The leader of any Alliance is known as either Grandmother or Grandfather, depending on gender. The leader is usually the Haunter who's been "dead" - a Wraith, not a Ghost - the longest, but it sometimes goes to the most powerful member of the Alliance, irrespective of age. Popularity, general support and a complex network of owed favors also factors into the Alliance's decision, which is made by open group vote when the position becomes vacant.

In some Necropoli the spot is given to the most insane Wraith amongst them, instead. In these cases, the Alliance is usually truly ruled by three self-appointed Elders, and the Grandmother or Grandfather is merely a figurehead who plays the part of Mania during their Mysteries. Sometimes this addled figurehead is trundled in front of other Concords as their "negotiator," thus frustrating outsiders all the more, and keeping them even further away.

Priests of Madness

Rank and file Haunters refer to themselves as the Maniae {singular - Manes}. The word has drifted somewhat from its true meaning, but they are still "of Mania," and that suits their purposes just fine. "Haunters" is merely the name they give to outsiders, who don't need to know the first thing about their beliefs, Mysteries or origins. Calling another Manes a "Haunter" is done either as a diminutive jest or an insult, and new members of the Calling are often referred to as Haunters until they've earned some respect.

Haunters who have won the respect to be called Maniae often take a use-name once they've been accepted as such. These names tend to be stern and authoritative, or baroque and gruesome, or some combination thereof. Once a use-name has been taken, no Manes in a Necropolis can ever call herself that again, so that a Haunter's deeds will live on well after her, without ever being diluted by imitation, or disgraced by an incompetent successor.

Sacred Rites

The Calling exists for two reasons: to punish those who defy the will of the Gods, and to give Mania's gift to those who truly deserve it.

This means that Haunters are constantly on the lookout for people who stand guilty of breaking divine laws, and those who have earned the right {or "need"} to be driven insane. On a good day, a Haunter might find both in the same location, and can reward one by severely punishing the other. But more often than not they have to stand around in their Domain like spiders, and wait for a chance fly to get caught in their web.

Who has earned the right to madness? The spectrum has two ends: the obsessed visionaries who crave it, and the dull and boring non-entities who desperately need it. Granting it to the former is a sign of divine favor, done both to reward those who think outside the static box of reality, and to help push them to even greater heights. Giving it to the latter is sometimes seen as mercy - however horrible their subsequent actions might be - and sometimes considered necessary to balance out a lack of the former, especially in these over-medicated times.

Who deserves punishment? The Haunters often like to joke "everyone" - after all, no one is innocent - but they truly frown on those who deny the existence and power of the Gods {or any God, for that matter}. Those who damn them, blame them for ill luck or laugh at those who believe are also asking for a come-uppance, as the Haunters see such persons as perfect opportunities to make the faithful hew closer to their beliefs.

But then again, if they're low on Essence, or wanting to try out a novel use for one of their Arts, there are any number of other rules that ignorant mortals can be found guilty of, and punished accordingly...