Black Fang

The Black Fang are an organisation in The New Kingdoms canon. The Black Fang seems on the surface to be nothing more than a faction of mercenaries, but they are in fact much more than they themselves claim. They are known in the criminal underworld as the Syndicate. No one knows of the connection between the Black Fang and the Syndicate.

As mercenaries and soldiers, the Black Fang are renowned for their strategic ways, often crushing their enemies without any sacrifice whatsoever. In battle, they are ruthlessly efficient.

Known History
The Black Fang were once considered nothing more than a faction of mercenaries, and they would do anything they could to ensure that others thought of them as such. Much to everyone's surprise, they eventually proved themselves to be much more than just mercenaries, when they managed to have the entire Black-Briar family (including the Jarl) assassinated. After the assassinations, they swiftly and silently moved in and forced Riften to bend it's knee to the Black Fang, killing any military opposition that resisted. None of the other Jarls knew what had happened in the Rift, as for multiple weeks after the Black Fang occupation, no one had recieved any word from the Jarl of the Rift. That lasted until Jarl Etaret Witchbane of Eastmarch contacted the Jarl of the Rift, and recieved a letter from one of the Black Fang leaders in return. This is how the Black Fang became the official rulers of the Rift, and have remained as such up to this very day.

Skills and Preferences
Though the Black Fang consists of all kinds of fighters, their warriors seem to prefer battle styles based on skill and agility, rather than strength. There are relatively few strength-based warriors amongst the Black Fang. Similarly, even their mages and spellswords prefer to use skill and agility when fighting in close-quarters-combat. All Black Fang are required to know how to wield a melee weapon, usually a sword, relatively effectively. Overall, Black Fang soldiers are very versatile, and most of them are trained effectively in all kinds of combat. If a Black Fang is more focused on one kind of combat over other kinds, they are usually masters of their preferred type of combat. It is extremely unwise to underestimate any Black Fang.

Religious Toleration
The Black Fang tolerates the worship of any deity, just so long as the worship of said deity does not bring harm upon the Black Fang itself. Most Black Fang seem to be Daedra worshipers of some sort.

The Syndicate
The Syndicate started out shortly after the Black Fang conquered the Rift, though the citizens of Skyrim believe that the Syndicate has always been working in the shadows. The Syndicate started out with nothing but the Thieves Guild under their control, but the Syndicate played their cards right, and now control all organised crime in Skyrim and the surrounding areas. Nobody knows who the Syndicate truly are, as the Syndicate never contacts anyone directly, and always obscures itself. Even most otherwise honourable organisations have at some point found themselves serving the Syndicate, whether intentionally or not. Such organisations include the Mages Guild, the Fighters Guild and even the Companions. Most organisations owe favours to the Syndicate, and therefore find themselves forced to assist the Syndicate every now and then.

Headquarters
Though the Black Fang have been operating out of Riften a lot, Nightshade Mansion still finds itself being the official headquarters of the Black Fang. Most Black Fang have the ability to instantly teleport between these two locations. Riften is covered by a massive all-round ward that protects it from pretty much any attack. This ward was added after the Black Fang found themselves under attack by massive legions of Falmer, who very nearly got through the gate.

Rules and Regulations
Most of the rules of the Black Fang are very simple, and are not too difficult to follow. They are all unwritten, and unspoken.
 * Never compromise the Black Fang, it's secret, or it's plans. (This rule is not much of a problem, as even most Black Fang don't know the secrets or plans of the organisation.)
 * Show respect to one another. Racial or religious persecution, like most broken rules, are punishable by expulsion, and death.
 * No unauthorised killing of other Black Fang. Killing another Black Fang is only permitted if ordered, or via a duel.
 * You may not challenge anyone with a lower rank than yourself to a duel. You may however challenge higher ranks to a duel, and they may accept if they so chose. This rule counts for all.
 * Duels end when one of the participants either surrenders, or dies. If the participant is unable to fight, they may choose whether to surrender or not. If they are unable to speak, they will die the warrior's death.
 * All duels must be overseen by an official officer of the Black Fang.
 * Death before dishonour.
 * Nothing is overlooked, nothing is rushed through. Everything must be done perfectly, efficiently, and with discipline.
 * No disobeying orders given by higher ranks.
 * No using/testing magic on other Black Fang unless they have agreed to it.
 * Constant vigilance.
 * Theft withing Black Fang territory, or on other Black Fang, is unacceptable.