HERALDS CAMPAIGN
The Black Circle
The Black Circle is a mercenary collective of former Barony exiles, trained in combat and espionage. They are presumably lead by the Black Ruhk.
The Black Circle traces its origins to the famous duel between King Hierern Voltaine II and Preacher Eeder, who ascended to slay the king and end the Maysuria Conflict. As the Barony took over as the law-makers of Voltaine, the quality of life drastically improved, and many took to the new cultural fad of duels; children reenacting the fight or young men solving a lover's quarrel. It was considered 'common's behaviour' to be seen dueling, and unbecoming in the Barony.
During the rise of the Violate King, and repeated raids of the Southern Eridinea, a new wartime contingency was passed in the Combine; called "Plentiful Harvest".
Plentiful Harvest was a program designed to prepare the firstborn progeny of the Barony for war. Their children were trained in battle tactics, wartime strategy, espionage and logistics to be the field commanders of any future conflict.
Many third and fourth sons and daughters were just given martial training, with no greater expectation for them outside of captaincy. They were ultimately seen as 'expendable'.
Once the Violate War concluded, this program was ended. Many of these now young adults felt a sense of kinship and pride in their training, and under the tutelage of the Herald-trained Rohktar ne' Deios V, the 40 or so members became joined in 'The Circle' in 2383.
The Circle eventually became public knowledge to the wider Barony. While initially dismissed and seen as intensely shameful, the popularity of the Circle grew within Voltaine, and the movement was co-opted by the Combine as another means of navigating the "Infinite Gala' between the houses. State-sanctioned competitions were held yearly from 2388, with Rohktar ne' Deio V winning the first 5 competitions; 3 against Paedra ne' Eidern, and two against Cyclonicah ne' Perdisha, the Scion-blooded. Eventually the first post-circle trained duelists started to appear, and multiple competitions are now held in a single year to compensate.
In 2393, Rohktar was disowned by his father for the shame brought to the family name and their legacy. In their last training together, Rohktar offered each member of the original Circle a choice to join him in exile as Reliquary mercenaries. Of the 40 original members, 39 joined him, and left Voltaine and their family prestige behind.
At some point in the next 5 years, Rohktar was recruited by Second Revelation, and brought his allies with him. Now known as the Black Circle, these multi-disciplinary warriors are his agents, operating all across Enaeth planting the seeds of some yet unknown goal. Each is their own formidable challenge; a life perfected in close-quarters combat and idiosyncratic diplomacy.
General Information
Organisation Type:
Paramilitary exiles
Leadership:
The Black Ruhk
Site/s:
Unknown
Hierarchy:
Unknown
Affiliated Groups:
Devotions:
Unknown
Date Established:
2393 4G.c
Date Dissolved:
Known Members:
Deleth ne Robaine II
Pactilehn ne' Ershaum
Gregorihn
Kirel ne' Bashere III (deceased)
Liren ne' Bashere (deceased)
Roshehn ne’ Balathah (deceased)
The Black Circle was first alluded to by Paedra ne' Eidern during a discussion after the groups escape from the Stormdrain pub. She mentioned being one of the best, only beaten out by Rohktar in their fights.
Two members were first encountered by Orin in the Complex of Hedera, as the brothers Kirel and Liren briefly attempted to sway Orin to abandon his cause, before attempting to best him, believing combat with him was some sort of 'test'. They were both killed by Orin as result.
While in Rhyne, Paedra gave further information on the Black Circle; with Kirel and Liren dead, and Grippsly's old friend Gregorihn (Gruggy) missing alongside Scilo Duhn, it was likely there were still 36 active members.
Second Sunrise later encountered one of these members, Roshehn ne' Balathah, operating Herald Bartolo's Glowglobe factory. They unknowingly offered him work in Second Sunrise. They were warned by Paedra before an interview could be held; Third and Fourth children of the Barony were likely members, but all exhibit evidence of 'namepride' as a weakness. Roshehn was later captured and tortured in mock interview, revealing most of the Black Circle was operating in Rhyne underneath the city in search of the No-Box, and that every member of Second Revelation was also present, planning some kind of city wide event. He was then killed and unceremoniously thrown in the Ancillary City.