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Organizations / Locations
ORGANIZATIONS
While all specific information on the Knights of the Silver Dragon can be found here,
there are other organizations at play in the world of Knights of Legend. As more information is revealed about these organizations, it will be filed here for your reference. For now, just a sneak peek at some of the things you may see sometime soon. If you're interested in having any of these organizations as a part of your character's backstory, simply contact the GM and we'll see if it works out. Alternately, if you created an organization as part of your character's history in this world, public information on that may be placed here as well.
NOVA Records | Music Recording Corporation
Based out of: America, with large offices in New Orleans, LA and New York City (Manhattan), NY
With smaller offices in Chicago, IL, Hollywood, CA, and London, England.
Owned by: Burt Becksworth (starfucker ) and Chad Becksworth (
Info: Star quality, razzle-dazzle, a twinkle in the eye, that special something. Whatever you call it, that’s what Nova Records recording artists have and what the rest of the recording industry seems to lack. Whether it’s pop, rap, punk, rock,country, classical, jazz, or blues, Nova Records always seems to have someone at the top and the next big thing waiting in the wings. Nova Records finds singers, songwriters, composers, mixers, and producers with charisma. They put a pretty face on every aspect of the recording industry, and every sensation Nova puts in the spotlight looks, walks, and talks like a movie star. Nova Records represents a shining example of an aggressive and ambitious music recording corporation that turns talented artists into megawatt superstars—despite the tumultuous relationship of its two co-owners.
Nova Records had its infancy as B&C Recording in Marengo, Illinois. Two brothers, Burt and Chad Becksworth, created a small recording studioin a tool shed on their parents’ farm and made a record of their sister Celia’s fine gospel singing. The Becksworth family had a long tradition in music, and Burt and Chad’s father had been a highly acclaimed jazz musician before an accident severed half the fingers on his left hand. With a little effort and their father’s music connections, they managed to put a demo tape in the hands of several record companies. In no time, their sister was signed and sent off to a real recording studio. In a few months, Celia could be heard singing catchy pop songs on radio stations from coast to coast, and TV shows were touting her as “one of the preeminent voices of our time.” Living the life of a pop star, she swiftly forgot about her brothers and their struggling recording studio and, for their part, her brothers did the same.
Ironically and tragically, Celia was also the force that pulled the family back together a few years later when she perished in an airplane crash. As many media pundits would soon point out, like James Dean she might well have been lucky in that she died at the height of her popularity. Before the crash, her career had been flat and record sales were quickly trending down; there had even been talk of the label releasing Celia from her contract. However, the record company wasted no time capitalizing on her death. It released special collections, tribute albums, remixes, and albums of previously unreleased tracks. Some of the unreleased songs even seemed to have prophetic lyrics about the time and manner of her death, and Chad and Burt’s sister suddenly became the center of a pop-culture phenomenon. Although her music eventually faded from popularity, the company earned tens of millions of dollars in the wake of Celia’s death.
From left to right: Burt Becksworth, Chad Becksworth, Celia Becksworth
Chad and Burt drew many lessons from the experience, but the most valuable was the secret behind their sister’s success—marketing. Celia had a nice singing voice and a decent stage presence, but the record company transformed her into a star in fewer than twelve months, then elevated her into a superstar at a point where she was completely incapable of doing promotion or performing concerts. People all over the world had been tricked into thinking that Celia Becksworth stood side by side with the likes of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. This proved to Burt and Chad that you really can manufacture a star. With this new vision, Chad and Burt took their share of Celia’s success and set out to make a name for their company and one of the local country bands they recorded. They changed their company’s name to Nova Records, a reference to the explosive entrance they planned to make on the popular music scene. That explosion took a couple of years to manufacture, but eventually a rap star called Jazzy Z succeeded in bringing international attention to Nova Records.
From the beginning, Burt and Chad treated Jazzy Z as though he was a superstar. They hired bodyguards to escort him to all public appearances, arranged for police barricades to be put in place before he would leave his limousine, and made sure that he traveled first class all the way. Of course,they also paid local actors to play the part of screaming fans at his public appearances, bribed on-air radio personalities to work Jazzy Z’s material into the rotation, and bombarded national magazines (especially the tabloids) with “scoops” about the singer’s whereabouts and activities. Although Jazzy Z eventually changed his name and signed with another studio, his success gave Nova Records a foothold in the industry and a reputation as a company that took careof its artists.The tactics that catapulted Jazzy Z to stardom are still in use at the company today. Nova Records is not unique in manufacturing fame for its artists, but it stands out because of its ability to create so many stars in different parts of thecompany. Nova Records spends millions of dollars promoting its artists, but it spends just as much to promote its producers, sound mixers, songwriters, talent spotters, and the company itself.
This barrage of propaganda must be modified to suit the tastes of different audiences, but Burt and Chad seem capable of handling multiple demographics. Nova Records has multimillion-dollar deals that guarantee its music will be heard in commercials, movie soundtracks,and awards ceremonies. It even has its own network of radio stations that play nothing but Nova Records hits. The company is a colossal success. Nova Record’s reputation is pointed to as a triumph of advertising and spin doctoring. Politicians study its marketing strategy. Corporations from every industry pay exorbitant fees to have Nova Records executives run seminars and workshops for their marketing and PR departments. Most employees want to stay with the company, but those who don’t find that having Nova Records on their resumes makes them highly sought after and practically guarantees a rise in base salary.
The only dark spot on Nova Records’ reputation is the growing division between its two founders, Burt and Chad Becksworth. Since the beginning, the two have had a famously tumultuous working relationship. However, their fraternal love and shared vision has always pulled them together in a crisis. In the past year or two, though, their relationship has soured. Fortunately the company has grown large enough to handle the slings and arrows, because Burt and Chad are focusing all their time and energy trying to cut one another out of various deals. The source of thisargument seems to be an aborted deal to buy Columbia Records. Since that fell through, neither brother has attended any meeting or business function at which the other is scheduled to appear.
The brothers have become regulars on the covers of supermarket tabloids. One headline proclaimed that Burt’s now-divorced second wife had a ménage a trois with both Chad and Chad’s wife. Another claimed to have shocking photos of a private Tahitian vacation Burt took with Chad’s stepdaughter. At first this feud was just embarrassing, but someone from Nova Records recently leaked copies of furious letters,emails, and memos Chad and Burt have issued. The documents show that their anger at one another is causing them to pursue business deals and investments that could very well threaten the stability of their multi-billion dollar company. The brothers’ feud has Nova Records’ stock at its lowest price in a decade. Although the company continues to profit as a whole, the loss of consumer confidence has led to layoffs and a scaling back of the luxurious treatment afforded to many recording stars. Rumors abound that the end is near for the company.
The Manhattan headquarters consists mostly of offices and cubicles, but the areas that are open to the public seem more like a theme park or museum. The Nova Records headquarters has become a tourist attraction where visitors can catch glimpses of a music sensation or movie star entering or leaving one of the buildings. Usually these are look-alikes that the company hires to make dozens of entrances and exits per day, just to excite the fans.
The Hoffman Institute | Research Facility, Alternative Energy
Based out of: Chicago, IL
Run by: Dr. Tomas Hoffman
Info: The Hoffman Institute is an independent “think-tank” organization. Founded in 1917 by Tomas Hoffmanand Itohiro Nakami, the Hoffman Institute is officially devoted to developing new technologies, particularly in the field of alternative energy. The Hoffman Institute has three divisions: the Administrative Division, the Analytical Division, and the Archives. These divisions take care of the organization’s day-to-day operations and serve as screens formore covert activities.
Headquartered in Chicago, the Hoffmann Institute has major branches (200–250 employees) in Barcelona, New York City, El Paso, Philadelphia, Portland (Oregon), and Tampa, with satellite offices (75–100 employees) in Aspen, Baltimore, Lima, New Orleans, Mexico City, Minneapolis, Paris, Phoenix,and Jakarta. Each office houses a fully equipped library, forensics lab, sample storage, morgue, armory, detention area, employee cafeteria, gymnasium, and motor pool. If a sample defies analysis at a branch office, the NYC head-quarters has an even more advanced laboratory available, fully staffed 24 hours per day.
Liam Chambers works as a driver for this organization.
Luckman Industries | Research and Development Mega-Corporation
Based out of: Italy
Run by: George Luckman (American)
Info: A multi-million dollar corporation that invests in a variety of different exploits, primarily technology based.
The Italian Resistance Movement | Underground Political Movement
Based out of:Various cells, generally centered out of Rome
Run by: Unknown
Info: Shadowkind tensions in Italy have run especially high over the years, as many elves migrated to the country in the early 20th century. The sudden flood of Shadow immigrants stirred a deep mistrust of their intentions amidst the government and populace. Over the years, some vocal politicians have attempted to pass bills forbidding beings of "evil" races from even being allowed in the country. Divisions have led to riots, the burning of pagan temples erected to Faerunian gods, and even a number of political assassinations.
Shadowkind and sympathizers to their cause began organizing movements designed to protect Shadowkind from discrimination, protect or even arm them in riots to defend themselves, etc. and the government has done what it can to root out the leaders of these cells and bring them to trial. Members of the Movement consider themselves freedom fighters.
Rafael Giovanni, Isabella Alessandro, and Hiro are members of this movement, citing very personal reasons for their involvement.
The Brotherhood of the Enlightenment | Church
Based out of: Chicago, IL
Run by: Raoul Jacobson (now deceased)
Info: A growing Church, connected with several other similar global movements, that blends Christianity with an uncompromising stance on the inferiority of Shadowkind, comparing them more or less to animals.
Hellsing aka The Royal Order of Protestant Knights | Secret Paramilitary Vampire Hunting Organization
Based out of: London, England
Run by: Sir Integra Hellsing (
Info: The Hellsing organization has operated for over 100 years, founded by Abraham VanHelsing of Dracula fame. They have spent this time perfecting the art of destroying supernatural threats into a tightly organized system that operates with military efficiency. Hellsing is a privately run order that is always led by one of Abraham's descendents. Its current leader is surely among its most notable, as Integra took up her position as head of Hellsing at age 12, upon her father's death.
While Hellsing has its own privately trained militia of human soldiers, it is most infamous for its most effective and unusual agent: the vampire Alucard (
Hellsing is an incredibly patriotic organization, dogmatically devoted to both England and Protestant Christianity. The organization is tasked by the true power behind England's government with defending the country's shores from any and all supernatural threats. It often faces controversy over the highly unconventional methods they use to do this, such as the use of "anti-Christian" powers and creatures. They have a long history of conflict with the Iscariot organization. Members of the Knighthood are likely to hear about Hellsing's activities, as both organizations operate out of London to exterminate dangerous Shadow threats. However, Hellsing focuses specifically on fighting vampires and demons, and does not concern itself with Shadowkind rights. Hellsing's ruthless efficiency, air of superiority, and religious dogmatic approach to their job tend to rub Wynn the wrong way, and there is a history of tension between the two organizations, particularly when the Knights attempt to deal with any vampire activity in England.
Iscariot | Secret Paramilitary Sect of the Catholic Church
Based out of: Vatican City
Run by: Enrico Maxwell (
Info: Operating under even more layers of secrecy than Hellsing or the Knights is the Catholic Church's secret order of assassins, exorcists, scientists, demon hunters, and soldiers, known as Iscariot. The Knights have often bumped heads with this group. More is unknown than known about Iscariot, however, it is clear that Section XIII is the most dangerous branch of the organization, consisting of paladin warrior priests trained in assassination of supernatural threats.
Iscariot and the Knights will usually butt heads on cases involving beings of a demonic nature, holy artifacts, or affairs conducted by the Knighthood in Rome, Italy. The size, strength, and reach of Iscariot is unknown, and the Vatican publicly disavows knowledge of their existence.
Unlike Hellsing, Iscariot destroys all "evil" demonic creatures on the principle that they are abominations. Hellsing specifically targets vampires that kill humans or represent a threat to the Crown. This, plus the religious differences between the two organizations, have made them intense rivals.
The Paladin Alexander Anderson (
The Eternal Serpents | Cult
Based out of:New Orleans, LA
Run by: Unknown
Info: Graffiti has gotten stranger since more and more Shadowkind have moved into the cities. Trains and busses are covered with elven and dwarven script and arcane sigils are carved into doorframes, but the most troublesome image is a pair of snakes wrapped around themselves in a sideways figure-eight. This, anyone on the street can tell you, is the emblem of a religious cult called the Eternal Serpents. No one knows exactly who belongs to this group: it is said that one does not choose to join the group —you are adopted because of your lineage. Be that as it may, members come from all walks of life. Rich or poor, male or female, black or white, it makes no difference to the Snake Mother. Rumor has it that all members of this cult all have snake blood running through their veins.
Little is known about the inner workings of this secret society beyond the fact that they worship someone or some-thing they call the Snake Mother and perform human sacrifices to garner her favor. On rare occasions rumors leak about a particular congregation having a full-blooded snake-man as their head priest. The half-breeds are well known for being peddlers of information and illicit equipment. They seem to always be able to acquire the unacquirable —for a price. Some believe that the price is a piece of your soul, but many heroes simply report it is a not-insignificant surcharge for all services and materials. Plus you have to put up with the snake-man’s insufferably snide, superior attitude and leering gaze (as though you were a meal instead of a client). Exactly why the cult chooses to mark territory with its emblem is unclear. Unlike street gangs, they do not feel any sense of belonging to a neighborhood. The best guess anyone has is that they are internally territorial and are marking their ground so that other congregations stay away. Only snake blooded humans can be members of the Eternal Serpents.