has a magical throne forged of solid jade which gives her eternal youth and the ability to control the elements. Having never visisted this country, I can neither confirm nor deny this rumour.
The 3rd of Saarh, 495 D.E.
Dear Reader, I now turn my task to that of various organizations and secret societies that exist across the Samothian World Continent. I do not pretend to have information on every organization which operates across the Buchlayne or indeed throughout the rest of the World Continent; the very nature of these so-called "secret societies" would preclude any such knowledge. However, I have endeavored to present for your edification some of the better-known groups, with details on their membership, goals, and leadership.
For today, I present two groups of very unscrupulous principles, the Flameblades and the Sampuri Brotherhood.
The Flameblades
These black-clad assassins are covert operators who sell their services out to the highest bidder. I am not privy to who their current masters are. From my observations, I have noted that there appear to be at least three distinct groups operating within the Flameblades.
The first is the Brola, the normal field operatives who perform missions. The Brola are typically newer members, and they carry weapons with red blades.
The second rank is the Dannis, middlemen who handle contacts and assign missions to the Brola. Their weapons are plated with a strong red-gold.
The "family chief" is called the Ress. He rules through fear and strength, and wields a great deal of power throughout Buchlayne Minor and Verundhi. Legends say that he carries a magical ruby sword.
I know very little else about this elusive group. What little information I do have is admittedly not very useful. They are experts at disguise, infiltration, and extortion. The Flameblades hold an almost mythical status in the eyes of the common people, who see the organization as magic-wielders and death-dealers. I believe that they originated in Verundhi or perhaps Zhivod. It is rumoured that members of the Flameblades have infiltrated the royal houses of several kings and princes in the Buchlayne.
The Sampuri Brotherhood ("Deathkings")
This powerful group of wyrds and evil priests is an underground political force throughout much of Samoth. All members are males. There are different "rings" within the Brotherhood, with each higher ring ruling over all those beneath. The lowest is the Red Ring, where new members begin in the organization and try to work their way up without displeasing their masters. They are the servants and runners of the leaders. The next is the Black Ring, which includes those that have great knowledge in one specific area of magick. Next are the Noble Ring (high ability leaders) and the Priest Ring (for clerics and priests). The highest ring is called the Night Ring, and has only five members of the highest level of ability. They are chosen from among the Noble and/or Priest Rings.
Most of the Sampuri have made a special contract with an ancient pagan death goddess. She is known by many names, including Queen Death, the Night Mistress, the Suffering Maiden, and the Empress of the Black Lotus. Her real name is never spoken among the Brotherhood. While all the deathkings worship her, only those in the Noble, Priest, and Night Rings have made the contract, which states that while living they will serve the goddess faithfully, and in return she will instruct them in new magicks and make them powerful undead creatures upon death. However, if the deathking goes back on his contract, his soul will spend eternity being tortured in hideous manners devised by the goddess herself. Little else about this group is known. Through my research, I have traced their founding to either the Far East, or to the ancient and forgotten Kingdom of Upper Kkopf.
