Post by blackadder23 on Dec 21, 2012 9:26:06 GMT -6
(Just some ideas I'm developing for my campaign - provided for possible inspiration.) 
The Lord Mayor of Khromarium is known to be a figurehead. The true power in the city - or at least, the true power visible to men - is the Lord Protector, Judas Macabre. He is a very tall, cadaverous looking man of indeterminate age. In stark contrast to the colorful, bejeweled appearance of the wealthy oligarchs of Khromarium, he is always dressed in black and his only ornaments are a leaden seal of office on a chain around his neck and the gold-headed walking stick (of subtly disturbing shape) that he carries. Judas Macabre is the supreme judicial authority in the city and also commands the watchmen and the city defenses. He often roams the city, always accompanied by a number of henchmen, and dispenses his notion of justice on the spot. Judas Macabre is unfailingly sardonic and given to poetic justice and grotesque punishments. Anyone within the walls of the city can be imprisoned for an indefinite period on his word alone; while he seems loath to order torture or execution without the approval of the oligarchs, such approval is almost never withheld. Indeed he is obsequiously (if sardonically) deferential to the oligarchs whenever he encounters them, though no one doubts that he holds them in contempt and they are terrified of him. Although Judas Macabre is not especially oppressive or tyrannical, he is widely feared both for the powers of his office and for the fact that most believe him to be in some way uncanny. He is said to be a demon, a living dead man, or perhaps even a particularly cunning automaton.
Of course the really true power in Khromarium (so they say) is neither the Lord Mayor, nor the oligarchs, nor even the Lord Protector. It is a secret society known as the Hooded Council. This cabal was founded centuries ago by persons unknown – some say Hyboreans, some say barbarian chieftains, some say wealthy merchants, some say a cult of demon worshippers. It is believed that monthly meetings of the Council are held in darkness, with but a single torch burning and the members – who are said to number either 13 or 17 - heavily robed, masked, and veiled. As a member of the Council nears death, he or she chooses a secret successor and tells him or her nothing about the Council beyond the fact that he or she is now a member. Thus no living member of the Council knows the identity of any other member, nor do any know the original goals or agenda for which the Council was founded – or so it is said. The Council purportedly votes on a wide range of issues at each meeting, ranging from matters of the broadest import to seemingly insignificant affairs. The members of the Council immediately work to put all decisions into effect, each using his or her own power and influence, and the will of the Hooded Council is usually done in Khromarium. Those who would cross the Council are unlikely to regret this mistake for very long.
The relationship between the Hooded Council and Judas Macabre is not clear, either in legend or reality. Some say he rules as their puppet. Some say he rules in spite of them, because even they fear him. And some say Judas Macabre is himself part of the Council, unbeknownst to anyone but himself. The truth is unknown. What is known is that those who would navigate the treacherous political currents in Khromarium must beware both the man in black and the conspirators who are hidden even from themselves.
The Lord Mayor of Khromarium is known to be a figurehead. The true power in the city - or at least, the true power visible to men - is the Lord Protector, Judas Macabre. He is a very tall, cadaverous looking man of indeterminate age. In stark contrast to the colorful, bejeweled appearance of the wealthy oligarchs of Khromarium, he is always dressed in black and his only ornaments are a leaden seal of office on a chain around his neck and the gold-headed walking stick (of subtly disturbing shape) that he carries. Judas Macabre is the supreme judicial authority in the city and also commands the watchmen and the city defenses. He often roams the city, always accompanied by a number of henchmen, and dispenses his notion of justice on the spot. Judas Macabre is unfailingly sardonic and given to poetic justice and grotesque punishments. Anyone within the walls of the city can be imprisoned for an indefinite period on his word alone; while he seems loath to order torture or execution without the approval of the oligarchs, such approval is almost never withheld. Indeed he is obsequiously (if sardonically) deferential to the oligarchs whenever he encounters them, though no one doubts that he holds them in contempt and they are terrified of him. Although Judas Macabre is not especially oppressive or tyrannical, he is widely feared both for the powers of his office and for the fact that most believe him to be in some way uncanny. He is said to be a demon, a living dead man, or perhaps even a particularly cunning automaton.
Of course the really true power in Khromarium (so they say) is neither the Lord Mayor, nor the oligarchs, nor even the Lord Protector. It is a secret society known as the Hooded Council. This cabal was founded centuries ago by persons unknown – some say Hyboreans, some say barbarian chieftains, some say wealthy merchants, some say a cult of demon worshippers. It is believed that monthly meetings of the Council are held in darkness, with but a single torch burning and the members – who are said to number either 13 or 17 - heavily robed, masked, and veiled. As a member of the Council nears death, he or she chooses a secret successor and tells him or her nothing about the Council beyond the fact that he or she is now a member. Thus no living member of the Council knows the identity of any other member, nor do any know the original goals or agenda for which the Council was founded – or so it is said. The Council purportedly votes on a wide range of issues at each meeting, ranging from matters of the broadest import to seemingly insignificant affairs. The members of the Council immediately work to put all decisions into effect, each using his or her own power and influence, and the will of the Hooded Council is usually done in Khromarium. Those who would cross the Council are unlikely to regret this mistake for very long.
The relationship between the Hooded Council and Judas Macabre is not clear, either in legend or reality. Some say he rules as their puppet. Some say he rules in spite of them, because even they fear him. And some say Judas Macabre is himself part of the Council, unbeknownst to anyone but himself. The truth is unknown. What is known is that those who would navigate the treacherous political currents in Khromarium must beware both the man in black and the conspirators who are hidden even from themselves.
