The Shadow Court

The underground criminal organizations which have their hold on the seedier parts of Richtersveld and, for the more successful heads, the kingdom of Arnstein are referred to as Families. This term traditionally arose because the original organizations were a true family affair, mafia-like, but more recently and since the country fell to the Vallenti Empire it is just a nod to that past. Most now are tight knit groups of individuals who have been recruited into the life when they were young. Most street kids form their own family which for better or worse usually stick it out with each other until the bitter end or, if luck is on their side, their ultimate success. Family’s are less likely to trust outsiders and most only accept their own children or on the odd occasion someone that a member of the group is sweet on.

Families come and go like the noble houses, there are inter-family wars and feuds that last over generations but a weak stability is currently held in Richtersveld. Three families have found themselves top dogs and are holding a strenuous peace with what they call the Shadow Court, which is ruled over by what they call the Underking, and control the mass of the criminal underworld. The Court is ruled over by the “Underking” who is the eldest of the court’s family heads.

Nieder Family
Family Head: Emil Messer

The oldest and some would argue richest family in Arnstein. They have holds all over the kingdom and have a large network for all types of smuggling and racketeering.

Hunde Family
Family Head: Kirag Nordul

The Hunde Family has been around for some generations. They’re made of dwarves and humans. They are mostly enforcers and are known as hamfisted but practical.

Strich Family
Family Head: Gerrard Strich

The newest family to the shadow court. They came out of nowhere and have made a name for themselves. Most of them are tieflings and can be ruthless against those that go against the rules of the Underwards.