Hextor’s Blackguard

 

It seems that sometime around the CY573, Hextor decided that his step brother Heironeous was having way too easy of a time, and that his base of worshipers were expanding too rapidly. Hextor hatched a plan to disrupt his Heironeous’ church.

 

The Blackguard are special five person teams of evil whose purpose is to eliminate good from the Flanaess. Their most important function is the destruction of Heironeous’ paladins. It is said that Hextor himself chooses the recruits of the Blackguard, and grants them special powers and gifts for doing great evil deeds. The organization is divided into levels…

 

Blackguardian (Alester Crawls)

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Black Council (10 members) - Hextor’s Children

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Black Commanders (20) – Heads (5) Black Squads

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Squad Leaders (100)*

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Black Squads (400)*

 

* This puts approximately (100) five person squads at anyone time on the Flanaess

 

The Blackguardian, now believed to be Alester Crawls, heads the organization. He has the final say so on all decisions of the Black Council, whose members are also known as Hextor’s Children. The council currently consists of seven men, two women and a male half-orc. Crawls is also considered to be a member of the council. They all rose up through the ranks of the Blackguard, which is not an easy thing to do or survive for that matter. The Black Commanders are the next in line. This division of the guard commands the Blackguard Squads. They each control five different squads, usually in a certain area of the Flanaess. The Black Commanders pass the orders of the Council down to the the Black squad leaders, who in turn lead their squads on specific missions. The only way to advance in the organization is the death of another, either in battle against good or a challenge to the death by another member. The main rule is that you must advance through the organization. Alester Crawls himself, was once recruited into a Black Squad. His squad leader was killed, and he took his position. He later challenged his Black Commander and killed him. Then he was appointed to the Council after an assassination of one of its members. It is still not known whether he actually planned the assassination. He became the 11^th Blackguardian of the organization nearly a year ago after challenging the existing Blackguardian, one Orphus Allirt.

 

All members of the Blackguard bear a brand or tattoo of Hextor’s symbol (hand clutching arrows). It is said that the symbol is imbued with a magical proof against protection, since Heironeous’ paladins are their main foes. This is unverified.

 

The Blackguard holds a secret meeting annually, although the exact place is unknown. A probable location could be Iuz’s Empire, as Hextor and Iuz are allies. This, again, is speculation.