The Zal'saar
An underground political and paramilitary organization within the Twilight Realm, the Zal'saar -- The Long Shadow -- represent an extremist faction of Twili that wish to conquer the Material Plane.
The majority of modern Twili society currently seeks to establish cooperative partnerships with the civilizations of Verden, having turned away from the cruelty that caused their ancestors to be banished to the Twilight Realm. The Zal'saar finds this stance to be heretical and demeaning. They view themselves as the "true" descendants of the Interlopers and the dissident Gerudo who fought against the people of Verden, upholding the vow many of the first Twili made to seek vengeance against their old enemies.
Though once more prominent in ancient Twili politics, the Zal'saar have since been branded a terrorist organization by their own people and operate in secret.
Zal'saar agents typically enter the world via rifts or plane shift spells near the Arbiter's Grounds or the Innagos Desert. They are hostile to almost every faction in Verden, and are especially hunted by the Gerudo Shadow Huntresses.
Structure
The Zal'saar have a shadow council who communicate strictly through telepathy and coded messages. Most members of the Zal'saar are recruited from sympathetic and ancient bloodlines -- trained from a young age to devote themselves to the cause. The Zal'saar also recruit orphans into their lower ranks, as orphans are eager to please and can be molded into whatever shape they see fit.
Agents are typically spies or assassins. Sometimes both if they have the skill set for it. Some work at home in the Twilight Realm to undermine local Twili rulers and drum up support for their cause via propaganda. Most, however, are sent to the Material Plane. They take on new identities and work to sow discord throughout Verden. Some agents can be embedded in a settlement for decades.
They focus on the assassination of people who seek to make peace between the factions of Verden. Before alliances can be formed, an agent of the Zal'saar will execute the would-be peacemaker and then attempt to frame one or more factions for the murder -- intending to not only prevent the alliance but also cause a major international incident as a result.
The agents often have handlers who give them instructions from the Zal'saar council, typically via Sending spells or written instructions left at dead drops. Most agents work independently, but major operations will see multiple agents link up with handler coordination.
They take a very hard line against deserters, either intimidating them back into service or executing them.
Culture
The Zal'saar view modern Twili society with disdain, convinced they are weak diplomats who bend over backwards to appease ancient enemies. They view themselves as the last true descendants of the Interlopers, powerful sorcerers who once sought to summon Demise to the Material Plane. They are conquerors -- people who deserve to rule Verden by merit of their power and aggression. They have intense training regiments and fully intend to beat weakness out of their agents like a sword being struck by a smith's hammer. Because when push comes to shove, the strong will triumph over those who have never known struggle.
Public Agenda
Their goal is to take over Twili government from the inside, implement their policies across the settlements of the Twilight Realm, destabilize the civilizations of Verden, and then invade the Material Plane. Once this is accomplished, they intend to release the Demon King as their ancestors once attempted to do and rule Verden via his divine right. Much like the Hegemony claims to do on Diel's behalf.
History
The Zal'saar is one of the oldest organizations that has a role on Verden. They were formed almost immediately after the Interlopers and their Gerudo allies were banished to the Twilight Realm by Hylia's followers. They swore vengeance on the people of Verden and vowed to return one day as conquerors. They initially held considerable sway in Twili society, instrumental in the efforts to "tame" the Twilight Realm and establish a city there. They were the first leaders of the Twili.
But as generations passed, the later Twili had no memories of the Material Plane. No experiences there. In fact, the Twili had become incredibly successful at building their own civilization -- on their own terms. The Zal'saar fell from favor. And then they were ostracized. And then they were forced underground. By the time the Twili had established a reliable means to visit the Material Plane again, most them had completely lost interest in seeking "vengeance."
The Twili then branded the Zal'saar a terrorist organization and criminal syndicate. The former leaders of Twili society were effectively pushed underground. And it was underground that they found a resurgence -- carefully controlling who was part of their society, who they could influence, and more importantly, who they could remove from power on both the Material Plane and at home.
in modern times, the Zal'saar are rumored to be involved in the deaths of various diplomats and emissaries that were sent on peacekeeping missions between nations and various domains, with some even suggesting they were responsible (or partly responsible) for the collapse of the original Legends Alliance coalition prior to their desired invasion of Olimandias -- though many organizations would like to claim that accomplishment for themselves.
The Zal'saar were recently involved in the capture of the Gerudo High Chieftain, nearly successful in eliminating her for good if not for the intervention of the Gerudo Shadow Huntresses, a rival agency. The current conflict between Uradiel and the Gerudo tribes has very likely been accelerated by agents of the Zal'saar.
Founding Date
3000 AC
Type
Illicit, Terrorist group
Alternative Names
The Long Shadow (in Common)
Related Species
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