SECRET SOCIETIES OF BLACKWATER-PORT
Friends of Ilthguard: This underground society has ties with many of the upper echelon in Ilthguard. They smuggle information and various items to the black Markets of Ilthguard.
Anarchist’s League: The goal of this society is to break of the law (fists) and set themselves up as the ruling power. They have many members who own lands and business. They use their influence to swing the political tide their way.
Order of the Star: A secret martial arts group who train children from birth to do their bidding. They follow the guidelines of the high master, Utu. He seeks to gain the fabled Star of Agadarn and uses his men to further this end. Other less important matters are handled on a day-to-day basis. Anyone who gets in his way is considered a threat and is eliminated.
The New Union: This is a small group of twenty or so Halflings that have given their lives over to the duty of reestablishing the Halfling as major power in Blackwater. They also hate thieves and are always trying to show that Halflings are not thieves, and can gain wealth and power with hard work and honesty.
The Believers: These small ragtag groups of citizens have found a secret tunnel entrance to an ancient cave complex. They have found a great gemstone that has possessed a few of their leaders. (It is a fiend that has been trapped and is using the charmed leaders to hunt for the items that can free it). The Believers act as if this entity is an immortal.
Cult of Arethius: Arethius gains new followers each year as he passes over the civilized areas of Verith. All these land dwellers gather in Blackwater at the main temple complex, located on Zulor’s Island. They come here from all over to celebrate their lord and venture to the great city in the sky.
Seekers of Prim: This twisted group of so-called healing priests has set up small shrines in Blackwater and many surrounding towns. They are located near poor and impoverished areas and help the homeless, the sick and crippled beggars. Those that seem hopeless are taken on the pilgrimage to see the great healer. (In reality, they are taken to the great cave beneath ruins of Griffonwing. Here an enormous beast living in tar feeds upon them. “Who will miss the poor and lost.”
Brothers of Unity: An order of monks that have been outlawed for over 300 years. They were responsible for the sinking of the city of Ruathyn at the time when the empire spanned over half the continent. They are currently trying to reassemble the service they call the Unifier.
Wyvern Society: The members of this society that live in Blackwater are small, but the main contingent overall is around 100 members. They buy wyvern eggs and other eggs of mystical beasts as well. They train them with lancing warriors hoping some day to take over the city with a great raid of wyverns. They currently are located in the Zephyr region raiding Caer Allwyn.
The Hooded Ones: Often seen wandering the wharf areas and along the musky banks of the river smelters. The commoners and the yeomanry alike fear the hooded ones. They only appear on foggy wet nights or in heavy rains. Their robes keep them from being identified. However, when they appear people die. (They are a group of Sahaugin wearing neckbands of air breathing, who seek to torment the humans).
The White Sharks: This is a group of Black market traders and pirate traders who deal mainly in KRFF and other drugs. They receive most of their goods from Vermon’s Hold and have a very lucrative business in Blackwater.
Circle of Light: Located within the Abby of Belorn in Blackwater is an extremist group that believes justice should be administered swift and without trial. They wear yellow hoods and usually operate under cover of darkness. They leave an owl feather and the sight of their victims that have been dipped in urine and blood. The priests of Belorn find this an outrage and deny any association with the group. They would surely punish the radicals if they found out about them. Belorn however has not seen fit to allow this deception to be found out just yet.
Circle of Darkness: Mainly operating in the sewers and poorer parts of the city, the circle of darkness is made up of about thirteen wererats, growing slowly as they infect others. They steal and vandalize out of pure evil intentions raping children and old women. The folks in the areas where they frequent stay in most of the time and keep their houses locked up tight. This does some good, but the lycanthropes are strong and have broken down some heavy doors. The local militia has posted rewards for each heart of a wererat. (This must be confirmed by a test given by the local priests of Midra).
Demon Cultists: This evil cult is the bane of Blackwater’s underground. The cultists have summoned many friends and they control others that roam the sewers and other tunnels beneath the city. They extort money from other illegal operations and many businesses. They take what they want and many virgins have gone missing near the full moons. The Emperor has issued an ultimatum that this cult be eradicated I all the known lands. A reward of 500gp per head is offered. (Their location is an estate overlooking the coast on a high cliff).
Necromancer’s Guild: As the name implies this group is an underground league for the followers of the afterlife. They meet near the cemetery and the local graves of ex-followers as well as along the shore of the bay. They raise the dead to do their bidding but try to keep it as secret as possible as it is not yet illegal but very highly shunned. They also do not wish to disturb the priests of Belorn.
Slaver’s Freedom Front: This group of ex-slaves has devoted their lives to the eradication of slavery in Blackwater-Port and beyond. They have set up elaborate routes to smuggle escaped slaves and hide them eventually helping them to get to freedom in the safety of Atros and Prime Haven, where slavery is outlawed. On occasion, they have also freed prisoners of the crown.
Society for the Overthrow of Blackwater (S.O.B.): this group is made up mostly of merchants and guild members who wish to see the power of the Emperor diminish, and guilds increase. They constantly vie with the lords and nobles of the court to gain favor and power against the Emperor. Until one day, they will gain popularity with the masses and then, Coup D’état.
Crimson Vigilantes: this is a small group made up of eight retired adventurers, from various companies. They currently operate without a license. They are tolerated by the law, as they have helped to stem violence in the old districts of the city. However, they have never been caught and no one innocent has been harmed or complained about them. Their leader Galych Naravo, is good friends with one of the Red Fist captains.
The Dark Guild: This secretive group of Sargothians lives in Blackwater for one reason only. They spy on the comings and goings of all the influential people and report back to the Council of the Three in Sargothia. They rely on information via crystal balls and other very secretive methods. They know if they are caught, they will be killed on site.
The Druids of Blackwater: Druids from Moonwood are forbidden in the city, so a few daring brothers infiltrated the walls and set up safe houses for their friends. Druids now come and go, although they are very careful and go to great lengths to avoid detections.
The Emperor’s Eye: This group has some of the most highly trained spies in the lands of Verith. They are experts in disguise, magic and the skills of the warrior. Their main goal is to infiltrate the other secret organizations and keep the emperor and his staff informed of their ideals and goals. There is at least one member in all the secret societies and guilds. They constantly roam the market stalls and streets of Blackwater listening to the rumors and gossip. This has ended many an uprising.
The Racketeering Networks: This is not one but many small groups that control small blocks of businesses and enforce their money collection tactics with violence and deceit. Each uses various methods, some direct contact, some use magic, others use voodoo and curses. There is no limit to their ingenuity.
Yellow Fist: Known as the roof watch, the individuals who make up this elite group of the Fists that protect Blackwater from crime are dedicated to eradicating the thieves that plague the city. Mostly half elves that have been specially trained in Alcene, they are Fighter/ Magic-Users, Bards, Fighter/Thief and range in levels from 5/5 to 10/10+. The higher level NPC’s are posted in the wealthier quarters. They lurk in the shadows and work nights, mainly on the rooftops of the city. Watching the streets and roofs for people that should not be there. They have no I.D. and are known by personal password only. They answer only to a man known as the watcher. He contacts them by means of a magical pendant and they immediately get to business.
White Fist: This is the most elite force Blackwater has to fight crime and worse dangers. They are only called out in extreme cases. They are adventurers and mighty mages. They are said to be the strongest knights and holiest priests. The immortals themselves are said to tremble when this group is called to action.
