The Carnal Bloom
At the end of the last War of Trees, multiple orders were crippled and one completely destroyed, but from the ashes of the Deep Undergrowth came the Order of the Carnal Bloom. During its height the Deep Undergrowth was so vast and connected that it contained multiple Sects with individual specializations to serve the interest of the Deep Undergrowth directly. One such Sect was the Carnal Bloom, dedicated to eliminating high value non-cuirizu targets, particularly those from the other Outsider races posing a threat to the cuirizu. Cuirizu of the sect maintained Sanctums far from Undergrowth Gardens from which to operate, often going unseen and unheard from for extended periods of time.
When the largest battles of the War broke out, the Briar Harvest was careful to keep the Carnal Bloom off balance by attacking various areas in which members of the Sect were operating in. In an effort to save them, a cuirizu by the name of Drusilla attempted to call in members of the Sect before they were ambushed. Though she managed to alert Many cuirizu, most of the Sect was slain alongside the rest of the Deep Undergrowth. By the time the Sect had rallied, there was little to be done and the Order was lost.
The Sect went into hiding, taking time to lick it's wounds before they began to come together as a new smaller order with a singular purpose of revenge. For the last few centuries, the central purpose of the Carnal Bloom has been to mop up the few allies of the Briar Harvest and to dismantle the order itself. Eventually, Drusilla wishes to be the one to put a blade through Thorne's heart and watch the light go out in her eyes, but is forced to bide her time until the opportunity presents itself.
The Order of the Carnal Bloom operates almost exclusively as an assassin's guild for hire when not engaged with it's primary goal, accumulating resources in order to bolster their efforts against the Briar Harvest. The order doesn't typically operate in the open, using fronts and other guilds as cover to keep their activities from being readily known. Only when it comes to the other orders of cuirizu is the Carnal Bloom more readily available, but only just enough to alert their brethren that they're dealing with fellow cuirizu.
Perhaps the smallest Order of all the cuirizu, and the least overtly powerful, the Carnal Bloom struggles with adding to its numbers and maintaining vessels with which to breed. The Order doesn't even maintain Gardens, despite being a former Sect of the order responsible for establishing the system for the other orders. Blooms still have the base urges of all cuirizu, indulging whenever possible, but their driving obsession for Vengeance makes it nearly impossible for them to give the process the time and effort it deserves. By becoming so consumed by their desire the destroy the Briar Harvest, they have taken on a great deal of their callousness and disregard for cuirizu traditions, a fact of which they will have to confront sooner rather than later.
Cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom generally lack the resources to maintain their own Gardens, instead maintaining isolated lairs referred to as Sanctums. Carnal Sanctums can be located in cities, isolated mountaintops, or deep underground, but regardless of where they're located, they remain hidden and protected from intrusion and various forms of divination. Sanctums are small, usually having a comparable size to a small apartment or house, and house a Slayers individual tools and materials for her work as well as where she brings anyone she wishes to bed. Sanctums are built for the rare periods of pleasure a cuirizu of the order gets, as well as her ceaseless work. Sanctums contain sending stones that allow a Bloom to maintain contact with the Specialist above her and any of her Cluster she has provided with matching stones. When one stone of a pair is spoken to, the words can be heard from the matching stone wherever it is on Alkotas as if the person was in the same room. Information can be exchanged quickly this way and without specific knowledge of the individual stones themselves, cannot be listened in on. Sending stones are created by an artisan of Drusilla's cluster, and unknown to all members of the order are keyed to a smaller set of stones in the Unchaste Sanctum that allows the Primogen to listen through any of the stones granted to those within the order.
Carnal Sanctums
Cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom generally lack the resources to maintain their own Gardens, instead maintaining isolated lairs referred to as Sanctums. Carnal Sanctums can be located in cities, isolated mountaintops, or deep underground, but regardless of where they're located, they remain hidden and protected from intrusion and various forms of divination. Sanctums are small, usually having a comparable size to a small apartment or house, and house a Slayers individual tools and materials for her work as well as where she brings anyone she wishes to bed. Sanctums are built for the rare periods of pleasure a cuirizu of the order gets, as well as her ceaseless work. Sanctums contain sending stones that allow a Bloom to maintain contact with the Specialist above her and any of her Cluster she has provided with matching stones. When one stone of a pair is spoken to, the words can be heard from the matching stone wherever it is on Alkotas as if the person was in the same room. Information can be exchanged quickly this way and without specific knowledge of the individual stones themselves, cannot be listened in on. Sending stones are created by an artisan of Drusilla's cluster, and unknown to all members of the order are keyed to a smaller set of stones in the Unchaste Sanctum that allows the Primogen to listen through any of the stones granted to those within the order.
Structure
Because of their significantly smaller size and area of focus, the structure of the Carnal Bloom differs vastly from that of other orders.
Primogen: The Primogen of the Carnal Bloom is a Primogen in name only, and barely qualified as an Elder at the time of the Last War of Trees. Drusilla was elevated to the position of Primogen by unanimous vote through out the whole order in recognition for her part in managing the rescue of its members. Drusilla, though a skilled assassin in her own right, was notable in the Deep Undergrowth for her ability to keep track of numerous Slayers of her branch nearly in real time. Drusilla kept track of objectives, assets, and other key job information with steadfast dedication and was able to utilize it in securing the safety of those Slayers when word of the Briar Harvest's treachery reached her. Though Drusilla initially opted to fight against the Briar Harvest at the time, the nature of the lost battle made it clear that going into hiding was more prudent.
Today the Primogen has shifted her focus to orchestrating the order's efforts against the Briar Harvest. Though the Order of the Carnal Bloom takes jobs for various purposes, all are intended to provide more assets and capitol for the overall goal of dismantling the order of the Briar Harvest. Drusilla handles broad strokes and long term objectives, working in tandem with her Inner Circle of specialists to ensure that they happen.
Specialist: Cuirizu of the Inner Circle advise the Primogen on the daily movements of their Slayers, with each member specializing in a particular area to compartmentalize information in the event that one is compromised. Each order of the cuirizu has a Specialist assigned to it who continuously monitors the movements and business of those orders, whether it's business with the Carnal Bloom or not. Additional specialists are assigned to monitor non-cuirizu affairs, usually divided up by regions and areas. Much of the work the specialists handle are designed to provide the resources needed to carry out the objectives handed down by the Primogen. When such objectives come down specialists relevant to the objective are briefed while others are left to continue about their work.
In events where a job is accepted in one region but must be carried out in another, specialists will work in tandem with one another. Similarly jobs that involve multiple orders of cuirizu are also handled by combinations of specialists with relevant information and Slayers. Specialists themselves seldom take jobs of their own, usually only taking action personally if there is imminent harm threatened against the Primogen.
Slayer: Any member of the order operating in the field is simply referred to as an slayer. Slayers maintain clusters of their own operatives instead of Gardens, though most of the time the Slayer is the one who carries out any of the actual wetwork that a job might require. Slayers provide information they acquire to specialists and wait for directives. Often, Slayers are given a degree of latitude on what actions to take when it comes to independent jobs, but receive very strict directives when it comes to any jobs relating to other cuirizu orders. Exceptions are sometimes made for the Vagrant Jasmine, who will sometimes provide sudden difficulties in the field that need to be dealt with immediately.
Though skilled in combat and capable of handling straight forward fights, Slayers of the Carnal Bloom will often make use of more intimate approaches when possible. Seduction is often an effective means of getting to someone with their defenses down and poison is often subtler than a blade. This approach doesn't always fit however and Slayers are prepared to meet the challenge with the appropriate level of force.
Executrix: Executrixes are Slayers who specialize in one thing and one thing only, overwhelming force. In instances where a target is too well protected or presents too high of a threat or risk, Executrix are dispatched by the Inner Circle to crush any and all opposition tied to the target as well as the target itself. Executrixes train as brutal and efficient killers, focused on creating as much collateral damage as possible in pursuit of their final goal. Typically dispatched for jobs against the Briar Harvest, there are still instances where such cuirizu have been sent after members of other orders or an non-cuirizu targets.
During the days of the Deep Undergrowth, Executrixes were used almost exclusively for jobs that dealt with incredibly powerful outsiders or ancient mortal entities that had amassed massive power over extended lifespans. Few were saved from the purge of the Deep Undergrowth but those that were immediately began training more of their number. Though there are still relatively few Executrixes within the order today, there exists a standing mandate for more to be trained. Because the order breeds so much slower than other orders, obtaining fresh blood for this has proved difficult.
Guardian: There are a few cuirizu in the order who are held in reserve as dedicated protectors and bodyguards to the Primogen and members of the Inner Circle. Though the Primogen has a couple Guardians assigned to her at all times, members of the Inner Circle typically have Guardians assigned to them when traveling abroad or when the threat level to a specific member has been heightened.
Guardians specialize in quick take downs and evasive maneuvers, preferring to get their charges out of harms way whenever possible and let Slayers or Executrixes handle the threat after the fact. In instances when evasion or escape are not options however, a Guardian defaults immediately to the quickest way to disable a threat, even if simply disabling does not lead to elimination. Guardians are capable and quick thinking and possess unusually high reflexes and situational awareness even amid an order of cuirizu who possess similar traits.
Mistress/Master: Though not used in the context of the Garden structure, any individual member of the order who maintains a functioning independent cluster may call herself a Mistress. The title is almost never used within the order but instead is used to maintain structure within the cluster, being regarded as Mistresses only by those within their cluster. Sometimes, Blooms who do business openly with other orders, will adopt the title of Mistress for the sake of simplicity, especially when dealing with orders that still adhere to the structure of the Deep Undergrowth.
Cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom do not maintain Gardens, they lack the infrastructure and ability to do so and have a near singular focus that deters them from focused efforts to breed. Many cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom will keep an eye out for candidates to serve as vessels while on other jobs, maintaining an index of places to revisit when on break from their various assignments, with the intention of returning at a later date. Instead of Gardens, Blooms maintain Clusters. Clusters are made up of mostly informants, spies, and moles with a few clusters having Breeders and Enforcers. Some scant few among the Carnal Bloom are said to actually maintain Gardens in secret, with their Firsts being given a larger degree of responsibility and autonomy than would be seen in most other orders. If this is true, no Bloom has been willing to divulge it and none have sought to look in on one another for fear that they may be looked in on in turn. Spy: Throughout all of Alkotas, the Carnal Bloom has individuals who live in settlements, towns, cities and other population centers that are loyal to a particular Slayer as their Mistress. Spies funnel information back to their Mistress, providing key information on the state of where they're located, where a target may be located, and other critical information needed in order to perform a job in a given area. A Spy's function within a Cluster is similar to that of a Scout within a Garden, albeit in more populated areas in most cases. Spies are often provided with a stipend to survive, to take their focus off of the daily grind of survival and pay closer attention to the people around them in the places they have chosen to live. Mole: Similar to spies, Moles are individual mortals who have been brought into a cluster for the sole purpose of infiltrating the Gardens of other orders. Moles will purposely allow themselves to be captured by cuirizu of other orders in order to feed information back to Slayers who pass the information up to the Inner Circle. Both the Carnal Bloom and the Vagrant Jasmine maintain Moles, though the practice seems to be much more common with the Carnal Bloom. For roughly two centuries the Vagrant Jasmine and the Carnal Bloom have been engaged in a game of cat and mouse with moles in each other's Gardens. Stranger still have been the handful of instances where moles from both orders have encountered each other in the field working the same target, namely the Briar Harvest or Golden Sepal. In a few such instances, these moles have worked together before going their separate ways, provided that they're not at crossed purposes in their duties. Moles live dangerously and face the real possibility of having their existences ended by another cuirizu if ever discovered, in exchange moles are typically rewarded handsomely for their work when they return home to their true mistress. Moles are typically provided with large periods of downtime between jobs to prevent them from being easily spotted in the field. Individuals who successfully accomplish multiple jobs typically opt to take less dangerous jobs in a cluster, living out the rest of their days providing less risky information gathering services to their Mistress. Agent: Those a Mistress of a cluster typically handles her own Wetwork, there are numerous other tasks that a Bloom may need provided that don't include murder. Agents are usually relied upon to perform simple ground level tasks such as bringing packages to destinations, providing an escort, moving things around, and a multitude of other menial tasks that add up over time. Some Agents will function solely in one area of expertise, essentially filling roles similar to those found in Gardens. For example an Agent may be similar to an Artisan in that their sole purpose is to create something for their Mistress to use on a job. More often than not, however, Agents are multi-talented and are expected to perform a multitude of different tasks. Blooms who require on-going specialized services usually adopt one of the roles of the Garden structure to fit the needs of a cluster.
Non-Cuirizu Roles
Cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom do not maintain Gardens, they lack the infrastructure and ability to do so and have a near singular focus that deters them from focused efforts to breed. Many cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom will keep an eye out for candidates to serve as vessels while on other jobs, maintaining an index of places to revisit when on break from their various assignments, with the intention of returning at a later date. Instead of Gardens, Blooms maintain Clusters. Clusters are made up of mostly informants, spies, and moles with a few clusters having Breeders and Enforcers. Some scant few among the Carnal Bloom are said to actually maintain Gardens in secret, with their Firsts being given a larger degree of responsibility and autonomy than would be seen in most other orders. If this is true, no Bloom has been willing to divulge it and none have sought to look in on one another for fear that they may be looked in on in turn. Spy: Throughout all of Alkotas, the Carnal Bloom has individuals who live in settlements, towns, cities and other population centers that are loyal to a particular Slayer as their Mistress. Spies funnel information back to their Mistress, providing key information on the state of where they're located, where a target may be located, and other critical information needed in order to perform a job in a given area. A Spy's function within a Cluster is similar to that of a Scout within a Garden, albeit in more populated areas in most cases. Spies are often provided with a stipend to survive, to take their focus off of the daily grind of survival and pay closer attention to the people around them in the places they have chosen to live. Mole: Similar to spies, Moles are individual mortals who have been brought into a cluster for the sole purpose of infiltrating the Gardens of other orders. Moles will purposely allow themselves to be captured by cuirizu of other orders in order to feed information back to Slayers who pass the information up to the Inner Circle. Both the Carnal Bloom and the Vagrant Jasmine maintain Moles, though the practice seems to be much more common with the Carnal Bloom. For roughly two centuries the Vagrant Jasmine and the Carnal Bloom have been engaged in a game of cat and mouse with moles in each other's Gardens. Stranger still have been the handful of instances where moles from both orders have encountered each other in the field working the same target, namely the Briar Harvest or Golden Sepal. In a few such instances, these moles have worked together before going their separate ways, provided that they're not at crossed purposes in their duties. Moles live dangerously and face the real possibility of having their existences ended by another cuirizu if ever discovered, in exchange moles are typically rewarded handsomely for their work when they return home to their true mistress. Moles are typically provided with large periods of downtime between jobs to prevent them from being easily spotted in the field. Individuals who successfully accomplish multiple jobs typically opt to take less dangerous jobs in a cluster, living out the rest of their days providing less risky information gathering services to their Mistress. Agent: Those a Mistress of a cluster typically handles her own Wetwork, there are numerous other tasks that a Bloom may need provided that don't include murder. Agents are usually relied upon to perform simple ground level tasks such as bringing packages to destinations, providing an escort, moving things around, and a multitude of other menial tasks that add up over time. Some Agents will function solely in one area of expertise, essentially filling roles similar to those found in Gardens. For example an Agent may be similar to an Artisan in that their sole purpose is to create something for their Mistress to use on a job. More often than not, however, Agents are multi-talented and are expected to perform a multitude of different tasks. Blooms who require on-going specialized services usually adopt one of the roles of the Garden structure to fit the needs of a cluster.
Culture
The Order of the Carnal Bloom functions today in a manner very similar to the way it did as a Sect of the Deep Undergrowth before the last War of Trees. The Order is one steeped in secrecy in paranoia, with each member having limited contact with others in the order outside of immediate contacts for the task at hand. If at any point a Bloom is captured, this structure prevents them from giving up too much information about the movements and operations of the Order, whether they mean to or not.
Cuirizu of the Carnal Bloom are deeply distrusted by members of other Orders but are grudgingly accepted for their primary objective and reliability. Other orders try to have as little business with members of the Carnal Bloom as possible, but whenever they must be resorted to they are usually considered good at what they do. The Carnal Bloom was trusted by the Deep Undergrowth for ages, so for many orders that's good enough.
One thing that sets the Carnal Bloom apart from all other orders besides the Elysium Apple is the willingness to explore new innovations by mortal societies. Unlike the Elysium Apple, this acceptance is usually focused entirely on the primary task of killing. Various members of the order have begun to investigate and experiment with firearms being developed by Zelmesca, Orpeva, and a select few Dwarven Houses. The power and efficacy of firearms is difficult for an order of ruthless killers to ignore, and the power most have to punch through traditional armor even when magicked is all too tempting.
Other cuirizu find this fascination disturbing, seeing the march of technological progress as a threat to their ways of life. Weapons like firearms provide a certain degree of re-balancing to the scale of power throughout cuirizu society in a similar fashion as mortal societies. Once learned, the weapons are simpler to operate, inflict grievous damage, and have few counter measures at this time. Even more worrying is that some in the Carnal Bloom have begun to invest personal resources in investigating possible countermeasures, either retaining them for themselves or burying them completely.
Though the Carnal Bloom often prefers to conduct it's business in secret, eliminating targets in secret ways, there are times when they wish to announce themselves. This is especially true with members of the Briar Harvest who they seek to terrorize as much as possible, and sometimes with members of the Vagrant Jasmine who they wish to warn away from their business and members of the Golden Sepal who they want contained to their Vaults.
The Long Goodbye
Whenever the Carnal Bloom wishes to inflict massive fear on a target or create a spectacle of which will be talked about by many, a Slayer of the Carnal Bloom will engage in a ritual called the Long Goodbye. Established during the years of the Deep Undergrowth, the Long Goodbye is a ritual in which the target is informed of their impending death in advance and reminded of it periodically over a long period before meeting their end. The Slayer invokes the ritual in private, usually with members of her cluster, once the information gathering stage of a job has been completed. A figurine, statue, or image of the target is placed on an altar with a magically altered candle or lamp designed to burn for an extended period. While the candle burns, signs are left with the target, letting them know that their end is near. Such signs may include simply worded notes left on desks, dead animals left in difficult to reach places, destroyed homes, broken mirrors, and a multitude of other things meant to demonstrate a degree of mastery over the target's routine and day to day life. Once the candle has burned down entirely, the Slayer moves on the target, usually eliminating them during a state of absolute vulnerability ranging from in the bath, to during sex, to a moment of urination. If the target in question has taken special measures to be protected during this time, A slayer will make a point of making the kill well behind these defenses so that when the corpse is found it is plainly clear to everyone that the individual never had a chance. The Long Goodbye is usually designed with a week-long timer in mind, though sometimes a Slayer may wish to lengthen this time to increase the level of anguish inflicted upon the target. This can either be by request from a superior or from the individual who took out the job, usually with the desire of making an even grander spectacle of the targets demise. Drusilla relishes making use of the Long Goodbye on prominent members of the Briar Harvest, especially those who are particularly mobile and particularly well protected. Though tough, even Briars are capable of feeling the gut wrenching fear of having an enemy inside their ranks behind their defenses invading their every day lives.
Whenever the Carnal Bloom wishes to inflict massive fear on a target or create a spectacle of which will be talked about by many, a Slayer of the Carnal Bloom will engage in a ritual called the Long Goodbye. Established during the years of the Deep Undergrowth, the Long Goodbye is a ritual in which the target is informed of their impending death in advance and reminded of it periodically over a long period before meeting their end. The Slayer invokes the ritual in private, usually with members of her cluster, once the information gathering stage of a job has been completed. A figurine, statue, or image of the target is placed on an altar with a magically altered candle or lamp designed to burn for an extended period. While the candle burns, signs are left with the target, letting them know that their end is near. Such signs may include simply worded notes left on desks, dead animals left in difficult to reach places, destroyed homes, broken mirrors, and a multitude of other things meant to demonstrate a degree of mastery over the target's routine and day to day life. Once the candle has burned down entirely, the Slayer moves on the target, usually eliminating them during a state of absolute vulnerability ranging from in the bath, to during sex, to a moment of urination. If the target in question has taken special measures to be protected during this time, A slayer will make a point of making the kill well behind these defenses so that when the corpse is found it is plainly clear to everyone that the individual never had a chance. The Long Goodbye is usually designed with a week-long timer in mind, though sometimes a Slayer may wish to lengthen this time to increase the level of anguish inflicted upon the target. This can either be by request from a superior or from the individual who took out the job, usually with the desire of making an even grander spectacle of the targets demise. Drusilla relishes making use of the Long Goodbye on prominent members of the Briar Harvest, especially those who are particularly mobile and particularly well protected. Though tough, even Briars are capable of feeling the gut wrenching fear of having an enemy inside their ranks behind their defenses invading their every day lives.
Assets
The Black Halo
Located deep in a swamp somewhere in the Western Kingdoms there is a ring of blackened standing stones that serves as the meeting place for the Inner Circle of the Carnal Bloom. Though meetings that require the whole of the Inner Circle are rare, they are called for matters that pertain to the whole order, with the Primogen usually being the one to summon them. The ring remains completely shrouded in darkness at it's edges, with only the center being illuminated by magical moonlight. The center is most often occupied by the Primogen herself, addressing the members of the Inner Circle openly and visibly, while the Inner Circle remains in the shadows receiving their orders. Cuirizu of the Inner Circle may speak from the shadows for clarifications on directives or acknowledgement of orders but any objectives must be given by the individual stepping into the light to deliver them face to face with the Primogen. Other members of the Inner Circle are allowed to call meetings of their own in the Black Halo, but doing so means that they must be the ones who stand in the center for all to see. If this extended period of exposure wasn't enough to deter the frivolous use of this privilege, the added danger that comes with being in the center does. The person at the center is not the person in charge of the meeting, but rather the one at the mercy of the Inner Circle. If the person in the center is deemed to have broken the trust of the Circle or has done harm to the Order, any member of the circle may move to eliminate whoever stands in the circle. With the edge of the circle itself being held within magical darkness, seeing the attack coming is exceptionally difficult, and even more difficult to defend against if others of the circle choose to join the effort. The Unchaste Sanctum
Located in the mountains north of Tenebre Dontae, the Unchaste Sanctum was established by Drusilla well before the fall of the Deep Undergrowth as her personal Sanctum. Though it serves largely as her personal retreat now, Drusilla also conducts much of her business out of the Sanctum now was well, granting audiences to members of the Inner Circle who need to meet with her on certain matters. Much of the Sanctum's security has been upgraded over the centuries and for those not explicitly granted entry by the Primogen, the Sanctum is not only difficult to find by protected behind a gauntlet of traps. When not conducting business, the Unchaste Sanctum servers as the Primogen's personal parlor of debauchery. The Sanctum is outfitted with all manner of implements for pleasure and pain where Drusilla may reward or punish those of her personal Cluster, members of the Inner Circle, or individuals who have caught her eye and been abducted. Drusilla is one of the most active of any Primogen when it comes to breeding, and she is said to keep a half dozen breeders on hand at all times for providing new cuirizu to the order periodically. The Haunt
Located in Ivoire, the Haunt is the Garden in which the first members of the Carnal Bloom met during the fall of the Deep Undergrowth. Originally maintained by a member of another Sect of the Deep Undergrowth who was a close ally of Drusilla, the Haunt now serves as a social gathering place for members of the Carnal Bloom and their clusters as well as a grim reminder of what once was. Located nearby the capitol but isolated in the hills, the Garden no longer has a Mistress. Instead the Garden is somewhat communal, governing itself based on which cuirizu occupy it at the time and who they've brought from their clusters. The grounds contain pools for bathing, places to sun, beds for intercourse, and various other amenities for cuirizu leisure time. Every so often one of the Blooms will raid the countryside or nearby settlements for captives to bring back to the Haunt, letting others within the order know of the new acquisitions. The Blooms who arrive use the newly acquired mortals exclusively as breeders and entertainment, using them for days on end for their brief period of revelry. When finished, the cuirizu who originally abducted the people returns them to their place of origin, marking any of which that may be pregnant to have offspring collected later. Because this sort of event relies on a Bloom having a light enough work load, free time, and drive to make preparations and do clean-up, such events are rare but often remembered by other members of the order.
Located deep in a swamp somewhere in the Western Kingdoms there is a ring of blackened standing stones that serves as the meeting place for the Inner Circle of the Carnal Bloom. Though meetings that require the whole of the Inner Circle are rare, they are called for matters that pertain to the whole order, with the Primogen usually being the one to summon them. The ring remains completely shrouded in darkness at it's edges, with only the center being illuminated by magical moonlight. The center is most often occupied by the Primogen herself, addressing the members of the Inner Circle openly and visibly, while the Inner Circle remains in the shadows receiving their orders. Cuirizu of the Inner Circle may speak from the shadows for clarifications on directives or acknowledgement of orders but any objectives must be given by the individual stepping into the light to deliver them face to face with the Primogen. Other members of the Inner Circle are allowed to call meetings of their own in the Black Halo, but doing so means that they must be the ones who stand in the center for all to see. If this extended period of exposure wasn't enough to deter the frivolous use of this privilege, the added danger that comes with being in the center does. The person at the center is not the person in charge of the meeting, but rather the one at the mercy of the Inner Circle. If the person in the center is deemed to have broken the trust of the Circle or has done harm to the Order, any member of the circle may move to eliminate whoever stands in the circle. With the edge of the circle itself being held within magical darkness, seeing the attack coming is exceptionally difficult, and even more difficult to defend against if others of the circle choose to join the effort. The Unchaste Sanctum
Located in the mountains north of Tenebre Dontae, the Unchaste Sanctum was established by Drusilla well before the fall of the Deep Undergrowth as her personal Sanctum. Though it serves largely as her personal retreat now, Drusilla also conducts much of her business out of the Sanctum now was well, granting audiences to members of the Inner Circle who need to meet with her on certain matters. Much of the Sanctum's security has been upgraded over the centuries and for those not explicitly granted entry by the Primogen, the Sanctum is not only difficult to find by protected behind a gauntlet of traps. When not conducting business, the Unchaste Sanctum servers as the Primogen's personal parlor of debauchery. The Sanctum is outfitted with all manner of implements for pleasure and pain where Drusilla may reward or punish those of her personal Cluster, members of the Inner Circle, or individuals who have caught her eye and been abducted. Drusilla is one of the most active of any Primogen when it comes to breeding, and she is said to keep a half dozen breeders on hand at all times for providing new cuirizu to the order periodically. The Haunt
Located in Ivoire, the Haunt is the Garden in which the first members of the Carnal Bloom met during the fall of the Deep Undergrowth. Originally maintained by a member of another Sect of the Deep Undergrowth who was a close ally of Drusilla, the Haunt now serves as a social gathering place for members of the Carnal Bloom and their clusters as well as a grim reminder of what once was. Located nearby the capitol but isolated in the hills, the Garden no longer has a Mistress. Instead the Garden is somewhat communal, governing itself based on which cuirizu occupy it at the time and who they've brought from their clusters. The grounds contain pools for bathing, places to sun, beds for intercourse, and various other amenities for cuirizu leisure time. Every so often one of the Blooms will raid the countryside or nearby settlements for captives to bring back to the Haunt, letting others within the order know of the new acquisitions. The Blooms who arrive use the newly acquired mortals exclusively as breeders and entertainment, using them for days on end for their brief period of revelry. When finished, the cuirizu who originally abducted the people returns them to their place of origin, marking any of which that may be pregnant to have offspring collected later. Because this sort of event relies on a Bloom having a light enough work load, free time, and drive to make preparations and do clean-up, such events are rare but often remembered by other members of the order.
Founding Date
The Age of Tranquility
Alternative Names
Butchers
Demonym
Blooms
Leader
Leader Title
Parent Organization
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