The agreement between the Brotherhood and the Severian Principate to train Principate troops has led to a dramatic rise in contact between the two factions. The Shroud Syndicate is always on the lookout for people who can get things done discreetly, has jumped at the opportunity to make new, sympathetic friends within the Principate’s ranks. Spies are all well and good, but a buddy who can do you a favour is even better.
Of course, the Shroud hasn’t given up its underworld roots. Among Brotherhood members who flout the law, word of both cordial relationships and lasting grudges travels quickly. A lowlife scoundrel you can trust is worth their weight in aurodium, even if they aren’t an ace pilot or deadly mercenary.
Option 1
Design an NPC member of the Severian military who received training from the Brotherhood, and is willing to do a few favours in return.
Option 2
Design an NPC working with a pirate or other criminal group who might be open to working for the Brotherhood, for the right price.
The NPC you design must be an “average” member of the chosen faction, and their skills should reflect that. In Brotherhood rank terms, they would be considered Journeymen, or possibly low-level Equites.
Your entry must include a name, apparent age, physical description, and a description of the character’s skills and abilities. The total length of the submission must be fewer than 500 words. You may not use your own characters for this competition, even those who aren’t technically “Brotherhood members”.
You may submit your entry as a .doc or .pdf file, or via the website text box. Google Docs links will not be accepted. Do NOT submit CS sandbox codes.
Character images are allowed but not required, and if included, must be sourced according to the Brotherhood’s Fair Use Policy.
Entries will be graded on adherence to the competition’s prompt and rules, creativity, and realism. Ties will be broken by judge preference.