Order of the Black Staff

Cairn has had many kings in its time. Many have become corrupt or were simply ineffective. When the good of Cairn was at stake the Order of the Black Staff would step in and depose the king. The Order has only ever desired a good king to rule over the land of Cairn. To this end, they have toppled their monarchy on countless occasions, they have assassinated, conspired, and manipulated their people. It is the Black Staff that initially opened the way for the Empire and allowed Cairn to be absorbed into the Empire. On the occasion that the Empire has belittled, neglected, or abused Cairn, the Black Staff has fostered descent and rebellion. The Black Staff constantly masquerades as other orders. The greatest mages and patriots in Cairn are invited into their ranks.
Despite being formed from the Minerva Court, the Order exists outside of any oversight and removes dissenters it does not approve of. It has, on occasion, allowed small rebellions to exist in controlled numbers.

Structure

The head of the Order is known as the Blackstaff. The Blackstaff maintains an intricate and vast network of spies and informants. Those under the Blackstaff are known as Weavers, Weavers are assigned an area of Cairn and oversee the Agents assigned there. Agents are the lowest ranking members of the Order and are among the most powerful conjurers and mages in Terusha.

History

The Order was originally founded as an off-shoot of the Maester's Guild under the direction of the Minerva Court , with the first Blackstaff being a member from the long-extinct House Talon - Vedric Talon. Talon was a Maester in the court of the King of Meadows. Despite the King being a good man, he was a fop and the country was suffering. Talon beseeched Old Town to intervene only to be met with resistance. When the country was on the brink of collapse, Talon fostered dissent among the Court and fed information to Meadows' rivals.
When he was discovered by other agents, instead of arrest, Talon was praised.

Type

Secret, Government

Alternative Names

Black Staff, Dark Staff

Location

Harryn