The Crows

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We are nothing but an inconspicuous animal that you only pay a mere glance at walking down the street. An animal you do not regard, even as it watches your every move. We are nothing but a crow that you have no reason to fear.

~ Hostus Pictor ~

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Information Syndicate

The Tenelean Inquisitors, an elite organization meant to advance the ingenuity of their respective empire under the view of the public eye, are some of the most dangerous people on the continent. This faction is broken into four main divisions: the Metallons, tasked with technological advancement to the highest degree; the Architects, expected to dig up the most valuable relics of the old world and put it to military use; the Kites, highly trained assassins capable of tracking down any target; and the Crows, the imperial spy network that has a hand in every nation across Westerin.
The Crow's original conception came during the initial reign of empress Zara Civilius III. Together with one of her closest allies, Hostus Pictor of House Pictor, the foundations were laid for a psionic stealth group that would rise to power just as their empire was.
This faction was kept a secret, and still remains shrouded from the public world today. Only the most loyal imperialists of Tenelea were offered a spot in its circle. And Zara only told those she knew would accept the offer one way or another. Some were taken on willingly, others blackmailed. But, each member trained and served loyally.
This sphere of influence wasn't only limited to the citizens who lived inside Tenelea. The empress and the head of the Crows, Hostus, knew this was a group meant to meld itself into the higher positions of power within the countries around them. It only made sense to reach out to foreigners who would easily give them a head start.
Zara Civilius' envoys easily persuaded numerous nobles and politicians from around the continent. Most, like the elven chieftain Ithronel, of Aila Province in Endolin were secret loyalists to the empire despite the land they served. Some did so because they secretly lived in faith to the Cosmic Warrior. Some, because they knew the history surrounding the upbringing of Tenelea and felt pitiful. There were a myriad of reasons, but it all led to trustworthy servitude in the end.

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In the day of Zara's assassination, when her son, Wulfick Civilius V rose to take her place, the Crows had become an organization that seeped into seats of power all over Westerin. The empire had connections in almost any place they could think of, and its numbers could still grow larger.
Except the new emperor wouldn't allow it. Wulfick recognized a group like this excelled when its numbers were small and sparse. Tack on too many and the chances the Crow's existence became public and crumbled rose. So despite Hostus' wishes, Wulfick instituted a new policy for them. There would be no more additions to the Crows. Only replacements.
If one died, one would take their place. And only one that was as fiercely loyal, if not more so, than the last.

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Today, the Crows are space out all across the continent, blending in with their society, learning that they can, and manipulating what is at their disposal. They have deep connections in Ravennian societies like the Royal Departments, and more criminal factions like the Narrow Clan.
They lurk within the council culture of the city states in Gohn, covertly changing the narrative of council gatherings to bring closer to a secret agenda, one Tenelea would greatly benefit. And they even had the entire support over Aila, one of the three provinces of Endolin led by Ithronel, who herself was the longest standing foreign Crow.
Whatever they learn, and whatever they do, the Crows are quick to report it back to their leader Hostus as this information network works tirelessly to maintain this imperial fact: the Tenelean Empire knows exactly what its neighbors are doing at all times.
Only time will tell if this division of the inquisitors, shrouded in a cloak of secrecy, will ever be unveiled.

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The Court of Civilius advises the empire. The Crows advise the continent.

~ Wulfick Civilius V ~

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Type

Secret, Governmental arm

Parent Organization

Tenelea

Rule of Psionics

There are three grand rules to serving as a Crow: infiltration, manipulation, and psionics. This faction is as much an arcane society as it is a spy ring. Those who join take up difficult training that revolves around the use of magic through the medium of the mind. These psionic powers are developed until the trainee has gained full, powerful control of them.
Telepathy is the primary psionic power that is trained, because it is the most powerful tool used to gather information. In a secret society like the Crows, it is easy to know someone's exact intents when the Crow can peer into their thoughts without any struggle or suspicion at all. Telekinesis is also taught, but to lesser degrees.
Psionics are generally taught to those born or living within the Tenelean Empire. Those who are inducted into the Crows but function outside the empire typically skip this process, instructed to function in the capacity that best worked for them, to no less than success than any other Crow.

There's no easier way to get answers than to just go inside someone's mind and take it.

~ Bianca Crownwell

Secret Rivalry

The Crows are a division of the Tenelean Inquisitors, yet not even the other divisions know of their existence. Even still, the Crows hold a slightly one-sided rivalry with the Kites. A Crow's primary mission is information, not assassination. No information can come from a dead target, nor will more information ever come out of them.
Even so, sometimes things get messy for a Crow, and loose ends are forced to be cut. This creates a mildly competitive environment for the Crows against the Kites who are specifically tasked with killing key targets.

Sometimes, we do the Kites' jobs for them. And, I admit, the confusion that comes afterward is pretty satisfying.

~ Hostus Pictor