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The crest of the Coil-Born: A bronze mask with a coiled
tendril emanating from the distended mouth.
They go by many names.
Formally, they are The Ushers of the Coil, but have been known as The Coil Collective, or even the Council of Coils. Whatever moniker you choose to use, the nefarious agents of this mysterious criminal syndicate are known as the Coil-Born, and their aims are as mysterious as their Founder.
The Coil-Born have their grubby little tendrils in every shady undertaking that could be imagined, from gambling to prostitution to assassination and all points in between. There isn’t a single specialty of mischief in which the Ushers do not dip their filthy toes, and their roster is an elaborate list of black-hearted individuals that hail from any and all backgrounds, religious affiliations, races and sexes. Versatility is one of the strongest calling cards of the Coil-Born, and veritably anyone you know might secretly be a member...
While the elaborate portfolio of criminal undertakings that the Coil-Born indulge themselves has made them a powerful and dangerous organization, their intentions are far more regimented than some might believe. Part Cult, part criminal enterprise, the Ushers of the Coil’s each and every move has been carefully orchestrated by The Visitor, whose own aims have yet to be clearly presented. As such, tasks that the Ushers engage in range from the truly nefarious to the outright bizarre, and few can predict just what the group might turn its attention to next.
There is a simple Hierarchy to the Coil-Born, and it all begins with their mysterious figurehead...
The Visitor
None know the true name of the enigmatic Mastermind behind the Ushers of the Coil. Its sex and species are never referred to directly, but all know that its orders are followed to the letter, and bloodshed and strange chaos always seem to be left in wake. There are countless legends and rumors about the true identity of The Visitor, and some speculate that it is anything from a Dragon to an Aether Fiend whispering demented orders from its native Plane. Some say (in careful whispers) that The Visitor doesn’t exist at all, and is merely a make-believe figurehead to strike fear into the group’s enemies. Oh, what a pleasant world it would be if this were the case...
Hosts & Hostesses
The only members of The Ushers of the Coil that have direct contact with The Visitor are a small group of advisors and senior council known simply as Hosts and Hostesses. The Hosts meet in person at least once per month to commune with The Visitor and receive their gruesome orders and trade information and intelligence. Each Host or Hostess is in charge of a Cell of Coil-Born that act as agents of the organization at large. At present, the actual number of Hosts and cells currently active are unknown.
Guests
The rank and file of the Ushers of the Coil are known as Guests, and a group of Guests comprise a Cell. Cells are small and generally do not number more than 5 or 6 members, and each Cell is led by a Host or Hostess. Cells are specially formulated with an array of complimentary specializations that can handle a number of various tasks. Cells often times become quite close and can work shockingly well with each other. When a group of talented, focused, skilled and ruthless people meet with a common objective, there is no end to the damage they could do.
Membership
No one requests membership into The Ushers of the Coil. Noteworthy prospects who have both the raw potential, certain disregard for authority and otherworldly ambition are approached by a Member and asked to prove their worth in exchange for membership. There isn’t a criminal in the realm who hasn’t heard of the Coil-Born, and the chance to join ranks with such a feared group is often too good a proposition to pass up—Assuming that you live through the initiation, that is.
Once a candidate has proven themselves worthy of Membership, they are introduced to the other Members of their Cell, as well as the Host or Hostess that oversees the Cell’s activities, and undertake a secret rite where the recruit drinks some of the Visitor’s blood, forever staining their own soul as one of the Coil-Born.
The Vein
All who have drank of the Visitor’s strange, black blood gain what is called simply “The Vein”. By ushering a mental command, a Coil-Born can manifest a chilling black tattoo along their arm that wraps around their appendage greedily, offering a spine-tingling chill to any who see the abyssal display. This mark fades instantly away afterwards, and is how a Member of the Coil-Born dramatically display their affiliation to others. All underworld agents know what The Vein means, and grant significant berth to those who display it.
Everyday Life
While the Ushers of the Coil are unified in advancing The Visitor’s aims, each Cell still indulges in its own ends and goals during their free time. Potential members (that means Players) are encouraged to think up some nefarious goals that they’d like to accomplish for those rainy days when there’s no nation-toppling to be done...
Recent Activity
For some reason, the current events in the rapidly destabilizing City of Blackvine are of particular interest to The Visitor. At least one Cell is already active in the area, and the organization as a whole seek to expand their mortal influence by joining the great struggle for power between the Blackvine Brothers. The only question, however, is which of the two eccentric twins will the Ushers throw in their lot with?
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