Order of the Black Mask

The Order of the Black Mask, called the Kuroi Clan, are an elite yet secretive clan of ninjas, found within the nation of Oga. They are bitter enemies with the Yami Clan of Shadowdancers.

History

The Kuroi Clan spawned out of a schism that came from the Order of the Ninjas. The Kuroi, using the art of the Void (a negative type of ki that allowed them to pass from existence to non-existence), decided to use it's power for murderous intent. The Yami clan denounced them for this practice, believing that Ninjitzu was for defensive purposes only. However, the leader of the Kuroi, Hara-Kuro, believed that death was the only way to appease the Void. Thus, the Kuroi began to exhibit cult-like behavior and started to take assassin jobs. This led to infighting within the Order of Ninjas. The Grandmaster of the Ninjas, a Shadowdancer named Kage, ordered an attack against the Kuroi to stop the extremisim, but he was defeated. The Kuroi thus created their own clan: The Black Masks.
In recent years, the Yami and the Kuroi have been fighting for dominance in the region of Oga ever since the shattering of the Pungian Empire in First Age 3500. The old grandmaster of the Black Masks, Hara-Kuro, still lives, somehow having his life extended into the age of 200 and still being pristine and fit.

Structure

Ninja by lordeeas

Unlike the Shadowdancers, the Black Masks are less willing to allow outsiders into their order. They do not take applications, instead they send invitations to you, or often find their own recruits. There is only a structure of three: Apprentice, Master, and Grandmaster. They skip the acolyte process, looking for former Shadowdancers or monks of great skill already to teach them their dark secrets. These new monks become apprentices taught under a master. The Grandmaster ensures that the masters are at their A-Game, but the Grandmaster also communes with the Void to find new targets to kill in appeasement.

Culture

The Black Masks, being a form of Ninja clan, were types of combatants who focused on mastering martial arts in a negative sense. Unlike the very positive ki (a state of essence) used by so many monks, the Ninja specialized in the state of Void (absense) to defend themselves in battle. It is why they focus on stealth and shadow, only popping out from their hiding places to place a quick strike against an unsuspecting foe.

Ninja by Anarchic Fox

A male Black Mask Ninja, within the bamboo forests of Oga.

Type

Guild, Assassins

Alternative Names

Kuroi Ninjas, the Brethren of Shadows

Demonym

Kurois

Rivaling Organization

Shadowdancers