Mongers
Monger History
The Mongers are a vigilante organization. They're centered around the religion of Lady Darkness, and seem to have first appeared in the large port towns in ancient Dexia (the port on the Eastern Side, and the one in the City.) Judging from ancient legends in some of the werewolf clans, the Mongers extended into the Mainland and into northern Lothmar. To the present day, there are rumors of the "Huntresses of the Lady" who appear and destroy enemies for the clans.Historically, the Hunters of the Lady have been a mistrusted group. The nobility found them to be unwilling to compromise and dangerous. Also, the Church of Light had for several years, a campaign to eliminate the followers of the Lady. This religious persecuation is no longer supported, but memories die slowly. The term 'Monger' comes from the propoganda that a Huntress was really a 'War Monger' who sought only trouble. This name has been assimilated as the true name for the group.
Monger Training
To become a Monger, one needs to be about twelve years of age, and one must spend three years of study as a novice. After this point, one can become a full Monger. A novice is a Monger in training. They usually work in groups under the training of a full Monger and learn what types of service they prefer. For example, a Monger that wanted to be a librarian would study with another librarian and work on clerical type duties. A Monger that wanted to go into infiltration would work on learning how to be a good spy and lockpicking.Mongers fit in three categories : administrative, transient, and permenant. Administrative positions are people who work with the local governments. These Mongers are frequently in the public eye, and are usually the leaders of a local sanctuary. A raider/infiltrator goes from place to place picking up rumors and listening to stories. They also occasionally attack people to protect Monger interests. A librarian is a permenant Monger who stays in one area and travels mostly for books and to find translators or copiers of manuscsripts.
When the novice finishes the last year of study, he/she would pick a fake name, and then take the oath. Fake names are usually based on plants or animals of the same group as the teacher. For example, Hawk's student was called Raven. Usually the names are based off of physical traits. Usually, only the first paragraph of the oath needs to be memorized. The full oath is as follows :
I do swear that I shall by stealth or by power or by greatness in number - by diplomacy or if need be by divine power shall stop those whom harm sanity, sanctity, or the sanctuary of others. Twelve years shall be spent in decision, three years in teaching, and then - yes then - shall be my oath. That then is now and that oath is mine. My close kin are assassins and they shall serve me. No death shall go without my nod, no nod of mine shall preclude death. I do swear that I shall not harm them - the assassins - but no power shall own me, no power shall turn me, and no power shall stop me.
I do swear that those who try shall fear me. My vengeance is eternal. Know you this - it stretches beyond the grave, the robes of power, and the ocean, be it however so wide. My raids shall be a thing of horrors. We are not called the Hunters for history's sake. Our raids are against those who break the oaths. The very oath that I now swear. All things broken, all enemies destroyed, and all will have known who had walked there. This power is strong indeed. I do swear that it shall only be unleashed against those who dare to break the oaths. They shall fear me.
I am a force unowned. I am a raid yet unborn. I am a hunter unseen save by the guilty - and my enemies live only on borrowed time. I am and will always be a Hunter, and you shall fear me.
Monger Houses
Mongers need to have safe quiet places to stay without the fear of the local populace bothering them. There are several inns that are known for showing tolerence of Mongers and one can frequently find a Monger or two sitting in the common room listening to rumors. The alternative is to go to a Monger way house, or a sanctuary.Way houses are small Monger owned houses. Usually transient Mongers in the area keep it loaded with non-perishable food, and usually a small garden. There is a well stocked medical supply box, and usually a lot of beds. The locals are usually told that the house belongs to a very large family that travels a lot. Rowan and Oak frequently visit the Monger way house in a town near Duke Yonathen's castle.
Sanctuaries are places where orphans are raised, novices are trained, and where the grotto, or worshipping place for the Flock, is. There is usually baths, a library, beds for sleeping, and a large kitchen. One of the oldest and most famous Sanctuaries is the one in the City called Hawk's Nest, or Twin Doors. It's run by Owl and Hawk, and dates back as far as most people can remember. Raven was trained there.
Monger Names
Hawk -A large man with a broken nose that works as a teacher at Twin Doors. Owl's lover. Not exactly a handsome man, but gets along well with people.
Owl -
Born in the desert and became a Monger librarian. Works at Twin Doors. Hawk's lover. Beautiful and regal.
Vulture -
Color blind man who looks like he walked into one too many brick walls as a child. He's amazingly bright for a street kid, and would have made a good librarian if he had the patience to sit through the learning. Shrew's lover.
Shrew -
Average heighth but manages to look half that due to bad posture. He speaks very plainly, and often inappropiatly. Vulture's lover.
Mama Kat -
Real first name is Cynthia. Born in Ni'Rushka, she looks like the ideal grandmother that bakes six loaves of bread a day while carrying three children at once. Mind healer and almost permeantly exhausted. Married to Papa Kat and one of the few families in the Mongers.
Papa Kat -
Mama Kat's husband. He's a big bear like man that can crack walnuts with his bare hands. He's a bone setter, and children love him. Sings carols every winter with the Church of Light Lak.
Oak -
Goofy cheerful guy with a heart of gold. Has a mute brother, Elm, and is in love with Rowan. Has a constant reaccuring leg/ankle injury that Rowan nags him about.
Elm -
Mute due to a fever when he was young. Has a nice smile and is good with the kids living at Twin Doors.
Rowan -
Practical young woman who works as a mind healer. She cares a lot about Oak.
Chamomile -
Also called the Gossiper, or Long Ears. She's a librarian in the Kingdom and specializes in Court gossip. Her 'common' name is Lady Eveline.
Hunin -
Very young librarian in training working up in the East and Ni'Rushka. Trained by Owl.
Munin -
Librarian being trained by Owl. Killed by assassins. Owl revenged his death.
Estrella -
Short dark haired woman, probably part Eastern. She worked up in Ni'Rushka and met Star from the Kingdom. They're lovers.
Star -
Tanned woman from the Kingdom. She and Estrella do the Ball circuits. Estella's lover.
Starshky -
Young werewolf trained by Star and Estrella. He works as a guard to the Healing Hall in Twin Doors and as an occasional raider. Worked with Silvram and Raven.
Silvram -
Bastard son of Yonathen. Likes kids, but usually does raids and infiltration with Raven. Works with Starshky a lot. Can't cook, never remembers to pack socks or some other article of clothing, complains a lot - loves every minute of his job.
Raven -
Street kid that joined the Mongers. Works almost exclusively at high risk infiltration and raiding jobs. Works with Silvram and Starshky since they can calm her down and watch her back.
Torrent -
Translator. Was in a bad mission and has since that point lived mostly as a hermit.