Anachronistic Hearts

The Sanguine was no mere crime syndicate, nor was it just another secret society lurking within London’s underworld. It was something far older, more insidious — an entity woven into the fabric of power, wealth, and corruption that stretched far beyond the city's gaslit streets.


Origins & Influence

The origins of the Sanguine were unclear, shrouded in whispers, fragmented records, and deliberate obfuscation. Some claimed it was a cult, others a network of aristocratic conspirators, and yet others believed it to be a financial empire built on blackmail, vice, and quiet assassinations.

The truth? It was all of these things.

A secretive brotherhood of power brokers, aristocrats, and influential figures, the Sanguine operated at the intersection of politics, crime, and mysticism. Their reach extended into London's most exclusive clubs, its high-stakes gambling houses, and even the corridors of government. They used wealth to manipulate, secrets to control, and blood to silence.


The Name & Symbolism

The name itself—Sanguine—held multiple meanings:

Sanguine, as in blood. Violence was a tool, and death was often the price of betrayal or failure.

Sanguine, as in optimism and confidence. A front for the public, a mask that disguised the true darkness within.

Sanguine roses — deep red, full bloom, a symbol of beauty masking decay. The Sanguine were known to leave roses at the sites of their "messages" — a poetic touch to an otherwise brutal reality.

Their emblem, if it could be called that, was rumored to be a rose intertwined with a dagger, though no official insignia existed. Their members carried no rings, no brands, no markings — just influence.


Operations & Crimes

The Sanguine controlled:

❖ -- Gambling & High-Stakes Clubs – Fronts for laundering money, hosting the powerful, and collecting secrets.
❖ -- Opium & Vice – They owned London's underground pleasures, from gambling dens to the most exclusive brothels.
❖ -- Assassinations Disguised as Suicides or Accidents – If someone outlived their usefulness, they simply vanished.
❖ -- Political Manipulation & Blackmail – They owned ministers, lords, and judges, ensuring silence where needed.
❖ -- Occult Fascination & Rituals – There were whispers of ritualistic killings, performed not just for intimidation but as part of something deeper, something older.


Edward Frayne’s Connection

Five years ago, Edward had come too close to uncovering them. He had been following a trail that led from gambling debts to missing women to whispers of a society that thrived in the dark.

Then—Claudia was murdered.

Then—Valentina followed.

The message would be clear: Stay away. Leave the past buried.