The Dark Eye

While the dragons over the years have failed to generally organise, due to their individual lusts for power, there has been a change in their approach over the last century. Once only the imaginings of a fever dream, the Dark Eye is the culmination of several dragons having joined forces in order to instill their influence over Europe.

## The Dark Eye

The dragons fought alongside their sires, the Ancient Dragons during their reign of terror over humanity, and as a result, many were killed alongside the great beasts. The few remaining retreated into isolation, hiding away from the world while they licked their wounds and proceeded to build up schemes to one day again return to the fold and take what they saw as rightfully theirs, rulership over all.

The first seeds of an idea to create an organised front were laid by a dragon known as The Alchemist. One of the original dragons who had been forced into hiding following the death of the final Ancient Dragon, the Alchemist had spent centuries developing his craft in both alchemy and the arcane. He finally emerged in the late 16th century as a travelling wise man, and slowly implemented his way into the royal court of Spain, gaining great influence and rising to the position of advisor to King Philip III and Queen Margaret.

With his position and influence, he was able to create the first Dark Eye incarnation, that of the Lodge of Spain. Consisting of dragons both older and younger, the lodge continued to grow in its influence, until all the members grew to positions of power, where they reside to this day, advisors and some would say puppeteers to King Philip IV and Queen Elisabeth.

With the Lodge of Spain a success in their plans, the Alchemist set his sights next on France, with Paris in particular. Again recruiting a group of dragons, they continue to try and exert their influence over King Louis XIII.

## The Parisian Lodge

The Parisian Lodge of the Dark Eye consists of several dragons, as well as a score of underlings and thralls to its service.

### **The Lodge Members**

#### **The Count**

The dragon known as 'The Count' is the defacto leader of the Parisian Lodge, as the allegedly most powerful member of the group.

Though a comparatively younger member of his race, the Count is spoken of as one of the most powerful dragons, with strength surpassing that of the Alchemist, the Dark Eye's founder.

In his human guise, the Count presents himself as a wealthy and charming aristocrat, who has established a growing friendship with King Louis, and Queen Anne to an extent. A man of great eloquence, charisma and to who people are naturally drawn, the Cardinal has become wary of this recent player on the scene.

#### **The Enchantress**

The dragon known as 'The Enchantress' serves as an expert manipulator of men and the Count's lover, and is also of the younger generation of dragons.

The sultry charm she exudes cannot be denied, having captured the hearts and minds of many a man. As such, she finds herself in an opportune position to play the role of a courtesan, seducing men, and sometimes women, of great importance, so that she can extract their darkest secrets, and receive favours from those in powerful places.

Though she sells her body for means to an end, her real devotion is to her leader and lover, The Count. Such is her devotion to him, that she would do anything he ask of her without a hint of hesitation or regard for her own wellbeing.

#### **The Alchemist**

The Alchemist is the dragon who conceptualised the Dark Eye as it has become, and was vital in the dragons' influential conquest of Spain.

A dragon old enough to remember and having fought beside the Ancient Dragons, he works faultlessly to bring about their eventual return, and conquer the known world in the name of all Dragonkind.

A master of both alchemy and the arcane arts, he is a deadly friend and foe alike, besides being a master manipulator and charlatan.

#### **The Gentleman**

The dragon known as 'The Gentleman' is a wealthy and influential aristocratic landowner with property in and outside of Paris.

He is well known in Paris and beyond as a proprietor of many stores and farms, and for his charitable generosity as an exceedingly rich entrepreneur. It is from his farms that much of the food is supplied to Paris in general and also the tropps during wars waged on behalf of the nation.

Somewhat private and withdrawn, he is a mystery to most who meet him, and the talk of ladies at court who hang on his handsome features, and wish to know more of the man.

#### **The Madam**

The dragon known as 'The Madam' is the owner and businesswoman who has capitalised on Paris's brothels and prostitute community.

While appearing rather demure and renowned for her hospitality, she is a force to be reckoned with according to those who know her well, both pragmatic and ruthless in her dealings and if it comes to dealing with men who have mistreated her employees.

Though not of the human race, she appears to care for her girls and takes steps to ensure that they are always well provided for.

#### **The Judge**

The dragon known as 'The Judge' is a feared and renowned self-named Witch Hunter.

Those who come across him describe him as a level-headed and soft spoken but somewhat sadistic man, who seems to take pleasure in the outing and execution of those he deems to be witches.

In truth, he serves the Lodge by rooting out potential enemies to their cause, and denouncing them as heretics before removing them from the equation.