The Veil

The Veil is a covert network of spies, informants, and assassins, operating as the eyes and ears of the Onyx Assembly. In Widton, their influence is felt in every corner of the city, yet few truly understand the breadth of their reach. Led by the enigmatic Iris, the Veil specializes in gathering intelligence, manipulating key players, and eliminating threats with surgical precision. While their methods are subtle, their power is undeniable, making them both a crucial ally and a dangerous enemy.

Though Iris rarely takes direct action, her enigmatic presence and sharp mind make her a central figure in Widton’s underworld. The Veil operates through layers of secrecy, with its most elite operatives—the Hand of the Veil—acting as silent executors of its will.

Iris: The Shadowed Leader

Iris, the leader of The Veil, is a woman of mystery and contradiction. Known only as Iris to most, she does not openly acknowledge her identity as the former Silver Queen, Inastina Thaoro Teuivae of Falenora, an elven kingdom overthrown during a human rebellion. Her general disdain for human regimes hints at this past, but she rarely speaks of it. Instead, she presents herself as a blind informant, offering guidance and knowledge to those willing to pay—or manipulate her favor.

Subtle Leadership:

Iris rarely showcases her magical abilities, preferring to work through whispers, manipulation, and strategy. Her blindness is well-known, but her uncanny ability to “see” and “read” people makes her seem almost omniscient.

A Queen in Shadows:

In the past, Iris reigned over Falenora, a prosperous elven kingdom. When the neighboring human kingdom Miraland rebelled, Iris disappeared from history. Many believed her to be dead, but in truth, she vanished into the shadows, eventually rising to lead The Veil.

Relationship with Viper:

Iris is one of the few who openly questions Viper’s decisions within the Onyx Assembly. Their mutual respect and long-standing friendship allow for a dynamic where Iris provides counsel without fear of reprisal.

Misleading the City Guard:

Iris’s reputation as a seer attracts occasional visits from desperate guards or nobles seeking her insight. Though she entertains them with vague hints or outright misinformation, she always ensures they leave none the wiser about her true affiliations.

Structure of The Veil

Leader: Iris

As the leader of The Veil, Iris coordinates all operations while maintaining an aura of mystery. She rarely intervenes directly, instead delegating tasks to her trusted operatives. Her insight and knowledge shape the Veil’s strategies and long-term goals.

The Hand of the Veil

The Hand of the Veil is a secretive and elite group of assassins and enforcers who carry out the organization’s most delicate and dangerous missions. Answering only to Iris, these operatives work in complete anonymity, their identities hidden even from other members of The Veil.

Key Traits of the Hand of the Veil:

Absolute Secrecy: Members of the Hand erase their former identities upon initiation, becoming shadows in service to Iris.

Unique Training: Each member undergoes rigorous training in stealth, combat, and magical manipulation, making them unparalleled in their craft.

Autonomy: While loyal to Iris, the Hand operates independently, often neutralizing threats before they even appear on the Veil’s radar.

Mythical Status: Among Widton’s underworld, the Hand of the Veil is more legend than fact. Rumors swirl of their efficiency and inhuman precision, but few have seen them in action—and lived to tell the tale.

Secrets of the Hand:

The Silent Oath: Upon induction, members swear an unbreakable magical oath of silence, binding them to secrecy and loyalty for life—or death.

The Aural Marks: Members are rumored to carry subtle magical marks that Iris can “see” with her heightened perception, allowing her to track and monitor their movements even across vast distances.

Field Operatives and Informants

The backbone of The Veil consists of agents embedded in key positions across Widton, from the City Guard to noble courts. These individuals gather intelligence, spread disinformation, and provide support for the Veil’s more direct actions.

Sleeper Agents

Sleeper agents are carefully placed individuals who remain dormant until activated. These operatives live seemingly ordinary lives, awaiting orders that could come years—or even decades—after their placement.

Operations and Codewords

Primary Operations

Espionage: Gathering secrets from nobles, merchants, and rival organizations.

Assassination: Eliminating threats to The Veil or the Onyx Assembly with precision and stealth.

Infiltration: Embedding agents in key positions to manipulate events from within.

Disinformation: Spreading false information to mislead enemies and protect The Veil’s interests.

Codewords and Communication

The Veil relies on subtle codewords and phrases to communicate:

"Silver Shadows"

Confirms allegiance to The Veil.

"The Shadows Deepen"

A request for urgent assistance.

"The Moon is Watching"

Indicates that a target is being observed but has not yet been compromised.

"A Candle in the Dark"

Indicates a high-value target is vulnerable and requires immediate action.

"The Blue Whisper"

A secret order from Iris herself, often delivered through intermediaries.

"The Mask Slips"

A warning that a sleeper agent or spy has been discovered and needs extraction or termination.

"Nightfall Comes"

An order to assassinate a target.

Origins of The Veil: From Lotus to Shadow

Before founding The Veil, Iris was a high-ranking member of the Lotus Clan, one of the three powerful mafia houses in Valon. The Lotus Clan was infamous for its control over smuggling routes, espionage, and assassinations across the continent. Iris rose quickly through the ranks, her natural charisma and unparalleled intellect setting her apart from others in the organization.

The Rift with the Lotus Clan

Iris’s tenure with the Lotus Clan was marked by both success and friction. While she brought unparalleled efficiency and innovation to their operations, her growing disdain for the organization’s rigid hierarchy and ruthless tactics led to conflict with its leadership. The final break came when the Lotus Clan’s leaders planned a bloody campaign against rival factions, an operation Iris vehemently opposed for its disregard of innocent lives.

Seeing no future within the Lotus Clan, Iris orchestrated her departure with surgical precision, convincing many of its operatives to defect with her. These loyal followers became the foundation of The Veil, carrying their experience and knowledge into the new organization.

Founding The Veil

Unlike the Lotus Clan, The Veil was built on the principles of secrecy, precision, and independence. Iris envisioned a network that operated in the shadows, free from the bloated bureaucracy and excessive brutality she had witnessed in the Lotus Clan.

Many of The Veil’s original members were former Lotus operatives disillusioned with their old organization. Iris’s ability to command loyalty ensured a smooth transition and a strong foundation for The Veil.