The Nightwings are a city-wide gang of youths, mostly of Laan descent, led by the infamous thief Tiery of Landars. Tiery is said to be a former Warrior Monk of the Order of Cay, cast out for some indiscretion. He now goes by the monikor Bat, and he has two lieutenants, boys who bear the nicknames Moth and Cricket. The Nightwings are burglars and spies, and though they shy away from violent crime, they are able to defend themselves; perhaps their impressive fighting skills are a result of the Bat’s combat training at the monastery. The Nightwings operate from the sealed-off top storey of a warehouse in the Twelve Bridges area. Adept climbers all.

The Nightwings gang, now about 3 years old, boasts an impressive number of skilled thieves and burglars, as well as a few masters of the more mystical arts. The more then fifty members have their hands in all sorts shady going-ons in the city. Because of their relatively benign nature the Nightwings are left pretty much alone and are sometimes even enlisted by official groups for their skill in surveillance and spying.

The Nightwings use small whistles as a signal. They are small metal tubes which emit a sound almost beyong the range of human hearing, similar to the high-pitched squeaking that bats make. The sound carries far for those that are trained to hear it.

SEL-KAI

In the summer of 6050, on the 1400th anniversary of the rise of Eidolon into the sky, a small group of Laan Nightwings ‘led’ by Cricket, find themselves doing several jobs together. For the majority of these youths Sel-kai is all they have known, yet Sel-kai is a very well informed culture being one of the largest, if not the largest, trade hub in the Western Hemisphere.

It seems to be a tumultuous time across the continent. The region known as Haestra (northwest Emer) is in turmoil since the Katra of Stroane was murdered two years ago; Stroane had been quickly consolidating power over the entire region. The Lankani Empire southwest of Sel-kai is growing fast and a source of concern to some who consider them a barbaric race. The Lankani are not as technologically advanced but seem to have access to unlimited wealth. The Lankani also use and deal extensively with slaves and the slave trade has expanded to encompass Sel-kai as a result. Last summer several men in regal armor astride winged horses arrived in Eidolon. They called themselves Cloudlords, from the distant kingdom of Tanara, on Jaiman. The rumor is that they met with the Prince and negotiated trade contracts. Sightings of The Nameless One also continue running rampart. According to words on the street over the last 5 years he’s seen every inch of Sel-kai and likes to drink at T’revors Tankard. Just last week a few sailors were telling stories of the Nameless One in Sel-kai’s sister city Kaitaine (in southwest Emer). He predicted a fireball from the sky would destroy the city.

The Characters

The cast of Characters in the Nightwings campaign, both PC’s and NPC’s.

1. Bat - A few years ago Tiery came to Sel-kai. He quickly formed a network of spies and petty thieves and formed The Nightwings. Tiery changed his name to Bat after stealing two flying cloaks and magic boots with his soon-to-be Lieutenants from The Gargoyles: Moth and Cricket.
2. Cricket - The youngest, at 16, Cricket is a Lieutenant of the Nightwings and has gained a justified reputation not only as an accomplished thief but capable of amazing acrobatic feats. Being able to leap incredible distances across buildings, he has no doubt earned his monikor. Despite his young age Cricket has contacts all over the lower city of Sel-kai.
3. Dag - A typical city hoodlum, Dag talks little about much else other then burglary jobs, fighting, or women. A brash, and sometimes angry young man he combines power of The Essence with unusual swordplay. Apprenticed to a powerful retired Lord (who continues to be a powerful ally and customer of the Nightwings services), Dag has free reign and spends much of his time running with the Nightwings.
4. Emmet’al - A Shay Monk from the Gydal-Tyl School in the Library District, Emmet’al is a long-time friend of Tiery (aka Bat), having originally come to Sel-kai with him. He took a separate path then Tiery, but the two have remained strong friends. Having studied Literature, Science and History at Aegon College at Kalingen and the art of combat at Gydal-Tyl, Emmet’al though
5. Ingman - The Nightwings rescused the Ingman from the Medusa cartel where they held him captive and used him for his extraodinary healing abilities. While a known drunk, Ingman also has an amazing tolerance for pain as he magically transfers others injuries and wounds to his own body where he then magically heals himself.
6. Jerig - A recent Apprentice turned Journeyman, in service to the Locksmith Lemod Charg, Jerig mixes the magic of The Essence with excellent knowledge of his craft. Living with the Master Craftsman above his shop near the city gates, Jerig moonlights as a member of the Nightwing gang. When not locksmithing or nightwinging, Jerig can probably be found in one of the many Sel-kai taverns ogling the barmaids.
7. Moth - Born of the streets of Sel-kai, Moth comes from a family of petty criminals. One of the strongarms of The Nightwings Moth uses his skills in those unfortunate situations where the Nightwings need to use violence.
8. Raen - Part Elf, Raen hails from inland Sel-kai and attends the Aegon School of Mentalism at the prestigious University of Kalingen in the Library Quarter where he studies the healing arts. Upon coming to the city he, strangely enough, became friends with several members of the Nightwings and his knowledge of herbs have been of great use in various jobs.
9. Taelvis - Taelvis’ skill in music belies his Linaeri heritage more so then his pointed ears. A member of the Sel-kai Minstrel’s Guild and student at the College of Valris studying the Thanor Empire, Taelvis has acted as another set of eyes and ears for the Nightwings but not an true member.
10. Tasher - At 20, Tasher is young as a canaler but one of the oldest of the Nightwings, being the same age as Bat. Despite his young age he has been toughened by poling boats in the canals of Sel-kai for nearly 8 years. Occasionally playing in the monthly games or in a boxing fight near the docks he has a reputation for being a skilled fighter. While the Laan are a handsome race the Gods, or punches, have not been kind to Tasher - he has an ugly visage and frequently frightens young women.
11. Titus - Friend, or student, of the mysterious Yorell, Titus is most at home among seas or waterways. Titus takes direction from his god Shaal, which has brought him to previously work with the Nightwings. He ascribes to frequently random behavior to being part of Shaal’s plan, and Kultheans were not meant to understand.