The Hostel of the Silent Brotherhood

The Silent Brotherhood is a group of monks sworn to the service of the Saint Elyrios, the Raven of Night and Silence. They customarily dress in dark blue velvet robes and black silken cloaks. The monks are sworn to silence and the ritual of initiation requires that they sew their mouths shut, save for a small section where there is room to insert food and drink. Understandably feeding is quite a chore and the monks favour porridge and soup. Many are scared by the silent men with thick black cords sealing their lips, but the townsfolk know their gentle hearts and nature. The brotherhood is not required to be chaste, but they are required to be silent and encouraged to be nocturnal.

The Hostel of the Silent Brotherhood is a small hostel in the dock quarters of town. It occupies a portion of an old wooden building, worn, yet carefully maintained by the diligent hands of the brotherhood. The only notice given of its presence is a painted sign above the doorway, which depicts a dark raven with a nimbus.

The interior is Spartan and modest, but the beds are soft and the location the safest place one can sleep. The monks are kind and serviceable and will go to great length to provide their guests with all manner of comfort. There is only one drawback: No one is allowed to speak and the monks even enter guests' bedrooms to subdue any snoring. They utilize herbal concoctions called Mathewa to do this, which they drip on their guests' lips.

Hostels such as this are the brotherhoods sole source of income and they usually maintain small altars in the cellar where they can worship The Raven in silence. This Hostel is no exception.

The Hostel is popular among scribes and scholars who value silence. In addition it is valued by those who are on the run, for the brotherhood consists mainly of skilled warriors adept at fighting with staves and maces. None can violate the sanctity of the Hostel or enter without alerting the monks, who are bonded with the sanctified building.