned the secrets of the natural world from a young age, honing her abilities through years of study and practice.

Sister Mirra's methods of healing are rooted in the ancient traditions of her ancestors, drawing upon the healing properties of plants and herbs to treat a wide range of ailments. She possesses an intimate knowledge of the medicinal properties of countless plants, from the humblest wildflower to the most exotic botanical specimen. With deft hands and a keen eye, she crafts poultices, tinctures, and salves that are said to work miracles in the hands of the skilled healer.

In addition to her expertise in herbal medicine, Sister Mirra is also a skilled practitioner of energy healing, harnessing the power of the body's own natural energies to promote healing and restore balance. Through the gentle laying on of hands and the manipulation of subtle energy fields, she is able to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the body's natural healing processes.

Another prominent member of the Order is Brother Galen, a master of the healing arts in his own right. Unlike Sister Mirra, whose methods are rooted in the natural world, Brother Galen's expertise lies in the realm of arcane magic. A gifted spellcaster with a deep understanding of the mystical forces that govern the universe, he wields magic with a skill and precision that borders on the miraculous.

Brother Galen's methods of healing are as varied as the spells in his repertoire, ranging from simple mending spells to complex rituals that can restore life to the brink of death. He is a master of both offensive and defensive magic, capable of unleashing devastating spells against enemies or erecting powerful wards to protect his allies from harm.

Despite the inherent dangers of wielding magic, Brother Galen approaches his craft with a sense of humility and respect, mindful of the awesome responsibility that comes with wielding such power. He is guided by a strict code of ethics, ensuring that his magic is always used for the greater good and never for personal gain or malicious intent.

Together, Sister Mirra and Brother Galen represent the diverse array of talents and skills that make up the Order of the White Coats. Their unwavering dedication to the cause of healing and their tireless efforts to alleviate suffering have earned them the respect and admiration of all who know them. As members of this esteemed organization, they stand as shining examples of compassion, selflessness, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

[taalismn]

Ah, but does the Coalition States(or similar anti-magic/xenophobic) recognize them, or are their ambulances and clinics convenient targets?
Do they rely on strictly defensive magic and their reputations to protect them, or do they hire(or accept) security contingents of armed guards to keep them safe from those who would harm them/rob them/hold them for ransom?

Here's a scenario for them:
They deploy to a danger zone. A well-meaning, but understandably paranoid, sponsor hires some mercenaries(the PCs?) to protect the Order (in addition to whatever security measures the Order may have themselves). In the course of their stay, the Order's supplies come under attack in front of a crowd desperate for medical attention. The security mercs kill several of those who got into the compound. It's not clear if the intruders were seeking medical attention(for themselves or others), desperate for supplies, or out to grab loot for resale to the local black market, but the rumor mill quickly churns to put the mercs in the worst possible light as trigger-happy ruffians controlling the Order's operations through violence.
How does the Order react? Pull out because they can't operate safely? Ditch the mercs and refuse further help from the mercenaries' well-meaning sponsor? Launch a public investigation to get to the truth of the situation?

[darthauthor]

taalismn,

Good Questions.

Question #1:
Does the Coalition States(or similar anti-magic/xenophobic) recognize them?

Amongst them there are some human doctors and human psychic healers.
A. They medically treat CS residents. Their work helps fight the spread of disease and has freed many by the use of exorcism.

Given that the CS does not immediately eliminate all D-Bees openly and all at once but use them as cheap labor the CS does not official or openly kill White Coats. They discriminate, so they investigate if the White Coat is human or not and if they use magic.
So the official position of the CS is a bit like their stance on the Order of the Cyber-Knights.
The CS does not openly say that Cyber-Knights are enemies of the state but it does have a list and tries to keep a file on each one of them.

Officially:
According to the CS: Anybody caught aiding and abetting a criminal of the State, a distinction given to all D-Bees for not having been born human - is punishable by death! And that includes providing them with medical aid.

Unoffically
The White coats are at the bottom of a very long list.
The CS has bigger fish to fry so to speak.
The CS knows the White Coats are not going to save everyone.
They also know that openly murdering them, especially those without magic, would make the CS out to be evil.
That and the White coats have treated injured Dead Boys, Dog Boys, and Psi-Stalkers and saved their lives in and out of CS territory.

The officers in charge knew that ordering the arrest or execution of the White Coat before, during or after their saving the lives of those under his command (without using magic) while they carried no weapons was not going to go over well.

They let the White Coat go.
They figured this world would chew them up eventually and they would either be kidnapped or killed; it was only a matter of time. They will let Rifts Earth do the work.
After a while, whenever a excuse came up to arrest a White Coat the CS could not "seem" to find them.
"I guess they took their coat off and blended in."

When ordered to shoot a White Coat, in the distance, no CS grunt could ever seem to hit his target and their were a record number of weapon jams.

While up close many report feeling a serenity they could not overcome which made them so they could not kill anyone while in their presence. They have no explanation why.

[oni no won]

Since this looks like a monastic order, what religion do they practice?

[darthauthor]

Maybe I ought to change the word order to republic or something.

They do not teach or preach religion exactly.

It is kind of like, the Dalai Lama, saying:
"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."

The Buddhist quote:
“You must not hate those who do wrong or harmful things; but with compassion, you must do what you can to stop them — for they are harming themselves, as well as those who suffer from their actions.”

Of course, they don't oppose religion, but the worship of Demons and Devils and Vampire Intelligences and that sort of thing.

If I had to pick a religion for them it would probably be:
Unitarian Universalism
A liberal religious movement that emphasizes a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists don't have a creed, but are united in their search for spiritual growth. The flaming chalice is a symbol of Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism.

Healers without boarders or politics but with compassion.

I guess the primary alignment system would be: Scrupulous.

If a virus wipes out a people, everyone loses, and its better to win than lose.


Some of the archtype for the members of this organization are like
The WW2 combat medic, Desmond Doss.
Due to his religious belief in nonviolence, he refused to carry a weapon and was eventually allowed to do so, going on to win various medals (including the Medal of Honor) for rescuing casualties in various battles of the Pacific Theatre—his story was later made into the film Hacksaw Ridge.

So the members are NOT allowed to pick up or carry "weapons" (guns, Energy pistols/rifles, swords, etc. Although they don't consider a knife (scaple) to be a weapon unless it is used with intent to kill. They can use a walking stick even though it a staff.

In an extreme I'd imagine they could learn the martial arts style of LEE KWAN CHOO.
Lee Kwan Choo is a totally non-violent martial art.
It is simply impossible to hurt anyone using it.

MAYBE I should add a bodyguard to go along with them.

What do you think?
What ought the bodyguard be like?
Cyber-Knight?

[darthauthor]

Hook:
In the heart of a war-torn region, a team of White Coat healers finds themselves stranded amidst the chaos of battle. Cut off and surrounded by danger on all sides, they desperately seek aid from anyone willing to brave the dangers of the battlefield to rescue them from certain doom.

Line:
As news of the healers' plight spreads throughout the land, a group of brave adventurers is needed to step forward and save them from the blades of battle. With the fate of the healers hanging in the balance, the perilous journey into the heart of a war zone and back is the only way to save them.

Sinker:
As they navigate the treacherous terrain and past enemy troops on both sides of a shifting field of battle.
Communication and navigation skills are critical finding the healers.
When they do the Whites Coats are coated with so much dried blood and dirt they are brown now. Their challenge is they can't leave their wounded patients behind. They need the heros to carry the wounded and transport them all off the field of battle before it's too late.





Hook:
Amidst the sprawling cityscape, a distress signal crackles to life on the healers' encrypted communication channel.

Line:
In the labyrinthine streets of the city, a White Coat needs some heroes to deliver donor organs to a hospital on the other side of the city in time to be used for transplant before the patient dies.
With time running out, the healers desperately seek aid from allies willing to brave the dangers of the city streets.

Sinker:
With a map in hand, the adventurers set out on their mission of urgency. The part of town the pick up is, has the most dangerous, insane, and violent city rats. The goal is to harass and rob anyone who looks like a challenge or who is trying to accomplish anything. They like to steal firetrucks and ambulances. What's in the ice box? I like to collect things. Now pay the toll for passing through my neighborhood.

[taalismn]

Hook:
A White Coat approaches the PCs/calls in a favor from one of the PCs; a life is at stake.

Line:
A child is dying of an ailment that the White Coat knows can only be cured with a special elixir/artifact. Fortunately the White Coat knows an old contact in the Magic Zone who has access to the right stuff and is willing to give it to their old acquaintance to save lives.
Thing is, neither the White Coat nor his/her friend can met each other to make the handoff. The PCs must make the trip.

Sinker:
The PCs must journey into the dangerous Magic Zone and sneak into the keep of a dangerous magic warlord. The contact is the warlord's personal healer and is effectively under lock and key, but is wiling to part with a supply of the magic elixir or the artifact, which the warlord normally uses for less-than-dire reasons(weight control, botox cosmetics, anti-aging, voice deepening, etc.) and isn't willing to part with the stuff for anybody else. The PCs have to get in and out with the stuff before anybody notices.
Complications can include the contact deciding to use the opportunity to escape, but not without their research and equipment, or the warlord making a surprise call on their healer/cosmetician.
Or maybe the contact is in Splynn....yep, the magic elixir is the equivalent of Splugorth eyedrops and is over the counter in Splunn, but try getting in and out with a supply unnoticed.

Hook:
A notorious Black Marketeer contacts the White Coats with an offer.

Line:
The BM official's significant other or child is gravely ill. If the White Coats can cure them, the Black Market leader will donate a generous supply of hard to come by medications to the WC organization.

Sinker:
Encroute to the Black Marketeer's estate, the healer's caravan gets bushwhacked and the healer kidnapped. A rival to, or disgruntled employee of, the BM official is behind the kidnapping. The kidnapper either means to extort an exorbitant ransom to free the healer, or means to keep the healer from curing the BM's family member, knowing that their death will devastate the official and leave him vulnerable to other forms of attack(or maybe the patient is heir/controls stock of an important part of the black market, and the official's status in the organization is dependent on the patient's continued well-being and possession of that control). The PCs must find out who was behind the abduction, organize a rescue, and get the healer back in time to affect a cure.

[darthauthor]

Note:

The Order of the White Coats is NOT a secret organization.

The citie, villages, and ports of call that the White Coast have provided medical aid has pictures of them.
They known to all their patients and governments who would care enough to investiage.

The fact that they are so publically approachable and can be seen makes them, to those who have never met one easy to verify their identies by asking others or passing around a photo.
And that makes them approved of by many of the poor and middle class.

That and the fact that the White Coats treat injuries and fight diseases free of charge.

IF any of these classes of people thought someone, group or govenment were going to harm or act against one of the White Coats they would warn the White Coat, lie to protect them and hide them.
IF captured, dare to aid in the escape of the White Coat.

While the rich and the political, who care about their reputation, can not be seen to act against a White Coat.

The most common worst thing a White Coat might be seen to do is practice triage.
Also, are likely to turn their attention to a patient who has not seen them before if the one in front of them is a drug addict or such.


Sayins of the White Coats:
Disease knows no borders, so neither should we.

What can kill one of us, can kill us all.

All life is connected.

[taalismn]

"You'd have to be stupid, insane, misguided, or very very desperate to harm a member of the White Coats.
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of such people in the world."

[darthauthor]

taalismn,

i find myself agreeing with you.

i suppose the most natural thing would be for the White Coats to have adventurerx/guards accompany them wherever they go healing.

[taalismn]

I'm reminded of a comic one issue of which used the 'kidnapped doctor' adventure move; a notorious warlord raids a caravan to kidnap a doctor that the characters have to go after. When they get the warlord's camp*, the doctor refuses to leave his patient, the warlord's daughter, because of her condition. Both the doctor and the warlord know and reveal to the would-be rescuers that their employer is just as nasty a piece of work, if not worse, than the warlord and intended all along to monopolize the services of the doctor. In the end, the warlord, figuring that as long as his daughter's by his side, will be a target for his enemies, and lets the doctor and the rescuers take his daughter with them, figuring she's safer as a moving target well away from the war he's having with his neighbors, including the rescuers' employer of the moment.

(*This included an amusing sequence as a big burly bare-chested guard in leather harness seemingly hits on the rescue team's male leader...only it turns out the guard wants the guy to spell the guard's shift for him, because the infiltrator looks trustworthy...To his credit, the team leader is genuinely sorry and apologizes to the goon for subsequently tazering him).

[darthauthor]

Among the White Coats
They not only practice the arts and science of healing but investigate new ways to treat injuries and illnesses.
Also, share what causes illness (education), teach medicine, and investigate or arrange investigation to the cause or source of a health problem.


Hook:
In the war-torn world of Rifts Earth, rumors spread like wildfire of a miraculous cure discovered by a reclusive hermit living in the depths of the mystical forests. Whispers of this cure have reached even the most distant corners of the land, offering a glimmer of hope in a time of despair.

Line:
The Doctor/White Coat (and or adventures for security and whatever else they need) embarks on a perilous journey through the untamed wilderness of Rifts Earth. Along the way, they encounter a myriad of challenges, from savage beasts and hostile factions to the unpredictable hazards of the Rifts themselves. Guided by rumors and hearsay, they navigate through dense forests, treacherous swamps, and desolate wastelands in search of the elusive hermit's sanctuary.

As they delve deeper into the heart of the wilderness, Dr. Tenma and his companions uncover clues that lead them ever closer to their goal. They encounter desperate survivors, each with their own tales of suffering and despair, and learn of the hermit's legendary healing abilities.

Sinker:
The White Coat and their companions must must navigate a maze of lies to expose the truth and prevent further loss of lives. Dr. White Coat and their companions stumble upon a shocking revelation. They discover that the hermit's cure is not what it seems – instead of a miraculous panacea, it is revealed to be a deadly problem masquerading as a remedy. First it cures you of what is kiling you, only to later kill you itself. The "cure" is as bad, or worse, as the problem. The only advantage of the "cure" is that it gives you more time to die of something else later that has no known cure. The disadvantage of this is many of the problems for which the "cure" was used could be treated with Holistic or Modern Medicine. Some as simple as first aid, others with the skills of pathology or medical doctor. Almost all could be treated by a doctor if they were around and had the resources and time.
The hermit, driven mad by isolation and despair, has become a twisted puppet of dark forces, using his supposed cure to lure unsuspecting victims to their doom.
Once supposedly "cured" of their medical problem the patient will eventually die and when they do they are as a sacrifice to a dark force. Their P.P.E. flows to it. The patients having unwittingly sacrificed themselves to a dark being of power in exchange for a sort of temporary remedy to their immediate health problem.

[taalismn]

Naturally, at some point in the course of searching for new remedies, a White Coat will travel to PhaseWorld and wind up blowing their travel budget just going through the front 'common' remedy racks at the local equivalent of CVS, before ever even making it to the hardcore medical marketplace.
Now the PCs have to somehow come up with enough cash to pay for what the WC originally came looking for.
This is in addition to the usual Center shenanigans.

[oni no won]

What do you think?
What ought the bodyguard be like?
Cyber-Knight?

Maybe tie them with the Order of the White Rose (Madhaven World Book) or are themselves an extension of that order only to change their name so as not to attract the attention of the mystic knights who are after them.