FACTION: THE KRYPTEIA

Ostriel’s secret police and intelligence service. Masters of espionage, sabotage, and assassination.
Always alert for threats (real or imagined) against the Queen.
The Krypteia have spies and informants embedded everywhere: Ostriel, Sargattea, the wider Wall, and throughout Vaarn.
Many of these informants have no idea who they really serve.
The organisation’s upper echelon is a mystery cult, devoted to the worship of the harpy goddess Ikara, in her aspect as Bringer of Silence.
The sworn sisters’ personal servants have their tongues removed, and their lips tattooed black.
The Krypteia was established to inform and protect the Queen Beyond the Sky, but most in Ostriel know that the real power in the city is held within the walls of the Silent Spire.

Allies

The Krypteia is a small organisation that casts a large shadow. The sworn sisters of the mystery cult number only a few dozen, yet through fear, bribes, and blackmail, they control thousands more. It is possible – indeed normal – to serve the Krypteia without ever meeting a sworn sister. Those useful to the organisation are not told who they are working for, and will be contacted under false pretences or through anonymous messages. Frequently the Krypteia pose as anti-Ostriel forces, such as Sargattean spies or Ostrielese dissidents. They will aid the PCs in oblique ways if their goals align, but regard all non-members as expendable pawns.

Enemies

The enemies of the Krypteia are marked for death, in small black ledgers that are approved by Occluria herself. The Krypteia’s assassins are famed for their skill, and they specialise in deaths that appear accidental, or else eerie disappearances that occur in the dead of night. The Queen’s Shadows, devotees of murder, are dispatched in the most sensitive cases. They are experts in all manner of Vaarnish poisons, and attack with venomous arrows from great distances. If one assassin is killed, be sure that three more have already been taught your name and likeness.

Queen’s Shadow

Biological
Level 8 / Armour 18 / Morale +10 / Encountered Solo
Attacks: Poison Arrows (d10 TOX) / Talons (d8)

The ruthless, fanatical assassins of the Krypteia. They dye their feathers and palms midnight black. All will take poison rather than submit to capture.

Chatelaine Occluria, the Queen’s Left Hand

The ancient high priestess of the Krypteia.
A sable-feathered crone with a pale, milky-eyed face. Occult tattoos spiderweb her cheeks and hands.
Cold, reclusive, feared. Hoarse, quiet voice.
Beginning to go blind, but hides this.
Occluria is the true ruler of Ostriel. She has ‘advised’ five Queens and outlived them all.
Realises that elevating Eyazema to the throne was a mistake, and is struggling to keep a lid on the young Queen’s hunger for glory. A new royal accident may have to be arranged.

Ally

Occluria is a strong advocate for peace between Sargattea and Ostriel. A hot war does not serve her interests, being too unpredictable and volatile. Anyone who advocates for peace is her ally, although they may not know this. Occluria will become aware of peace-making PCs before they are aware of her, and will aid them through underhanded means. They may feel themselves observed from afar, or notice strange preferential treatment extended by strangers who they have no prior connection with. Letters may be delivered anonymously, containing credible information that can be used to blackmail or even murder hostile NPCs. Occluria’s influence is felt most strongly in Ostriel, but Sargattea is also riddled with Krypteia agents.

Enemy

Despite her desire for peace, Occluria is a sinister figure and makes an obvious villain for a Wall-based campaign. The Krypteia are a cold, brutal organisation and protect their leader zealously. Occluria will mark for death anyone who attempts to expose Priam Houndsfoot as her informant, anyone who attempts to help General Dyud destroy Ostriel, and anyone who attempts to help Queen Eyazema III go to war with Sargattea. This is not to mention the unspeakable deaths she will order for PCs foolish enough to ally with the Levellers. Occluria and her death cult inspire fear throughout the Wall, and for good reason.

This is an excerpt from Vaults of Vaarn Issue 04, which is still in production (although very slowly). A full artless draft of the zine is available on my Patreon.