Founding of the Circle 10495 AM
The Crimson Circle was born from the schism of the Pact of the Veilblood. Led by Kael Rydoran, the Circle rejected the use of eldritch bindings, which they saw as dangerous and corrupting. Instead, Kael turned to the remnants of the Pact’s alchemical and magical knowledge to develop a new method of combating supernatural threats: controlled mutations. These mutations enhanced the physical and magical capabilities of the warriors, transforming them into living weapons capable of fighting the Voidspawn and other horrors.
The Crimson Circle operates under the belief that power must come from within and that humanity should never rely on external, supernatural forces. Through rigorous training, alchemical enhancements, and controlled mutations, they transform their warriors—called Myśliwi—into living weapons capable of confronting Voidspawn, fiends, and other threats. Their motto, "Strength through change, purpose through survival" reflects their belief in adapting to overcome.
The Circle’s mission includes:
1. Eradicating Voidspawn
Destroying the remnants of the Voidbane and any other aberrations that threaten the mortal realms.
2. Mutating to Protect
Developing new methods to enhance their warriors while preventing instability.
3. Opposing Eldritch Influence
Actively combating the Order of the Silver Veil and any use of eldritch power they believe endangers the world.
The Myśliwi and Their Transformations
The Crimson Rite, devised by Kael Rydoran, exposes initiates to powerful alchemical substances and arcane rituals, forcing their bodies to evolve into powerful, unnatural forms. The process is painful, often fatal, and always permanent.
Every warrior undergoes mutations, which enhance their abilities and adapt them for battle. Common mutations include hardened skin or scales for natural armor. Enhanced strength and speed, allowing them to overpower most foes.
Animalistic traits, such as claws, fangs, or heightened senses, depending on their focus. Some gain grotesque features, such as elongated limbs or glowing veins of arcane energy, which mark their inhuman power. Each mutant develops distinct abilities based on their exposure to the Crimson Rite. Some gain regeneration, while others develop resistance to magic or elemental attacks.
The Price of Mutation
The Crimson Rite is far from perfect. Many initiates perish during the process, while others become unstable, losing their minds or transforming into uncontrollable monstrosities. The Circle is forced to hunt and eliminate these failures, which they refer to as Zagubiony Brat.
After breaking from the Pact, the Crimson Circle’s primary mission was to safeguard mortal realms from supernatural threats, particularly the remnants of the Voidbane. However, their methods made them outcasts, as their mutated forms and brutal efficiency often inspired fear and mistrust among the populations they sought to protect.
The Circle operates via a decentralized structure. The Circle operated in small, autonomous groups known as Blood Clans, each specializing in a specific type of threat. For example:
The Fangborn
Specialized in hunting werebeasts and shapechangers.
The Veilseekers
Their main focus was towards spectral and undead foes.
The Shadowclaws
This Clan specialized in stealth and assassination of supernatural threats.
The Embercloaks
Trained to handle fiends and other infernal threats.
Territories and Strongholds
The Crimson Circle established hidden strongholds across Bariculbos, Brocéliarm, and Vindamosa, where they trained new warriors and refined their mutation rituals. These strongholds were heavily fortified and designed to repel both Voidspawn and potential enemies.
Key Events
The Rise of the Crimson Circle 10956 AM
After the Pact’s collapse, Kael Rydoran and his followers established the Sanguine Bastion, a hidden fortress in Chaemyar where they perfected the Crimson Rite. The Circle’s first successful mutants were unleashed to combat a Void rift in the region, earning them a reputation as brutal but effective defenders.
The Crimson Reclamation 11000AM
The Crimson Circle reclaimed a lost Pact stronghold in Brocéliarm, where they discovered ancient alchemical texts that refined the mutation process. This marked a turning point in their evolution, as they began to produce more stable warriors with fewer casualties.
The War of Shadows 60000 AE
The Circle allied with the Primordials during the Sorrow War, opposing the Elysium Empire and their exploitation of magitech. The Circle viewed the Empire’s actions as an affront to natural balance and saw themselves as protectors of mortal autonomy. This alliance deepened their animosity with the Order of the Silver Veil, who sided with the Empire.
The Mutation Crisis 100351 ME
A rogue Blood Clan attempted to push the boundaries of the Crimson Rite, resulting in the creation of unstable mutants that ravaged settlements in Vindamosa. The Circle was forced to cull the rogue clan and restore their reputation, though the incident left lingering mistrust among the local populace.
Territories and Strongholds
Sanguine Bastion
The Circle’s primary stronghold, hidden deep within the forests of Chaemyar serves as their headquarters and the site of the most advanced alchemical research. The Bastion is heavily guarded, both by warriors and traps.
The Crimson Vaults
A network of underground laboratories and training grounds where the Circle experiments with new mutations and trains initiates. These vaults are hidden beneath ancient ruins and surrounded by traps to keep intruders away somewhere in the Brocéliarm mountains.
Bloodspire Hold
A towering fortress located in the highlands of Vindamosa, Bloodspire Hold is both a strategic outpost and a place of pilgrimage for Crimson Circle warriors seeking to test their strength against local supernatural threats.
Rivalry with the Order of the Silver Veil
The relationship between the Crimson Circle and the Order of the Silver Veil is one of bitter animosity:
The Circle’s Perspective
The Order’s reliance on eldritch bindings is viewed as reckless and a betrayal of mortal potential. To the Circle, the Order is no better than the Voidspawn they claim to fight.
The Order’s Perspective
The Circle’s mutations are seen as crude and unpredictable, a dangerous gamble that often results in the very monstrosities they seek to prevent.
This rivalry often leads to direct conflict in contested regions like Vindamosa and Brocéliarm, where both factions seek to control powerful relics and neutralize Voidspawn infestations.
In the modern era, the Crimson Circle continues to operate as independent Blood Clans, each tasked with combating specific supernatural threats. Their mutations have become more refined, but the cost of their power remains ever-present. They are seen as necessary evils by some and as monsters by others, but their effectiveness in combatting the Voidbane’s remnants is undeniable.
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