Vulture

The Vultures are Tranavia's cult of the most powerful blood mages who have been tortured into becoming part human and part monster. They are very dangerous and secretive. Their leader is the Black Vulture.

Description
The Vultures are the blood mage elite in Tranavia. They're a cultic sect of individuals, closed off from the rest of their kingdom. The live in the hollowed-out carcass of ancient cathedral in Grazyk under the leadership of a king of their own, the Black Vulture, who sits on the Carrion Throne. The second in command is called the Crimson Vulture.

The Vultures also maintain a base known as the Salt Mines. This is where they conduct their experiments and where new Vultures are created. The Vultures are made of magic. Malachiasz describes the process of creating a Vulture as "amplifying an already talented blood mage's power tenfold. Then grinding their bones into iron and salting their skin in darkness until nothing can break it but their will alone. Their blood burns so hot in their veins that when it spills it creates magic of its own. Every memory and thought is burned out of them until they become nothing at all, until they are nothing at all. When there's nothing left but magic, bloodlust, and rage, then they are finished. When they are empty, they are ready."

They filled in the gaps left behind by the church when Tranavia broke from the gods. They act on their own, citing magic as a higher voice of command than any mortal king could be. They act as advisors to the throne, but their authority only extends to the realm of magic, however in Tranavia that realm has a vast reach. While Vultures are more monster than human, they are still revered.

For decades, Tranavian politics has involved the king keeping the Vultures in check. They train the royal children to harness their magic and maintain a certain level of security in Grazyk. However, they can't leave Grazyk or Kyetri, the two cities that house the cult's leaders. They are also kept away from the war front because of an unfortunate measure of unpredictability to their actions that makes them more of a liability than an asset on the battlefield. The Vultures are supposed to only go by their order title, but the court Vultures stopped following that rule years ago. The current Black Vulture is working to have them reinstate it.

All Vultures have iron claws and wear a mask and torn robes. The only way to kill a Vulture is by beheading. Otherwise they are basically indestructible. They also heal incredibly fast.

Łucją was the Black Vulture for a very long time because she systematically destroyed any Vulture who dared oppose her. She was calculating and ruthless.

Known Vultures

 * Łucją: The former Black Vulture, killed by Malachiasz
 * Rozá
 * Zywia
 * Lukasz: A brilliant Vulture who Malachiasz admired
 * Żaneta Ruminska
 * Walentyn: A Vulture who supports Rozá
 * Aleks: The Vultures' best tracker
 * Ewa: A Vulture who supports Rozá
 * Rafal: A Vulture who supports Rozá