The Cobras of Set are an enigmatic and highly skilled order of monks operating under the secretive hierarchy of the Red Wizards of Rasar. While officially disavowed by the Red Wizards due to their illegal status in many regions, the Cobras play a crucial, if shadowy, role within the Rasarian Enclave and beyond. Enemies of the Macaw Order.
Structure and Leadership
The Cobras are organized under a strict hierarchy, with the Red Wizards of Rasar at the pinnacle of power. Directly beneath them is the cleric leadership of Set, who oversee the monks' activities and ensure their adherence to Set’s doctrines. The monks themselves, while trained in various monastic disciplines, are often engaged in tasks that range from political espionage and covert assassinations to acting as bodyguards in situations where open weaponry is impractical or forbidden.
Adanja Cashgaraal, a woman of striking beauty and formidable skill, leads the Cobras. Adanja rose through the ranks by leveraging her physical allure and cunning intelligence, making her an expert in both the arts of seduction and assassination. Her leadership is characterized by a blend of ruthless pragmatism and cold, calculating efficiency. She has turned the Cobras into a versatile force capable of operating in the shadows, executing tasks that require both subtlety and lethal precision.
Operations and Activities
The Cobras are known for their silent, deadly efficiency. While assassination is their most infamous skill, the Cobras have expanded their roles since the fall of Rasar, partly to provide cover for their more nefarious activities. They now engage in a range of monastic duties, including meditation, teaching, and even acting as emissaries or advisors in diplomatic situations. This diversity in their roles allows the Cobras to maintain a façade of legitimacy while still conducting their covert operations.
One of the Cobras’ most critical roles is accompanying the Red Wizards in dangerous or politically sensitive situations, where open displays of force would be inappropriate. In such scenarios, the Cobras serve as "unarmed" protectors, though they are far from defenseless. Their training allows them to turn almost anything into a weapon, and their knowledge of pressure points and unarmed combat techniques makes them lethal even without traditional weapons.
Underground Library
A secret underground library on the grounds of the Red Wizard Enclave in Seregon serves as the intellectual and spiritual heart of the Cobras. This hidden repository contains centuries' worth of dark magical knowledge, including the truenames of fiends, ancient rituals, and other esoteric secrets. The library is an invaluable resource, not just for the Cobras, but for the Red Wizards themselves, who rely on it for their dark arcane research.
This library was painstakingly transported from Rasar following the kingdom's fall, and its protection is one of the Cobras' top priorities. Access to the library is strictly controlled, and only those deemed worthy by Adanja or the cleric leadership are allowed to study its contents.
Relationship with the Red Wizards and Seregon Authorities
Despite their official disavowal by the Red Wizards of Rasar, the Cobras maintain a covert but vital connection to their masters. This relationship is fraught with tension, as the Red Wizards must publicly distance themselves from the illegal activities of the Cobras while simultaneously depending on their skills for espionage, assassination, and other clandestine tasks. There have been numerous behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure the release of captured Cobras, highlighting the delicate balance between deniability and necessity.
In Seregon, the Cobras operate in a legal gray area. The local authorities, particularly the Iron Guard, are aware of the Cobras' existence but lack the evidence or political will to take direct action against them, largely due to the influence and wealth of the Red Wizards. The Cobras often accompany the Red Wizards as "observers" in situations that require subtlety, such as diplomatic missions or interactions with the Iron Guard, where being overtly armed would be frowned upon.
Philosophy and Methods
The philosophy of the Cobras is one of absolute devotion to Set and a belief in the necessity of strength and cunning in all things. They view their work, whether it be assassination, espionage, or other forms of covert activity, as a sacred duty to their god. The Cobras are taught to embrace the darkness within themselves, using it as a source of power rather than something to be feared or suppressed.
Their methods are as varied as they are ruthless. While the Cobras are masters of traditional unarmed combat and stealth, they also employ poisons, psychological manipulation, and seduction as tools of their trade. They are trained to adapt to any situation, using whatever means necessary to achieve their objectives.
In conclusion, the Cobras of Set are a multifaceted and deadly order of monks, feared and respected in equal measure. Operating from the shadows, they carry out the will of the Red Wizards of Rasar with precision and discretion, all while maintaining a veneer of monastic respectability. Their leader, Adanja Cashgaraal, embodies the order's philosophy of strength through cunning and ruthlessness, ensuring that the Cobras remain a formidable force in the world of Seregon and beyond