The Crimson Court
Operating out of Mercercle, the Crimson Court is the most dignified, well organized of the criminal syndicates. To be a part of the court is akin to being invited to a king's court. It is run by a man by the name of Sassan.@
Structure
The Crimson Court is organized much like a legitimate king's court:
- King/Queen: leader of the Court. Normally called "The Crimson King."
- Prince/Princess: two second-in-commands. Commonly called the "Prince of Shadows" and the "Prince of Swords," since they mostly deal with political and diplomatic manipulation (shadows) or with more violent action (swords).
- Duke/Duchess: either command areas of land or larger cities.
- Baron/Baroness: control the smaller towns that have the Court's presence and are normally called by their city, such as "Baron of Galway" or "Baron Galway," though "Baron Hookforth" is could also be used.
- Lord/Lady: enforcers or agents. Normally called by "Lord" with their surname, sometimes they are given monikers such as "Lord of Blades," usually taken from their specialties.
Culture
The members of the Court are expected to maintain courtly manners within the walls of any Court-held building, but especially within the walls of The Red Palace. Even when working out in the world, all members of the Court dress impeccably and are amongst the easiest to identify in a seedy tavern or in a black market environment, though in less illegal settings, they look more like nobility.
Public Agenda
The Court is well known to some individuals, especially those in roles where they cross paths often. Political, monetary, and judicial.
The political elite of the various countries of Lorannis have either found it in their best interest to placate the syndicate, or to take advantage of their position to enrich themselves by dancing to the Court's fiddle.
The Banks of Darmon will house the money made by the Court because it is their duty to do so, but most do it begrudgingly. Some Darmonites argue that Darmon is the god of thieves and trickery. Wouldn't their god approve of the Court's success? Of course, these are the same Darmonites who approve of the city of Freeport and its piracy.
Finally, the Courts of Maal. The Courts of Maal do not particularly like bowing to the whims of the syndicate as it is directly counter to their pledge to uphold the law. But several of them have made concessions to the Court under the mumbled assertion that the Court crumbling would be far worse than allowing them to continue on. Court members, if caught in illegal activities, are not spared the rod, but the followers of Maal do not actively seek to take down the Court.
Assets
The Crimson Court is the most powerful syndicate in Lorannis. With this comes privileges: nearly no cost is too great, they hire the best of the best to work for them, and they have the ears of more than one soma, councilmember, or king.
History
The creation of the Crimson Court came shortly after the death of the last Ducercle king. As the country descended into chaos, a band of thieves gathered together. One, a half-elf by the name of Zareen, declared that if Mercercle had no king, then he would be the bandit king, clothed in red.
He organized the thieves into something more than a simple crime ring. They became the members of the black market retinue, the blood courtiers of a new dynasty - they became the Crimson Court, and Zareen became the first Crimson King. It was during his lifetime that they built The Red Palace, but it was not but three years after the last brick was laid that the Princess of Daggers, an elf named Rya Talone, smothered him in his sleep. She became the Crimson Queen, and so it was established that the King was always deposed by death, and no other method could remove them.
Founding Date
1214
Type
Illicit, Syndicate
Alternative Names
The Court
Leader
Location
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
