The Audaemus
Description: Audaemus is a small organization by most standards; at any given point, the group has at most ten members and an uncertain number of agents. The existence of said organization is certainly not public knowledge; thus far, the name has not been spoken on the lips of anyone in power. The members of Audaemus are all high powered criminals, some of the most wanted and dangerous men (and women) in Althanas. The exact criteria for admission into the group are unknown, but extraordinary fighting ability and ruthlessness seem to be prerequisites. Unique traits (genetic or otherwise) also seem to be a common factor among its members.
For those who would eventually come across information on the organization, members can be spotted by the rings that they wear. No ring is worn on the same finger, and possess an incredible importance to the current leader and founder, though the reason has yet to be addressed. As he has so bluntly put it, "If you lose your arm, return, we will heal it. If you lose your ring, don't stop running."
Purpose: Bluntly enough, to own all that they can see. Kingdoms, people, sources of power. Everything will have a price, even life.
Ranking: Since there only exists ten rings (not counting the Founder's), there can be no more than ten full fledged members at a time. Full membership is always reserved only to the cream of the crop, the highly skilled, the terribly powerful. Criminals of lower power are indeed encouraged to join as agents, and may eventually earn a ring in time.
Founder:
- Dan Lagh'ratham
Members:
- Luc Kraus
- Witchblade
- Kadarus Salidan
Apprentice:
- Victoria "Vicious" Kane - Dan Lagh'ratham
- Kially Giath - Luc Kraus
- Sati Sarasvati/ Sapna Sarasvati - Kadarus Salidan
Agents:
- Anita VanDeBurg
- Jacob Zachary Buhrkheardt
The Rings:
The purpose and exact origin of the rings is thus unknown, though through the founders own words, they are incredibly important to what Audaemus is. Owning a ring is an incredible privilege amongst the organization, indicating that you are recognized as an equal and have become a member. Each ring holds an unbreakable glass stud of a different color, and within it is inlaid a symbol with specific meaning. These rings seem to react to each different person that wears them, and if they do not stir, it is an indication that the member is not worthy and will be killed on the spot. Finally, no ring is worn on the same finger by any member.
Note: No one may have a black ring. Each ring has a symbol inside of it, colored black - a black stud would pretty much hide the symbol. It's not going to hurt anyone to have a blue or a yellow ring.
Currently, all but one of the rings were placed in storage after Dan Lagh'ratham first disbanded the organization. It was recently discovered that former agents of the group, disgruntled from having never been considered for membership, stole the rings. Though two of the rings were recovered, the other eight were lost through a rift.
The Apprentice Rings:
Through a new system established by the founder, members are now allowed to take fledgling criminals and psychopaths under their wings. These apprentices are then given new rings - their training wheels - and their agent rings are disposed of. The ring of an apprentice is stronger than an agents, but not quite as powerful as a member's. They are derived of what seems to be an inferior material, and typically allow the apprentice to use the affect of the member they are under. For example - if a member can affect temperature with their ring, their apprentice may have limited control over fire or ice. The glass designs of an apprentice's ring will differ from the large, colored one of a members - for example, a ridge of small glass studs, etc. An apprentice wears his ring in the same position that their master wears his or her's.
Bands - The Agent Rings:
Agents have now been given rings, though these are called bands, to show membership. These rings possess a clear glass stud and have bands of either black color or a shiny dark gray. The bands aren't as powerful as a member's or an apprentice's, and have typically minor powers, such as releasing piercing lasers or a plume of fire. The rings can be worn anywhere, as it is not as important as a member's, but must be shown immediately upon request. The effects should be directly proportional to the agent's level, and it's effect should be sent to the founder for approval.
Parting Ways: How a Member Loses (And An Agent Earns) a Ring:
The most obvious way is death. If a member is immediately resurrected upon dying, they may indeed keep the ring, but if a period of more than three days pass and the former member is still a bloated, rotting corpse, the ring will be relinquished by the founder and a new member will be sought out. For an agent to acquire a ring, one of the...simpler methods is to engage a current member and pillage the ring off his or her corpse. This is not always surefire, however, as this may in fact set off the founder's incredibly short temper depending on which member is killed. Another method is your performance on the field; particular ruthlessness and cruelty and a display of exceptional skill may indeed earn an agent a ring.
Currently, all but eight of the rings have been cast into a rift leading to a world the founder is disturbingly familiar with. As the rings react to each other, initiation of a member is carried out either by the founder, and/or a currently initiated member. In this manner, the rifts can be found. Hopeful members will be escorted into the rift where it is their task to traverse the treacherous new world and recover their ring, eliminating any threats in their way. These rifts will occasionally simply dump the rings right back onto Althanas.
An apprentice may receive his or her ring in any thread they are writing with the member they are under.
Agents will receive their bands during any thread wherein clan business is being conducted.
Rings Taken (Color/Position/"Symbol"):
- White, position unknown, "Nothing"
+ Dark violet, left middle
+ Red, right middle, "Wrath"
+ Dark Grey, right ring, "Sin"
Rules:
The IC rules to join Audaemus are strictly reinforced.
1.) Only in special cases may an individual become a member if his or her ability is not quite up to par with expectations. (Beneath Lvl. 2)
2.) An individual must have an up-to-date rap sheet populated with more than just petty crimes. It's not so simple as holding up old women for their jewels, or vandalizing property. A good candidate must have a history of doing terrible things; cold blooded murder, betrayal, etc. A test may be administered to prove if a person is truly the criminal they boast to be, and is powerful enough to be considered for membership.
3.) An encounter with the current leader of the organization is expressly required in order to join. Without a ring, you are nothing but an ant in Audaemus' eyes.
OOCly, there are no real rules. Killing amongst the group is certainly not disallowed, and the same goes for stealing from other members.
Admission: To join Audaemus, OOCly one must express interest in the clan's thread. The character will be evaluated and most likely, you'll be placed into an agent position unless you are a sufficient level. If one is to be considered for full membership, they must have excellent writing ability, be at least level two, or have a shining recommendation from a current member.
ICly, to join as a member, you must do a thread with a current member to acquire your ring. If you're only joining as an agent, you may mention that you were enlisted by an NPC agent if the subject ever comes up.
Excellent Ways to Get a Ring:
- Outstanding performance in a clan war (OOC and IC)
- Betraying a PG one is seperately enrolled in
- Killing an important NPC (i.e. member of the High Bard Council) and have it count canonically
- Killing or otherwise blackmailing an important PC with scandal, and have it count canonically
- Cause important events to move in Audaemus' favor and have it count canonically
- Generous donations to Audaemus' treasury with gp, or donations to Audaemus' armory (i.e. a boat, weapons, armor,artifacts)
Communication and Bases: Currently, there is no set base for Audaemus operations. Members and agents constantly move around to avoid casting suspicion on themselves. Members and agents are gathered or given their orders through the web of NPC agents.
Current Goals:
- Keep the fire of Corone's civil war blazing
- Cause Salvar's state of affairs to worsen
- Aid Xem'Zund in the expulsion of the elves from Raiaera
- Find some way to infiltrate the Bazaar to tap into it's massive money flow.