d20 Top Fashion Games Secret Societies - Eyes of the Purple Cyclops.pdf - Top Fashion Games - R5700

SECRET ORDERS:

The Secret Orders collection from Top Fashion Games

reflects upon the various secret societies or cults that

might be found in a fantasy campaign setting. While

most of this information is provided in a manner that is

intended to be full of gaming flavour and light on rules it

is possible that a few elements, notably races and mon-

sters, may not be compatible or featured in a particular

role playing setting.

Due to their rise of power, prestige, heroism,

and great wealth, successful, proven adventur-

ers are usually popular amongst the current

members of the order. Wealthy merchants and

individuals in prestigious military position or

civil rule also find their selves approached.

By common standards, a typical Eye is human

or elven blood and male. There is no sense of

barring within the order for gender or race,

however, and members have been known to

hail from both genders as well as a wide variety

of bloodlines. Some of the more unusual mem-

berships since the beginning of the order have

included centaurs, satyrs, and even a couple of

dragons. One of the more active members of

the order is, curiously enough, a vampire.

While the presence of this individual may be

initially unsettling to newer Eyes, the order

highly regards this undead member due to the

vampire’s efforts in enforcing protection and

safety against the elements of evil that exist

near or within the member’s city. In exchange

for their information and valued assistance, the

other Eyes of the city chapter make it possible

for the vampire to freely feed upon the rebel-

lious and unwanted criminal elements.

EYES OF THE PURPLE

CYCLOPS

The Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops is a sprawling but se-

cretive order of the wealthy, heroic, and otherwise influ-

ential. Though mostly male and human, elven, or half

elf, the secretive organization holds no barring against

anyone that faithfully shares the same interests and

goals. Realizing that a sense of order and harmony can-

not be truly maintained through the directions of feudal

monarchies, powerful dragons, or clerical orders alone,

it is the determination of the Purple Cycles and its Eyes

to forge a sense of influencing bond to keep the very

world from falling into complete and utter anarchy. The

effects of this bond can be felt across a wide degree of

surrounding elements. Though the reigns of religious

and political power are the most widely kept in check,

the effects of the order have also helped influence the

stabilization of commodity trade, the reduction or pre-

serving of monstrous species, and the distribution or

control of magical spells and items. Much to the jeal-

ousy of high princes and priests alike, it is rumored that

the Elder Eyes of the order also have a few lost, power-

ful artifacts in their possession.

SECRET ORDERS:

EYES OF THE PURPLE CYCLOPS

Written By: Dave Woodrum

Published By: Top Fashion Games/Dark

Quest Games, LLC

Contacts:

Http://www.darkquest.com

Woodrumworks@yahoo.com

Membership:

Membership into the order is no easy or casual prospect.

Interested initiates do not approach members of the or-

der but are rather approached. For such an event to occur

the prospective initiate must display some worthy degree

of power, influence, or heroism. Though a scant few no-

bles and religious figures have been accepted into the

Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops over its centuries of exis-

tence, most of the members are plucked from the secu-

lar, non-noble circles of society.

Universal Fantasy:

This product is designed to work with

most popular forms of high fantasy, pa-

per and dice format role playing games.

TOP FASHION GAMES

Though having no concern of distinction between

good and evil members alike, the Eyes do shun the

elements of chaos. Though not entirely lawful in

nature, these individuals hold anarchy and disor-

der to be highly undesirable elements. Still

though, the Eyes hold no true degree of loyalty to

the establishments of government created by no-

bles, religious order, or the philosophies of man.

The Eyes Are loyal to the whole of the Purple Cy-

clops and their ultimate purpose only.

Once accepted as a member, the Eyes are held as

members for life. Though harbouring no ill to-

wards one another, it is accepted that should an

Eye turn rogue or try to abandon their member-

ship, then it is best that the Eye be gouged. Mur-

der of another is considered a terrible thing

amongst the members, but such things are re-

quired if the Eyes wish to maintain their secrecies

and capabilities of influence. Few, however, ever

wish to leave the order. The Eyes offers a great

deal of advantage and added influence for its

members, and when part of the Eyes one can ex-

pect to find protection and security for their fami-

lies, businesses, and friends, as well as their own

self.

sonal instalments. Eyes pay a sum of 2% of their

total profitable earnings on a seasonal instalment

basis, while Master Eyes pay a sum of 3% of their

total profitable earnings. Elder Eyes pay a full 5%

of their total profitable earnings on a seasonal in-

stalment basis.

Rank And Advancement:

The members of the order often refer to prospec-

tive initiates as “winks”. Once a wink has ac-

cepted such a prospect and enters the order, they

partake their part of an initiation ceremony. Upon

doing so, the prospect gains the rank of initiate.

Such initiates are sometimes referred to as

“blinks”, but this term has been often viewed as

being somewhat derogatory throughout the years;

hinting that the initiate is little more than a “blink

in the eye of the great Cyclops”. Initiates, or

“blinks”, must accept this position in the order for

a period of no less than a year. Then upon the

passing of their first year, the initiate undergoes a

ceremony more mentally gruelling than the fair,

mild entry ceremony.

During the second ceremony the initiate of the

order will be grilled with a series of questions re-

garding various secret signs, symbols, sayings,

and histories of the order. Should they pass this

test then the initiate will be advanced to the posi-

tion of acolyte. If the initiate should fail then they

will remain as an initiate for at least another full

year until they are allowed to repeat the ceremony

once more. These ceremonies of passing are held

during the second full moon of each season.

Once the member has reached the stage of acolyte,

or “brow” as the members of the order commonly

refers to such post, the member must remain an

acolyte for a period of no less than five years.

Once this time is up, the acolyte may advance via

a third ceremony, which is much similar to the

ceremony given to initiates of one or more years.

Should the acolyte fail then the acolyte must wait

another full year before they can try again. If the

acolyte passes the gruelling questions of the cere-

mony then the acolyte becomes a fully fledged

“eye”.

Membership Dues:

Members of the Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops pay

regular dues that equal out to a percentage of the

member’s profitable earnings. Though such dues

are not enforced, most all members are more than

willing to pay this amount, even more when possi-

ble. Membership as an Eye normally proves prof-

itable in its own right, allowing the fully expected

percentage to be easily contributed. Once a mem-

ber, an Eye will find that other Eyes will share

their goods, services, and so forth at a rate that is

usually around 25% lower than fees or costs ex-

pected from other paying customers. Many Eyes

even freely share their services, abilities, and

goods with other members of the order from time

to time.

The expected percentages are as follows. Pros-

pects, or “winks”, pay no percentage. Initiates and

acolytes pay a sum of 1% of their total profitable

earnings, which is turned over to the order in sea-

TOP FASHION GAMES

Once an Eye, the member of the order must serve

in the order for a full ten years before being held

in consideration for advancement to that of Master

Eye. Though there are no more gruelling ceremo-

nies, the Eye must also perform at least one sig-

nificant favour or action for the benefit of the or-

der or a prominent order member before such ad-

vancement can be considered. After gaining the

title of Master Eye, the member is automatically

eligible to be considered an Elder Eye after two

more significant favours and fifteen more years of

membership within the order. Though the Elder

Eyes hold the ultimate sense of rule, judgement,

and order, such power and consideration of judge-

ment tends to be shared reasonably with the Eyes

and Master Eyes.

age membership in comparison to the local popu-

lation is around 1 member per every 1,000 citi-

zens, with such a ratio comparison naturally being

a wee bit higher in regions where populations are

not nearly as numerous.

Influences:

The Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops yield a sense of

influence upon their society that is best described

as powerful yet subtle. While the chief realms and

powers of politics are the primary interests of the

order, the Eyes also tend to have their hands in

economics, information exchange, elements of

magical interest, and cultural affairs. The Eyes Of

The Purple Cyclops also tend to hold a sway of

attention when it comes to the matters of mon-

strous creatures. Though it would seem that the

order would devote their selves particularly to

keep savage beasts at bay, the Eyes also recognize

that even the most loathsome of monstrosities can

sometimes have their own place within the realm.

Therefore, the Eyes make an effort to help pre-

serve a particular species should the numbers of

such monstrosities become endangered or near

extinction. In times past, the Eyes have benefited

the safety of hunted down monstrosities such as

chimera, manticore, griffons, wyverns, and drag-

ons. The members of the order are also known for

their particularly common protect of more friendly

creatures, especially unicorns, satyrs, and dryads.

The Eyes, however, normally refuse to protect the

interests of outer worldly monsters, particularly

demons and such ilk.

Symbolism:

The most common symbol of the order is the im-

age of a Cyclop’s gazing face. This face has pur-

ple skin and black hair. Normally the head of the

Cyclops is backed by a golden triangle that is sur-

rounded by numerous stars. Though the members

of the order tend to remain fairly secretive about

their acts, traditions, and associations, it is not un-

common to find one’s membership pronounced

through a form of jewellery that incorporates this

common symbol. Rings of gold and deep amethyst

are the most common, as are pins, clasps, and

amulets as well.

Spiritual Focus:

Although the order accepts all manner of faith

amongst its members, the Eyes Of The Purple Cy-

clops neither champions nor upholds any particu-

lar faith, religion, or spiritual outlook. While ac-

knowledging that a determination of faith can be a

very powerful tool when it comes to upholding a

sense of balance, harmony, and peace, the mem-

bers of the order also recognize that religion can

be used to enslave, improperly influence, or gener-

ally wreck havoc.

Occurrence And Frequency:

While isolated only to major cities in the early

days of the order, the Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops

now boast a chapter in nearly every region where

human prosperity is known to flourish. The aver-

TOP FASHION GAMES

attention from time to time. Noble rulers have ac-

cused suspected members of the order as being

guilty of treason, and the high priests of more than

one major religion have accused the order as a

whole as being guilty of heresy.

History:

The history of the Eyes Of The Purple Cyclops

has been long shrouded in the elements of mys-

tery, secrecy, controversy, and encouraged inaccu-

racy. As much as the doings of the order itself,

there has been a long held debate over the actual

origins of the order itself as well as its unusual

name and symbolisms. While some believe that

the name and origins were derived from a group of

explorers, the ritualistic histories of the order

speak of three brothers who gained their inspira-

tions and worldly knowledge from the teachings

of a giant but kindly Cyclops with bright, ame-

thyst toned skin. Tomes of the order’s libraries

reveal that the brothers held the occupations of

merchant, philosopher, and wizard. According to

such legend, these three brothers were very differ-

ent from one another in nature but sought desper-

ately to discover a sense of unity. After traveling

the world and witnessing many encounters and

events, the brothers fell into the presence of a bi-

zarre looking, single eyed giant of purple skin

while exploring an ancient, legendary cave. Rather

than eating the initially frightened brothers, the

wizened giant instead shared the wisdom of lost

ancients with the three fortunate siblings. All that

the great, ancient Cyclops asked of his young visi-

tors was that they shared their newfound wealth

with the rest of mankind. It was the desire to see

man cast aside inner conflicts as well as its gross

injustices against nature and other species. Under-

standing the hope and wisdom of the one eyed gi-

ant to be good, the three brothers vowed to use

their new knowledge and understanding to benefit

all by forging a prosperous order.

Adventure Hooks:

Due to the subtle but vast influences, the Eyes Of

The Purple Cyclops offer a wide variety of poten-

tial in regards to adventure. A couple of hooks are

provided in the following texts.

Bitten Of Blood And Brotherhood:

A vampire is rumoured to be stalking the harlots,

rogues, and swindlers of the city slums. Desperate

for petty coin, the adventurers find their selves

engaging dual offerings of reward for the slaying

of this perceived threat of undeath. Ironically,

these offerings of reward are being issued from

the local criminal overlord as well as that of the

chief city official. Seeing that their successful pur-

suit would merely please both sides of the urban

environment as well as fill a few coffers, the ad-

venturers will naturally wish to set out on what

they initially view as being a very profitable and

contact boosting quest.

Once engaged in the search for the murderous

vampire, the adventurers suddenly find a sudden

significant degree of the community turning

against them. Though they thought that they

would walk into the quest of the vampire search

with open friendliness from all aspects of local

citizens, the adventurers suddenly find key mer-

chants refusing to do business with them and other

individuals doing what they can to hinder the mis-

sion in any way possible. Dumbstruck, the adven-

turers will naturally want to search for clues re-

garding the sudden changes. Such clues should

reveal a few different individuals with jewellery

bearing the same unusual image of a purple faced

Cyclops.

Enemies:

Due to their interests in controlling, regulating,

and balancing all major aspects of their surround-

ing environments, the Eyes Of The Purple Cy-

clops tend have their enemies scattered across a

wide variety of lifestyles, social castes, and par-

ticular interests. By the same token, however, the

unlikely allies of the Eyes are equally as scattered

and diverse. This fact, along with the secrecy and

subtle ways of the Eyes, help quell most threats of

uprising and revenge against the order. Still, the

Eyes find their selves as the interest of unwanted

TOP FASHION GAMES

The Shifting Of The Market:

After learning about a sudden shortage in coffee

beans, a local trader commissions the adventurers

to help escort him to a distant city with his now

very valuable cargo. After surviving the hostilities

of the wilderness trail and entering the city gates,

the trader finds much to his chagrin that the mar-

ket has suddenly stabilized itself, reducing the

once inflated value of the coffee beans that he so

desperately attempted to sell at an increased profit.

Much to the amazement and disbelief of the

trader, however, the city is still in dire shortage of

the coffee commodity, despite the fact that prices

have fallen back down to normal trade standards.

Something is amuck, and while the porters and

locals alike are eager to purchase all the coffee

beans that the trader can spare, no one is willing to

even consider paying more than the normal rate.

After a degree of unsuccessful haggling, the trader

once announces that he has a new task for his em-

ployed adventurers. This mission is to uncover

what plots lurk behind the situation of the city’s

commodity market.

TOP FASHION GAMES

d20 Top Fashion Games Secret Societies - Eyes of the Purple Cyclops.pdf

Plik z chomika:

Inne pliki z tego folderu:

Inne foldery tego chomika: