Crow's Eye

Introduction

The Crow’s Eye is an organization of spies, informants, and assassins that moves through the shadows of Doriande’s greatest cities. In its talons it holds the threads of power—and the fate of the kingdom. The few who know of its existence dare not cross it, nor even speak its name aloud.

Its symbol is the head of a crow, with a key in the center of its eye—signifying that the crow sees everything and holds every key.

Goals and Philosophy

The Eye’s goal is to preserve the region’s stability—but on the terms its leaders deem correct. Secrecy is its greatest shield, guarded more fiercely than anything else. Its mission depends on the illusion that the people have a say in how the kingdom is run. For this reason, nearly any tactic can be justified: espionage, blackmail, even murder—so long as the objective is served.

In practice, it is the only force in the realm with such discipline and resolve, for it will not hesitate to turn against its own members should they disobey orders or act for personal gain.

History

As Doriande’s scattered settlements evolved into city-states with growing influence, conflict was inevitable. The great naval powers — Fiorlas and Skarm — who dominated regional trade, clashed in what became known as the Trade War, drawing the entire region into strife.

Information, both commercial and military, offered a decisive edge. Each faction developed secret networks of spies to gain the upper hand in this new battlefield.

When the First Invasion began, attention shifted to the common enemy. The emergency council of city-states agreed to a ceasefire, and all espionage activity was suspended.

Though the invasion was repelled, it came at great cost—and the infighting that had weakened Doriande left many questioning its future. In secret, the leaders of the rival spy networks met on neutral ground. They concluded that to secure the region’s survival, a unified organization had to impose its will on the other players. And who better for such a task than a group that knew everyone's secrets and could move unseen?

Thus the Crow’s Eye was born.

Structure

At the top of the organization sits a hidden council known only as “the Head.” Its members are unknown to all but the most essential agents. The Head assigns missions to its operatives, divided into distinct roles:

Eyes: Surveillance specialists, they monitor targets and infiltrate city councils, royal courts, and guilds.

Talons: The execution arm, tasked with theft, sabotage, and assassinations.

Beaks: Negotiators, recruiters, and blackmailers.

Each region is overseen by a Crowmaster, who commands local murders —clusters of operatives embedded in that region’s institutions.

Tactics

The Crow’s Eye collects intelligence through councils, guilds, and religious circles. It then uses this knowledge to identify key individuals who must be nudged—or replaced. If persuasion fails, removal is swift. Those removed are replaced with more “suitable” individuals.

The Eye almost never reveals itself directly. Murders are staged as accidents; blackmail appears to be the work of lone wolves. Occasionally, the Eye reveals its presence when testing a potential recruit—granting them a favor, followed by a single token: a coin stamped with the phrase “You owe us.”

Those who know of the Eye’s existence understand the dread that comes when a crow lands with a letter tied to its leg.

Relationship with the Law

The organization clearly operates outside royal law, yet obeys a code stricter than that of the kingdom’s most dutiful soldiers. Paradoxically, the Eye often acts to protect the kingdom’s unity. Other power centers may tolerate its presence, knowing that open war against it would be perilous.

For its part, the Eye avoids targeting high nobles or senior officers—unless no other option remains.