Tasseldale Information

Bureau

Tasseldale Courier Service Vigilum Obscuri

Overview• Purpose

– Vigilum Obscuri• Recruitment – Vigilum Obscuri

– Initial Phase– Preliminary Phase– Main Phase– Final Phase

• Organization – Vigilum Obscuri– Areas of Operation– Rank Structure– Customs and Courtesies– Task Organization– Finances

• Ordo Venator– Overview

• Ordo Excubitor– Overview

• Ordo Explorator– Overview

• Ordo Praefector– Overview

• Organization – Tasseldale Courier Service– Area of Operations– Courier Waystations– Finances

• Courier Department– Overview

• Package Retrieval Department– Overview

Purpose – Vigilum Obscuri• To aggressively assert Tasseldale’s right of sovereignty

against its enemies, both foreign and domestic.

• To provide the True King of the Dales with timely and accurate information regarding his neighboring kingdoms and assess the threats posed to the realm.

• To provide the True King of the Dales with a lower visibility option to deal with threats to Tassledale and its vassal states.

• To provide a lower visibility option to safeguard the life of the True King of the Dales and his heirs to the throne.

Recruitment – Initial Phase• Direct – candidate is

approached with an invitation to join the Ordos (Venator, Excubitor, Praefector, Explorator)

• Used when the Ordo is confident in the abilities of the candidate in question

• Indirect – candidate is hired for a job through means of bounty board or guild commission

• Used when the candidate in question requires further analysis of their capability before extending an invitation to join the Ordos

Recruitment is always conducted peer-to-peer. The Vigilum Obscuri do not outsource their recruitment

efforts in order to maintain secrecy

Screening – Preliminary Phase

• Conducted once the candidate has accepted recruitment into the Vigilum Obscuri

• Consists of several vetting processes:– Alignment test without gear– Stringent moral evaluations– Tests of loyalty to Tasseldale

• Screening process could take place over the course of the year to complete– Disqualification from recruitment can occur for any

reason and at any time during the process

Upon dismissal, the candidate is summarily subjected to a False Alibi spell which will effectively erase the entire experience from their minds in order to maintain the agency’s secrecy.

Failing that, alternative methods to ensure the agency’s secrecy will be enacted

Evaluation – Preliminary Phase

• Vigilum Obscuri candidates are assigned to training cells with veteran agents for assessment– Candidates are given missions to determine if agents are

suited for teamwork– Candidates may be reassigned a maximum of 2 further

attempts before disqualification– Candidates are given code names and courier names at

the end of evaluations

Upon dismissal, the candidate is summarily subjected to a False Alibi spell which will effectively erase the entire experience from their minds in order to maintain the agency’s secrecy.

Failing that, alternative methods to ensure the agency’s secrecy will be enacted

Training – Main Phase• Training is divided into education courses for those scouted

by the different Ordo after receiving training on knowledge that is common to both Ordos

• Candidates are then sent on missions pertinent to their Ordo for practical examination

• Upon recommendation of the training agent in charge of the cell, they may recommend capable cells for entry into the Crucible

Education – Main Phase• Agents in training will have periods of instruction and practical application

in regards to general Vigilum Obscuri knowledge– Customs and Courtesies– Code of Conduct– Vigilum Obscuri Rank Structure– combat skills– Stealth/shadowing skills training– Surveillance/Information gathering skills training– Counter-intelligence training– Team tactics– Solo tactics– Vigilum Obscuri hand signals/code ciphers– Courier cant– Courier routes– Courier waystation and mail station locations– Courier services knowledge

Education – Main Phase• Agents in training will be split into their specific Ordo training once general education courses are

completed

• Ordo Venator– Outdoor tracking– Wilderness Survival– Outdoor stealth/shadowing skills training– Monster lore– Ordo Venator code ciphers– Area of Operations Orientation Briefing

• Ordo Excubitor– Urban tracking– Urban stealth/shadowing skills training– Criminal underworld lore– Ordo Excubitor code ciphers– Area of Operations Orientation Briefing

Education – Main Phase• Ordo Explorator

– Wilderness Survival– Outdoor stealth/shadowing skills training– Urban stealth/shadowing skills training– Interviewing/interrogation skills training– Psychological Warfare training– Monster lore– Criminal underworld lore– Ordo Explorator code ciphers– Area of Operations Orientation Briefing

• Ordo Praefector– Urban Tracking– Outdoor tracking– Wilderness survival skills– Interviewing/Interrogation skills training– Urban stealth/shadowing skills training– Outdoor stealth/shadowing skills training– Criminal underworld lore– Ordo Praefector code ciphers– Ordo Excubitor code ciphers– Ordo Venator code ciphers– Ordo explorator code ciphers

Crucible – Final Phase• After a series of successful missions, the lead instructor can

recommend a training cell to undergo the Crucible, the culminating event for the candidates

• The Crucible shall further test the limits of the individuals: physically, psychologically, and spiritually

• Candidates may perish during the Crucible, as it will be the hardest mission they have encountered to date

Swearing in – Final Phase• Upon completion of the Crucible, the agents in training are

then given the symbol of the Vigilum Obscuri and the Tasseldale Courier Service in formal ceremony akin to knighting

• Upon receiving the symbol, the new agents then swear the Oath of the Watcher and are then assigned areas of responsibility given to them by their Ordo chain of command

• Before leaving the training area, agents are also given the uniforms of the Courier Service

Vigilum Obscuri Organization

Vigilum Obscuri

Ordo Explorator

Ordo Praefector

Ordo Venator

Ordo Excubitor

Vigilum Obscuri Organization• Head Agent: Custos Vigilet “Keeper of the watch” or “Zero,” directly answerable to

the King (Philostratus)

• 4 Departments : Ordo Venator, Ordo Excubitor, Ordo Explorator, Ordo Praefector

• Ordo Venator – “Order of the Hunter” deals with external threats to Tasseldale.

• Ordo Excubitor – “Order of the Warden” deals with internal threats to Tasseldale

• Ordo Explorator – “Order of the Seeker” deals with surveillance and intelligence gathering on Tasseldale’s neighbors

• Ordo Praefector – “Order of the Overseer” deals with the moral and legal integrity of the Vigilum Obscuri

• Cover: uses a Courier service as a front for their operation centers in Tasseldale

Vigilum Obscuri Area of Operations

Map LegendOrdo VenatorOrdo Excubitor

Vigilum Obscuri Rank Structure• Tier 0: Custos vigilet (keeper

of the watch), or “Zero”

• Tier 1: Magister Venatu (Master of the Hunt), Dominus de Custodibus (Master of the Watch), Magister Scientiam (Master of Knowledge), Dominus Vilicum (Master Overseer) or “First”

• Tier 2: Agent Secondus, or “Second”

• Tier 3: Agent Tertius, or “Third”

• Tier 4: Agent Quartus, or “Fourth”

• Tier 5: Agent Quintus, or “Fifth”

• Tier 6: Agent Sextus, “Seeker,” “Prefect,” “Hunter,” or “Warden”

Vigilum Obscuri Customs and Courtesies

• Agents shall wear the heraldry of the Tasseldale Courier Service on their cloak, 2 inches to the left of the sternum

• Agents not currently on active patrols will render proper greeting to superior agents by secret hand signal of the appropriate Ordo

• Agents currently on active patrols or on official courier duties shall not be required to render greeting to other Agents by secret hand signal to preserve the anonymity of the organization

• Agents shall not utter the name of the Vigilum Obscuri in public in order to preserve the organization’s anonymity, and shall refer to it as “The Service”

• Agents shall wear the heraldry of the Vigilum Obscuri in a location which is easily concealable, but readily available to be presented when the occasion presents itself

• Agents shall always be armed while on official duties, with the exception of royal mandate dictating otherwise

• Agents shall address one another by their courier names when in the presence of couriers not associated with the vigilum obscuri

Vigilum Obscuri Customs and Courtesies

• Agents who are of the same rank and grade may address each other by their given code names

• Agents who are addressing those of superior rank will address them as their appropriate Tier position (e.g. a Tier 6 Agent will address a Tier 4 Agent as “Fourth” or “Quartus”)

• Agents who are addressing the Ordo Tier 1 agents or Tier 0 will be addressed by their given title

• Agents addressing the Throne shall render the appropriate honorifics• Agents in the presence of the Throne shall have the heraldry of the Vigilum

Obscuri unveiled, until they have been given leave by one of appropriate authority

• Agents shall remain armed even while in the presence of the Throne, with weapons sheathed and positioned to their non-dominant hand

• Agents will always genuflect in the presence of the Throne, unless bidden by the King or Queen to do otherwise

• Agents will greet the noble houses of Tasseldale with a slight bow from the waist, not to exceed 30 degrees from natural posture

Vigilum Obscuri Task Organization

• Tier 1:– Ensures that the Ordo is operating within the scope and intent of “Zero”– Manages the Agents in leadership positions, making personnel adjustments as necessary– Fills leadership gap as needed among Tier 2 positions– Determines Overall disposition of Ordo members to provide adequate coverage where needed– Issues orders to subordinate leaders as required for the successful completion of duties

• Tier 2:– Typically administrative in nature– Operates within borders set by Tier 1 Agents– Determines local Area of Operations for Tier 2 Echelon– Manages Tier 3 Agent operations– Appoints leaders of Tier 3 Echelon– Fills leadership gap as needed among Tier 3 positions

• Tier 3:– Typically administrative in nature– Operates within borders set by Tier 2 Agents– Determines local Area of Operations for Tier 3 Echelon– Manages Tier 4 Agent operations– Appoints leaders of Tier 4 Echelon– Fills leadership gap as needed among Tier 4 positions

Vigilum Obscuri Task Organization

• Tier 4:– Secondary Tier of joint operations– Operates within borders set by Tier 3 Agents– Determines local Area of Operations for Tier 4 Echelon– Manages Tier 5 Agent operations– Appoints leaders of Tier 5 Echelon– Fills leadership gap as needed among Tier 5 positions

• Tier 5: – Primary tier of joint operations– Operates within borders set by Tier 4 Agents– Determines local area of operations for Tier 5 Echelon– Manages Tier 6 Agent operations– Appoints leaders of Tier 6 Echelon– Fills leadership gap as needed among Tier 6 positions

• Tier 6:– Primary unit of operations– Executes orders given by Tier 5 Agents– Operates within boundaries set by Tier 5 Agents– Typical Tier 6 composition: 1 healer, 1 melee combatant, 1 ranged combatant, and 1 trap

specialist

Vigilum Obscuri - Finances• the initial start up costs will be the most expensive phase of the vigilum

obscuri– Uniform design and creation– Courier service and ordo symbol designs and creation– Construction of courier mail and waystations throughout tasseldale– Procurement of courier horses for long distance courier runs– Procurement of courier animals (pigeons, hawks, etc) for expedited

mail– Procurement of pack animals/wagon trains for bulk commercial

shipping

• Once fully established, the Vigilum Obscuri will be primarily self funded:– Income from Courier Service– Income from seized monies and items from subversive elements – Ransom of enemy operatives (approval of the Throne required)

Ordo Venator• Tier 1: Magister Venatu “Master

of the Hunt” or “One”• Tier 2: 972 agents• Tier 3: 108 agents• Tier 4: 36 agents• Tier 5: 12 agents• Tier 6: 4 agents

• Independents: Answerable to Tier 1 leadership, typically Druids

• Projected End Strength: 3,000 + agents

• Primary classes: Inquisitors, Rangers, Druids, Clerics, Fighters

Tier 1

Tier 2Tier 3

Tier 4

Tier 5Tier 6

Independents

Ordo Venator - Overview• Focuses on external threats to Tassledale,

with primary focus on infiltrators/assassins attempting ingress into the country

• Provides Tassledale with an early warning network, utilizing agents in the border regions of the neighboring Dalelands

• Provides Tassledale with clandestine services, such as but not limited to– Planting deep cover agents in proximity

to/or in key positions of target groups, for situational awareness

– Performing targeted removal of enemy centers of gravity in order to de-escalate threats to Tassledale

– Acting as a lower visibility bodyguard to the throne while they travel about Tassledale’s regions not located in metropolitan areas

• Typically operate at the Tier 6 level, though common missions will likely operate at the Tier 5 or 4 echelon

• Ordo Venator Tier 6 operations have less administrative oversight, due to the nature of their postings

• Courier waystations serve as primary order distribution points– Courier caravans serve as secondary

distribution points– Independent agents serve as tertiary

distribution points– Coded messages using ciphers taught

during indoctrination

• Typically maintain communications through use of arcane or divine methods, depending on Venator cell make-up– Will resort to courier animal deliveries if

arcane or divine methods are not available

Ordo Excubitor• Tier 1: Dominus de Custodibus

“Master of the Watch” or “One”• Tier 2: 972 agents• Tier 3: 108 agents• Tier 4: 36 agents• Tier 5: 12 agents• Tier 6: 4 agents

• Independents: Answerable to Tier 1 leadership, typically Bards

• Projected End Strength: 3,000 + agents

• Primary classes: Inquisitors, Clerics, Rogues, Bards, Rangers

Tier 1

Tier 2Tier 3

Tier 4Tier 5

Tier 6

Independents

Ordo Excubitor - Overview• Focuses on internal threats to Tassledale,

with primary focus on infiltrators/assassins attempting embedding in Tassledale

• Provides Tassledale with a constant surveillance network on its unsavory elements in the cities

• Provides Tassledale with clandestine services, such as but not limited to– Planting deep cover agents in proximity

to/or in key positions of target groups, for situational awareness

– Performing targeted removal of enemy centers of gravity in order to de-escalate threats to Tassledale

– Acting as a lower visibility bodyguard to the throne while they travel about Tassledale’s cities

• Typically operate at the Tier 6 level, though common missions will likely operate at the Tier 5 or 4 echelon

• Ordo Excubitor Tier 6 operations have more administrative oversight, due to the proximity to Ordo operation centers

• Courier mail stations serve as primary order distribution points– Taverns/market areas serve as

secondary distribution points– Independent agents serve as tertiary

distribution points– Coded messages using ciphers taught

during indoctrination

• Typically maintain communications through use of arcane or divine methods, depending on Excubitor cell make-up– Will resort to hand deliveries more often

as a result of proximity to operations centers

Ordo Explorator• Tier 1: Magister Scientiam

“Master of Knowledge” or “One”• Tier 2: 972 agents• Tier 3: 108 agents• Tier 4: 36 agents• Tier 5: 12 agents• Tier 6: 4 agents

• Independents: Answerable to Tier 1 leadership, typically Rangers

• Projected End Strength: 3,000 + agents

• Primary classes: Inquisitors, Clerics, Rogues, Bards, Rangers

Tier 1

Tier 2Tier 3

Tier 4

Tier 5Tier 6

Independents

Ordo Explorator - Overview• Focuses on surveillance and information

gathering on the nations in proximity to Tasseldale

• Provides Tassledale with a constant surveillance network on its unsavory elements in the cities

• Provides Tassledale with clandestine services, such as but not limited to– Planting deep cover agents in proximity

to/or in key positions of target groups, for situational awareness

– Performing targeted removal of enemy centers of gravity in order to de-escalate threats to Tassledale

– Establishing insurgent cells inside target nations in order to assist the conquest by Tasseldale’s army upon invasion

• Typically operate at the Tier 6 level, and will rarely operate at the Tier 5 or 4 echelon

• Ordo Explorator Tier 6 operations have the least administrative oversight, due to the distance from Ordo operation centers

• Typically maintain communications through use of arcane or divine methods, depending on Explorator cell make-up– Will rarely resort to hand deliveries as a

result of distance to operations centers

Ordo Praefector• Tier 1: Dominus Vilicum “Master

Overseer” or “One”• Tier 2: 972 agents• Tier 3: 108 agents• Tier 4: 36 agents• Tier 5: 12 agents• Tier 6: 4 agents

• Independents: Answerable to Tier 1 leadership, typically Paladins

• Projected End Strength: 3,000 + agents

• Primary classes: Inquisitors, Clerics, Paladins, Bards, Rogues, monks

Tier 1

Tier 2Tier 3

Tier 4

Tier 5Tier 6

Independents

Ordo Praefector - Overview• Focuses on internal threats to Tassledale,

with primary focus on Ordo agents that are derelict in their duties to the Vigilum Obscuri and Tassledale

• Provides Tassledale with a surveillance network on its covert operatives

• Provides Tassledale with clandestine services, such as but not limited to– Performing targeted removal of rogue

Ordo agents– Acts as an internal reviewing agency for

the Ordo to preserve the integrity and credibility of the Vigilum Obscuri

• Typically maintain communications through use of arcane or divine methods, depending on Praefector cell make-up– Will rarely resort to hand deliveries as a

result of distance from operations centers

• Typically operate at the Tier 6 level, though missions may operate at the Tier 5 or 4 echelon

• Ordo Praefector Tier 6 operations have less administrative oversight, as the oversight of various Tier 6 cells from different Ordo cells take them far through Tasseldale’s dominions

• Courier mail stations serve as primary order distribution points– Taverns/market areas serve as

secondary distribution points– Independent agents/ courier caravans

serve as tertiary distribution points– Coded messages using ciphers taught

during indoctrination

Tasseldale Courier ServiceTasseldale Courier Service

Courier Department

Personal Courier

Package Retrieval Department

Tasseldale Courier Service• The Courier Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide

messenger services to bind the Dales together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the realm.

• The Courier Service shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities of the realm

• Despite the fact that it is a front for the Vigilum Obscuri to operate, not all members of the Tasseldale Courier Service are agents of the Vigilum Obscuri

• The regular citizenry are recruited into the Courier service to fulfill its primary mission, the expedient delivery of messages across the kingdom of Tasseldale

Tasseldale Courier Service• The primary function of the Courier Service is the ability to discreetly

distribute orders to the dispersed Tier 6 cells of the Vigilum Obscuri

• The secondary function of the Courier Service is to serve as scouts for the Tasseldale School of Magic, providing early detection for those with gifts in the arcane or divine arts

• The tertiary function is to serve as a liaison between the Vigilum Obscuri and the Marshal of Tasseldale’s operatives in order to provide more complete protection of Tasseldale’s sovereignty from subversive elements

Tasseldale Courier Service Training and Education

• Couriers will be issued the tasseldale courier service symbol, uniforms, and weapons upon completion of training

• Couriers have the option to take the intermediate and advanced courses of the following skills:– Combat skills– Stealth skills– Surveillance training– Team tactics– Solo tactics

• Couriers who express interest in the advanced skill courses will be scouted by vigilum obscuri operatives for recruitment into the Ordos

• Couriers in training will have a training phase consisting of the following periods of instruction and practical application:– Customs and Courtesies– Code of Conduct– Basic combat skills– Basic Stealth skills training– Basic Surveillance training– Basic Team tactics– Basic Solo Tactics– Courier cant– Courier routes– Courier waystation and mail

station locations– Courier services knowledge

Tasseldale Courier ServiceArea of Operations

Map LegendCourier Service

Tasseldale Courier ServiceWaystations

Map LegendPrimary WaystationSecondary Waystation

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tasseldale Courier Service - Finances

• Tasseldale courier service will provide the following services for an appropriate fee:

– Standard mail (7-10 buisness days)– Commercial mail (5-7 business days)– Expedited shipping (2-3 business days)– Express shipping (next day)– Same-day shipping (within 24 hours)– Instant shipping (immediate)

Tasseldale Courier Service - Finances

• Tasseldale courier service will provide the following courier services for an additional fee:

– Standard insurance: if item fails to be delivered due to courier error, courier service will reimburse the sender to the specified amount

– Enhanced insurance: If item is damaged in transit to final destination, courier service will pay for repair cost to item for the specified amount, in addition to the protections afforded by the standard insurance package

– Complete insurance: If item is lost in transit to final destination, package retrieval teams will be dispatched to locate and will resend item with no cost to sender. Also, if item is destroyed in transit to recipient, courier service will reimburse sender to the specified amount of the item, in addition to protections afforded by the standard and enhanced insurance packages

Tasseldale Courier Service Courier Department

• Courier department is divided into 4 subdivisions for ease of distribution:– Personal– Commercial– Official– Expedite/express

• Personal couriers typcially deliver by foot, and are locally based

• Commercial carriers typically deliver by pack animal/wagon train, dealing in bulk goods

• Official couriers typically deliver by horse, and are based in the major cities

• Expedite/Express couriers typically deliver via courier animal, and are based in the courier waystations

Tasseldale Courier Service Package Retrieval Department

• Package retrieval department is divided into 4 subdivisions for ease of distribution:– wilderness– personal– Commercial– Official

• Wilderness retrieval deals with packages lost while in transit outside of the urban areas

• Commercial retrieval deals with packages lost or stolen from bulk goods shipments while in transit

• Official retrieval deals with lost or stolen government correspondence/items while in transit

• Personal retrieval deals with lost packages of items or inter-personal correspondence while in transit

• Package retrieval department is the cover for the different ordo within the vigilum obscuri:– Wilderness: Ordo Venator– Personal: Ordo Excubitor– Commercial: Ordo Explorator– Official: Ordo Praefector

We are the Vigilum Obscuri.Ever vigilant of the shadows,

We are the unseen guardians of peace.We are Tassledale’s silent blades,

Destroying evils unknown.Should we perish, know that our sacrifice

will not be forgotten.And one day, we shall join those

that came before us.For the everlasting glory of Tasseldale!

- Vigilum Obscuri, Oath of the Watcher