The Solemn Hand

The Solemn Hand, a small and secular order that favored working in the shadows, was formed as a result of the signing of the Violet Veil Accord, which ended the Argom War. The Accord allowed for the integration of Argoms into Nellian society. Eventually, the Argoms usurped the power of native Nellians and held offices of high importance. While Landseer Estith Elwerth declared it an age of renewed peace, others were not so convinced that the Argoms wanted peace at all. In fact, the Argoms soon faced no consequences for their rampant harassment of—and threats against—the Nellian people.

Frustrated with the lack of courage and the voicelessness of his people, Sirien Ogthorne created the Solemn Hand with seven members, known among themselves as the Original Seven. Several of these figures had been friends of his parents. The seven were Sirien, Cosmera Rodriys, Marandir Dibble, Elnius Bash, Rufious Meed, Thiurwold Galon, and Pevarius Garcinius. Though extremely small, they certainly knew how to disrupt the activities of the Argoms. They were particularly fond of punishing Argoms who had abused the denizens of Nell.

After the death of his mother, Merinni Ogthorne, in 5D 495, Sirien nearly disbanded the Solemn Hand. He felt the Hand had failed to protect those closest to them. But after much convincing by his father, Astronitus Ogthorne, he was persuaded to continue the good work the Hand had done.

Two years later, having caught wind of exactly who the Solemn Hand was, and who led it, Sirien and the Hand found themselves hunted by both the Divination Administration and the Argoms. Bad timing and poor judgment led Sirien to drag his brother, Percivine Ogthorne, into the activities of the Hand.

The symbol of the Solemn Hand features an open hand within an arch. The hand clearly represents the Hand itself. What many perceive as an arch is, in fact, a doorway: symbolizing the many obstructive thresholds the Hand must force open to preserve the goodness they strive to protect from falling to darkness.

Sirien had Elnius Bash design and illustrate the crest, as he was known to possess a talent for art.