The All-Seeing Eyes Of The Black Veil

In the land of darkness, a shadowy court rules over a bleak and bloody nation. Given a mandate from a dark god, these Lords and Ladies sharpen their claws on one another, while each does their part to keep their boots on the throats of the populace of their nation. For while Nidal is built on unspeakable acts, and on rites so vile they haunt the nightmares of outsiders who have witnessed them, the real glue that holds this nation together is something far more primal than magic, fealty, or faith.

It is fear.

But if fear is the mortar that binds Nidal together, then which is the hand that holds the trowel? The tortured, grayskinned monsters known as the Silent Enforcers? The clergy of Zon Kuthon who administer the rites of torture and transformation that offer the dark god blood and pain? Is it the twisted and corrupt nobles who hold the reins of the nation?

No, it is the Black Triune, the immortal, half-dead rulers of Nidal. They and their servants, the All-Seeing Eyes of The Black Veil.

For folks interested in other Pathfinder creations/supplements I've created, consider grabbing the following titles as well:

- 150 Sights To See (And Rumors To Hear) In Absalom

- 100 Books To Find Across The Inner Sea

Who Are The Black Veils?

The All-Seeing Eyes of The Black Veil are a secretive sect who are taught how to move through shadows as if it was their natural environment, and in time they learn how to manipulate the darkness to serve them in their interests. Unseen and unheard, these representatives of the Black Triune could be anywhere. They could be anyone. And while many of them might seem to serve Umbral Court, or to act as agents of the Adamant Guard, the only persons who truly command them are the nation's immortal rulers... and perhaps Zon Kuthon himself, if the rumors are to be believed.

While nothing is truly known about them, it's said the Black Veils are taken as children, or even at birth, and turned over to the hands of the Blind Masters. These aspirants are claimed when they are still raw clay, with no connections to anyone that could cloud their judgment, or taint their loyalty. They are raised in darkness, and taught to navigate it as easily as others do the light. More importantly, though, they are taught to emulate other people, and to pass as everyday persons. For in a land as thoroughly paranoid as Nidal, the Black Veils must not just be unseen... they must be overlooked. Unnoticed. Forgotten... until it's time to reveal themselves.

Making A Black Veil

An All-Seeing Eye of The Black Veil should be made with Darkvision. Many of them come from half-orcs (with or without the Pass For Human feat), but others are humans with the Dim Dweller trait. One of the central tenets of the Black Veils, however, is that they should strive to hide their ability to see in darkness... this deception grants them an advantage when seeing things others think are hidden.

The ideal base class for one of the Black Veils is the ninja, or its parent class the rogue. The combinations of stealth and supernatural abilities these classes offer taps into the lessons of shadow taught by the adherents of Zon Kuthon, and the truths whispered to him from the Dark Tapestry. Additionally, there are a variety of talents that expand the theme of darkness, including:

- Shadow Clone (ninja trick)

- Shadow Duplicate (rogue talent)

- See in Darkness (rogue advanced talent)

- Cloying Shades (rogue talent)

The truest expression of the Black Veil's art, however, is through the shadowdancer prestige class. Able to slip in and out of the shadows as if it were their natural home, they can bend them, entangle their foes with them, and at times even command them. Combining these elements together leads to an agent that Nidal's true rulers can use to see everything that happens in the Nation of Shadows... and who can deliver a sudden strike into the heart of any foe, if the Black Triune demands.

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That's all for this week's Unusual Character Concepts post!

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