Black Hand - Brightport
The Black Hand group in Brightport seems to be led by a woman named Lauren , who actually holds the Black Hand title.
They wear colorful capes in town, mostly black with orange and red stripes. Most of the people give them a wide berth.
Hired thugs are used to get the group's street level goals accomplished.
Full Bio - Spoilers!
Born Lauren Hues in a small camp outside of the area where Fairbay would be founded, Lauren grew up in the area and eventually married a young man named Maxwell Graves. The two lived in the new town of Fairbay for half a decade before moving to Brightport so Max could find more work as a bounty hunter. The two lived in the big city until 1182 AEC. During the birth of their second child, Max had ran afoul of a local gang. Having arrested several of its members for bounties, it was eventually decided that he would retire from the dangerous life and the family would move to his parent’s farm to the north of the Blacktip Forest.
Lauren, Max and their two children packed up and hit the road after settling the rest of the bounties and purchasing a reliable wagon. They traveled for days until reaching the forest and deciding to take it slow to avoid rousing any wildlife. That’s when they discovered that they had been followed. The gnome gang leader had sent a team of his most morally bankrupt thugs to get their revenge. What followed was days of torture. Lauren was forced to watch as her husband was beaten and broken. No matter how loudly they screamed, no one came for help in the remote location. At least the children didn’t have to watch, as they were killed instantly.
On the fourth day, the criminals finally finished the job. A shallow grave was dug in one of the lonely spots in the deep forest. The wagon laden with the family’s keepsakes, heirlooms, and valuables were taken back to the city, where the gnome was informed of the completed job. Without the meddlesome bounty hunter thinning their numbers, the gang would thrive after that and the gnome’s son would even go on to expand their empire to Overdale in the coming years.
In the year 1263 AEC a hand slowly clawed its way out from the mud and brambles that had overgrown the area. Lauren tried her best to clear the blurriness from her eyes as the rain poured down on top of her. It took her several minutes to remember where she was or what happened. After a time, it all came flooding back to her and she sat under a tree a cried for hours.
It was only after the rain had stopped and all her tears were spent that a voice spoke to her. It was inside her head and had an unnerving and breathy quality. He explained that he was the one to bring her back. He felt sorrow that such a great injustice had befallen her and her family. He wanted to help. He wanted to give her the power to change things as long as she would work with him. He wasn’t powerful enough to truly bring her back the way that she had been, and it was then that Lauren felt a slight chill deep within her that never really went away. They talked for days about all that had happened while she was gone. The things that had happened to Brightport, the old gang, the gods and much more.
She thought about the offer for a long time and talked to the demon more and more. He was exceedingly honest. He told her about his past crimes and torturing victims in his mortal life. He told her that he wanted nothing more than to break free of his bonds and be with his lost love again. Lauren felt a strange kinship to this demon. She was under no delusions that he was somehow a just or righteous figure, but she did feel that he wasn’t lying to her. The two could join forces and reshape the world. It was pointless to pretend that they could cleanse the world of “bad” people. However, everyone had some value and purpose. Why couldn’t demons and mortals live together? In her eyes, there were far worse things than demons in the world already.
The voice told Lauren what became of the gang that destroyed her life. The organization changed overtime and moved to the west. They were eventually disbanded after the son of their former leader died to vigilantes in a tavern. “Well then, I guess he isn’t using the name anymore.” Lauren stated flatly. As she walked to Brightport, her and the demon discussed their plans. It was going to be an eventful partnership. Things would take time, but Lauren was nothing if not patient.
Structure
The Black Hand leads the group and delegates as needed.
First Appearance
Arc 1, Episode 163
Arc 1, Episode 163
Type
Illicit, Gang
Location
Notable Members
