The Ayzen (aɪ'-zɛn)

The Ayzen are order of dark adepts who cultivate themselves to attain power, prestige, and fortune. Former Ur-san Kaith Jhir and Jhala Kes founded the order in 1497 AN as a refuge against the anti-Ara-din attitudes in the Shinari Republic. The founders where immediately opposed by Yerin Thal and her band of Ur-san who were dedicated to the redemption of their order's name. Jhala Kes' stroke of genius was founding the Jalrec Corporation as a cover for the order's operations. Originally, the Jalrec Corp was an escort and trade company. As such they were able to frame their encounters with the Ur-san as raids against their trade fleet. This deception worked better than Kes could have imagined, allowing the Ayzen to operate with impunity while weaving a complex web of double dealings and alliances. Their public face allowed them to pursue their more legitimate ambitions while hiding the true nature of the order from scrutiny. It also protected them from the persecution of the Ara-din and their descendants as well as the retribution of their rival orders. As the years went by, the Ayzen slowly amassed wealth and power and grew more bold in their actions. The Ur-san were unable to unmask the Azyen and resulted in the Ur-san's reputation as a terrorist group. The Ayzen used this opportunity to further consolidate their power until they had effectively cornered the market for illegal goods in the Shinari Republic. When Yerin Thal finally realized that she had been outmaneuvered by her former comrades, she launched a desperate gambit against them; an attempt at rallying her people in an all out assault against their rivals. Unfortunately, this gambit failed spectacularly, resulting in Yerin's death at the hands of Kes. In a ritual celebrating the end of their conflict with Yerin Thal, the Ayzen named Jhala Kes the first Shand'al of the order and Kaith Jhir the first Talaron, and instituted the rule of two in honor of the ancient An-lil brother kings of Bara Shes-gal and Bara Ban-da. Without direct opposition, the Ayzen and the Jalrec grew in power and influence over the Shinari Republic, establishing many legitimate and underworld businesses. The Jalrec Corporation took control of the Shinari Republic in 1602 AN as the bribed and blackmailed their leader Sidrath Jeth into the presidency of the Republic.

Structure

When someone is welcomed into the order, they receive no title and work as an acolyte to they master in hopes that one day they too will be a Feyd. Feyds Originally, the Feyds were called Feyun-dal, "Those crowned in the Mystery." Eventually, the title was shortened simply to Feyd, "The Mystery." Rarely, they are called The Mystery or simply Mystery in other languages, but most call them Feyd. All full members of the order hold the title of Feyd and a given a second name which is revealed during their induction. Most never go beyond this rank, but all are still called by this title. The Rials When a Feyd has proven themself they are given the title Rial. The proper address is Feyd "Mystery Name", Rial of "Name of Territory." Their territory is a location from a neighborhood to a city to a world. They are allowed to recruit up to twelve Feyds to work their territory. The Keshren When a Feyd or Rial has proven themself, they are given the title Rial. The proper address is Feyd "Mystery Name", Kshren of "Name of Vessel." Unlike the Rial who are given authority over a physical territory, the Keshren are granted a ship and work as hunters and enforcers for the order. While a Keshren and a Rial are techinally the same rank, and they are also allowed no more that twelve Feyds working for them, but when they are mandated to investigate a Rial or their territory, they are the ranking member. The Rax When a Rial or Keshren have proven themself, they are given the title Rax. Their proper address is Feyd "Mystery Name", Rax of "Name of Sector." A Rax is allowed up to nine Rials and three Keshren in their territory, though special dispensation has been granted to a few to have more, depending on the population density of the sector and the talents of the Feyd. The Shand'al and the Talaron The Shand'al and the Talaron are the "Twin Rulers" of the order. The Shand'al is responsible for the underground activities of the order and the Talaron keeps their Feyd name secret and acts as the public head of the Jalrec Corporation.

Culture

The Ayzen Order is steeped in tradition, mystery, and ritual. The Feyds are secretive and often have their own codes, rituals, and customs that they do not share lightly. Many Rials and Keshren possess rare manuals of practice that give them and their disciples an edge over their rivals and targets. The order believes in knowledge as a source of power; knowledge can be obtained through education, experience, divination, or even coersion. Many spend most of their time actively seek out ancient texts and artifacts that can aid them in their studies. They also collect as much information as they can to model, track, influence, and blackmail the people in their territory. This often involves information on each others, leading to the Ayzen axiom, "A keeper of secrets is a good ally, and holder of secrets is a threat to be handled." As a result, they value loyalty. "True loyalty is to know a secret and not to use it." This kind of loyalty is difficult to cultivate and impossible to prove, so many in the upper echelons prefer to ensure loyalty through fear and intimidation. This is an unstable power base, and they realize that, but it is quicker and easier than the alternative. At its heart, the Ayzen are about accumulating power by any means necessary. "Power cloaks insecurity and grants a formal, but fragile safety."