Council of the Black Grail

The **Council of the Black Grail** (sometimes known as the **Black Grail Squadron** and mostly nicknamed as "**The Dark Grail**") is a secret religious organization operating from the northeast of Europe, throughout mainland Russia and possess various regions in some southern Asian countries. It is widely considered as one of the most dangerous sect groups, having strong influence in the underworld of crimes, starting it's fuliginous ascension in power within the late 1980's by commiting terrorist attacks and other horrendous crimes akin to what sects would often do.

## History

### Origins

#### Self Proclaimed Origin

The council claims to have it's origins rooting far back in the Middle Ages, it's apparent birthplace being in the center of European bourgeoisie's ascension but not precisely specified the foundation date. It is assumed the council was founded shortly after the end of the Dark Ages, if based with the evidences on their claims. According to most professional historians, there is no proof of such council and the "Black Grail" is deemed to be fictional, based on rumors and delusional thoughts; yet there are several ancient scrolls depicting the presence of an old organization of knights wearing all black armors and the flag bearing a dark sword atop of a white shield with green lions on each sides.

## Organization Structure

### Goals & Plans

The Council's main goals focuses on world domination, though only targeting Europe and reverting the entire continent's cultures, population, currency, laws and lifestyle back to the Middle Ages. The Council also wants to get rid of any forms of presidential presences and wishes to bring back the hierarchical power of royal families and the presence of the aristocracy and nobility, with the Council pointing out they already prepared the "perfect royal family" consisting of inhuman individuals who will become the new rulers of the entire Europe.

### Hierarchy/Ranking System

#### Council System

The council is based on the collective leadership group structure: there is no leader and every members are equal to each others, with the eldest members are often seen and even credited as "leaders" due to their knowledges and experiences (akin to the Latin phrase "*Primus inter pares*"). Since there is no ranking system, the council's members does not seek who is strong or weaker; focusing on the main goal while also training themselves for the goal so every members are experts in their own personal fields of techniques, skills and abilities. Members always refers their peers as "brother/sister/siblings" or "comrade" and sometimes refer to those who have greater experience and skills as "teacher/father/mother", as the group believes to be an "unified family". However, it is clear the methods and ways on how they think and work together are eerily akin to a hive mind but on a much lesser scale.

#### Grail Knight Families

Even though they claimed to be an entirely united family, there are in fact several families of power inside the organization: each families excel in their own skills, abilities and strengths, acting as the pillars of the empire. Those families are dubbed as "**Grail Knight Families**" and consist a majority of the organization's membership. The head of the family is officially appointed as the "lord/lady" and governs the entire family, they can also be dethroned via voting or duel to the death (mercy is rare, though it can happened) or simply leaving the position of leadership if they feel to be unfit or tired. If the lord/lady dies of illness, they can also be replaced by their children or any family members as their last wish suggest.

However, there exist the existence of an even smaller council of 13 members, who apparently are the strongest of the entire organization. This council is dubbed as the **Elite Grail Knights** (or the **Council of the Thirteen Knights**) and they are the most threatening members to this day. Their true names are unknown and only refer themselves only as "Knights", followed with a number from 1 to 13 (although some of them have nicknames). So far, only 7 of them have been identified while the rest has yet to be spotted or only mentioned by their peers. Those knights are considered as "deities" and controls the entire organization, even though they aren't leaders themselves and only watch knights training and giving few apparitions within the community.

## Known Members + Families

### Council of the Thirteen Knights

* **Elite Knight #1** **- Bright Blade VI (Mentioned)**: Mentioned by Baneful One and Black Knight, Bright Blade is said to be from the Vermillion Knight Family. She is apparently in rivalry with other family members who deems her to be unfit for the Vermillion Family and requires to be replaced, claiming a family leader cannot be a Knight of the Thirteens at the same time (such rules have yet to be proved to be true). "Bright Blade" appears to be the official title for the Vermillion Family's leader and her true name remains unknown.
* **Elite Knight #2 - Black Knight**: The Black Knight is hailed as one of the strongest Elite Knights in the entire organization, due to his skillful prowess and how he managed to evolve the organization with his tactics and plans. He is said to be a "founding member" of the Elite Knights and revered as one of the most important knights in group's history. So far, he trained various disciples and are known as the "Black Knight Warriors".
* **Elite Knight #3 (Mentioned)**: Was mentioned by Elite Knight#6 - Baneful One and Elite Knight#2 - Black Knight, during a short discussion. Confirmed to be a knight with expert skills with short swords.
* **Elite Knight #4 - "Skar" (Possibly)**: Possibly one of the most dangerous knights and the most violent among them all, "Skar" despises being associated with an "elite council" but keeps being part of it due to an old pact he swore with Bright Blade III and the unknown previous holder of the Elite Knight#6 position. He received the nickname "Skar" because of his apparent facial scar and possibly losing from a fight against a fellow knight. It is also possible he wasn't killed due to given mercy upon, either from the knight he fought against or from the council members (via voting).
* **Elite Knight #5 (Unnamed)**: There is the presence of a fifth Elite Knight, any information about the individual remains unknown so far.
* **Elite Knight #6 - Baneful One**: Implied as one of the most important members of the organization and referred as the council's "Ultimate Mastermind", hinting his great mind and tactical intelligence. Possibly behind most of the Black Grail's important attacks in the history of the world, though it is only speculated and awaiting to be confirmed.
* **Elite Knight #8 - Pestilence Knight**: Self-proclaimed knight who claims to be the new Pestilence King, specialized in bio-poisons and toxins that he deems as "plagues". His peers loathes his foul odors he emits due to his constant works on creating disgusting self-made viruses but they are unable to ignore his great prowess and bladed skills. Specializes into the art of poison weaponry.
* **Elite Knight #9 (Unnamed)**: The ninth Elite Knight of the council seems to lack any names due to none of their peers has called their name, not even his gender was mentioned. So far, this individual is among the most mysterious elite knights to most government agencies.
* **Elite Knight #10**:
* **Elite Knight #11 - Red Knight**: Has a strong comradeship with Baneful One and "Skar", he also appreciate the presence of lesser skilled knights in the organization and gives them chances to improve, a trait that is despised by Maurice DuChâteaux. Highly implied to have an "overly ridiculous rivalry" with Black Knight and possibly a former student of the latter. Known to be overall joyful, an uncommon trait among Grail Knights and sometimes abhorred by his fellow comrades in the council.
* **Elite Knight #12 (Mentioned)**: Mentioned by "Skar" and Elite Knight#9 during a discussion, planning on eliminating him. Confirmed to be a male and is currently sent into a mission.
* **Elite Knight #13 (Mentioned)**: Mentioned by Black Knight, "Skar", Baneful One and Elite Knight#5 during a discussion. Confirmed to be a female and goes with the initial "*V.K.*".

#### DuChâteaux Family

* **Lord Maurice DuChâteaux**: One of the most skilled knights in the organization and the current head of the DuChâteaux lineage. Known for his strict regimens toward newcomers and will not hesitate to exterminate the weaklings he deems to be unfit for the organization's qualifications. Known for his eccentric and narcissic personality, he always believe the DuChâteaux Family being the strongest of all. Has a hostile rivalry with the Vermillion Family and aims to be among the Elite Knights.
* **Mormin DuChâteaux**: Wife of Maurice DuChâteaux and known to have a malicious disdain toward other families within the organization. Like her husband, she also believes in their family's reputation and strength being the top of organization.
* **Alice DuChâteaux**: DuChâteaux's eldest child and oldest daughter, who has inherited her mother's malicious personality and her father's strict behavior, as well inherited their physical abilities and spectacular fighting skills.
* **Bergamôde DuChâteaux**: Second eldest child, Bergamôde relies mostly on quick-draw sword techniques and is skilled in various fighting styles.
* **Myriam DuChâteaux**:
* **Marboule DuChâteaux**:
* *Over a hundred of unnamed members, according to Marboule and Alice*.

#### Fýōrden Family

* **Lady Ènka Fýōrden** II: The current leader of the Fýōrden Family, taking her name from her late mother. Swore to avenge her mother's death, who was rumored to be slain by Albert Vermillion during a duel to the death.
* **Kèrak Fýōrden**:
* **Norānne Fýōrden**:
* **Björn Fýōrden**:
* **Björn Fýōrden Jr.**:
* **Vêle Fýōrden**:
* **Būri Fýōrden:**
* *Rumored to have over 200-250 members*.

#### Vermillion Family

* **Lady Bright Blade VI**: True name unknown, however she is indeed born from the Vermillion Family. Current Elite Knight #1, struggling to hold the title. According to Annabelle, Bright Blade the Sixth has a deep respect toward "Skar" due to an old pact with the late Bright Blade III. On the other hand, "Skar" has a disdain toward this pact and therefore loathes Bright Blade the Sixth and the Vermillion family but she remains the only one who isn't scared of his anger and attempts to bring her close to her side, trying to understand him. Most of the Vermillion family believes Bright Blade VI has more than just respect and and perhaps certain "feelings" for the scar warrior, also possibly interested into growing the family's power and create a stronger lineage in the future with "Skar".
* **Albert Vermillion**:
* **Annabelle Vermillion**:
* **L. M. Vermillion**: Full name unknown, information on L. M. portrays him as an important member of the Vermillion Family, possibly for their notoriety and social ranking.
* **Benjamin M. Vermillion**: The son of L. M. Vermillion and brother of Elise M. Vermillion.
* **Elise M. Vermillion**: Daughter of L. M. Vermillion, younger sister of Benjamin M. Vermillion.

#### Gȧrmutidē Family

* **Lord Merry Gȧrmutidē**:
* **Korn Gȧrmutidē**:
* **Mister Gȧrmutidē**: Full name is unknown and likes to be called as "Mister G.", he is a swordsman who claims to have lived in tall mountains and a possible outsider of the family, more likely to be an ally rather than a member but keeps defending himself to be a real blood member of the Gȧrmutidē family.
* **Mimȳrdia Gȧrmutidē**: Also known as "Excellence/Excel", as she views herself as the most *perfect* knight of her family and possibly the entire community of knights. Incredibly narcissistic and pretentious at her skills, believes to be the rightful heir of the Gärmutidē Family.
* **Kergryk** **Gȧrmutidē**:

#### Jägermeister Family

* **Boris Jägermeister**:
* **Meril Jägermeister**:
* **Klara Jägermeister**:
* **Müun Jägermeister**:
* *Over hundreds of members, number exact unknown*.