The Venerata

Honorable Assassins

The Venerata often refer to themselves as the "Honorable Assassins" of the Korinthian Empire. While their blades reach much further than Korinthos itself, their roots began here. They follow a code of ethics, a set of laws that they adhere to. This has given them much credibility in the world of the nobility, who view them as more of a tool to be used than a weapon to be feared. The Venerata have made great use of this standing amongst the nobility and have a large list of deeds under their calling card, a purple bladed dagger without a crossguard, that they leave at the scene of any of their assassinations and other illegal actions.
The Venerata follow a list of codes and laws, which they have made public and are as follows.
1 - The Venerata will not assassinate royalty. Our goals are stability, not anarchy.
2 - The Venerata will always formally warn any of their targets before an attempt on their life is made.
3 - The Venerata cannot be paid off. A contract is binding and may only be undone by the person who made the contract OR, if that person is dead, the closest blood relative they have.
4 - The Venerata are not petty thugs and can be expected to act with complete cordiality and etiquette.
5 - The Venerata will always return any accepted money should they fail to assassinate the target or deem the deed impossible post-contract. Additionally, they will not spend the money they are paid until the contract is completed.

A Confusing History

The history of the Venerata is confusing to say the very least. Many people believe that their history started in the early warring period following the collapse of Ravessus, The Fallen Empire. During this time many vying nobles used assassins to snuff out their opponents for the throne of Korinthos as well as the various duchies and counties that became unstable following Ravessus's collapse. Others think that the Venerata existed before this and became free agents as a result of the collapse. The fact of the matter remains that few people truly know where the Venerata's origins take root and many only think that they do. The Venerata, however, has made no public statement regarding the matter, choosing to remain blissfully aloof and uninvolved in the whole trifling matter. It seems that the Venerata are content to keep people guessing.

Structure

The Exarch - Leader
Elucidators - Four chosen vice-leaders
Pureblades - "Captains"
Purifier - High Assassins (professional jobs)
Executor - Low Assassins (simple jobs)
Blades - Grunts and assassins in training
Shadow - individual who is outcast from the Venerata

Culture

The Venerata believe themselves to be a cut above the other riff-raff who play at being assassins. As such, they make sure to set apart and distinguish themselves. Those who join their ranks receive intensive training in etiquette and the ethics of the organization. All who join the Venerata must participate in this training and are given the starting title of Blade until the training is complete. Those who complete this training advance by receiving their first contract. Upon completion of their first contract they are then formally inducted into the Venerata with ceremonial cuts made upon the cheekbones rising to just above the ear. Those who successfully complete three contracts advance again and receive their Venerata mask, which starts at the color of bone for the Purifiers rank. Upon distinguishing themselves as a purifier, they advance again by receiving a mask of silver and become Pureblades. Only once a vacancy amongst the Elucidators appears can a Pureblade advance and receive a golden mask. The exarch wears a mask of pure purple.
Any member of the Venerata who breaks the code of ethics or betrays the organization's trust is branded with the broken blade, a mark resembling a dagger sundered in two (blade and hilt separated). These members, called Shadows, are told to never set foot in Venerata holdings again or they'll be killed on sight. Their names are then added to a list that places them in the lowest position of honor, making them a free target for any Venerata who might wish to seek vengeance against them or purify the Venerata's records. In this way, the Venerata maintain their sterling record and reputation.

Public Agenda

The Venerata have stated, on occasion, that they wish to "See the best rise to power." This suggests that they remove players from the game only if they see them as weak or undisciplined. They have, however, in the past accepted contracts that demand the death of someone who appeared to be unblemished. Death at the hands of the Venerata suggests stain and can ruin the reputation of even the most sterling individual.

Assets

The numbers of the Venerata are unknown. They do, however, have control of several known holdings:
1) The Purple Keep: A stronghold situated among the high cliffs and mesas of the Sundered Veil. Here is where the organization mostly conducts its business. The Purple Keep received its name because of the vast field of Lavender that surrounds the keep itself and the obvious attachment to purple that the organization holds.
2) The BladeFast: A small compound with a knife-like tower in the city of Syravernum that serves as the Order's Southern liaison to the powers of the South.
3) The Bloody Court: A medium-sized compound within the city of Midas. Known as a training area for new recruits to the order.

Ferro purpura nobilis umbra. (The Noble Blade of Purple Shadow)

The Symbol of the Venerata

Founding Date

??????

Type

Guild, Assassins

Capital

The Purple Keep

Alternative Names

The Purple Shadows, The Noble Blades, The Venerated

Training Level

Elite

Veterancy Level

Veteran

Leader

Exarch Alexios, the Lilac Blade

Head of State

Basileia Veta Palladius