Dark Brotherhood Generator

This guide is meant to help the readers establish an idea for a secret brotherhood/conspiracy type of guild. The Wiki Rule is in force, if you have anything to add, hit that Edit button!
How to use the guide: each header represents some aspect of the conspiracy you're creating. For example, reach governs what kind of people would be naturally attracted to it and where does it focus its efforts. Each bullet point in a header represents some kind of option. Simply mix and mach options until you like the resulting idea.
==Reach==
In this section you'll find ideas for places in which your conspiracy focuses its activity and, as a result, what kind of members it attracts.
*Sheep among wolves - the brotherhood consists of local hierarchs (class appropriate to setting) who criticise the orthodoxy and expect a new leader to be elected very soon. Some of them may be involved in units meant to root out such movements (inquisition etc.), thanks to whom they are always informed about its movements and can sabotage certain actions. Provocations, fake accusations and show trials are sometimes organised to showcase their piety and relieve them from suspicion.
*The league of unusual gentlemen - depending on races involved, the group will look like a typical gentlemen's club or warband gathered around a local noble or warlord, respectively. The host need not be necessarily aware. Member meetings are disguised as the deliberations of the tribal council, a round of cards or a hunt.
*Desperate noblewomen - the group consists of the wives of men from the point above. While the men work, oversee the estate, take their leisure or plot in a dark brotherhood, the ladies meet for purposes commonly known as "exercise fit for ladies of good breeding". No one even suspects that tea, handiwork and embroidery are witnesses to conversations that can easily turn into a social revolution. The sisterhood is supported by the ladies' serving maids and attendants which create complicated, multi-levelled webs of espionage.
*Brotherhood of wolves - the sect has a strong occult/esoteric undercurrent. This shows in the group's ideology (in which things as mundane as politics or economy have a magical flavour) and in the group's symbols and actions. The brotherhood gathers on special days and occasions - every first Friday of the month, at full moon, during solstice or equinox. The meetings consist of ceremonies, complicated symbolism and mystic gestures. The group knows perfectly well these things can lead them straight to a pyre, but since they're necessary they must be practised in greatest secrecy.
*Brotherhood of blood - the group believes itself to be a guardian of an old tradition and its members live by an ancient code of honour. The knowledge they cultivate is put on par with ties of blood, so each initiated one not only has to keep it that way, but also come to the aid of their brothers and sisters. Finally, maintaining and teaching can never conflict with the duty and honour of the scions.
==Leader==
In this section you'll find sample archetypes of the conspiracy's leader.
*Fervent fanatic - this is exactly the sort of person you'd expect to see overseeing a group of potential revolutionists. In their eyes - the glow of conviction, in their mouth - exalted sentences, in their hand - a weapon ready and eager to strike against enemies of the Goal. It can be a man of wild, graying hair and the demeanour of a preacher; a quiet, controlled lady with fire in her heart; or anything in between. Few know that mastering the Spirited Stare costs them several hours in front of the mirror each day and their finest speeches are jointly prepared by a professional poet and director.
*Herr Schmidt, Mr. Smith, Monsieur Lefevre - not even the members know the true name of the leader. That's the logical conclusion of secrecy: if gestures, symbols and meetings are confidential, it would be a great disappointment if the leader's name was known to anyone outside of the very highest echelons. The conspiratorial mood is in fact so exciting that no one cares to think whether the leader also happens to run, I don't know, a competing organisation.
*Poor Little Johnny - there's nothing more embarrassing for the local simpleton than tangling himself into a gigantic mess with a secret brotherhood and becoming their leader after a series of freak accidents. Sample roads towards this kind of fate are: mistaken identity, accidentally saving the members from unmasking and any kind of "wrong place, wrong time". By now things have gone too far, the poor fellow can't back off safely. The only ways are to play along or plan a disappearance as sudden as the promotion.
*Rebel without a cause - the prime time for heresy and rebellion is the impressionable youth. That time is over for the brotherhood's leader, in its place there's doubt and the burden of past mistakes. Although the conspiracy works fine and gathers a number of committed members, there's weakness within. Doubt, scruples and abandoned ideals make its leader hamper the community's progress. And that's too bad, because it appears its secrets have great merit.
*The Evil Council - there's nothing darker and more conflict-inducing than the mysterious Council. On one hand, a group of black-clad men in masks and shadows has great powers of convincing and breaking the strongest spirits. On the other hand there's tiny coteries, inner divisions, strains and tiny plots which weaken the group as a whole. But it's all so fun!
==Beliefs==
In this section you'll find sample ideologies of the conspiracy.
*A prophet for all occasions - the brotherhood staunchly believes, against all assurances from other faiths, in the coming of a great Prophet. The signs of His coming are many: the mystic visions of the brotherhood's seer or omens in material reality (for example, visages suddenly appearing on the doors of a nobleman's lacquered carriage). The Prophet may even be one of the group's members! Other variations include belief that the Chosen One is being held captive under the Cathedral of Light, in the catacombs; that He carries out His work in the lands of the Horde; or that the Anti-Prophet has born under the name Varian Wrynn.
*The Ulduar Files - the central theme of the brotherhood is the significance of the Titans. Its members believe these beings aren't merely "ancient creators" who have shaped the world and then abandoned it. In fact, the most daring beliefs claim modern races are the effects of ancient experiments which, even today, are moderated by inhuman Watchers. Others believe the Titans are beings of evil who have left Azeroth but will soon return and reclaim their place in the food chain.
*The Leopold Cipher - similar to #1, however, this brotherhood believes the Prophet has already come to Azeroth: Anduin Lothar, the Lion of Azeroth. Yes, Lothar died, but not without leaving a legacy. Before his descendants could reclaim their birthright, however, jealous factions have invested in steel and poison, leaving one, last, secret heir who is the rightful ruler over all Human realms. All of the brotherhood's prophecies proclaim that his crowning will save Azeroth from the ultimate catastrophe, while his death shall mark the beginning of the End Times.
*Legion worship - members of this brotherhood turn their views of Azeroth's religions upside-down. All the Light, Elune, Spirits and Elements have ever given us is violence, the diminishing of mortal potential (faiths don't like when mortals dabble in arbitrary Things Man Was Not Meant TO Know) and attempts to turn the lay membership into slave-drones. The only refuge from indoctrination and the droning of the preachers is the Burning Legion which is meant to personify diversity, tolerance, change and - above all - freedom of the unit. For some this is only a metaphor, but most dive straight into the deep end. Because of this, the brotherhood will try influence the Azerothians' faith and social relations.
==Enemy==
In this section you'll find the most common enemies of conspiracies.
*No one expected the Thunder Bluff inquisition! - the main enemy of the dark brotherhood are - who else? - the good, or at least well-liked, cults of Azeroth, such as the Church of the Holy Light. Members of the brotherhood haven't got the faintest idea just how endangered the group is and how much evidence the clergy has against them. The passive behaviour and lack of interest is but a ruse, a kill squad will be dispatched soon enough. Or perhaps an ingenious provocation is being organised: the group will be drawn out of hiding and give everyone a reason to hate and prersecute them.
*Cuius regio, eius religio - the local government is well aware of the brotherhood's existence and considers it a direct threat. The reasons are purely political: the way the brotherhood views the world upsets the authority of the rulers. Warchiefs and crowned royalty all have their spies and snitches and a range of methods of dealing with these pesky free-thinkers, ranging from a messy public execution to a meticulously planned night of the sharp knives.
*Good knight, bad knight - the brotherhood has a vision that is very contrary to the beliefs of another, very influential organisation. The Cenarion Circle might consider their methods bestial, the Kirin Tor does not want the group to expose Secrets Man Was Not Meant To Know. The biggest problem is that the opposing group will not act openly, at least not at first. On the other hand, perhaps it is possible to create ties and cooperation between the two.
*Public enemy #1 - no one likes the brotherhood, everyone will try to screw them over. Yes, things go bad in Azeroth but the status quo is much better than the heresies the brotherhood spreads. The group is being opressed from all directions, any attempt at revealing themselves will end in a spontaneous, enthusiastic lynching.
==Ally==
In this section you'll find who may give aid to a conspiracy.
*Man from the great castle - the group is in luck - the ruler or a high-ranked official is secretly rooting for them, diverting attention and delaying investigation. The person's private views could completely oppose what they show in public, adding more zest to the situation.
*Trusted confessor - many spiritual leaders of Azeroth dare to debate the tenets of their faith. The overwhelming majority does this to affirm them and strengthen their faith, but some do have serious doubts within their hearts. At least one of the latter group knows about the brotherhood. They hide the brotherhood's existence from the righteously-minded and aid them in some subtle ways.
*Dual smokescreen - the goals of the conspiracy are somehow related to those of the local cell of secret service (SI:7, Shattered Hand, Deathstalkers, etc.). Thanks to this, the group sometimes receives unexpected aid from these shadowy organisations. Think what the aforementioned goals are. Some examples are the elimination of spellcasters, undermining opposite faction's efforts or just causing havoc in general, allowing the real players to work undisturbed.
*The Black Hand - the group has a patron whose aid is undisputed and appreciated. When the going gets rough, rainforcements are on hand. When the purse is lean, there's always a few gold pieces extra. One thing does not change, however: the mysterious benefactor is absolutely and completely anonymous. The conspiracy is grateful, but also full of worry: who is this mysterious stanger? What will be their price for aid granted? Are their true intentions really what they seem?
==Resources==
This sections discusses special resources your conspiracy may have at its command.
*Nest - one of the group's members is amazingly rich and owns a fantastic property which his companions can make use of. This means the brotherhood has a permanent seat of power and various forms of security, ranging from armed guards to legal provisions guaranteeing them territorial integrity. Some of the group's actions may benefit from the landowner's donations.
*Wings - the brotherhood possesses an extensive, elaborate systems of communications. It can be anything from trained postal pidgeons or horses in every inn across the land to magical means like enchanted mirrors or portable portals.
*Talons - the brotherhood is amazingly well-armed. Each member proudly carries a sword forged by mastersmiths, armour from fine steel or magnificent dwarven muskets. They also have an arsenal of tools for most sorts of operations, from smoke bombs to grappling hook crossbows.
*Eyes - the brotherhood appears passive, but owns the most important thing of them all: information. They have created an extensive web of informants, ranging from nobles' palaces and tribal councils through high-class brothels to the gutters.
*Feathers - the brotherhood was in trouble many times and has since adopted a policy of each member maintaining one or even several secret identities. Living multiple lives may lead to a looser grip on reality, but on the other hand there's always a "sister" or "uncle" who will confirm your alibi.
==Goals==
In this section you'll find ideas about how to make the group's beliefs into reality.
*Heads will roll! - the group wants to depose the ruler, local or even of the entire faction. The plot is far-reaching and requires meticulous preparation: weapons, briberies, precise attack plans and the perfect moment.
*Viva la revolution! - the group want to cause a revolution, perhaps even on the scale of real-life ones. However, the political, economical or social change does not necessarily need to be violent (even though it's sure to end as such). An another issue is the identity of those who perish under peoples' righteous wrath.
*The roof, the roof is on fire! - the brotherhood's goals begin and end with religious groups. In order to end its oppression and stop indoctrination, the group plans an attack on hierarchs and possibly a major temple or site of worship.
*Gambit - the world repair project must be executed as a complete change among the government. But since the current leaders are resisting the light of truth - or unworthy - the conspiracy must devise a plan of replacing key figures with their own until all offices are ran by correct people.
*Twilight Legion of the Titanic Scourge - the brotherhood contacted an eldritch being, maybe a demon lord or a manifestation of one of the old gods. In any case, the group has been inspired - by dark visions or even darker manipulations - that the thing from beyond will be of use in the execution of their plans. All that remains now is to summon the thing to Azeroth and the standard procedure involves an innocent sacrifice, blood flowing everywhere and a cosmic danger to the whole planet.
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