What follows are short descriptions of organizations and secret societies present within the Known Lands campaign setting. The following are detailed below:
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Bent on twisting the eldritch secrets of magic, the Cult of the Ebon Star seeks to release the hidden power of chaos, to counter the gifts of the Star Maiden on the Plane Prime. In pursuit of their dark deeds, many Ebon Star Cultists forge mystic blood bonds with forces from beyond the Shadowlands. Many trade the life force of sacrifices on the Plane Prime in order to gain power over more chaotic forces.
A small and mysterious faction among the followers of the Green Man, the Cult of the Scorpion Lords are inexplicably drawn to the preservation and promotion of vermin, where other Green Man followers would honor and aid animals. These Cultists often gather in dark places far from civilization, where they may raise their vermin without interference from those who do not understand the spiritual calling of the Scorpion Lords.
A militant sisterhood of mercenaries and quasi-religious zealots, the Daughters of the Rose train women in the ways of combat, from swordsmanship and archery to martial arts and warmagery. Followers of the Star Maiden's High Priestess Marisa Skysong, the Daughters of the Rose are often hired for their martial prowess.
A band of elite assassins, the House of the Masque Sinister are known for their lethality, their stealth and their fanatical devotion to completing their contracts. It is very rare indeed that the Masque Sinister does not fulfill a contract, yet bards do sing tales of those lucky few who, having bested the Masque Sinister three times in a row, are left unscathed. Assassins of the House of the Masque Sinister typically leave behind a black and red mask on the bodies of their victims as their House's signature.
Originally a euphemism for pirate and render activity, the Grand Commodore Antonio Seacutter began using the name for his brotherhood of pirate captains several decades ago. A true scourge of the seas, the Grand Commodore eventually retired and began teaching others of his kind his piratical ways, for a small cut of the profits, of course. His greatest success to date has been Lady Crimson, the halfling pirate commander of the Dark Lady, whose reputation rivals that of the Grand Commodore himself.
These psionic witch-hunters, mostly from the Enchanted Isle of Al'turohk, seek out arcanists to slaughter or assassinate. The more disreputable elements of society often seek the services of these Dark Hunters when a mage must be dealt with secretly and clandestinely.
An elite order of battle sorcerers and wizard-warriors dedicated to the epitome of warmagery, the Mithral Ring are known for the magical bands they wear as a distinctive mark of their affiliation. Noble courts and mercenary commanders seek out Ringbearers, as the members of the Mithral Ring are often called, as militant advisors, given their expertise in both martial and arcane matters.
A religious order of priest-mages devoted to the Star Maiden, the Wyrdsmen often employ bards, rogues and other explorers to recover items of magical interest from the dangerous ruins of the old Dendradi Empire, with the aim of recovering lost historical and mystical lore. The Order's headquarters is located at the Collegium of Dendradi Studies, in the City of Mages upon the southern shore of Geraath.
Based on a school of sword-fighting taught within the Clanholds of Jai'dan, the wandering weapon masters known as Sword-saints have devoted their lives in service to a greater cause through the mastery of their chosen weapon, tuning their mind and soul until they have become one with their weapon of choice. Sword-saints may dedicate themselve to an organization, Patron, or certain ideals or principals, or may swear fealty to their mentors or a great leige. Whatever path they follow, the Sword-saints are well respected and sometimes feared for their mastery of the blade. Although primarily comprised of tarthani, more and more non-tarthani are beginning to be accepted for training.
A loose-knit affiliation of healers, the Walkers of the Healing Path embrace a way of life that reveres compassion and self-sacrifice. The monastic training required to become a Walker involves mastery of one's body, and often includes training in the unarmed martial arts. As they master their bodies, Walkers develop strong healing abilities, as well as great skill with first aid and long term care. Their knowledge of poison and disease is exceptional, and they can treat many conditions that would defeat the skills of others. Walkers most often travel alone or with a small band of wayfarers, taking their skills where they are needed the most.
The Witnesses of the Spiritual Exodus are a brotherhood of religious sages located primarily in the northern half of the Obsidian Empire and the central and southern Clanholds of Jai'dan. Sometimes dubbed "Watchers", these lorists often travel to the sites of great warfare and magical devastation for their research. The brotherhood is not typically vocal about its goals, but bards speak of the vast amount of knowledge on matters of death and history that the Witnesses have gathered over the centuries. Witnesses are known to seek out and destroy undead, although sometimes only after as much information as possible about the past has been drawn from them.
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