Scions of Irul

First introduced in Quoth the Raven Issue 29

History

Co-founded in either 622 BC or 626 BC, depending on how one chooses to see it, by Tressac and the Red Haunt. The Scions are not so much an organization as they are a meeting ground for creatures that exist as outcasts from structured society. While many are monstrous in nature, this is not a requirement for membership. Members of the group would meet on a regular basis with four year intervals after 626 BC, gathering in locations far from the eyes of 'normal' communities as well as monstrous ones, and trade secrets and crafted items.

While the group's fiendish founder was content to let the meetings be all about exchanging useful lore and setting up trades, the undead founder craved control over the group so he could mold it into his private army. Their conflict did shape the group, as each offered special secrets and powers which the group's members combined into a Prestige Class that improved their chances of survival.

Matters came to a head in 740 BC, as the Red Haunt was absent from a meeting due to business in the Wartorn Cluster, allowing Tressac to seize control while the group was reeling from the chaos of the Grand Conjunction. He ousted every member of the group that had ever disagreed with him or of whom he disapproved, and used those remaining to commit acts of butchery in continuation of his private quest. He would retain this control until 748 BC, when the Red Haunt announced her return in three years' time and summoned the Scions to attend her in Cortton.

With the rest of the Scions now opposed to him, Tressac apparently grew increasingly insane, even as his body became corrupted with endlessly spawning maggots. He travelled alone to Cortton to attend the meeting of the Scions, and arrived in time to witness the Red Haunt's presentation, alerting those who had come to her of the influence of the Dark Powers on all their existences, and her offer to become Centurions of the Night to take the fight to their tormentors. Enraged by what he perceived as a blatant attempt to steal the Scions from him forever, Tressac attacked the Red Haunt - and was cut down.

In the wake of the 751 BC meeting, a considerable number of Scions joined the Centurions' mission of destroying and rebuilding the Demiplane of Dread. Those who preferred to return to hiding and lurking in the shadows were allowed to do so, and continue to meet on a four-year cycle to trade secrets and items. The Scions and the Centurions maintain positive relations, with Centurions attending the Scions' meetings from time to time in order to trade, put in orders for special items, or swap secrets.

Goals

As a group, the Scions' only goal is survival. Its members are on the whole fearful of being controlled or destroyed by superior powers, such as Darklords or the Van Richten Society, and many lead isolated existences to avoid the attention of such threats.

Unlike the Centurions, the Scions are not interested in taking the fight to those who they feel oppress them, and far prefer to hide in obscurity. Their four-yearly meetings are a rare occasion for them to socialize with those who share their feelings of being isolated and mistreated, as well as barter for items and knowledge they might find useful.

Members

Membership in the Scions requires one to have some magical or psionic capacity, the ability to craft items of some sort, and to have been initiated in the Shadow Weave. The Scions welcome creatures of all walks of life and unlife, just so long as they are as wretched and isolated as the other members are.