Heaven's Jesters

This shadowy organization is said to be responsible for most wars and trade deals in some capacity. Members are anonymous and meetings are furtive. Few details are known. The details that are known come from a journal found by a middle-ranking member who, after some supposed interference, was swiftly executed on grounds of treason. The journal is still referenced, though much is in cyphered text that differs every page. This journal is often called Exhibit of Secrets, or just the Exhibit.

Structure

From the Exhibit scholars have gathered a vaguely trapezoidal hierarchy, and they are as follows:

• Shakers
• Singers
• Chanters, and finally
• The Aria

While the power dynamic is unknown, scholars have surmised the Shakers and Singers to be closely related, the Chanters to be a complete step above them, and the Aria to be entirely above them.

Shakers

These act as footmen or simple soldiers who carry out tasks. Highly feared and respected regardless.

Singers

A step above and slightly adjacent, these deliver orders and carry them out as well.

Chanters

These rule over specific "regions" as dictated by the organization. They are responsible for keeping everything under control.

The Aria

The highest ranking and the least known. They are only mentioned twice in the Exhibit, and both times speak of a higher title and that "the Aria sings above all others." As such, scholars cannot definitely say that it is their actual title or name.

Culture

It's best to quote an excerpt from the Exhibit:

"Honor and [yet translated] go hand-in-hand. And we all likewise hand-in-hand. We brave and merry few who uphold each other and build each other up. [yet translated] we await, drawn into the [yet translated] clouds and into the lofty beyond in the [yet translated] darkness of beyond the land light, beyond the sun, beyond the stars, into Heaven itself.
"We walk together, siblings, along the road. We share the food, the [yet translated] , the [yet translated] , the trust, and the spoils of [yet translated] . We are one under the [yet translated] heaven!"

Note: This sections is considered moderately translated, so that should give some indication with what scholar's are working with.
This section shows the tight-knit mentality among fellow members. They shared much, knowledge and dwelling most assuredly, but much more can be speculated. Many scholars believe they even had a complete telepathic connection to each other.

Public Agenda

The public only knows them through Long-ago Tales, and the story "Shadows and their Masters" portrays them as vampiric and semi-beatable. Most people believed them to be responsible for demon summons or other heinous acts, but nothing on the scale such as backdrop world control.

Foreign Relations

Chanters culminated their regions very carefully. They often deposed monarchs they just set in place because of some unforeseen circumstance. Because all is under their control, they often speak about affairs. To each other, they are peaceable and amicable, and as a result, the countries are at least reasonable with each other when crossing into a region controlled by a different Chanter.

Legacy

Heaven's Jesters are known only to those who wish them to be known. Commonfolk laugh at the idea of some unseen shadow organization really controlling behind the scenes. Indeed, it doesn't make sense why they would continue the wars and famine and pestilence if they were so powerful. As such, many doubt their existence.

"Mayors rule cities, Emperors rule empires, Jesters rule worlds"

Icon

Hooded figure with both hands side-by-side, right hand palm forward and pointing down, left hand palm forward and pointing up

Founding Date

???

Alternative Names

Subtle Influencers, Shar'grator

Demonym

Shadow Jesters, Jester