Crypt Keepers (Dominaria Supplement)
Crypt Keepers[edit]
History: the early days of the 2nd Age would see the first pervasive undead threat to humans on Dominaria. As a result of what's come to be known as the Barnard-Stokes Heresy, the process of creation of undead through Onyx-channeling was created. As opposed to the complex blood-magic or the eastern practice of mummification out of Kwazarmia, both of which are incredibly difficult and time consuming, Onyx-channeling was relatively simple although entirely profane art. Dark Powers had threatened humanity before and had at times penetrated deep into the churches and powers of the land before being stopped, but the Barnard-Stokes Heresy unleashed an entirely darker and more pervasive evil. To many the implacable, untiring, and terrifying undead were the perfect tool. A wave of terror swept the land and the nights of Dominaria took on a Gothic feel never seen before.
Dark Priests, formerly with little power other than their own and few followers, suddenly had a means of spreading the messages whispered to them in the sepulchral darkness. Necromantic Cults, formerly little more than primitive death cults, suddenly had the teeth to terrorize the Churches of humanity. And powerful Wizards seeking an edge, or Wizards who felt their own power inadequate, suddenly had a means of rectification. The dead began to walk the nights at first in the country and small villages, but soon in larger towns and small trade cities, and then people started fearing the streets of larger cities at night. These groups were originally unconnected, and Dominaria was lucky for their insular and secretive nature. It may not have remained so forever though, and in any case their terrifying power was growing and had to be stopped.
The shadow war started singly and in small groups, with heroes who embraced the darkness in order to cleanse it or simply criminal groups who refused to let anything come into their turf. Many of these men died, and many rose again; but over time the movement began to aquire leaders. These were men who not only proved they could win, but men who earned the loyalty of the disparate and often dark men they would lead. For this movement would not be a religious one; the Churches were fighting their own war in their own way. This Order, for it became one in a ruined watchtower south of Cartaan in 53 SA, was simply one of men who would protect their own and their turf from the terrors of the night. Though many initially resisted a common goal or purpose, merely wishing safe streets to hustle drugs, the power of their enemy and the argument of several singular heroes compelled the underworld to unite.
They called themselves the Crypt Keepers in the Hellenic States, and declared that that which lay interred in eternal sleep ought never be disturbed. Their Order benefited immensely from their individual groups knowledge of their territory and their ability to gather and distribute information others wished hidden. Dark Battles took place in the alleys and sewers of the West, and dark Heroes braved the sepulchral gloom of Necromantic Chapels hidden in cities or Temples to the Dark Gods deep in the Wild. The wars in the Gothic gloom wore on for years, and ebbed and flowed through winter's chill and summer's breeze. In the end though all but the last of the Necromantic cabals were destroyed and, alongside the mostly oblivious Churches, the Crypt Keepers banished the evil practice to the darkest corners of Dominaria.
After that, the Order shrunk over a few generations as undead popped up less and less often and people swiftly forgot the terror of the night. Many criminals went back to crime and some of the Heroes of the night faded back into the obscurity they prefered. But a tough, watchful, and devoted core knew the threat would never be completely gone; these men kept their vigil. They kept it as humanity spread across Dominaria and they kept it as their numbers dropped to the point where a major city may only have one Keeper and his apprentice. They kept the watch through the Flood Wars and the rise of the Cabal, they kept it through the terrors of the Bando Gora. Although they have never left the shadows and are unknown to almost all, they keep it still.
They can be found wherever there are graveyards, crypts, or burial mounds; and they keep their vigil in most cities and large towns these days. Their numbers soared during the Campaigns of the Wandering One and although they dipped as the 4th Age began, they now consider themselves in the biggest War of thier order's existence since the Cabal and the Bando Gora tore the Second Imperium asunder. Evil now radiated from the Old Empire's heart, and the Keepers are ever vigilant. They hunt Necromancers, undead (especially intelligent undead), and the other abominations the Dragon and the Wandering One unleashed. They will rarely openly identify themselves as a Crypt Keeper but in times of need they will help someone, even if it means compromising their identity. They consider their job a sacred duty and will kill grave robbers or body stealers without mercy just the same as a Necromancer. They can be Clerics of a less pious bent, Undead Stalkers, Fighters, Rangers, Paladins, Rouges, or anything in between. Whatever they are they're nearly always a denizen of the night themselves, and may be a bit off or rough around the edges. When not performing their 'day job' (if they have one) of keeping a crypt or graveyard they're out with whatever strange paraphernalia or weapons they choose, patrolling or hunting.
Area of Influence: Dominaria
Base of Operations: Scattered, no central authority to speak of
Leadership Style: Allegiance
Patron Deity: None
Symbol: A tattoo of RIP on their right wrist
Note: A Crypt Keeper will always help another Crypt Keeper and equip him from their stores. Some older Keepers maintain depots of sorts for the Keepers in their areas, now that there are enough to warrant it.
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