Ter’ces
Little is known of the Ter’ces, well, little which can be proven at least. Rumors abound about how the Ter’ces secretly rules not only Monte Mal, but many other nations in the core. More paranoid adventurers tell tales of a massive organization made up of top-level officials who manage the economy of the entire core, but such tales are easily dismissed as the ravings of lunatics. The rumors of the Ter’ces ruling behind the scenes are true in Monte Mal, with at least 2 members of the Council of Ten being members of the order.
The Ter’ces is an outwardly charitable group, giving to the community and providing support for the poor and the sick. What most people don’t realize is that this charity is a front for an occult group based on a religion passed by long ago. This religion, a cult which seems to combine the aspects of the worship of Ezra, Hala, and the Morninglord, among others, has not been seen outside of the group for hundreds of years.
The Ter’ces also has a military aspect, with a secret order of knights sworn to uphold the Ter’ces, and see that the group is not exposed. This order has a base of operations located in the city of Monte Mal, where it operates under the guise of a regiment of the city guard.
Thanks to Danny B. for helping me come up with the name when I was suffering from writer's block.
