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[[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page | '''<< Back to Main Page''' ]]

== Magical Schools, Colleges, & Orders ==
=== Order of the White Staff ===
An organization of mages that operate on the Athernian peninsula and the Northern countries.  Led by by Archmage of B'Narj, of late they primarily seem to act to oppose the actions of the [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_page/organizations#Cabal of the Seven Rings | Cabal of the Seven Rings]], but their overarching purpose and objectives are mysterious.

=== Cabal of the Seven Rings ===
An association of mages that purportedly are sworn to uphold and defend the Amir-al-Emir of the Jhonian Empire, but rumors are that the Cabal is older than the Empire is.  What its aims and objectives are are unknown.  What is known is that the Cabal is opposed by the [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_page/organizations#Order of the White Staff | Order of the White Staff]], and that the two organizations work at cross purposes to each other.

== Guilds & Associations ==




=== Fenwalkers ===
[[File:Fenwalkers_new.png|thumb|150px|Fenwalkers Symbol]]

The Fenwalkers are a group of Rangers sworn to patrolling the [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/geography#Dire Fens|Dire Fens]], keeping track of the various fell creatures that dwell within, ensuring that the neighboring lands are informed of any potential raids or excursions by these monsters, etc. etc.  The Fenwalkers also form search and rescue parties for anyone lost within the Fens, although they do tend to charge expenses for such activities.  The Fenwalkers are highly respected by the citizenry of [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Athervon|Athervon]], and particularly within the City of [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Avis Armois|Avis Armois]] – even the criminal elements – as their information and bravery have saved the surrounding lands many a time from surprise attacks, and the city at least once from an all-out assault.

=== The Black Thorns ===

An organization of rangers and thieves who patrol the no-mans land between the edges of Athervon and Uthal’ion, keeping the peace and preventing incursions or raids between the Snow-Elves and Humans.
[[File:Blackthorns.jpg|thumb|150px|Black Thorns Symbol]]

== Criminal Organizations ==

=== The Five Points Brotherhood ===
[[File:5-points.jpg|thumb|150px|Five Points Brotherhood]]

Known also as Pointers; The Brotherhood; Fivers.

A huge criminal organization that is rumored to have chapterhouses across the entire Kingdom of [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Athervon|Athervon]], though verifying this is impossible due to the secretive nature of the group.  Based out of [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Avis Inia|Avis Inia]], The Brotherhood has significant control over illegal traffic flowing on the land route between Avis Inia and [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Tras Veniri|Tras Veniri]], as well as a heavy hand in distribution to points beyond inside of Athervon.  While primarily interested in graft, theft, fencing, and other crimes to commerce, The Brotherhood has enough enforcers and hired muscle to deal violently with any problems that present themselves.

=== The Mark of the Wolf ===

Known also as just The Mark.

A regional syndicate run out of [[Landsoftheblacksea:Main_Page/realms#Avis Armois|Avis Armois]].

=== The Black Hand ===
[[File:Black-hand.jpg|thumb|150px|The Black Hand]]

Known also as The Hand.

Tras Veniri is also the home of one of the most powerful and notorious Thieves Guild in the Lands, ''Il Salcci Fano'' (Ven., “The Black Hand”). Operatives and guildhouses of Il Salcci Fano can be found from The Wild Coast to Athervon, in Oisland and as far away as Iruzhin. While rival guilds do exist (there is usually one strong contender in each country), the Black Hand is always a force to contend with where it operates. The Black Hand has a longstanding love-hate relationship with the Council of the Great Houses; for while the members would, in principal, like nothing more than to banish thieves from Veniri altogether, there is not one member of the Council that did not have need of the services of a member of ''Il Salcci Fano'' prior to their election to the Council. Thus, the Black Hand endures, keeping their activities out of the limelight, playing one council member off of the others, and offering up the occasional guild member when circumstances force them to do so (usually, they are offered up dead, to avoid any messy trial testimonies).

=== ''Gznors Věc'' (The Gnomish Syndicate) ===

Gnomes have long been second-class citizens in the lands of humans, halflings, and elves.  With few permanent settlements that they can call their own or places where they make up a majority, the race has been marginalized to living in certain sections of cities and in some places they are prohibited from taking employment in all but a few professions.  Many have taken to adopting a wandering lifestyle, moving in caravans from town to town and plying their trades, but moving on when they have worn out their welcome or when they sense hostility from the local population.

The rise of ''Gznors Věc'' (Zrd., "Our Thing", "This Thing of Ours") is a direct result of the persecution that Gnomes have experienced. While the vast majority of Gnomes have put up with their lot in life with humor, grace, and patience, there are a small fraction who decided that if they will not be allowed to integrate into society, they will take control of what they can through criminal means. Most people of other races know little or nothing of The Gnomish Syndicate - which is exactly how the leaders want it. But within Gnomish society - particularly anyplace there is a large population of Gnomes living in a city of humans, halflings, or elves - the existence of ''Gznors Věc'' is spoken of in whispers only with those that one trusts with their life.

The Syndicate controls all aspects of illegal trade within Gnomish society, allowing the community to have the things that their non-Gnomish masters try to prohibit - for a price. The syndicate is ruthless in taking its slice of the pie, and many a poor Gnome has found themselves indebted to the syndicate beyond their means - a situation that never ends well for the individual.

Syndicate chapters tend to operate locally and independently within a geographic area, although they maintain communications with each other to share information. The chapters also tend to form alliances and business relationships with non-Gnomish criminal organizations that specialize in activities that the Gnomes prefer not to engage in. In particular, Syndicate chapters tend to be more than happy to pay in gems and coins for these other organizations to handle any physical issues that need dealing with. But the Syndicate can protect its own if needed, and most non-Gnomish organizations have learned give a healthy respect the groups talents for illusion, subterfuge, traps, and ambush.