Sons of Romulus

The Sons of Romulus are an underground right-wing nationalist group active in the Hedgelands and surrounding areas.

History
The Sons of Romulus were founded shortly after the Hedge Charter was signed in 830. While the intent of the charter was to unify the various towns and villages of the area into a unified force to counter the political influence of Valouria to the south and Altathair to the north, a sizable minority opposed to agreement, believing the intent behind the alliance was for the larger settlements to take the sovereignty and authority of the others.

One such individual, Garrison Shephardson of Boarhedge, took the sentiment to the extreme, believing the Hedge Charter to be a plot to fundamentally alter their way of life by introducing outside morals and principals and replacing the traditional values of the locals. Over the years, he put together a network of like-minded individuals. Though he died before he could enact the pollical change he sought, he successfully blocked reforms in his native home and in other nearby hamlets through a campaign of bullying, intimidation, and threats.

Though the power of the organization ebbed and flowed throughout the years, they remained operating in the shadows of the Hedgelands.

Attitude
The Sons of Romulus are a right-wing terror organization. Members and sympathizers who support the group possess the typical attitudes of rural, conservative societies- they have a healthy suspicion of outsiders, seek to return their homeland to its more pure “roots”, and are against what they see as the meddling of outsiders in their own affairs. Most are insular and seek to be left to their own devices, free from the interference of those who they consider to be threats to their simple way of life.

To most, Romulus is a symbolic figure, an archetype for the ideal Hedgelander man: strong, fierce, loyal, and dedicated to the community. Some see Romulus as a literal semi-divine figure, who is worshipped in defiant opposition of the Old Gods, the primary faith of the Hedgelands. An even smaller minority are involved in a cult dedicated to Romulus.

Organization
The Sons of Romulus are very decentralized. Cells and members often do not know of the existence of other cells and members, despite possibly even knowing the individuals the other cells are composed of. Only the upper echelons of the organization know the identities of fellow members, but even in these cases, that information is often severely limited. The leader of the Sons, Darryl Morninghorn is one of the few to have a thorough listing of members of the organization, though even his contact list is generally limited to cell leaders or members who have some amount of influence due to their social status and/or profession.

Regions of Influence
A right-wing nationalist organization, the Sons of Romulus are concerned only about the Hedgelands. As such, they recruit and operate primarily in the confederation, though operations sometimes take place in locations in nations that border the Hedgelands. The organization is strongest in the settlements and farmsteads located the in southcentral portions of the nation, such as Witchhedge, Thunderhedge, Grayhedge, Moonhedge, and Boarhedge. Though located in the south, Southhedge is a notable exemption, given its status as a port city and the constant coming and going of non-Hedgelanders, their goods, and their philosophies.

Leadership
In public, the leader of the Sons, Darryl Morninghorn, is a woodcutter who lives on a small homestead in Boarhedge with a wife and two sons. He has lived on the plot of land for his entire life, much like his parents before him, and their parents before them, and has dedicated his life to protecting and providing for his family. Behind closed doors, he has a keen intellect that he carefully guards in his day-to-day life. Considering himself a political radical, Morninghorn commands a small army of insurgents who blend in with the community and has the blood of hundreds on his hands.

Because the group is so decentralized, Morninghorn is virtually the only member of the organization who has a full accounting of how large the group is, those who are members, and those who he considers sympathetic to the cause. He shares this information with on an as-needed basis with his lieutenants, who oversee the day-to-day operations of the cells they administer.

Allies
True to their xenophobic mentality, the Sons of Romulus have no others they can truly depend on, outside of themselves. Higher-ranking members often have contacts in other nations that they regularly call on to procure equipment, information, or other things for the cause, but these individuals are generally seen as means-to-ends, rather than allies; They are seen as tools, trustworthy only as far as coin can buy them.

Enemies
The Sons of Romulus consider those who seek to change their way of life in the Hedgelands their enemy. They do not necessarily hate outsiders, or non-Hedgelanders, but they hate the concept of these individuals and groups changing their way of life, a way of life that they have enjoyed, and their fathers enjoyed, and their father’s fathers enjoyed.

Joining the Sons of Romulus
Because it is a secret society, the Sons of Romulus are very careful about who they allow into their ranks. Membership is generally “passed down” from father to son, simply because parents can more easily mold the political beliefs of children, and because they are safer to trust than acquaintances, because of the familial connection.

Women are generally not allowed to formally join the organization, though doubtless wives, sisters, and daughters know of the Sons because of the membership of their significant other and support it. The group perpetuates the patriarchal attitudes that are prevalent in most rural, conservative societies- the fact that the church of the Earthmother is primarily tended to by women cannot be a coincidence, either.

Before an individual can join the Sons of Romulus, an existing member must petition his cell leader. Depending on the candidate to join the group, this starts an observation process that can last anywhere from a few days to a few months. The potential candidate is not made aware of the petition on behalf of another Son, and is secretly watched, to better assess his worthiness of joining the group. Once the cell leader is satisfied that the proposed recruit would be an upstanding member of the group, the proposed recruit is contacted. If he does not express interest in joining, something is done to ensure that he never speaks up about the group- this ranges from threats to murder, depending on the individual and the circumstances of the rejection. If the prospective recruit expresses interest in joining, the membership process begins in earnest.

For a period of time that ranges from cell to cell, the prospect is mentored by existing members of the group. He is tutored in the physical skills that are employed by the organization, as well as in the religious aspects of it. When the prospect has been deemed worthy of becoming a full member of the Sons of Romulus, the cell leader has him participate in his final trial on the night of the next full moon. Armed only with a dagger, the prospect is sent into the woods to kill a wolf. He is not supposed to return until he slays the creature and returns with its pelt. Upon completion of the trial, the prospect is deemed a full member of the Sons of Romulus.

Costs and Benefits of Membership
Among conservative Hedgelanders who seek to protect their way of life, membership in the Sons of Romulus is a cherished thing. It gives them access to the resources needed to turn their ideals into reality, from like-minded individuals to a preexisting political structure willing to take action.

Being a member comes with costs, however. Like any underworld organization, members know that the price of betrayal, failure, and other shortcomings are harsh. Hedgeland authorities are often just as harsh, given the damage that the Sons have cost them in the past. While membership itself is not illegal in the nation, being identified as a member generally turns one into a coconspirator of other crimes.