Nostra Mortem

Within the heart of Selenia lie the corrupted Dark Lands of Shaunala, a realm scarred by war and loss. Dark entities dwell in this desolate place, and legend says the land turned black the day Nercoth rose to power, draining the very heart of the continent. Others claim the ground is stained by the blood of countless sacrifices made to fuel his dark magic.
Yet, perhaps the true sacrifice was far greater. In the battle for life against the plague-bringer Nercoth, Princess Eclaire’s crystal heart, empowered by the Council of Twelve Roses, shone brilliantly—until it shattered. On that fateful day, Nercoth too was broken into pieces, and the world’s brightest star was forever snuffed out. Despite the battle's end, the land remained cloaked in darkness.
As time passed, others came to make this bleak land their home. Chief among them were the Nostra Mortem, a shadowy cult said to serve Aeternis, the Mother of Endings. Their dark castle, known as Farrador Fortress, with black turrets and thick stone walls, stands ominously among the jagged mountains, glistening eerily in the dim light. Twisted white trees surround the stronghold, and nearby lies a lake of sulfur, bubbling with the stench of death. Petrified animals stand frozen as sentinels, guarding the dark secrets of the Nostra Mortem.
The Nostra Mortem, often simply referred to as the Nostra, serves as a training ground for some of the most notorious assassins. Unlike typical mercenaries, those trained here are not merely hired to end lives; they are taught to blend seamlessly into their surroundings and become indistinguishable from the people they are sent to manipulate or eliminate.
Carmen Nolthiar is the enigmatic commander of the Nostra Mortem. Little is known about Carmen, even to those within the castle walls, as they are rarely seen and their presence is more myth than reality. Carmen is served by six subordinates who execute the will of Aeternis, each skilled in their own right and integral to the functioning of the Nostra's dark operations.
The Nostra Mortem do not simply accept anyone who wishes to join their ranks. Instead, they meticulously hunt potential apprentices throughout the lands, studying them closely before considering them for recruitment. Some candidates do not survive this initial scrutiny, their journeys ending before they even reach Farrador, the Nostra's hidden stronghold.
Among those who do survive, a select few are children who might otherwise have perished. It is believed that Aeternis, the Mother of Endings, has deemed them worthy of a different fate, guiding them to Farrador to be trained in the deadly arts. These chosen ones are brought to the heart of the Nostra Mortem's operations, where they are taught to master the dark and lethal skills that define the organization.
Only those with wealth and influence can secure a contract with the Nostra Mortem. For many of the common folk in Selenia, the Nostra Mortem is little more than a dark legend used to frighten children at night. In reality, the Black Castle's denizens are behind many sinister and meticulously orchestrated plots that have shaped the world in ways most people remain blissfully unaware of. Their dark deeds, carried out in the shadows, have far-reaching effects that echo through the corridors of power and influence.
Some are unsure if the Nostra Mortem are still active, but a few wise and elderly individuals have begun to speculate about the recent string of murders in Portcross. While the deaths appear ordinary on the surface—unremarkable incidents that could happen to anyone—the common thread among them raises concerns. The victims are all young, healthy individuals who were otherwise leading normal lives before being suddenly struck down. This pattern has sparked curiosity and unease among those who notice the sinister undertones behind what might otherwise seem like random, isolated tragedies.

May you be judged by the Mother and returned as Ash.

Founding Date

1875

Alternative Names

Nostra, The Dark Dream, Death's Promise

Training Level

Elite