The Black Ward is a special forces for the Camerondale Kingdom. They are like the FBI, CIA, KGB all wrapped into a fantasy style faction.
HISTORY
In Year 328, there was a threat to all of Legon known as Skello. He was a grand Master Liche, one in power that no one has ever seen before. His vast armies of zombies, ghouls and wraithes were near unstoppable. The Kingdom of Camerondale came up with plan to assassinate Skello by destroying his phylactery and thus ending his hold on the hundreds of thousands undead he commanded. Three hero’s went on this quest; Xavier (a reformed Assassin), Cassandra “Cassie” (Beguiler – Psychic power) and Vulcuran (Duskblade / Duke of Camerondale).
They found the Grandmaster Liche, and completed the task, destroying the phylactery, and reducing his army to a pile of rotting corpses. It unfortunately left Vulcuran dead, but it saved hundred if not thousands of lives.
Once the dust settled, Xavier and Cassandra were welcomed into the Royal fold for their bravery in the name of Camerondale. Along with King Jeramiah and a handful of other royals, they started work on a new division of the Camerondale Army; the Black Ward. Agents that can solve problems without sending out a massive army, or alerting the public to great danger that might cause mass hysteria or worse.
CURRENT STATUS
From it’s start, the Black Ward has grown from 3 agents to now roughly 125 agents. Almost 60% of them are in house agents working in the compound. The other 40% are “Foot Agents” and do the foot work when needed.
A decree from King Jeramiah now limits the Foot Agents from traveling too far without his authorization. The organization can be spread to thin and he needs them all to be within 3 riding days of the great city in case of emergency.
Recently the Ward has lost a few agents, and are in need of recruitment.
FOUR DIVISIONS
Investigation
HEAD: Lieutenant Bastian
A non combat agent who is sent out to gather information. This includes crime scene, witness interrogation, follow-ups, etc.
Rogue
HEAD: Sergent Valentine
A combat ready investigator, that has the authority to engage if need be. This includes breaking an entering, roughing witnesses, major travel quests, etc.
Inquest
HEAD: Lieutenant Bastian & Manager Cybil
The in house agents who do the research and administrative work. They perform tasks like creating reports, filing; city and BW documents, etc. (Roughly 70% of the work force)
Guardian
HEAD: Sergent Killian
Agents who are the “muscle” of the Black Ward. They usually accompany the Investigation team, and sometimes joins the Rogue to help with the mission.
LEADERS
Xavier Duke of Camerondale
He is the head of the Organization, on paper. He rarely works directly with them. He is the liaison to Royalty to acquire funding, make financial decisions and other tasks. Xavier was the Captain of the Black Ward for a decade after Vulcuran’s death, but then retired into the Royalty of a Duke.
Captain Harlow
She is the true leader of the Black Ward. Harlow will make the big decisions like; hiring new agents, sending agents out on quests, leading big quests that involve royalty, etc. Harlow has more than proved herself to this division and is unquestionably the leader. All of the agents believe in here and trust her with their lives.
Lieutenant Bastian
Bastian is a nobleman who has donated a lot of time and money to the division. A near genius, he made his money on potions, salves and unique one of a kind items as a (hidden) witch. He is 2nd in command but really just runs the Research and Investigation department. He can hold his own, but is not known for his physical prowess. His mental capacity is where he thrives.
Sergent Killian
If the term muscle ever meant anything to the Black Ward, Killian would be the man. Huge human who is rumored to have Giant blood. Is more a barbarian than anything. He runs the Guardian division and works on very important missions.
Sergent Valentine
This mystery woman runs the Rogue division, probably the most important division in all of Black Ward. A true hands on person, she is one of Legon’s most deadly assassins with extreme proficiency in Poison, Stealth and deception. She can move extremely silent and kill someone with a prick of her dart.
Cybil Drewitt
Cybil is the inhouse “manager” of the compound, dealing with the day to day operations. She is more of the administrative where Bastian is more of the indepth investigation “every day” operations. Cybil is stern, unwavered, bossy and sometimes sarcastic.
See more information on each of these NPC’s
New Division: Dahlia
The Black Ward always takes on the different and unusual cases, but the new Division called Dahlia will take on the unique situations, and anything related to Immrylion or Varow. It was formed in the Fall by Bastian and Captain Harlow with the guidance of Xavier. With two satellite agents, that are highly talented coming back into the fold; this was the perfect time to “try it out.”
HEAD OF DIVISION
Bastian will be the liaison from Black Ward to Dahlia. With the help of Cybil. Though he will not be involved with the usual day to day unless required, or needed.
DIVISION LEAD
(Guardian) Corporal Emeric. Well trusted by the Royals and a person friend of Xaviers, Emeric will lead this group in the day to day. He will be the lead for the division and all decisions will go through him unless superseded by Bastian, the Captain or Royals.
AGENTS
(Ranger) Agent Verrona Wysafina. A master Ranger that has been with Black Ward for over a decade. At the same skill level and Rohlia, amazing shot, quick on her feet and extremely reliable in any situation. She was located south of Clovendale, but since the war ended in her lands the Ward allowed her to head back to Camerondale.
(Duskblade) Agent Chance Axion. A unique talent with the ability to change into Finster’s Champion and now, can frenzy into a Demon if need be. His connection to the Royals of most realms and the vast history means he will be essential for this group to survive.
(Rogue) Agent Carver Macklin. Uncanny abilities to jump, maneuver, sneak and be invisible. Excellent at picking locks, finding and disarming traps. His backstabs are devastating. After some coaxing, Emeric got him back into the Black Ward (he was and left) with the idea he would be working side by side with the Champion of Camerondale and Finster.
(Fighter) Agent Marzio Dawson. A man who Killian coveted and wanted working under him, Marzio denied the BW for a few years until the Dahlia Division was formed. Originally not part of the division, he was brought on to supplement the roster figuring Chance might be out from time to time. He has magical “Voltage Gloves” that give him a big advantage in melee combat.
SUPPORT
Scribe Sakine Muldowney. The in between for information research, the massive library at Camerondale and Esmershard. Also takes and keeps minutes and events that happen.
RUNNERS & CODES
Example: 1 – Harlow – Compound – Blue. That means Harlow wants a meeting at the compound within 1 hour.
Example: 13 – Killian – SE Sewers – Red. That means Killian needs assistance because an agent is down at the South East Sewers needs help immediately.
NAME
The name indicates who initiated the runner for contact. This will almost always be a higher up in the faction, but it can be for simple communication if it is warranted.
LOCATION
This will be where the agent must find their way to. Sometimes it can be to “stay put” and this is indicated by the “SYG” or “Stand Your Ground.”
COLOR LEGEND
The following is the color code breakdown:
Red – Immediately. Drop everything and make it happen
Blue – Within the hour
Yellow – Within 12 hours
Purple – Within the day
Green – At your leisure, when you see fit
White – Agreed designated time
- meeting
- off duty meeting
- available for assignment
- Standby
- Equipment exchange
- Disregard the last assignment
- Leave area if all secure
- Take a report
- Assist at location
- Need backup
- Agent needs general assistance
- Agent protection
- Agent is down
- Citizen protection
- Crown Control
- holding suspect / Prisoner in custody
- Missing person
- Alarm sounding
- Fighting / Battling
- Dead Body(s)
- Robbery / Theft
- Unknown substances
- Creature – Aggressive
- Creature – Docile
- Inv: Report from citizens
- Inv: General
- Inv: Death
- Inv: Rogue
- Inv: Battle
- Inv: Property
Black Ward Kit
This kit contains a waist, chest, two boot and a thigh belt. Each one of them works in coordination with the Black Ward armor. The pouches and pockets contain:
- Small ink well and quill
- Pouch of blinding dust
- Vial of healing
- Vial of poison
- Sharpening stone
- Pouch of black face
- Variable paper sizes
The belts contain:
- Black waterskin
- 4 Throwing daggers
- 2 Normal daggers
- Small light Crossbow (1d4 damage)
- 12 bolts