Karameikos - Vaults of Pandius

Unveiling the Radu ClanThe origins of the Veiled Society go far backin the annals of Karameikos, before theDuke, before imperial occupation, perhapsas far as the Dark Ages of Traladara. It wasfounded as a loose democracy of powerfulTraladaran nobles and mercantile heads;hidden behind elaborate masks and cloaks,each man's purposes could be considered ontheir own merits, anonymity providing alevel playing field. Much later, when the eyesand legions of Thyatis imposed their owninterests on the nation, the Veiled Societybecame more of a cabal, a means for itsmembers to secretly maintain control of theirown economic and political goals in theshadow of the empire.Most recently the Radu clan, always aninfluential member of the Veiled Society, hasturned the cabal into a criminal enterprise.Playing on the fears of the Traladaranfamilies and their hatred of the new Duke,Anton Radu leveraged himself into a positionof power over the Society. He and his brotherCartha then flooded its ranks with Radu clanmembers and allied thugs.Today, through threats of blackmail,intimidation, and extortion, Anton rules theVeiled Society with an iron fist, and enjoysunprecedented power under the Duke's verynose. But though outwardly the Radu clanseems a united front, Anton's control maynot long outlive the man himself.The Veiled Society and the Radu family firstappeared in module B6: The Veiled Societyby David Cook. Anton Radu is detailed inGAZ1: Grand Duchy of Karameikos, andagain in Karameikos: Kingdom ofAdventure.Cartha Radu, brother ofAntonHistory: Anton and his younger brotherCartha were thick as thieves growing up, andthieves is what they eventually became,together transforming the Veiled Society intowhat it is today. While his brother used hisskills to dig up dirt on his foes for blackmail,and fanned the flames of discontent with theducal uprising to their advantage, Carthatook care of the more physical work.Intimidation, organizing riots, quietlydispatching the more outspoken opponentsof the family regime; these were the areas theyounger Radu excelled at.87THRESHOLD: The Mystara Magazine Issue #1