Order of the Black Swan

Order of the Black Swan
Type	Espionage, religious, and martial
Leader	High Inquisitor (identity unknown)
Headquarters	Prevela, Koritan
Scope	Koritan; Talam Galta; Izgrev; elsewhere abroad
Members	Malavischan inquisitors, clerics, and champions; contracted spies and rogues

The Order of the Black Swan, also known as the Malavischan Commission and the Witchhunters, are an organization of Malavischan inquisitors and other zealots in dual service to their deity and the Kingdom of Koritan. Though shadowy when observing those they suspect of working against the state and religion, agents of the Order have a reputation for moving swiftly and decisively when closing in on a target. The Order is widely feared by not only the common people of Koritan, who by and large are not nearly as devoted to Malavisch as are the nobility of their nation, but also by people living in neighboring Izgrev and the breakaway republic of Talam Galta, who have come into conflict with the religious inquisitors before.

Location

The Order is based in the Koritanite capital of Prevela, though at any given time members of the organization be found anywhere across the kingdom or even farther afield.

When operating outside Koritan, Izgrev, Talam Galta, or Viridia, agents of the Order usually attempt to gain the consent of local rulers first. Even when denied, however, this rarely stops them, as the inquisitors simply move in secret instead.

History

The Order was founded in the early days of Koritan, when the Prevelans were still fighting to keep the Viridian legions out of their lands, and originally tasked with enforcing Malavischan orthodoxy within the population. The people of old Razgovir at this time largely followed animistic and soul-dreaming practices, which both at the time and in the present day have proven resilient to conversion and resistant to suppression. The organization became known as the Witchhunters for its activities in this time, and by Y9700 the inquisitors had proven largely successful in squashing religious defiance in the cities of the kingdom. As the church cemented itself in Koritanite society and the nation began to assert itself against its neighbors, however, the role of the Order shifted to include threats and dissenters abroad as well as within.

Interests and activities

The Order has dual interests in protecting the Koritanite state and hunting those who actively work against the church of Malavisch. These efforts are often highly intertwined, as the church and state are so closely connected. Dissenters are actively observed and quickly captured or eliminated if any action is attempted or planned against the church or state. The inquisitors keep an especially close eye on any Maryans, though they are vigilant for religious or civil dissenters of any affiliation. A wide variety of mundane and magical means are deployed by agents of the Order towards this aim, including highly trained scryers, undercover operatives and provocateurs, and the interception of communication.

The inquisitors primarily focus their efforts in the cities of Koritan. In contrast, the countryside and villages of the nation are largely free of their permanent presence, though their influence remains inescapable, and all are careful to watch their words and actions lest the Order's attention become drawn to them. Only in the far north of Koritan does the Order have little sway.

It is unclear how many individuals are in active service to the Order. To a degree this obscurity is intentionally cultivated, as a culture of fear and uncertainty helps the inquisitors greatly.

Notable individuals

The identify of the leader of the Order of the Black Swan, known as the High Inquisitor, is unknown. Most outside the organization believe them to be led by one of a few clerics of Malavisch high in the church's hierarchy. No conclusive evidence can be found to prove their identity, however. Some even doubt that the High Inquisitor really exists, viewing stories of their vigilance and dedication to be mere propaganda, and that members of the Order report directly to the Koritanite monarch instead.

Besides their Malavischan membership, the inquisitors also make heavy use of summoned creatures, especially imps, who they deploy as spies to observe individuals under suspicion. Undercover agents and rogues are also often contracted by the Order in order to expand their influence without stretching themselves too thin.

Relations

As with any agent of Koritan, the inquisitors are forbidden from entering Talam Galta, Izgrev, and Viridia. Many in revolutionary Talam Galta are highly suspicious of spies from the Orders who may attempt to undermine their fledgling republic - while some spies have been identified, many more innocents have been caught up in proverbial witch hunts.