Silken Hand

The symbol of the Silken Hand

The **Silken Hand**, also known as **Arnold's Arm**, Is a secretive organization That provides information and market services to the people of the Dhrakari Borderlands. They were believed to have crumbled multiple times, but have came back more relevant than ever.

## History

The idea of the Silken Hand was originally premised by their founder Arnold English. It was originally named after Arnold's religious choice of Vellian worship, however, this was intertwined with Arnold's morals and methods, inspiring the image of a white silk wrapping a hand; As the organization was assisted by the concept of Vellian, but ultimately was controlled by him. The structure of the organization is set up with Arnold as the head referred to as "The Hand", his network of conspirants primarily composed of members of the Cult of Vellian, officially referred to as "The Silken", and their operatives who sell and carry out deeds. known as "Digits". After the First Culling of the Organization, they would adopt the moniker, **Hand Which Holds the Curtain** from the Rathi of Ijhar, after a speech denouncing the "criminals who veil the people's eyes," in an act to mock the Rathi.

Even with the denouncement of their organization by Rathi willing to inform their people of the organization, and the brutal punishments of those accused and ousted as being members. The numbers of the Silken Hand began to increase slowly in hopes they could better their cities by exposing truths. With people's unrest with their cities and the widely accepted governing system of the Rathi being challenged by The Hand, they have began to gain more leverage in the Borderlands than ever.

### The Second Dawning

In the Year 1322 PA, the organization began an internal mission using funding they had collected. This mission deemed "The Second Dawning" was an attempt by the Hand to revive itself in the eyes of the public after they were beaten down by the Dhrakarian Rathi, as well as making sure the members of the Borderlands were prepared for an event that has yet to occur, only spoken about in hushed whispers as "Sunrise".

Internally, the Hand began to use their resources to establish trade lines between Milleryn for large amounts of steel, iron, and wood under the guise of small businesses of carpenters and other craftsmen. These stockpiles would be used to begin making weaponry for the people of the Borderlands. Over the course of a few years, they began to upstart and make private smiths to craft weaponry, which was stockpiled for distribution

On the side of the Rathi, words of The Silken Hand becoming reformed and resuming operations, began to organize militia and set into motion laws prohibiting un-registered organizations, and putting out warrants on suspected members for their arrest. Some speculate that some warrants are false for the sake of making examples. "Members" who were often forced to confess publicly, were subjected to sentencing of Treason, Conspiracy, among other crimes regardless of whether or not they played a major role in the organization. They were punished under new rulings often consisting of public shaming, imprisonment, and in rare cases, execution. These laws made to punish the members of the organization under fear of The Hand's members trying to usurp the order of the Rathi.

To the public, these laws were sometimes called "Title Laws" as even being associated with the title of The Hand would be punishable. The constant power struggle between The Hand and the Rathi have forced the people of Dhrakari to choose a side over the last 30 years. Some speculate that the "Sunrise" will bring upon a Civil War of sorts. Religious Scholars (Excluding the Churches of Vellian), and Scribes have been studying this disturbance for the past decades, and estimate that unless one side crumbles by 1353, a war will be unavoidable.

### Sunrise

Not much is known of the "Sunrise", however, it is believed to be a metaphorical opening of the curtain, where The Hand will challenge the Rathi for their lands.

## Membership

Members of the Silken Hand were selected by their higher rank, meaning "Digits" would be selected by "The Silken", and they would be selected by "The Hand". Members were primarily worshippers of Vellian, individuals who were unhappy with the Rathi, or Hidden Market Traders. Due to their information gathering services and hand selected members, their profiles on members made sure they were extremely loyal, believing in their mission fully.

While "The Hand" leads choices, his advisors "The Silken" gave advice on how to improve their current situation or divined prophecies from Vellian. The Silken were chosen by The Hand themselves from within the Digits, and rarely straight to the position from the get-go. They value dedication and discreetness over other principles. The Hand however has no current plans on how to elect a new Hand, so the Rathi theorize that if they can kill Arnold, the ensuing infighting will collapse the organization.

## Regions

The Silken Hand operates within the Borderlands, primarily along the Path of Platinum. However, loyal customers may be able to have their purchases shipped to them as far as the Capital of Milleryn.

## The Word of the Hand

> "When curtains taint the eyes of the non-beliver, Thy silken hands shall cast aside the veil and reveal unto them the truths of which they live upon. Only then may the mettle of man be judged by god or by gun." - Arnold English, The Hand
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