MANTICORE

The Manticore
"Way back in the olden ancient East,
Lived a most ferocious beast.
With eyes of flame and teeth of steel,
On human flesh it feast.
Standing over ten feet tall,
No man escaped its roar (roar!).
Behold, my friends and foes alike,
The dreadful Manticore!!"

— Sir Daniel Avidan,
Bard of the College of Eloquence

Purpose

The purpose of MANTICORE is generally to be a thorn in the Tok Empire's side. Though the leader, Gretel Bloodheart, has big aspirations for the organization, it has yet to gain much traction in the S'mothun Cape. The untrust shown by Gretel had made it hard to spread the news, but this has been a benefit for the freedom fighters. Those that have joined the cause have been invaluable additions to MANTICORE and have begun to gain notoriety in the local region among the Tok Officials.

Leadership

As stated above, the group is lead by Gretel Bloodheart, a female human with a gift for the art of hemomancy. Though their numbers are small at the moment, they have formed a small chain of command, each with a different talent that makes them a cherished member of the rebellious group.
They are as follows:

• Gretel, The Tail:
The most dangerous part of the manticore is its tail. Armed with razor-sharp spines all over, it swings with the ferocity of a thousand orc warriors. When one spine falls, another takes its place. Gretel embodies this principle in droves. Where she is the tail and those under her are the spines, she uses her prowess in combat to make sure that a single warrior is assisted in harmony by the rest. Unlike many other leaders, she is not one to stay behind barking orders and instead fights alongside her underlings to support them with her best ability.
• Ophie, The Wing:
The purpose of the wings is to guide the manticore, allowing it to sore through the skies unmolested. Ophie is no exception to this. As The Wing, she offers refuge and lodging to any that would call itself a friend to their cause. Even though she is currently under investigation of heresy by the Tok Empire, she willingly risks life and limb to assist any member of MANTICORE or people that may have unjustly treated by the tyrannical rule of the region.
• Damu, The Mane:
The mane's purpose is to warm the manticore and symbolize its courage. So too is Damu. Damu offers liquid courage to the Spines of MANTICORE, allowing them to drink for free at the Timid Tortle Tavern. He offers a warm meal and a solid alibi. He takes a less active role as far as the leadership goes, but his deniability makes him less suspect to attention by the law. Damu at first glance seems to be a man loyal to the Tok Empire, but this is far from the truth as he holds no love for them. He is constantly in close contact with the other two leaders and it would not be wise to underestimate his power of influence.

Founding

MANTICORE was officially formed on Fosdis the 13^th Day of Heirobis in the 539^th Year of Rebirth, but the leaders have been fighting the battle for many years prior. Back "In The Old Days" as they would say, Gretel, Ophie, and Damu were a small adventuring band that would delve into old catacombs and crypts through the continent of Tok.

Art By: Kaizavair

Ranks

• The Tail
• The Wing
• The Mane

Members
24 (Spines)

Type

Illicit, Rebel

Day of Formation
Fosdis the 13^th Day of Heirobis
in the 539^th Year of Rebirth

Rebellious

MANTICORE

-100

Tok Empire

0

Though the Tok Empire is currently unaware of MANTICORE as a whole, that doesn't stop MANTICORE from hating the Empire wholeheartedly. MANTICORE will stop at nothing to topple the Empire's tyrannical grip on the continent. They are willing to fight tooth and nail for as long as it takes, no matter the price.

During one particular excursion, they uncovered records of a time when the nations of Hroff, Tok, and N'all lived in harmony and peace for the betterment of mankind. Ancient tomes enlightened them of what the world could be should they work together instead of against each other. Ambushed by a guardian of the tomb, the three stood against a manticore. During that perilous fight, Damu lost his eye and the three barely escaped with their lives. After settling down in Averlund, the three decided to find like-minded individuals who showed promise and skill, slowly gaining numbers before officially creating MANTICORE, named to remind them of their battle that only left them stronger-willed in the end.

Recruitment

Joining MANTICORE is not an easy task. The prospect must first prove themselves a person who can get things done, often requiring them to do something of significance in the area that helps the people and not just the Tok Empire. Once word of these deeds dances upon MANTICORE's leaders' ears, they begin to take an active look upon the prospect. Once they are relatively sure they do not hold love for the empire, Gretel will approach them in the tavern with an encrypted menu that they must decipher to ensure they have the wit to prove themselves an asset to their cause.
Show Spoiler

Drinks

Tortle Piss

6_G

House Ale

3_C

Shot of Liquor

3_G

Double Shot

10_G

Alegrim's Mead

9_G

Alegrim's Ale

1_S, 5_C

Elven Wine

2_S

Hextor Lineup

1_G

Food

Appetizers

King's Salad

3_C

Nacho's Piled High

2_G

Fried Calamari

3_G

Entrées

Fish & Chips

5_G

Chicken Breast

2_S

Steak & Potatoes

3_S

Surf & Turf

7_G

Captain's Platter

7_G

Once they decipher the menu, they are invited to a secret meeting held at a different location every time to not allow any spies solid information of their whereabouts should one infiltrate their ranks. Finally, Gretel will take them on a mission to witness their prowess first hand. Should they succeed in this endeavor, they are officially brought into MANTICORE.

Future Endeavours

The current focus of MANTICORE is expansion, finding people who are like-minded and genuinely have disdain for the Empire. Once they have hold-in several cities of note throughout the continent, they plan on sending agents into the Kingdom of Tok in an attempt to assassinate the King. Doing so will require tact, however. Many in line for the throne are just as sordid and corrupt as the current monarch. There will likely need to be several events that take place until someone who is suited with the proper ideals to take the throne.