The Talon

Across the world, few organisations strike as much fear with just the very mention of their name to the same extent as The Talon does. The Talon are a highly secretive organisation of assassins that have operated for decades across the three continents of Vespertia, Eous and Bellua, infamous for their ruthless efficiency, and leaving a calling card in the form of a single black feather to their targets before their demise. It is rumoured that the high-ranking membership of the Talon are in fact members of the Zoa Faithful, though this remains conjecture.

Structure

While the leadership of the Talon is unclear; even amongst its lower members, its rank-and-file assassins are well known as "Crows". Crows; recognisable by a magical tattoo on the underside of their arm known as "The Curse of the Talon"; are trained in various arts of murder to enforce the will of the Talon's leadership, and are among the greatest killers in the known world. Each group of Crows is lead by an elite member known as a "Buzzard", whom are significantly more skilled than Crows. It seems even the Buzzards answers to a higher power, but no-one is sure of whom or what is in charge of them.
Ex-members of the Talon, given the name "Red birds" on account of their tattoo turning a deep crimson, are considered to be too dangerous to live on account of the information they might possess, and are hunted to the ends of the world to prevent said information from leaking. Very few Red birds have managed to survive for long without disappearing.

Public Agenda

The Talon are a cabal of assassins, and thus seek the death of their targets. As for who is targeted, however, the method for who is chosen to be a new mark doesn't fall to the highest bidder. Instead, the Talon's leadership personally and exclusively decides who the next victim wil be. Despite making no sense from a business perspective, this hasn't in any way slowed them down, leading to many speculating as to where they obtain their funding.
Due to their use of symbology related to the Arch-Daemon Zoa and a majority of their targets being in some way related to the Church of Zenith, it's rumoured that the Talon are a militant extension of a Zoan Cult.

History

While most of the Talon's history is guarded in close secrecy, certain facets of their history are known to the general public. The Talon began operations around 30 years ago, killing wealthy merchants, elite nobles and high-ranking officials of the Church of Zenith and making a name for themselves throughout the criminal underworld.
Over the years, the Talon have progressively killed more notable targets; especially those closest to the Church of Zenith. It's unknown what they seek to achieve through this, if anything; but what's clear that the Talon are a dangerous group to make an enemy out of, and woe be they who is marked by the black feather of the Talon.

The bird of death hath come for thee

Founding Date

Unknown, presumed to be 1219 HA

Type

Guild, Assassins

Alternative Names

The Birds of Death