The Blades of Silence - The Whispering State

**The Blades of Silence**

The Flag of the Whispering State, the political branch of the Blades of Silence

The Whispering State... the Blades of Silence.... The Brotherhood. These names in themselves mean nothing, yet that what they represent means everything. So what is exactly is this mysterious group, that everyone knows so little, yet at the same, so much.

The Blades of Silence is a group like no other. It is a union of men who are desperate, wanting something more in life then to be supressed by crazy-rich autocrats and oligarchs, the chance to be able to use their life and their skills for something other then serving some power hungry tyrant.

## The Blades of SIlence

Banner of the Blades of Silence

**Founding**

The Blades of Silence was founded by Vik the Viking, now the Kingpin of the organisation. After losing both his friend, his father and so many others he loved, he along with his outlaw brothers-in-arms decided to found an organisation that would stand its ground and make its presence known, yet using a reputation, rather then some flashy appearance... the silence would say it all. Yet going from a rag-tag group of guerrilla fighters, to a nation standing on its own two feet was no small feat. Any reports of an outlaw camp would result in an immediate retaliation of at least multiple tribes and kingdoms sending out their armies to arrest them, for the bounty of their heads would keep even the most pious of men and women awake at night, thinking of the possibilities they would get along with the money. The only territory, that no one ever dared cross, was the Volcano, nicknamed the Gates of Hell and rightfully so. Above it was a floating island, which though had strategic value, was overlooked by many due to the surrounding green landscape full of lush farmland and resources. The outlaws, using the last of their strength after begin chased by a local group of horseman archers, climbed up to the island using ropes and set fire to the bridge, trapping themselves onto it and keeping the horsemen out.

With the few resources they saw around them, they began to construct the beginnings, of the infamous Silent Stronghold. First a few tents, then a small hut surrounded by some wooden spikes, gradually adding more structures and more walls, each wall being higher then the last and at least twice as thick. It took many months but with the help of more outcasts and criminals arriving. Then, as the final stone was slot into place and the banner of the Blades of Silence thrust into the cement, a cheer rang out among the tired but optimistic men. Realizing the outcast status of all these men, and the sense of unity it had brought about, Vik the Viking decided to give them an offer, to live in the stronghold and rain hell down upon those who had outcast them, and being paid, in exchange for their services in the defence of the stronghold and most of all, somewhere to **finally... call home.** It didn't take long for a unanimous decision to be made and the cheers of support filled the air, proclaiming their loyalty to their contracts and to the state.

**The Government**

On the night following the finishing of the fortress, all the men gathered into the grand hall, under a steel chandelier and a long oak table . To begin they laid out what would be the first government and military to be full integrated into one another. Unlike other nations, the concept for the Blades of Silence and the Whispering State is simple, designed to be functional rather then fancy.

Kingpin:

The Kingpin holds supreme power however keeps a body of advisors and consults in times of need. The Kingpin is the sole legitimate Judicial and Legislative body within the walls of the Silent Stronghold and cannot be challenged in his decisions. He has the lone power to make both internal and foreign policy decisions as well as determine the outcomes of trials. Most of all, he commands complete control over the military of the Whispering State i.e the Blades of Silence. The Kingpin is responsible for the upkeep of contracts and payments to the huscarls.

Succession:

Successors to the Kingpin tend to come through bloodline relations. Member of other nations will not be granted any chance to obtain this position, removing any possibility of anyone who doesn't have sole loyalty to the state from ruling it and neither are illegitimate offspring, bastards from the moment of conception will be considered naturally dead and any found will be thrown out of the Kingdom (preferably into the lava). The kingpin is otherwise free to decide for anyone to take his place, from his closest relations to the lowliest soldier. The Representatives along with the Kingpin form the informal government, although in actuality the Kingpin is the sole governing body.

Representatives:

Representatives are, contrary to popular belief, not above anyone else. They do not have any more power then the simple soldier does, only more responsibilities and a slightly higher pay. The job of representatives is mostly, otherwise the usual duties of a normal huscarl, negotiating deals and contracts with others on behalf of the Kingpin, reporting back to him on a regular basis to update him on the status of both the former and the latter. They are also tasked with the role of acting as an advisory body whenever it is needed which is why they receive a little more payment. Representatives can be removed from their role at any point by the Kingpin alone and serve no minimum nor maximum sentence. Representatives face equal punishment to anyone else and are not exempt from any laws.

Captains:

Captains have a different role compared to representatives. They are responsible for a number things including recruitment of new warriors, maintaining satisfaction within the ranks, as well as keeping an eye on the men, through acting as a police force. During wars, they will be in charge of certain sections of defence as well as logistics of the men. Their pay is also higher compared to huscarls due to the them having a greater number of responsibilities . Much like the representatives they appointed solely by the Kingpin and can be deposed at any point, serving no minimum or maximum sentence.

Huscarls:

Huscarls are the current backbone of the nation. Huscarls are both the citizens and the military of the nation; they are hired by contract which can be cancelled by either party with a minimum of 2 weeks notice. They will be paid weekly by the Kingpin. Huscarls have the right to challenge their captains for their positions and can do so by appealing to the kingpin who, following a successful review of the appeal, will set out a challenge for the challenger and challenge to participate in. Once both candidates are happy with the proposal, it will take place within a few days. Huscarls are subject to be in sent to places depending on what contracts, negotiated by the representatives and the Kingpin are active at the time and what they entail.

Code of the Huscarls:

The code of Huscarls is one that, alongside the contract they sign, taken very seriously. The breaking of this code by those who take it are considered crimes of the highest order and will result in the loss of all their riches, as well as a firing squad, with their body once loose dropping into the lava below, to eras any evidence of their pitiful, scum full and traitorous existence . It, alongside other things, was used to identify those who were willing to do a number of unholy acts, in exchange for food, money, shelter and safety. The first written copy has fortunately survived and on it with the founder's own signature, the only copy from a time as long ago as that. It is stored within, the grand halls of the Gathering Hall, under armed guard consisting only of hand picked captains, picked for their many years of unwavering dedication to the profession and to the state.