Good Secret Societies
Even in a land as dark and devoid of hope as the Demiplane of Dread, some seek to do what is just and good.
The Keepers
of the Black Feather
A Lawful Good Secret Society
Let a man so act by day that he may lie happily on his mat
by night.
- Japanese Proverb
The Keepers of the Black Feather exist only within the borders of Barovia, and it has dedicated itself to the destruction of none other than Strahd von Zarovich. Working slowly and methodically, they hope against hope for a triumph against this vampire darklord, which may have repercussions far beyond their understanding.
Membership
The common members of this group are normal men and women of lawful good alignment who share a selfless dedication to the liberation of Barovia and the destruction of its vampire lord.
The Keepers are organized into cells called talons, each commanded by a Talon Chief. Unbeknownst to most members of this society, these Talon Chiefs are actually infected wereravens. Above these persons preside the five Holders of the Feather. Like the talon chiefs, these members are wereravens. They, however, are true examples of the species, not infected humans.
At the head of this order, although only the five Holders know his identity, is Pyoor Twohundredsummers, a ravenkin (see the Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendices I&II). Pyoor's determination allows the Keepers of the Black Feather to survive under the very eye of the darklord they wish to destroy.
Recognition
Members of this order mark themselves in three ways. First, each member wears a raven feather somewhere on his body. When a member wishes to identify himself to another, he strikes up a conversation and drops the word "nest" into a casual question. To complete this verbal code, the response must include the word "feather". Lastly, a member must identify himself by speaking his name in the language of ravens.
Activities
The focus of the Keepers is, of course, the destruction of Strahd von Zarovich and the liberation of Barovia. Of course, the members realize that this is not an easily accomplished feat. Thus, they often act as a secret force, attempting to help those who have been harmed by the actions of the vampire count. When the chance to strike at Strahd or his minions directly presents itself, they generally employ mercenaries or adventurers to do so. Of all the secret societies listed in this chapter, the Keepers are perhaps the most subtle in their schemes and actions. They know how sharp the eye of Strahd is, and they have no wish to attract its caustic gaze.
Headquarters
The actions of the Keepers of the Black Feather are directed from the village of Barovia, in a secret location known as The Nest. There, in a secret basement beneath an inn known as the Blood o' the Vine, Pyoor and his wereraven lieutenants weigh all aspects of Strahd's actions.
The Green Hand
A Neutral Good Secret Society
We should weep for men at their birth, and not at their death.
- French Proverb
Inhabitants of the desert domain of Har'Akir view the god Osiris as the protector of graves and enemy of the undead. The Green Hand (named for the fact that Osiris is believed to be green-skinned) dedicates itself to the sanctity of the grave and the destruction of undead or those who defile the resting places of the dead.
Membership
In order to become an agent of the Green Hand, a character must have a Wisdom of 16 or better and be of neutral good alignment. He must have never participated in the robbing of a grave or looting of a dead body.
In addition, a member must allocate proficiency slots to master the hieroglyphic language of Har'akir (treated as an ancient language) and the religion proficiency. It is important to note that this language is not the modern script used in that desert realm, but its ancient ancestor.
Recognition
The traditional symbols of Osiris are the shepherd's crook and an ornate flail. Thus, each member of the Green Hand must wield a footman's flail in combat. The flail must bear an inscription in the ancient language of Osiris, and a member identifies himself to another by reading aloud the glyphs on the other's flail. These will always be a personalized oath dedicating the weapon to the battle against undead and the defilers of the grave.
Activities
The agents of the Green Hand are generally active only in the Amber Wastes. When a grave robber, or other enemy of the order, travels beyond the borders of those domains, however, members of the secret society have been known to pursue their quarry across the Demiplane of Dread. Indeed, legends claim that a few members, so determined to avenge wrongs committed against the order, actually followed victims beyond the Misty Border itself.
While many of the members of the Green Hand are priests of Osiris, this is not a requirement. It is important to note, however, that even those members who are not true priests are called upon to act as lay-clergy. Thus, they often preside over funeral services and other religious ceremonies that honor or involve the dead.
Headquarters
The High Priest of Har'Akir generally dictates the actions of the Green Hand. Leadership of this order is a traditional responsibility of that office, although it is often delegated to an underling.
Some claim that many of the most impressive tombs in Har'akir have secret chambers where members of the Green Hand meet, but that may not be true.
The Circle
A Chaotic Good Secret Society
Though the sword of justice is sharp, it will not slay the innocent.
- Chinese Proverb
Few families have suffered as much at the hands of the dark powers as that of the Shadowborn clan. For centuries, this proud and noble line produced some of the most pious heroes and heroines imaginable. Despite the tragic history of this family, they remain dedicated to the service of truth and justice. To that end, young Alexi Shadowborn founded an order of knighthood known as the Circle. Members of the Circle became known as Knights of the Shadows. Since its inception some twelve decades ago, the Circle has been one of the few bright spots in the Demiplane of Dread.
Membership
All members of the Circle belong to the avenger class and are of chaotic good alignment. In addition to the normal requirements for avengers, members must also have Wisdom and Charisma scores of 15 or greater. The traditional weapon of this order is the long sword, and all members must specialize in its use.
Recognition
A Knight of the Shadows is easily recognized by those familiar with the organization and others of their order. Even in the most perilous of situations, a member of this society will take no steps to disguise himself or otherwise hide his membership in the Circle. Because of this, they are the most famous of the secret societies.
Knights of the Shadows always wear plate-mail armor adorned with the eclipsed sun that stands as the signet of the group. This icon also serves as a clasp to secure the traditional black and yellow cape that all members wear.
Activities
The Circle seeks to bring the light of truth and justice into a world seemingly devoid of such virtues. They do so by opposing the evil of the domain lords wherever they can. Such activities would be almost suicidal if members of this order did not take such great care to protect themselves.
While these Knights do not conceal their identities, they rely heavily on safehouses and subtle strategies to remain one step ahead of the lords who would see them exterminated. Because directly facing and defeating a domain lord is almost impossible, they often attempt to cripple them by destroy ing. their chief lieutenants.
Headquarters
The Circle meets once a year at a circle of standing stones located in a hidden grove somewhere in the domain of Avonleigh in the Shadowborn Cluster. Failure by a Knight of the Shadows to make this pilgrimage results in dismissal from the order. Apart from this, the Circle has no recognized headquarters.
