Editing SMERSH (section)

== The History of SMERSH ==

Smersh was founded by the sinister '''Strauss D'Vork''' (Male Human Rogue 11/Fighter 3), a brutal general who holds a position on the Free Council as the leader of the Alchemist Mages.  Strauss, unlike his fellows, sees no reason to continue treating the surrounding nations with the attitude of conciliation that they are.  Instead, he advocates bold military aggression and conquest as a means to solve Amania's economic woes.

This attitude proved unpopular with the Politburo and he realized he had to soften his stance if he was to keep his position.  To that end, he had the Church of Liberty's head assassinated and replaced with a Homonculus that he proceeded to use in order to foster a department for the purposes of covert warfare.  As far as the Free Council is concerned, Smersh is just a minor department devoted to catching spies and eliminating defectors.

The truth is, it is so much more.

Recognizing that the Church of Liberty was a hated institution that no one paid attention to, Strauss envisions SMERSH to be the start of a massive new Secret Police that will eventually replace its failing and pathetic opposite number.  Smersh is building a network of spies and sympathizers throughout Winterweir in hopes of eventually overthrowing their nemeses.  He does not even limit his recruitment to Amanians but anyone who will swear allegiance to the red gold of the nation.

SMERSH has already started reaping some serious successes in its subversive activities, being the ones who captured Winterweir Admiral Daelin D'Winterweir (LG/LN Male Ex-Paladin 11/Fighter 3) and brainwashed him into becoming an Anti-Amanian fanatic.  Using his piratical activities against them to justify a war, it is they who began the current conflict against Winterweir.  They are also responsible for starting the Civil War currently racking Tythan.