The Arkhams - Earth 98

The Arkham Family, revered as one of Gotham City's five founding families, has etched an enduring legacy in the city's history. Initially rooted in the realm of pharmaceuticals, they embarked on a transformative journey into the realm of mental health, emerging as prominent figures within the enigmatic Court of Owls. Their indelible mark on Gotham's landscape includes the establishment of a pharmaceutical empire, pivotal to their meteoric rise to power.

Originating from humble beginnings, the Arkham Family's initial forays into the pharmaceutical industry yielded fruitful results, paving the way for their future endeavors. Through their unwavering expertise and trailblazing approaches, they earned a reputation for spearheading groundbreaking medical treatments, amassing considerable wealth and wielding profound influence.

Recognizing the burgeoning significance of mental well-being, the Arkham Family redirected their focus toward addressing the psychological welfare of Gotham's denizens. With unwavering commitment, they founded a pharmaceutical company that served as a catalyst for their ascendance within the Court of Owls. This triumph not only provided the Arkhams with substantial capital but also empowered Amadeus Arkham, a visionary within the family, to establish the renowned Arkham Hospital.

Arkham Hospital swiftly became a pivotal institution within the Court of Owls, serving as a cornerstone for mental health treatment in Gotham City. Its cutting-edge facilities, innovative therapies, and unwavering dedication to "compassionate care" revolutionized the field, garnering attention and support from the Court. Under the guidance of the Arkham Family, the hospital discreetly acted as the hub for the Court's operations, meticulously safeguarding their intricate plans and exerting control away from prying eyes.

Deeply entrenched within the Court of Owls, the Arkham Family wielded significant influence, shaping the organization's strategies according to their intricate understanding of mental health and its inherent vulnerabilities. Leveraging their unique perspective, they furthered the Court's dark agenda and implemented their own initiatives, seamlessly intertwining mental health, pharmaceuticals, and the clandestine operations of the Court.

Yet, amidst their elevated status within the Court, the Arkham Family grappled with complex internal dynamics and personal ambitions. Rivalries and conflicts occasionally tested their unity, challenging their collective influence.

Nonetheless, the Arkham Family's legacy endures as the esteemed founders of Gotham City and influential figures within the Court of Owls. Their groundbreaking contributions to the fields of pharmaceuticals and mental health, alongside the establishment of the renowned Arkham Hospital, solidify their reputation as pioneering influencers. Through their deep-rooted connections to the Court of Owls, they command formidable power, playing an integral role in the organization's intricate web of control and secrecy.

#### Former Members:

* Ezekiel Arkham -Patriarch of the Arkham Family, one of the five recognised founders of the Gotham colony and settlement in the 17th Century. Sister of Amity Arkham.
* Amity Arkham - A benevolent Homo magi who originally acted as the colony's healer, Amity Arkham was burned for witchcraft by a lynch mob, despite her brother's protests. Hurt, betrayed and terrified, she lashed out, unleashing a curse that would allow her to possess those descendants in her bloodline. This possession would become known as The Calamity, going on to become the alias that Amity's spirit adopted.
* Beatrix Arkham-Silverlock - Amity's only child who was an infant at the time of her mother's murder. She went on to marry into the Silverlock family. Due to family tensions, with Beatrix blaming her uncle for her Amity's death the two sides of the family did not see eye to eye. The Silverlock's embrace their legacy and abilities as Homo magi, further ostracising them from Gotham.
* Elizabeth Arkham - Mother of Amadeus. Inspired her son to open the Arkham Hospital in her honour.
* Amadeus Arkham - The founder of the Arkham Hospital (eventually known as Arkham Asylum) on Arkham Island. A brilliant psychiatrist and chemist, he helped The Court of Owls perfect their experiments to resurrect the first undead Talons. Married his wife Constance and had a child with her. Both were brutally killed by one of his escaped patients, Martin Hawkins, who vowed to expose Arkham for the monster he was. Recaptured, Hawkins was one of the first patients that the Hospital took on after being rebranded as the Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, though his treatment went disastrously. After he killed Arkham's secretary, Amadeus has Hawkins executed, with his death being chalked up to being an "accident." Killing more patients, he was eventually housed in his own Asylum.
* Constance Arkham - The wife of Amadeus Arkham, she was murdered by Martin Hawkins as a warning to the Arkham's and the Court of Owls. She had no ties to the Court and was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
* Harriet Arkham - The young daughter of Amadeus Arkham, both Harriet and her mother were killed by one of her father's - and the Court of Owls - victims, Martin Hawkins.
* Dr Ingrid Karlsson - The beloved wife of Jeremiah Arkham and mother to Astrid, she was killed during the prison riot that saw the original Arkham Asylum partially destroyed. Her death inspired her husband and daughter's deep hatred for Batman, who they blamed for her death.

#### Current Members:

The Arkhams:

* Martha Arkham - Mother of Jeremiah Arkham
* Jeremiah Arkham, aka Black Mask - The grand-nephew of Amadeus Arkham, Jeremiah took over running Arkham Asylum until it was partially destroyed in a prison riot. He set up a new facility on Mercy Island, where he continues to operate. The alter-ego of the second Black Mask, a costumed criminal with desire to amass an even greater empire of power and control - to rival that of his predecessor Roman Sionis - he has made an enemy of the Court of Owls. Just like with The Penguin, the Court tolerate him for now, though have no hesitation sending Talons after him should he ever be seen as being expendable.
* Astrid Arkham, aka The Arkham Knight, aka Lady Arkham - Wishing to avenge her mother's death, Astrid Arkham became the Arkham Knight, working with costumed super-villains to destroy Batman and all who stood by him. Tracking down The Children of Arkham, they attempted to launch an attack on the city that would break the system she believed failed her mother and the patients at Arkham, who raised her as their own daughter. When this failed, she retired the moniker in favour of Lady Arkham. However, this only angered the Court of Owls, who sent Talons after her because she was drawing too many investigations into the Arkham family for their comfort. Though she killed her intended assassins, she was forced to go Underground. Though it is very unlikely that will be the last anyone sees of her.

The Vales:

* Jon Vale: Husband of Patricia Vale (nee Arkham) and father of Victoria Vale (Vicky).
* Patricia Vale - nee Arkham: Aunt of Jeremiah Arkham, Patricia married John Vale, going on to have a daughter, Victoria ("Vicky") with her.
* Victoria Vale - Intrepid reporter for the Gotham Gazette.

* Ezekiel Silverlock - Descendant of Beatrix - Former host of Calamity
* Temperance Silverlock -Descendant of Beatrix - Former host of Calamity
* Judas Silverlock - Descendant of Beatrix - Former host of Calamity
* Verity Silverlock - Descendant of Beatrix - Former host of Calamity

* Sybil Silverlock - Mother of Olive, Sybil Silverlock was a descendant of Amity Arkham. Like the rest of her family, she despised the Arkhams and tried to avoid them at all costs. Former host of Calamity.
* Olive Silverlock - Daughter of Sybil, Olive shared her family's connection to Amity Arkham, calling on her magical influence to become Calamity in times of anger, stress, or fear. Student at Gotham Academy and co-founder of the Detectives Club.