The Knights of the Black Sword

The Knights of the Black Sword are a secret society of cultists devoted to Levistus, the archdevil who rules Stygia, the sixth layer of the Nine Hells, from the confines of an ice prison from which he cannot escape. Most of the cultists are Icewind Dale natives who would have perished in the wilderness had Levistus not intervened on their behalf. The cultists’ stories are all the same: the archdevil reached out to them in their minds as they were freezing to death, offering a second chance at life in exchange for their absolute devotion. The Knights of the Black Sword have members scattered throughout Ten-Towns. They welcome new members and answer to , who speaks to them infrequently using a powerful form of cross-planar telepathy. Levistus has recently called upon them to help another of their master’s disciples—an albino tiefling wizard named Avarice—achieve her goals. Even though they find her demanding and difficult to live with, they dare not defy her. Levistus has warned the Knights of the Black Sword of a plot to destroy of Ten-Towns. While the exact nature of this plot is unknown, two things are certain: Levistus's eternal enemy Asmodeus is involved, and more will be revealed in Caer-Konig. Caer-Dineval serves as the cult’s headquarters. The cult’s presence is the worst-kept secret in the town, though few locals ever speak of it.