Kurai Kokuja

"Life is priceless. Taking it is not."

Third Creed of the Kurai Kokuja

An illicit group that works in the shadows, the Kokuja are a faction associated with the Rogue's Gallery, and works in the shadows to perform deeds of subterfuge and assassination.
The exact origins of the Kurai Kokuja are unclear, but one idea is they were created by a renegade member of the 20 Orders, who fled the Empire to start his own branch of assassins. Others believe they are a shadow organization that does the bidding of the empire, killing any undesirables that would threaten their control in the new colony. Others believe them to simply be a single person who has begun an assassin's guild.
Whatever the reason, the group is shrouded in mystery, even among their populace. Finding one usually requires going through the black market, often predicated by a conversation with a Know Nothing. Their services don't come cheap, but the best of their kind are capable of killing anyone within a week of the job's assignment.
In Three Point River, the party met Scrambles the Death Dealer, and learned the nicknames of some of the lieutenants, as well as the head of the organization. The Ranking went as follows:
Head:

• Mr. Noose

Lieutenants:

• The Ghostwalker - Athralas (Elf Rogue ???)
• The Coiled Reaper
• The Vapor Veil
• The Blood Worn
• The Forgotten Son
• The Death Dealer - Scrambles (Tabaxi Rogue Assassin)

Structure

Head of the Organization - Mr. Noose. Oversees the organization. Rarely takes jobs unless the target is deemed worth his time. 
Lieutenants - People who oversee the Handlers and take care of the group's expenses. These people gain the first third of a bounty from all their subordinates.
Handler - People who mentor and organize apprentices. These people get the second third the share of a bounty. 
Apprentice - People deemed to have some talent in wet work. They usually do not kill on their own, but are encouraged to do so if necessary. Always under the watchful eye of a handler. The last third of the bounty is split among the apprentices in a group.
Servants - Lowest in the group. They exist to serve the members who actually perform acts of assassination.

Culture

It's an extremely competitive and dangerous organization to be in. Those who are caught by the guards are expected to escape on their own without aid. Those who die are left to rot, as they have failed in surviving the rigors of the job. 
Among the Handlers, only a select few ever become a Lieutenant. There is a rumor that lieutenants are chosen not by vote but by offing the one who holds the position and taking their place.

Public Agenda

Earn money and influence through subterfuge, espionage, and assassination.

History

During the Kaldos Rebellion, the Empire found themselves facing the United Mercernary Guild, a group of trained warriors who fought using guerilla tactics, sabotage, and infiltration. To combat this, the Emperor ordered the creation of a small but effective team to run counter-terrorism. These people were chosen apart from the Zygallic Church, with the express purpose of being a group that would carry out extremely dangerous missions. They became known as the Kokuja, and were instrumental in combating the Rebel Lords.
After the war ended, the group was disbanded. It is unknown what each member did afterward.
Sometime after the dissolution, a new variation of the group emerged in the Colony. The renamed Kurai Kokuja now works as an assassins guild, carrying out orders from one Mr. Noose. It is currently unknown what ties this group has to the old Kokuja.

Death is inevitable

109, refounded again sometime after dissolution. - 112, refounded in the colony sometime after.

Type

Guild, Assassins

Alternative Names

Serpent in the dark, Black Snake,

Training Level

Professional

Leader

Mr. Noose

Parent Organization

Rogues Gallery

Notable Members

• Mr. Noose
• Sir Siesko O’Lak