Within the vaulted chambers of the Silent Court, where lantern-light glimmered on polished stone, the Golden Serpent Sect's hierarchy spread like roots beneath ancient trees. At its pinnacle stood three Elders, each wielding influence through quiet commands and subtle glares.
Elder Kazreth, the Jade Whisper: Already known, Kazreth favored cunning negotiations, half-masked behind jade filigree. He spoke softly yet held absolute authority in final decisions. His presence united or divided the council, directing webs of intrigue toward chosen goals.
Beside him hovered two other Elders of equal standing:
Elder Osereth, the Broken Fang: A hunched figure with a silver mask scarred by a deliberate scratch. Osereth held dominion over traditions and rites. He guarded old secrets, knowledge of poisons and rituals that predated current generations. His voice crackled with age, and younger Serpents leaned forward when he spoke, fearful of missing a whispered command.
Elder Ravessa, the Mist Viper: Draped in layered veils, Ravessa's eyes alone were visible, dark and probing. She managed covert alliances and distant pacts. Merchants, mercenaries, and neutral factions fell under her quiet persuasion. Her thin fingers tapped patterns on a wooden staff, each tap a silent code understood by few.
Beneath the Elders stood the Generals, whose tactics shaped the Serpents' military essence:
General Malzaryn, the Twilight Fang: Master of ambush and night raids, Malzaryn's scarf of scarlet silk trailed behind him like a comet's tail. He craved unpredictability, training squads to strike when foes blinked.
General Ivrineh, the Coil of Quiet Steel: Tall and silent, Ivrineh's minimal gestures conveyed orders. Infiltration, espionage, and sabotage were her tools. She preferred silence to speech, her will expressed through subtle head tilts.
General Yashever, the Venom Scholar: Fingers stained with exotic dyes, Yashever mixed poisons and tested psychological tricks. His alchemists perfected toxins and illusions, bending minds to fear before steel ever touched flesh.
At this apex of leadership, a hush reigned. No one dared question the Elders' guidance nor the Generals' directives. Yet, beyond these halls, Captains and Clan Leaders executed the groundwork, ensuring the Serpents' influence stretched across territories. And in distant shadows, another presence loomed, neither Elder nor ally—an unseen force interested in both Serpents and Ember Circle, waiting to tip the scales at the right moment.