Eight Arms of Balik
Eight Arms of Balik Theme:
The sound of footsteps become muffled as one walks into the territory of the Eight Arms of Balik- a notorious group of eight organized crime syndicates that call Balik Fortress (pictured above), nestled within The Wetlands, their home base. Those seeking to escape the strict regulations of other nations or live a more low-cost-lavish and hedonistic lifestyle are drawn to the region.
Balik's reputation as a haven for those looking to escape their troubles is well-earned. Visitors can indulge in a variety of vices, including gambling at casinos, seeking pleasure at brothels, buying recreational drugs, or placing requests for less-than-legal services.
Despite having a small population, Balik has managed to maintain its independence and defend its operations through the Censors of Balik, a silence field which causes any sound-based magic or magical item to temporarily become mundane within its borders. With its narrow causeways, bogged down terrain, and magical-dampening effects, Balik Fortress is virtually impenetrable. These Censors are managed by a group of acolytes and their advisor, Ssylance, a Yuan-Ti Ambassador and expert in mage-hunting.
For those seeking more honest means of livelihood, the Eight Arms control the portal to the Rings of Ilyena- one of the most affordable and safest ways to access the Rings, although the trek through the Balik Wetlands can be challenging. This passage allows the syndicates to toll outsiders who travel through, though prices are generally affordable to the lower two Rings.
The Balik Orrery is also one of the only publicly available Orreries on Tyras, for a fee. As the Orrery of Death, this site is often used to speak with ancestors or fallen spirits for guidance. In addition to these services, unique requests are often heard by the Eight Arms themselves. Clients are never to directly ask for what they need without a contract. In order to make a contract, one must subtly request audience with a specific arm by "Ordering a Number". For example, one seeking to purchase drugs may wish to "Order a #6" to speak to Balik 6.
As the Arm of Extortion, Balik 1 is a Shadar-Kai Battlemaster that specializes in a variety of skills and services, include finding legal channels to use one's position or powers to obtain property, funds or patronage, price control of various necessary goods, and legal psychological pressure. To an untrained eye, missives from Balik 1 can come off polite and understanding, though the reader should be cautioned that there are dire consequences for breaking contract. Standing at over 8 feet tall, Balik 2 is a Goliath Berserker and Arm of Assassination. Balik 2 has developed a variety of weapons that look like common objects when sheathed. These weapons are judiciously used by assassins that are trained to make all of their kills appear accidental. It has been said that Balik 2 is 'the worst assassin' with 0 confirmed kills.
As a human cleric of trickery, Balik 3 manages smuggling operations for goods, supplies and people. Her diminutive stature and high-pitched voice serve to hide her purpose and resolve. A master trap-maker, Balik 3 got her start working with craftsmen in the Rings of Ilyena.
The cuthroat leader of the Arm of Pleasure, Balik 4 manages the brothels. Brothels in Balik are designed to cater to any and all desires, with a variety of courtesans of any race and gender. A former courtesan herself from a small pub in The Breadbasket, Balik 4 worked her way up to leadership through the trust and admiration from her fellow workers.
Though small, Balik's Arm of Piracy is swift and decisive, capturing enemy cargo with blistering efficiency. Known as the Junker Fleet, the sailors of Balik 5 are skilled in the crippling, reuse, and recycling of various ships. Hailing from a poor tribe in the Solana Steppe, Balik 5 grew up having to make the most out of limited resources and leads her forces with this same efficiency.
As Balik 6, the half-elf illusionist manages the Arm of Narcotics. Having studied chemistry as a student in the Soul Ring chemical tower, Balik 6 now develops innovative means of production and distribution for novel drugs.
Hailing from the now sunken island nation of Tagna off the coast of the Balik Wetlands, Balik 7 now leads the Arm of Gambling. Sporting a prosthetic arm of Ilyena's Guildmasters' make and a fearsome pet rat named Tek-Tek, Balik 7 manages the gambling halls and fighting pits. As a Way of the Long Death Monk, he has taken some of fighting pit tournament titles himself.
As an elven bladesinger hailing from Old Traeventahl, Balik 8 uses her skills in magic to lead the Arm of Thievery. Though Balik has an inherent anti-magic field, Balik 8's skills in dual wielding swordplay allow her to fight just as well without her magic. A woman of few words, her swift and fluid attacks allow her to cutdown opponents with minimal bloodshed, earning her moniker "The Clean Blade".
As the Arm of Extortion, Balik 1 is a Shadar-Kai Battlemaster that specializes in a variety of skills and services, include finding legal channels to use one's position or powers to obtain property, funds or patronage, price control of various necessary goods, and legal psychological pressure. To an untrained eye, missives from Balik 1 can come off polite and understanding, though the reader should be cautioned that there are dire consequences for breaking contract. Standing at over 8 feet tall, Balik 2 is a Goliath Berserker and Arm of Assassination. Balik 2 has developed a variety of weapons that look like common objects when sheathed. These weapons are judiciously used by assassins that are trained to make all of their kills appear accidental. It has been said that Balik 2 is 'the worst assassin' with 0 confirmed kills.
Balik Three, Arm of Smuggling
by
Unknown
Arm of Smuggling: Mule
by
Stable Diffusion (AI)
Balik Four, Arm of Pleasure
Balik Seven, Arm of Gambling
by
Unknown
It's just business
by KaiRaego (OC)
Founding Date
967 C.F.
Alternative Names
The Eight Arms
Demonym
Location
Controlled Territories
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