The Branded
Once a faction within The Gilded Vale, the Branded were exiled for refusing to partake in the guild’s growing obsession with unchecked greed and power. Now operating in the Wyverian Empire on the continent of Elskimor, they have forged a new path—one where wealth is stolen only from the corrupt, the tyrannical, and the undeserving elite. They see themselves as both thieves and arbiters of balance, redistributing riches to the oppressed while dismantling the schemes of those who hoard power. Though still ruthless in their methods, they have earned a reputation as outlaws with a cause, striking fear into the empire’s corrupt nobility while gaining the quiet admiration of the common folk.
Structure
The Branded are led by the First Mark, a figure whose identity is hidden behind a mask of scorched metal, a symbol of the brand each founding member was given when they were cast out of the Gilded Veil. Beneath them are the Marked Lords, experienced thieves and tacticians who oversee different regions of the Wyverian Empire, ensuring that the guild’s influence spreads far and wide. The rank-and-file, known as Shadowbrands, specialize in infiltration, heists, and information gathering, working in small, self-sufficient crews to maximize secrecy. New initiates, called Unmarked, must first earn their brand—both figuratively and literally—by proving their loyalty and skill in dangerous, high-stakes missions.
Culture
Though born from betrayal, the Branded have forged a culture of loyalty, trust, and mutual purpose. Every member bears a physical brand, a permanent reminder of their exile and the oath they took to never let greed or unchecked ambition corrupt them again. They pride themselves on precision and efficiency, striking only those who deserve it and vanishing before the authorities can react. While they maintain a strict code against harming innocents, they have no mercy for those who exploit the powerless, ensuring that every stolen coin serves a greater cause.
Public Agenda
To the elite of the Wyverian Empire, the Branded are a menace—an unpredictable force that threatens their wealth and influence. To the common folk, however, they are whispered legends, unseen avengers who steal not for themselves but to topple the unjust. Their heists are as much statements as they are acts of theft—leaving symbols scorched into walls, ledgers exposed, and corrupt officials ruined in the wake of their work. Though they lack the widespread power of The Gilded Vale, the Branded are a growing force, proving that even in the darkest corners of the underworld, a thief can still have honor.
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