“In Death, Purpose. In Faith, Power.”

Masters of Darkness:

Necromancy is a potent form of magic, and one that comes with a veritable list of broken taboos in most civilized cultures. In the lands where it is not forbidden outright, many necromancers find themselves on the fringes of society, estranged from the sensibilities of ‘decent’ folk. That is not to say that they are powerless, not by any means. Many of them come together in cabals and temples, pooling their dark powers to craft undead legions and further sinister plots. A precious few use their powers for the betterment of others, viewing the living dead as a tool like any other. 

In Dark Harbor, most necromancers find their way into the ranks of the Gothi- and not always by choice. Devout followers of the Dark god Malagant, Lord of Autumn and patron of necromancers, the Gothi of Bones view the dominion of Malagant over necromancy as their divine purpose. The head of the Dark pantheon is many things, though keen on sharing he is not. It is his decree that all necromancers serve his will- or be punished for their insolence. Either way, those that openly seek the power of necromancy within Dark Harbor often find themselves inducted into his temple as a willing sorcerer or a shambling corpse. 

Though Dark Harbor is far from a respectable settlement, even the rogues and knaves that call it home find themselves uncomfortable around the walking dead. The typical dressings and mien of the Gothi are not much better, bedecking themselves in the tattered burial shrouds of honored dead and bearing fetishes of bone, hair, and putrefying flesh. The truly devout of Malagant among them often wear macabre makeup, black and white visages of death to show their allegiance to His will and as penance for not yet casting off the weakness of living flesh. It is said that each pattern of markings has a holy significance to the priesthood- though their meanings are hidden from outsiders. The power of the Gothi- and fear of the consequences of crossing them- keep most denizens of the Harbor in line. It helps that they largely keep to themselves, dwelling in whatever secret crypts and tombs they call home. 

Annals of Rot:

Only the Gothi of Bones know the truth about their order’s history, and are unlikely to share much of it to outsiders. However, recent whispers have circulated the taverns and docksides of the Harbor which might cast a dim light on the yawning black pit that is their murky past. They say that the Gothi formed as cabal meant to aid a powerful necromancer in the pursuit of lichdom. The temple was raised to honor the Lord of Undeath and to set the groundwork for the path to eternal unlife and the endless font of necromantic power that came with it. 

Eventually, the time for the dark ritual had come. Years of preparation, magical and material, had brought the fledgling cabal together in purpose and faith. When it was revealed that the ritual planned would use the cabal’s life source as fuel, sacrificing them as pawns for their leader’s ascension- they turned on him. This in itself was no great shame, betrayal for preservation and advancement is no sin within Malagant’s church. However, in their battle something went amiss and the ancient tomes and research that had uncovered this path were said to be destroyed. A transgression most severe, as all things of necromantic power are of value to the Lord of Autumn and his minions. 

As penance, the Gothi decided to take root. To remain in this place and enforce their masters’ dark will, spreading the teachings of the Dark pantheon and hunting rogue practitioners of the craft. Here they have remained, dutiful and frightening boogeymen. Tomb raiders that leave treasure and take bone. Madmen and freaks. Genius magical adepts. All the while hunting for ways to recover the dark lore they lost.

One inconsistent detail that changes with each story is the final fate of the would-be lich. Some say that interrupting the ritual killed him, and his soul was lost forever. Or that he never began the process at all, his students plunging bone daggers into his heart before the first incantation could escape his lips. Perhaps, some whisper, that the only true casualty were his grimoires and that he persists in an endless half-death. Partway through the transcendence of lichdom, having forgiven his disciples- for they only acted in the way Malagant would have them- and ascended his skeletal throne to guide them in their unholy quest. 

Altar of the Macabre:

An important detail for the Gothi is their adherence to Malagant’s wishes of dark communion. It is his will that the children of darkness, followers of his putrid kin and fellow members of the Dark pantheon, are brought together into one horrific temple. The Gothi have thus attempted to shepherd followers of other Dark gods, acting as advisors and mentors to the whelps that find themselves on these misbegotten shores. They tend to smaller shrines of the other gods; Baaagh, Daelrion, Dietremen, Erasmus, Pandora, and Raze. This should not be mistaken for charity, as the Gothi expect loyalty and service in turn.

Viewing Malagant as the center of the Dark pantheon, and them as his mortal instruments, the Gothi expect other followers of darkness to toe the line and heed their demands, as sparse and few between as they might be. This is not always received well, as few enjoy bowing down to those that make a home of potters fields. In turn, the Gothi have not forgotten their treacherous roots, and the throats that speak tales of disobedience and irreverence for the rightful order of the dark pantheon are oft found cut. Such is His will. 

Typically, the Gothi have been aware of the uneasy balance that they keep with the settlement they border. Should the combined crews of Dark Harbor take up arms against them there is no guarantee that they would prevail, and the great work would likely be threatened. Individually however, most folk are far too afraid to stand against them. Likely, to further dissuade open hostility the Gothi have made it clear that they are responsible for containing and controlling much of the undead who would threaten to overtake the pirate town, sequestering them in secret and hidden places so that they might serve the Lord of Autumn when the time has come.

Recent Events:

Years of coexistence had forged a tennous peace with the Spears of the Rising Dawn. It can never be said that the groups liked one another, but an understanding had been found. If the Gothi kept their work in check and free of innocent blood, while aiding in the destruction of  dangerous rogue necromancers, the two could live in relative peace. If the Gothi kept their word is unknown, perhaps they just got good at hiding their kills. The breakdown of this peace actually came from the Spears. Allegedly, a breakaway faction was responsible for the beginning of open hostilities which the Spears denounced. 

Despite this claim, in the fall of 2265 multiple residents of Dark Harbor- including a prominent member of the Spears of the Rising Dawn and leader of the Imperial militia- launched an attack on the inner sanctum of the Gothi of Bones. Their assault ultimately failed, and led to direct retaliation from the order. Positive relations between the Spears and the Gothi are in tatters, and the cabal all but stands on the brink of open war. Calmer voices have advocated for peace. The Gothi have given no answer.