Followers of the Dark Ones

The Followers of the Dark Ones is a quasi-religious organization dedicated to carrying out the will of the Dark Ones, ancient spacefaring aliens. Decades ago, divers on Nordic Frog Beach found a Totem of the Dark Ones. The Totem was brought back to the University to be studied, whereupon it was discovered that the Totem could be used to communicate with creatures from beyond the stars. They promised knowledge, technology, wealth, and power. All they require are acts of service.
The Cult of the Dark Ones grew quickly, led by an archaeologist from the University. Shortly after the cult's inception, The Protectorate became aware of the cult's dealings. See, the Dark Ones often ask their followers to perform unsavory tasks in exchange for the rewards they offer -- arson, murder, sabotage, and other assorted crimes. The Protectors chased the cult off of Nordic Frog Beach in short order. 
The cult's members retreated into the Portal Network. It's known they have a base somewhere out there, but explorers have yet to find where. Dark Ones Cultists roam the Network, doing the bidding of their masters in exchange for forbidden knowledge.

Culture

The Cult is nihilistic and selfish. They believe that, since everything is going to end at the hands of the Dark Ones anyways, that the cultists may as well benefit from their forbidden knowledge while the universe still exists. Perhaps the Dark Ones will even allow them to live in the inevitable coming reckoning. 
The knowledge that the Dark Ones provide is potent, and access technologies that are unheard-of by modern science. Thus, some people are driven to join the Cult through a sense of scientific curiosity. Others are driven by hate, envy, or other negative emotions towards their fellow sentients, and only wish to see the world burn. Still others may join the cult for supposedly altruistic reasons, perhaps to spy on the Dark Ones, or perhaps to use their technology for the good of man.

Public Agenda

The Cult seeks to do the bidding of the Dark Ones and be rewarded with forbidden knowledge in exchange.

Technological Level

The Followers of the Dark are mostly Humans and Synths, but they are also bolstered by nuggets of Dark Ones technology. Therefore, Dark Ones Cultists can be assumed to have access to the same technology that other sapients have access to, but also individual pieces of technology that may break the known rules of physics. 
Known examples have been mini-singularity grenades, suits that allow the user to pass through solid objects, or instantaneous communication over infinite distances.

"Inhabit the dark, erase your fear."

Founding Date

N.F.Y. 151

Alternative Names

The Cult

Demonym

Cultist