The Shepherds of the Night

Power often comes with a price. It is not uncommon for the successful few to be the targets of assassins; enterprising merchants, political figures, even guard captains or the clergy, it matters little, they can all be killed if the price is right. However, not many organizations of such repute are as feared as the Shepherds of the Night. In order to summon an agent for hire certain steps must be taken, but many rumors and conflicting information often lead to naught, and the Shepherds foment more than a few of those faulty leads. Those who do in fact know the methods used to contact them keep that secret well and typically only share it with those complicit with them.

Structure

A misinformation campaign, likely headed by the Shepherds themselves, has successfully created a rumor mill from which the common folk have created more and more wild and extravagant stories about the group. The little that has been examined by the proper authorities has come across a limited outline of what their structure truly resembles, and it appears to be more of a cult. The hierarchy suggests it to be so:

Leadership

• "Father": Orion Umb'raciel - Human male, tall, pale skin, imposing demeanor, graying hair though not of older skin complexion.
• "Mother": Andromeda Umb'raciel - Human female, average height, olive-skinned, long dark hair, allegedly very comely.

Locations unknown, last sighted in Crosswing, Iskaris.

Sub-Commanders

• "Uncles": Three males, one tabaxi, one human, and one elf.
• "Aunts": Three females, one tabaxi, one half-orc, and one tiefling.

Various sightings, some simultaneously across vast distances.

Rank-and-file members:

• "Brothers": Indeterminate number of members, constantly in flux
• "Sisters": Indeterminate number of members, constantly in flux

Identities largely unknown, further investigation required.

Analysis:

The Varderal Constabulary has put together this information with the rare cooperation of the Kingdom of Iskaris and it seems that the topmost echelons "Father" and "Mother" do not oversee the day-to-day activities of the organization. The available information suggests that they're often in the process of moving about the continent on various mercantile missions, though what items they procure are somehow unknown to the investigators.
The "Aunts" and "Uncles" on the other hand seem to have entire jurisdictions to themselves, and the most current information indicates that they typically travel in pairs. The exact size and scope of their spheres of influence are unknown, as they have also been seen meeting each other on several occasions. Attempts to capture them alive in these meetings have proven unsuccessful.
As for the "Sibling" or "Brothers" and "Sisters" of the group, they are numerous, though not exceeding 100 members to date. Still, nearly a company's worth of dedicated killers is enough to strike fear in the hearts of the well-to-do and has increased the ranks of bodyguards and sellswords the continent over for many centuries.

Public Agenda

Public Perception:

Ostensibly, there are no particular motivations for the guild outside of coin. They are not cheap and this is widely known. The reason for their exorbitant price is largely due to their efficacy and the expediency with which they complete their contracts. They have been known to follow the strictest of guidelines provided to them by their clients, though the more constrained the method of murder, the more expensive the price tends to become, with only a few exceptions. Beyond their capacity for murder they are known to be occasionally hired as bodyguards as well, something many merchants take for granted. The mere possibility that one of their bodyguards is a member of this organization tends to put off many more cowardly brigands, though more seasoned veterans know it to be extremely unlikely.

Goals:

Those with good sources know that the Shepherds take coin as the first and foremost form of payment, though they occasionally make requests for odd items and alchemical reagents, no questions asked. It is assumed that those items are used to replenish their stores so that they may continue their operations uninhibited. If anyone knows what they do with their wealth, they rightly keep it to themselves lest they sleep for the last time.

Assets

The Shepards of the Night are a group that operates throughout the whole of Erandor. As such, they have multiple hideaways, hidden stashes, and sanctuaries across the continent, perhaps beyond as well. While the extent of their wealth is unknown, they command enough to pay premiums on services in order to receive priority in the waiting list. If the need to charter a boat arises, they simply pay the captain three to four times over the regular fee for a group of ten passengers and that normally is enough to get an immediate disembark ordered.
Their hideaways can vary dramatically from a single hidden room at an affiliated inn or an entire manse in the countryside. The degree of discretion is generally the only thing that dictates which of the facilities an individual uses. However, in some instances such as punishment, or training, the commanders may sometimes send an agent to very uncomfortable lodgings such as caves or worse. On rare occasions, the best choice would be instead to opt for an unaffiliated location for lodging, though the chances are not much higher of discovery here, it is a clear sign that distance from the organizations secret locations is preferred in these instances.

What is good for the lamb is good for the flock.

Founding Date

~ 100 T

Type

Religious, Cult

Alternative Names

The Black Crook

Demonym

Dark Shepherds

Leader

Orion Umbr'aciel

Divines

• Verata

Location

The Den of Plenty