The Moonsickle Company
The Moonsickle Company was a fleet of smuggling ships led by Vath of the Tuskrippers before the return of the Starless Nights. With the heavy taxes levied by the Berian Empire for all ships passing through the Strait of Madron, smuggling was a very profitable enterprise and the company commanded an extensive wealth.
The clients of the Moonsickle Company included both sides of the Great War. They were known to smuggle weapons, food, and other supplies to both the armies of Dwar Fell and the city of Din'Lux.
The crew of the Moonsickle Company was made up mostly, but not entirely, of orcs. Their organization operated somewhat like a family rather than a business. The Tuskrippers were the head of this family, with Vath holding the role of leader. His mother, Kirrogora, was also a highly respected member and captained her own ship. Loyalty was expected and demanded among the company, regardless of blood ties or homeland.
With their mostly orcish crew, the Moonsickle Company was able to use their weather sense to avoid storms and to take advantage of the winds to move quickly through the seas of Atios. They were famous for always delivering on time and for never losing a shipment.
In the weeks leading up to the return of the Starless Nights, the crew among the fleet became restless. The captains met with Vath. It was clear that something was coming--some kind of storm. Vath, sensing that this was no ordinary storm, ordered his fleet to sail straight for Din'Lux to take refuge.
When the Darkness struck, the Moonsickle Company found themselves trapped in the city. Their ships, anchored in the Great Sea, were now useless for anything apart from short trips to nearby ports, some of which had disappeared completely--swallowed by the Darkness. They became refugees here in Din'Lux, separated from their wealth and living without shelter or any source of food or income.
Vath saw the state of the city--chaotic, cramped, starving. And the Hierophant seemed to be doing nothing. As leader of his people, Vath felt it was his duty to protect them and provide for them. He saw no course of action except to overtake the Hierophant and claim leadership over the city of Din'Lux.
The coup proved to be successful. Vath immediately dissolved the current City Council and replaced its members with a more diverse group of representatives--ones that cared about more than just elven concerns. He allowed Hierophant Selen to remain on the council and to retain her place as religious leader of the city, a move that he considered both generous and just. There were many, however, who did not see it that way.
As leader of the Din'Lux city council, Vath founded a new City Guard, combining the city's military forces and the Moonsickle Company. Many--elves in particular--immediately resigned, refusing to be under Vath's command. As a result, the current City Guard is made up of mostly orcs and is frequently referred to as Vath's personal military.
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