WelcometoThe Order of the Crimson HandsSynopsis:
The Order of The Crimson Hand was founded by rogue assassin and general madman, Lye Ulroke. Originally started as a gathering of skilled assassins, killers, thugs, mercenaries, and bandits, The Order became an unified body with the sole purpose to collect coin in exchange for dirty work. Whispers of their existence echo in the back alleys of all the major Althanian cities. Those who call upon their services are forever marked by The Order, watched for the rest of their waking days. Should a former employer put The Order at risk in any way, their lives have but hours remaining.
Purpose:
We are the eyes that are always watching, the waiting reaper, and the executioner's axe. The Order’s primary goals are to establish a network of secrets and power in all avenues of life. Members must not only be able to take a life, but be able to collect information on targets of great importance. Kings, Queens, Dukes, and figureheads of power all have secrets capable of crippling their positions. There are even secrets within The Order that remain to be uncovered. They are a young group, and their true purpose has yet to climax. Currently, The Order attempts to keep the song of discord playing throughout all of Althanas.
When we are not occupied with our cloak and dagger work, a generous donation of coin is more than enough to earn a favor or two...
History:
In the wide expanses of the Skavian Wilderness on the continent of Salvar wandered a single man hell-bent on revenge through the bloodiest path possible. His solo endeavors stole the lives of many who dared risk the Skavian Wilds. With just the sole purpose of seeking out and killing one man, he used whoever, and whatever he could to practice the art of murder. Many names circulated around in the rumors, some of which being “The Geen-Eyed Demon”, “The Bone Eater”, and “The Crimson Assassin”. Through years of the same gory routine, he understood that no matter how high the headcount climbed, he was no closer to finding his target. He needed a way of combing the lands and gather information. Impartial to civilization, he sought alternative methods to spread his grasp.
In an effort to further his own cause, he collected people of similar ilk that admired his work or sought a higher purpose for their deadly addiction of bloodshed. These people worked in tandem to claim the wilds as their own, seating their operations in a mountainous alcove of the Terrillian Ridge, located where the crest of the Scavian Deepwoods meet the Great White Expanse. There they built a great hall from the resources of the land, accessible by only those who knew the path. With a headquarters for all the vagabonds to call home, they began a grand operation to make their existence known. Under the guidance of the master assassin, they snuck their way into the aqueducts of Archen. They listened to the whispers of the oppressed and spoke to them through messages given on the wings of ravens. Those that answered back with names saw to it that their oppressors met an untimely demise.
News of these unfortunate events spread quickly throughout the streets. In the corrupt governments of Salvar, saviors from the shadows were welcomed by the people, and hated by the law. Word of mouth spread like fire in the wind. Within the year, all major cities including Knife’s Edge were keen to the call of the ravens. The fearful within the royal guard made it a priority to kill the birds on sight. This didn’t stop The Order from listening, not only to the whispers of the people, but to their requests to see lives snuffed out.
The Order has just started to leave their mark on Althanas. Their reach is slowly spreading to the corners of the main continents. Its strength is growing in number and their eyes and ears are everywhere. Their story has only begun to be written. Come, and be a part of history.
Structure:
The Crimson Hands can be found at the top of the pile of corpses. Currently, this only consists of founder, Lye Ulroke. Understanding that every leader needs a left and a right hand, he waits for those to show their merit. These main hands are the masters of their trade and provide direction for the other hands. They are responsible for keeping watch, listening to the reports of the people, and passing final judgment. Strong leaders when together, they are forces to be reckoned with as individuals. If your contract is carried out by one of these members, the target is sure to disappear.
Made of primarily assassins, archers, and marksman, these are the daggers in the night and the masters of the unseen. Members of The Shadow are given jobs requiring tact and silence. Their skills are used to claim figures of power, and they are particularly skilled at their trade. They are meant for specific targets and quick kills. They are often the most feared, for one cannot defend against what they do not know. In, out, and back - no room for error.
Consisting of skilled warriors and mercenaries, these men are the muscle of The Order. If a job needs done at all costs, they are sent to complete it. With brutal savagery or absolute precision, they can handle groups of foes. They are often used as support to the other members and have been used as deadly distractions for more precise jobs. If The Order were to have a public face, these men would represent it. Tact is not required, but spilled blood is encouraged.
The Word is the backbone of The Order. They are charged with espionage, deception, and treachery. Their primary roles are to gather dirty little secrets on even the purest of heart. They are the unseen fingers in all reaches of Althanas. Their job is to hear the faintest whisper and contribute to The Order’s vault of secrets and information. They also share the responsibility of brokering collective information, capable of bringing in coin without the need for blood. Although not typically sent to snuff out lives, they have a knack for convincing others to do their dirty work. Why soil your hands when you can pay someone else, or even better, get paid for the information needed to finish the job?
The Crimson Hands charge these members with matters of science, magic, and complexity. The Mind is an elite band of mages, mage hunters, and scholars. Their talents offer The Order all manners of destruction and chaos. Trusted with leveling cities, developing contraptions, and enchanting, these masters of mind are capable of anything. They are known as consults to the Crimson Hands. Burn it, trap it, blow it up, or watch it melt. These hands are the creativity of The Order.
These members may not bring the same level of death, destruction, or corruption as their counterparts, but are equally important. These members provide our ranks with the tools of the trade. They craft our blades, arrows, and poisons. They are charged with providing the finest armor, mage robes, and trinkets. These members not only provide, but are able to use our vast knowledge and brute force to help them secure some of the finest ingredients Althanas can offer. If you've heard of the Black Market, these member are indeed among their merchants.
Stipulations:
Hands of The Order are charged with many great secrets. They are never to reveal the exact location of their headquarters. Their involvement with The Order must be kept as quiet as possible. Those that expose their identity to others must take extra caution not to become a liability. Once you join The Order, you are a member for life. Those that leave or put The Order at risk will be hunted and killed. Registration in other groups is allowed and is encouraged. Any and all alignments are allowed. Your primary loyalties are left for you to decide, however, know that you are always being watched.
Initiation:
Manners of initiation vary greatly, but one does not seek The Order. Instead, they are given an opportunity to prove themselves through a contract delivered by wings of ravens. Fulfill this contract and you will be welcomed through a pact of blood.