The Tainted

The Tainted is the most prominent and feared criminal organization in Widton. Known for its iron grip on the city’s black market, mercenary networks, and narcotics trade, The Tainted operates with ruthless efficiency, balancing brutality with strategic brilliance. Under the leadership of Cyrus Thorne, the organization thrives not only as a powerhouse of illegal activity but also as a significant player in the rebellion against duke Melvan Barclay.

Unlike other criminal groups, The Tainted maintains a strong presence in the city’s streets, making it both a source of fear and an organization that many lower-class citizens depend on for work, protection, or survival. Their influence stretches from the slums of the Warrens to the noble estates of the Gilded District, leaving no corner of Widton untouched.

Structure and Leadership

The Leader: Cyrus Thorne

Known as The Black Thorn, Cyrus is a charismatic and cunning strategist whose leadership has transformed The Tainted into a powerful force.

His noble background fuels his vendetta against the Duke, while his protective nature ensures unwavering loyalty from his closest followers.

The Inner Circle

Cyrus’s leadership is supported by a council of trusted lieutenants, each overseeing a specific aspect of The Tainted’s operations. These figures are both highly skilled and deeply loyal, forming the backbone of the organization:

Lysander Black (Strategist)

Oversees mission planning, risk analysis, and the coordination of high-profile operations as a former military tactician with a history of victories and betrayals.

Elara Voss (Spymaster)

Manages the network of spies and informants across Widton. She coordinates intelligence-gathering missions and plans sabotage against rival factions.

Thalindra Ebonheart (Chief Mage)

Provides magical support, maintains protection wards, and handles the acquisition and use of magical artifacts.

Garrick Stormblade (Blade Master)

Trains and leads the organization’s mercenaries and bounty hunters. He's a veteran warrior known for his fierce loyalty to Cyrus.

Mary Fletch (Logistics Chief)

Manages resources, finances, and smuggling routes. She is known for her intricate knowledge of Widton’s trade networks and her uncanny ability to secure supplies in a pinch.

Ranks Within The Tainted

Middle Management

Bounty Hunter Lieutenants: Lead teams of enforcers to capture high-value targets.

Smuggler Captains: Oversee the transport and distribution of goods through the city and beyond.

Drug Lieutenants: Manage narcotics distribution and ensure connections with suppliers remain intact.

Operatives

Includes bounty hunters, smugglers, drug dealers, and mercenaries who execute the organization’s missions and maintain control over Widton’s underworld.

Support Personnel

Spies, informants, alchemists, healers, and craftsmen who provide logistical support for The Tainted’s operations.

Relationship with the Onyx Assembly

The Tainted is a key member of the Onyx Assembly, a coalition of criminal organizations united to overthrow Duke Melvan Barclay. While The Tainted operates independently, it answers to the Assembly when necessary.

Base of Operations

The Tainted operates out of two main locations in Widton, each serving a distinct purpose:

1. "Still Waters" Fish Shop

Location: Situated in the bustling Fish Market, this unassuming shop serves as the primary contact point for The Tainted.

Public Front: To most, it’s an ordinary fish shop with fresh catches and affordable prices. However, those in the know can use specific codewords to identify themselves and conduct covert business.

Run by Garrick Stormblade: The shop is manned by Garrick Stormblade, who uses his intimidating presence to ensure only trusted individuals approach the shop for business.

Codewords Used at Still Waters:

"Black Eel": Declares allegiance to The Tainted or the Onyx Assembly.

"Deep Current": Signals that the individual is in trouble and requires immediate assistance.

"Night Owl": Requests to send a covert message or information to another member of the organization.

2. Main Headquarters: The Blackstone Refuge

Location: Hidden in the Tarrudum District, near the bustling black market, this fortified base is the true heart of The Tainted’s operations.

Facilities: The headquarters includes a secure planning room, an armory stocked with enchanted and mundane weapons, and magically protected storage for valuable contraband and artifacts.

Security Measures: Protected by Thalindra Ebonhart’s intricate wards and illusions, the base is virtually undetectable to outsiders. Only trusted members of The Tainted know its exact location.

Public Perception

The Tainted’s prominence makes it both feared and grudgingly respected among Widton’s populace.

The Nobility: See The Tainted as a blight on the city, a criminal organization that thrives on the misfortunes of others.

The Lower Classes: Depend on The Tainted for jobs, protection, and access to goods they otherwise couldn’t afford. Some even view Cyrus as a hero standing up to the Duke’s tyranny.

Rivals: Competing criminal organizations fear The Tainted’s dominance, knowing that crossing Cyrus often results in a swift and brutal response.