Deadbound

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### Members

Significant minority of Deathless, but they are more likely to try to seek postings on Koschei in order to protect their charges.

### Motto

“Life is the price we pay for the sacrifices of others.”

**The Deadbound** are a sect of the Repentant Faith, comprised almost exclusively of active Deathless. The sect was formed after the Deathless synth purge known as the Second Burning caused a crisis of faith for many members of the Deathless. It is an open secret that the Deathless synthetics willingly sacrificed themselves to ensure Crux did not attempt to take drastic action against the Deathless for being synth harborers. Many synth-sympathetic Deathless resigned after this event, but those who would become the Deadbound chose to stay on as employees in the Deathless, in order to honor the memory and deaths of their synthetic comrades.

## History

*See also: The Synthetic Contract*
Before the War Against the Artificials, the number of synthetics in the Deathless had been low due to an imperial ban on non-imperial entities owning synthetic soldiers. Nevertheless, when the Deathless Board of VPs and the War Council decided to comply with Crux demands for genociding all synthetics on Koschei, there were enough synths to launch a quick and successful uprising capturing the Deathless leadership. Rather than continue their tactical victory into certain strategic defeat, the Deathless synthetics instead negotiated and agreed to sign the Synthetic Contract. The combat synthetics would willingly allow themselves to be purged, in return the Deathless would attempt to protect the remaining 10% of synthetics who worked in civilian jobs in the company, and those synths in the Deathless who had not yet been outed as synthetics. Additionally the Deathless were required to not enter the Imperial war against the synths. The final purge would become known as the Second Burning.

These events caused a crisis of faith for many Deathless. Many left the organization all together, but some stayed. They believed remaining employed as Deathless would best able them to not just honor the memories of their dead comrades, but also protect the secrets of the Synthetic Contract and thus the cause for which the Deathless synths freely gave their lives.

Naturally, the synth sympathy of these members meant that they already were, or else soon became, drawn to the teachings of the Repentant. Those with some experience in religious matters began to organize small and secret services in honor of their deceased synthetic comrades. Over time these meetings were formalized into official membership of an official sect of the Repentant Faith. This decision was made in part so that members would have a valid excuse for meeting in semi-secret, though many members had also become serious believers in the Repentant doctrine of the three tenets.

## Doctrine

The Deadbound do not have doctrines, so much as they have a mission. This mission is threefold: Firstly to protect the secrets behind the Synthetic Contract from ever being heard by a Crux or anyone tied to that house by any means necessary. For if the secret is revealed, the synthetics' sacrifice will have all been for naught. Secondly to protect all Deathless and Koschei resident synths to the best of their ability, especially against Crux synth hunters. Thirdly to uphold themselves with humility and discipline in the memory of the Children of Glass, their former synth comrades.

## Practices

The Deadbound are very much a covert sect of the faith, and try their best to avoid attracting attention. They will meet and pray in secret and generally not get involved in proselytization. Although if it does not put them in an awkward position they will happily assist in the Repentant efforts to smuggle synths away to safety. Although they won't risk themselves for aliens, they do pay lip service to the doctrines that involve them.

As their primary objective the Deadbound will protect the secrecy of the contract with the synths, from Crux and their affiliates. Secondary to that objective is the safety and cover of the remaining Koschei and Deathless synths. While pursuing these objectives discretion is always pursued above all else.

The Deadbound refuse to put themselves in position where they are clearly compromising other contracts to preserve their secret one. For example, if they are under a contract to put down a rebellion, the Deadbound will NOT go off on a rogue mission to smuggle a Koschei synth off planet. They will however pursue such an objective when the contract is over or if they otherwise are leaving the planet.

The Deadbound also refuse to directly confront Crux officers seeking a specific synth. They might even sacrifice that synth by putting the synth in a easy place to for Crux to find them. They would not like it but they will do it if they cant hide the synth without risking their secret. If there is no other way, they would prefer to have a self satisfied Crux than a dissatisfied one looking for further answers. That being said, should a Crux officer get to close to the secret or any of the significant synth safe-houses, the officer may find themselves having an “accident.”

## Worship

The Deadbound forgo cathedrals or public sermons. Instead, they meet in small groups in members' houses, where they have services honoring the "Children of the Glass" (their departed synth comrades) and promise never to forget "oaths sworn and contracts sealed in fire and blood".

Deadbound shrines are meant to be innocuous and unsuspicious to the non-initiated. Generally, they take the form of some candles, a bottle of vodka, and some kind of glass statue or even just a shard of a broken mirror.

At times, Deadbound will also visit the Glass Tomb, the secret memorial on Thorg. However, in order to avoid suspicion, Deadbound generally try to avoid such open displays of remembrance.

## Deadbound Cells

The Deadbound operate as many small cells spread throughout the Deathless, most of which are situated in and around Koschei. This is designed to allow the Deadbound to more effectively go to ground if their existence is discovered by imperial agents and allows it the ability to feign the organizations death by sacrificing a single cell.

Only very select members of the Deadbound know of the size and location of multiple cells for organizational purposes. The founder of the Deadbound General Zykit operates as one of these organizers, but even he only knows of a few cells. All organizers have sworn to commit suicide before divulging their knowledge to imperial agents.

Most members of a cell will only know the members of their own cells and even then only if their cell does not choose to conceal their identities when meeting. If a regular Deadbound wishes to get in contact with a cell or collaborate with another cell they will need to perform "The Calling."

## The Calling

The Calling is the primary method for Deadbound to communicate with other members and organize cells outside of Koschei. Often times Deadbound will not be able to maintain a posting on Koschei or be forced to leave to accomplish a task for the Deadbound. In such a circumstance Deadbound in need may attempt to form an ad hoc cell or get in contact with an already formed ad hoc cell by spreading symbols or speaking phrases only other Deadbound know the significance of.

Examples of symbols include black sand sprinkled across a dog tag and a toy solider by a grave. Examples of phrases "The contract is made of glass" and "We stand over their unmarked grave." These phrases or symbols usually contain references also to where the the ad hoc cell is to meet.

Unless otherwise decided by the ad hoc cell members of a cell produced by the Calling usually conceal their identities from one another. These Ad Hoc cells usually are formed to accomplish some short term mission in the region or spread information.

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