Sanguine Umbra

# History

## Origins

The origin of the Sanguine Umbra is shrouded in mystery, and no one knows for sure how the organization came to be. However, there are many stories and legends that attempt to explain the group's origins. One popular legend tells of a group of warriors and assassins who banded together during a time of great turmoil and political upheaval in Repheria. These individuals, fed up with the corruption and tyranny of the ruling powers, formed a secret society dedicated to protecting the people and fighting for justice. They called themselves the Sanguine Umbra, after the Latin words for "blood" and "shadow," symbolizing the deadly force they would become in the fight for freedom.

Another story claims that the organization was founded by a powerful sorcerer, who brought together a group of like-minded individuals to use their combined knowledge and abilities to bring about positive change in the world. A more recent story claims that Sanguine Umbra was started by a group of people who were disillusioned by the violence and chaos caused by the ongoing war between the kingdoms. They believed that the only way to bring about peace was to eliminate key figures on both sides of the conflict, and thus the Sanguine Umbra was formed. Regardless of its true origins, the Sanguine Umbra has grown to become a powerful and feared force in the world, striking fear in the hearts of those who would oppress and corrupt the people.

## Culture & Customs

### Culture

The culture within the Sanguine Umbra is heavily influenced by the organization's creed, which emphasizes stealth, deception, and the protection of the innocent. The members of the organization are highly skilled and dedicated individuals who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. One of the core values of the Sanguine Umbra is secrecy, and members are expected to maintain a high level of discretion and to keep the organization's activities and operations strictly confidential. This culture of secrecy extends to all aspects of the organization, and members are expected to keep their identities and their involvement with the organization secret, even from their closest friends and family.

Another important aspect of the Sanguine Umbra's culture is discipline and self-control. Members are expected to be in excellent physical condition, and to maintain high levels of skill and proficiency in their chosen areas of expertise. They are also expected to be able to control their emotions and maintain a clear mind, even in the most stressful and dangerous situations. The Sanguine Umbra also places a strong emphasis on loyalty and commitment to the organization's creed. Members are expected to be dedicated to the organization's mission, and to be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. This sense of loyalty and commitment is reinforced through the organization's initiation ceremonies and the use of a special sigil, a symbol of the Sanguine Umbra, which members must wear at all times as a sign of their allegiance.

Overall, the culture of the Sanguine Umbra is one of secrecy, discipline, and commitment to the organization's creed. Members are expected to be highly skilled and dedicated individuals who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good, and to be loyal to the organization and its mission.

### Customs

The customs within the Sanguine Umbra reflect the organization's culture and values. These customs are designed to reinforce the organization's creed and to maintain the secrecy and discipline that are essential to its operations. One of the most significant customs within the Sanguine Umbra is the initiation ceremony. This ceremony is a rite of passage for new members, and serves to formally induct them into the organization. The ceremony typically includes the recitation of the organization's creed, the swearing of an oath of allegiance, and the presentation of the member's sigil, a symbol of the Sanguine Umbra.

Another important custom within the Sanguine Umbra is the use of code names. Members are expected to use code names when communicating with other members of the organization, and to keep their true identities secret, even from other members. This custom is designed to protect the organization's secrets and to maintain the secrecy that is essential to its operations. The Sanguine Umbra also has a custom of secrecy in communication, members are expected to use encrypted methods of communication and codes to ensure the secrecy of their activities and plans. Regular training and practice is also an important custom within the Sanguine Umbra. Members are expected to maintain high levels of skill and proficiency in their chosen areas of expertise, and to participate in regular training and practice sessions to keep their skills sharp.

In addition to these customs, the Sanguine Umbra also has a number of traditions and rituals that are specific to different regions or operations. These may include specific ceremonies, rituals, or practices that are designed to reinforce the organization's creed and to maintain the secrecy and discipline that are essential to its operations. Overall, the customs within the Sanguine Umbra are designed to reinforce the organization's culture and values, and to maintain the secrecy, discipline, and commitment to the organization's creed that are essential to its operations.

## Command Structure

The command structure of the Sanguine Umbra is a hierarchical one, with a clear chain of command and defined roles and responsibilities for each member. At the top of the organization is the Council of Elders, which is made up of the most experienced and senior members of the Sanguine Umbra. The Council of Elders is responsible for making strategic decisions for the organization, and for overseeing the operations of the various sectors and cells within the organization. Beneath the Council of Elders is a group of leaders who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization. These leaders are known as the Commanders, and they are responsible for directing the activities of the various sectors and cells within the organization.

The various sectors and cells within the Sanguine Umbra are responsible for different areas of expertise, such as stealth, combat, intelligence gathering, and more. Each sector and cell has its own leader, who is responsible for the training and operations of the members within that sector or cell. It is said that the Sanguine Umbra also has a special sector for magic users, as they have a special value for the organization, their abilities are highly appreciated and respected. This sector is known to be highly secretive, as the organization wants to protect magic users. They are trained in the use of magic, and in how to use it to support the organization's operations.

Overall, the command structure of the Sanguine Umbra is designed to be efficient and effective, with a clear chain of command and defined roles and responsibilities for each member. The organization is divided into various sectors and cells, each with its own area of expertise, and all working together to achieve the organization's goals and mission.

## Recruitment

The recruitment process for the Sanguine Umbra is extremely selective, with the organization taking great care to ensure that only the most skilled and dedicated individuals are accepted into the group. Joining the Sanguine Umbra is not something that one can simply decide to do, but rather, it is an invitation-only process where the organization chooses the candidates. The process begins with the initial screening, where potential candidates are identified through various means. The Sanguine Umbra's agents are always on the lookout for individuals who possess the skills and qualities that the organization values, such as stealth, combat proficiency, and a strong sense of loyalty and dedication.

Once a potential candidate has been identified, the organization begins a thorough background check and surveillance process, where they will spy on the candidate for several months. They will observe the candidate's behavior, assess their abilities, and gather information on their past experiences and activities. This process is designed to ensure that the candidate is suitable for the organization, and that they are not a security risk. After the surveillance process is completed, the candidate will be approached by a member of the Sanguine Umbra and given the opportunity to prove themselves through a series of tests and trials.

These trials are designed to test the candidate's physical and mental abilities, as well as their commitment to the organization's creed and mission. The trials are extremely difficult and are designed to push candidates to their limits. They can include tasks such as completing a stealth mission, engaging in hand-to-hand combat, solving puzzles or even surviving in the wilderness. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their abilities and their willingness to put the organization's mission above their own safety.

If the candidate successfully completes the trials, they are given the opportunity to formally join the Sanguine Umbra. The new member will then be initiated into the organization through a secret ceremony, where they swear allegiance to the creed and organization. They will also be given a special sigil, a symbol of the Sanguine Umbra, which they must wear at all times as a sign of their allegiance. However, if the candidate fails to meet the Sanguine Umbra's standards or if they are deemed to be a security risk, they will be eliminated to protect the organization's secrecy. The Sanguine Umbra takes great care to maintain the secrecy of their operations, and will go to great lengths to ensure that their secrets are not compromised.

Once initiated, the new member will begin their training and will be placed on a series of missions and operations under the guidance and supervision of experienced members of the organization. Overall, the recruitment process for the Sanguine Umbra is designed to identify and select the most skilled and dedicated individuals who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater good and to always put the organization's interests ahead of their own. It's a process that is secretive, rigorous, and highly selective, where candidates are observed for months, and failure in the trials leads to death to keep the organization's secrecy intact.

## Sanguine Umbra in Repheria

The Sanguine Umbra has a long and storied history within the Empire of Repheria, as it is believed to be the area where the organization was first established. The group has been involved in a wide variety of operations throughout the empire's history, and has played a significant role in shaping the political and social landscape of the region.

### Assassination of the First King

The assassination of the first High King of Repheria is a controversial and mysterious event in the organization's history. It is said that the Sanguine Umbra was involved in the assassination, however, the exact circumstances surrounding the event remain unclear. According to one version of the story, the High King, who was known for his tyranny and abuse of power, had become too great of a threat to the people of Repheria.

The Sanguine Umbra, seeing the suffering of the people under his rule, decided to take action and eliminate him. They carefully planned the assassination, and one of their skilled assassins was able to successfully carry out the mission, putting an end to the High King's reign of terror. Another version of the story claims that the High King had discovered the existence of the Sanguine Umbra and had begun to target the organization's members for extermination. In order to protect themselves and continue their mission, the Sanguine Umbra decided to eliminate the High King before he could destroy them.

There are also stories that suggest that the High King's death was not a direct result of the actions of the Sanguine Umbra, but rather the outcome of a complex web of politics and intrigue involving the organization. Regardless of the truth behind the High King's assassination, it is clear that the Sanguine Umbra played a significant role in the events leading up to his death. The assassination marked a turning point in Repheria's history and led to a change in leadership and a shift in the balance of power. It's also to be noted that since the Sanguine Umbra operates under secrecy and deception, the true motivations and intentions behind the assassination may never be known for certain.

## Sanguine Umbra in Glirelle

In the former Empire of Glirelle, which is now divided into multiple kingdoms, the Sanguine Umbra does not have a significant presence. The organization does not have many operatives in the area and its influence is relatively limited compared to other regions. One of the reasons for the Sanguine Umbra's limited presence in Glirelle is the decentralized nature of the region, with each kingdom having its own military and intelligence agencies, making it difficult for the organization to infiltrate and gain a foothold in the region.

Despite these challenges, the Sanguine Umbra continues to operate in Glirelle, albeit in a more discreet and low-key manner. They focus on specific targets and objectives, and rely on small cells of operatives working behind the scenes to achieve their goals. They are also known to have contacts and allies within different kingdoms, who help them with their operations. Overall, while the Sanguine Umbra's presence in Glirelle is relatively limited, the organization is still active in the region and continues to work towards its goals and mission.

### Magic Purge

During the magic purge in the Empire of Glirelle, the Sanguine Umbra played a significant role in protecting magic users and resisting the efforts of the Pope, Emperor, and the Templars to eliminate the use of magic in the empire. The magic purge was a period of intense persecution of magic users, where the Pope, Emperor and the Templars, believed that magic was a threat to the empire and sought to eliminate it entirely. They rounded up and executed anyone who was believed to have magical abilities, and destroyed any books or artifacts related to magic.

During this time, the Sanguine Umbra saw the persecution of magic users as a grave injustice and decided to take action. They formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Aldair, which was one of the few remaining places where magic was still practiced and accepted. Together, they began to secretly protect magic users and provide them with a safe haven. The Sanguine Umbra's agents also infiltrated the Pope, Emperor, and the Templars to gather information and disrupt their operations. They also worked to sabotage their efforts to root out magic users, and helped to smuggle them out of the empire to safety in Aldair. The Sanguine Umbra's efforts were instrumental in turning the tide of the magic purge. They were able to weaken the Pope, Emperor, and the Templars' grip on power, and with the help of the Kingdom of Aldair, they were able to push back against the persecution of magic users.

Eventually, the magic purge came to an end and magic users were able to practice their abilities again without fear of persecution. The Sanguine Umbra's alliance with the Kingdom of Aldair also led to a strong bond between the two and Aldair continued to be a safe haven for magic users, and a place where Sanguine Umbra could operate with impunity. The magic purge was a dark period in the empire's history, but the Sanguine Umbra's efforts to protect magic users and resist the persecution, helped to bring an end to the violence and preserve the freedom and rights of all citizens.

# Spying

The Sanguine Umbra has a vast network of spies and informants spread throughout the world. These agents are carefully selected and trained to blend in with society, gathering information and reporting back to the organization on the political and social happenings of their respective kingdoms. Some of these spies are placed in high-ranking positions within government and noble houses, allowing them to have access to sensitive information and influence key decisions.

The organization also has a network of street-level informants, who are often paid for the information they provide. These individuals range from merchants and street performers to thieves and criminals, and they can provide valuable intel on the goings-on in their local communities. The Sanguine Umbra also has a strict protocol for communicating with their agents. All communication is done in code, and any physical correspondence is delivered through secret channels to ensure the safety and anonymity of the agents.

Due to the vast network of spies and informants, the Sanguine Umbra is able to gather a wealth of information from all corners of Glirelle, giving them a significant advantage in their operations and decision making. They can anticipate their enemies' moves, identify potential allies and infiltrate their opposition.