Le Trepannier

Le Trepannier is a periodical published in Chateaufaux. The magazine, which was founded in 742 BC, advertises itself as the leading publication on the subject of alienism. In truth, le Trepannier focuses almost exclusively on Conditional and Surgical methodologies, downplaying other styles of therapy on the rare occasion that it mentions them at all. It caters exclusively to the subset of the psychological community that focuses on the same methodologies, and to a certain kind of audience that enjoys reading about the application of such 'care' on patients. Although the magazine - just barely - refrains from mentioning names, it gives very detailed descriptions of procedures performed on real people, accompanied by fairly lurid - though anonymous - artwork. It boasts the effectiveness of these medical horrors over any other kind of therapy.

Dread Possibilities

• While it is bad enough that le Trepannier is a favourite of medical malpractitioners and lovers of corrupt 'entertainments', le Trepannier's overt horrors hide more subtle dangers. Its advertisement section presents various items of medical equipment and medical services, but these are just as often offers made by professional torturers to supply discerning customers or provide them with their services - and even offers of on-the-job training for people who are eager to enter this profession.
• In addition, the elaborate decorations of every page of le Trepannier - a pattern of lunar phases - is actually a series of coded messages, serving a community of Sheepskinner Werewolves that operate across the border between Dementlieu and Verbrek. These messages allow the pack to communicate and direct their actions without having to stay concentrated in a small area and risking exposure.
• The procedures described in le Trepannier can get so graphic that an unprepared reader will be subjected to Horror saves.

Management

Le Trepannier was founded by Rowan Timothy, an expatriate member of the Timothy family. Rowan immigrated into Dementlieu after Arkandale was absorbed into Verbrek. With old age creeping up on him, Rowan created le Trepannier using money he stole from people he hunted and killed as well as donations from some 'interested parties'. He uses the magazine to make himself useful to his younger, more energetic kin without having to fight for dominance. Rowan is a martyr to arthritis, and much prefers the life of a magazine editor and covert organizer for his pack's hunts and the sale of horrific contraband over having to keep creeping through the cold and damp at night. The magazine has been much more successful than he expected, and has allowed him to buy himself a nice, comfortable villa in Chateaufaux.

While Rowan is the editor and majority shareholder of le Trepannier, the 'interested parties' do have some influence on the running of the magazine. On occasion, they offer up the soft targets that are then targeted by the werewolves. They are also the ones who bring in the various advertisements, creating opportunities for torturers to ply their blood-soaked trade clear across the Core and beyond. They provide a lot of the bare-bones information that Rowan and his reporters turn into the magazine's lugubrious articles these days. In recent times, they've been pushing for Rowan to step up the campaign of slander against other publications on the subject of alienism. Their true identity and motivations remain hidden, but are clearly not aimed at the betterment of mental health in the Core, but rather at promoting sadism and cruelty. It is possible that the Nightmare Court is among the 'interested parties', by way of catspaws. The Lustmorde could also be among the investors, as could the Scourges' Guild - and any number of dark qabals that would promote the cruelty of man towards man.