The Fata Dener

The Fata Dener, also commonly known as Fate Deniers, is an underground organization with the sole purpose of proving that fate is not always the final outcome and goes to extremes far beyond legality or sanity to achieve that goal.

Organization

The Fata Deners is an infamous world-stretching organization that finances their questionable endeavors by mostly illegal but harmless means, like money laundering and smuggling, and sometimes also thievery. Its current leader is Maximilian Liber, who usually leads the operations from the shadows.

Operations

The goal of the organization is to prove that the fate called by Hue, the goddess of fate, is not final and can ultimately be changed. In order to achieve this, they use Fatereaders to learn of events that are certain to happen in the near or far future, and are then trying everything to prevent that fate from happening. The dimensions of those interventions range from small escorts trying to prevent a foreseen death to global shutdowns.

Members

Members of the Fata Deners are usually quite skilled in working in the shadows or have a very good way with words. Average members are always grouped into teams of seven people, six of whom are usually out and about performing whatever the seventh member, the leader of the team, asks them to do. That leader always stays in the shadows and never publicly engages with anything and is, at the same time, the only way of communication with higher ranks of the organization or other team leaders. Depending on the size of the area, there are certain hierarchical tiers to go through, which are often again made up of 7 members each. Small towns usually consist of only one team, whose leaders have to answer to the higher-ups of a nearby larger town. Larger towns often have two to three teams, which answer to one local leading team. Cities can have multiple teams per district, each answering to a district leader, who then answers to a city leader, who then ultimately answers to the heads of the organization.

Leadership

The head team of the organization consists, just like any other team, of seven members, with one of them being the leader of the Fata Dener, Maximillian Liber.

Maximillian Liber

Main article: Maximillian Liber

The current Leader of the Fata Dener. He is never knowingly seen in public and uses about 200 different aliases throughout all of Tael. The only people who actually know him in person are his direct team members. There is a good chance that you have unconsciously seen him on the streets already, but never with any mission or sinister goals in mind, as he, outside of his leadership role, lives a perfectly normal life since no one knows of his real life.

Victor Liber

Brother of Maximillian. As he was always seen as the "less witty" of the two brothers, it was unanimously decided that Victor would not take on the role of the Leader after their father died. Victor, sometimes jealous of his brother, has sworn to eventually rival his brother and take control of the Fata Deners. His brother is well aware of this and welcomes the day when Victor feels like he is ready to challenge him, but until that day comes, both agree to work together unconditionally to achieve their organization's goal.

Svenja Liber

Mother of Maximillian and Victor, Widowed wife of Desmond Liber. Svenja refused to take on the leadership of the Fata Dener when her husband Desmond died, as her grief would not allow her to make the best decision for the organization. Instead, she happily took the role of the right-hand Maximillian, taking care of the organization's accounting and record-taking.

Kira Liber

Maximillian's Wife and a legendary assassin from Meradia. Originally hired to kill Maximillian, his uncontestable wits to survive every single attempt ultimately made her fall for him. She officially died during her last attempt and has since gone underground to support Maximillian in his endeavors.

The "Silent Fist"

Not much is known of the Silent Fist, but he is the direct bodyguard of Maximillian and pretty much always somewhere close by wherever Maximillian is. He is a man of few words and takes down anyone who opposes him with no sign of mercy and a discretion that often goes completely unnoticed, even in bright daylight in the middle of the streets.

Balefort Thistlevest

A long-lasting friend of the Liber family. A meradian elve who has outlived every generation of leaders of the organization thus far and will always continue to support them until the very end. Balefort was once on the brink of death when he and his father got attacked by an enraged Hydrowolf during a transport through the Mountains of Mera. He was saved by a group of Fata Deners who tried to save his father from his foreseen fate that day. They failed their original goal, but Balefort was not only thankful for even attempting to save such trivial folk such as his father, but also agreed that such fate should not be predetermined and joined their ranks. Due to his father's sinister trades, he was able to help the Fata Deners gain the financial support they needed, which ultimately led to Balefort becoming the head of the smuggling operations throughout Tael.

Ludwig Volo

A merchant of unknown origin, at least to Maximillian. Volo is actually part of one of the watching Voidlords, who secretly came down to Tael to observe the world in more detail. Due to being a Voidlord, Volo has a near-infinite understanding of the markets and trades and, therefore, quickly managed to create a successful chain of stores and restaurants. However, his success was cut short as he soon learned that laws also exist in this world, which he technically didn't break but stretched far enough that law enforcement got involved a bit too much for his taste. Considering he is a Voidlord in disguise, the last thing he wants is for him to get Norn's attention. Therefore, he cooperated with law enforcement and shut down his stores. However, his deeds did not go unnoticed, and he was soon approached by Maximillian to join his forces. Since Volo completely understands Hue's workings, he has zero interest in the organization's goals, but he likes the idea of having his successful merchant life fulfilled from the shadows with the protection from the laws by the Tana Deners enough that he agrees. From that day on, Volo became the head of the organization's business operations.

Honorary 8th Member Miriath

Main article: Miriath Fareye

While not officially affiliated with the Fata Dener, Miriath has become the personal Fatereader of the Liber family clan. Whenever they need a Fatereading of utmost discretion, Miriath is their girl. Her readings are precise and always available on short term; in return, she asks for nothing more than protection from the gamblers she screws over with her abilities, as well as the authorities she attracts due to the questionable source of income.

History

The Silent Siege

It all started during the Trial of William Zandari, where Victor Liber was casually sitting in the audience, hoping to get some insight into William's affairs. This is where Victor learned something that could shape the operations forever. Shattratath's awakenings are in fact not based on clumsy sailors, but rather predetermined by fate once again. No one in the Fata Demer would have expected that even the gods were bound to it, just like any other mortal. Needless to say, it did not take long for him to share this critical information with the rest of the head team.
"You do realize we are already in an endless tussle with Lady Hue herself. You really think adding yet another God to our list of enemies is a good idea?" -Max.
"Not to mention, we are talking about Shattratath here. His wrath would tear this organization from the inside out in a blink of an eye" - Kira.
Suddenly, the always relaxed and leaned back Volo raises his voice:
"Valid concerns indeed, but look at it from Shatti's point of view... do you guys really think a literal god will hold a grudge towards someone who delays his once-in-a-decade alarm by what? A few hours? minutes even? If anything, he might even thank us."
"Okay, okay, okay, putting that aside for now, how do you intend to shut down ALL maritime traffic on the Silent Sea? We barely hold any influence over any of these ports yet, not to mention that these ships sometimes travel for weeks before reaching their destination... You want to shut down the three major ports of Scientia, Capeport, and Glacia at the same time for a whole month?" -Max.
"Not just the three big ones, no, that wouldn't do, the small ones too. Every single port that sends out ships traversing the Silent Ocean must shut down during that time. Fate says that Shattratath will always awaken by the hand of mankind; if there is not a single soul out there, there is no way this fate will come true. Besides, we still have ten whole years to plan out the details, according to Miriath at least. That should be plenty to gain influence in three little port districts, is it not?"
Victor proclaims with calm and confidence but also a bit of excitement, thinking this is the ultimate opportunity to prove that he, too, has what it takes to lead the organization.
"Just leave these Cities to me. I will ensure that everything will be prepared for Shattratath's awakening. Your name will be clean from it; there is nothing for you to worry about.
"Fine then. Try it. If you pull this off, I, Maximillian Liber, vow that I will happily give control of the Fata Deners to you without hesitation. As long as you keep my name out of it, there will be no repercussions for failing, I am sure who or whatever you are gonna anger with that stunt would punish you plenty already."
And with that, the Meeting was over. However, Maximillian did not simply return to his quarters. He grabbed Silent Fist and rushed out on the streets.
"Fatereader Miriath, tell me... " he says in a strong voice but gets very quiet suddenly, almost worried: "Tell me, who is..." and before he could finish his sentence, Miriath interrupts him: "In charge in eleven years from now?"
Max nodded. "I am afraid you will not like the answer. Do you still want to hear it?" "...yes." "Very well, as it stands, you are the one in charge eleven years from now."
Maximillian, seemingly holding back his tears, enters a fit of rage: "Damn it!" as he slams his fists on the table. "Why can't this just end!? Lady Hue, you will not get away with this!"
With a little side eye, he notices a sinister little smile disappear into one of the crystal orbs on the shelf. Within a blink of an eye, multiple throwing knives have pierced the orb perfectly without even shattering the glass.
"Apologies, I will get that replaced first thing in the morning," he says with a suddenly perfectly calm voice again.
"Thank you, but tell me, sir, why does this reading bother you so much? Isn't the whole point of your existence to defy exactly what I am telling you?"
"You know what, you are right. If I just accept that fate here and now, there is no way Victor could change it. He will need all the help he can get, though, and I will ensure he gets exactly that!"
Ten years pass, and the night of Shattratath's Awakening is nigh. For the past 4 weeks, not a single ship was sent out to dock in any of the three major southern harbors; many captains have disappeared without any trace. According to not only the logbooks of the harbors, but also to the scouting reports of the minor harbors around the globe, not a single ship should be on the Silent Ocean this night. According to Miriath's reading, the "fated wake-up call" is less than an hour from now.
Victor's teams have taken complete control over all the south harbors, be it by financial, influential, or brutal means. No ship can come and go without his approval, and these approvals have been severely lacking for the past weeks.
"I have to say, Vic, I am impressed. A lot more elegant and efficient than I have expected." Maximillian proclaims calmly as they both stand on top of the lighthouse by Capeport.
However, his thoughts aren't quite as coordinated: "Come on, Hue, what kind of sick and twisted bullshit did you come up with this time?"
Across all the south coasts of Tael, Members of the Fata Dener wait in anticipation of the final countdown; every second of delay is a win in their books, after all.
"My my, never thought I would see this day," whispers a voice from behind Maximillian and Victor.
"What are you doing here, Hue? Shouldn't you be somewhere down there, trying to wake up your friend?" expresses Maximillian calmly.
"Oh, absolutely; I just felt the need to quickly come by and tell you, guys, how much fun this was. To be honest, you almost made me sweat with that coordination of yours. Anyway, as I was saying, I never thought I would see this day where you would get this close to defy me, but alas, futile as always; this is just how fate rolls; it's a law of nature, and it will. always. find. a. way. Toodles!"
And with that, Hue instantly disappears again into the glass windows of the tower and into the night.
"What the...?" screams Victor.
"Don't worry too much about her. If everything continues as planned, this was the dying scream of a doomed god."
Suddenly, two arms reach around the shoulders of the two brothers, almost pressing them together.
"Alright, now let's watch this unfold, shall we? There are only two minutes left after all!" yells Hue in an all-cheerful voice. "I brought champagne, too!"
"Why are you like this?" asks Maximillian in an almost disgusted voice.
"Come on, shake it off a bit, would ya? You guys did everything you could, which, to be honest, is quite respectable, even by my standards. And I did everything I could, now we can both just enjoy the show and see what happens! Here, I brought binoculars!"
"Hmpf, fine." Both sigh and grab a glass of said champagne.
Suddenly, both brothers can see clearly into the distant ocean. Hue spiked the bottle with a little bit of night vision potion, just so everyone could see what was going on.
Victor: "Hold up, brother! what is that in the distance there?!"
Max: "Is that a drifting ice floe? are you kidding me? and there is a guy on there!"
Hue: "Uuhh, yeah, that is my answer to your crazy shenanigans here. You see, this guy has been deserted on this little floe for days now, and any second, it should have melted to a point where it can't hold his weight anymore. It was quite hard to find an inhabitant of the Deadlands that can't swim, but well, I had ten years to find one." She says with a smug face.
Both brothers: "No, no, no, no!"
Victor: "This can't be! why would you come up with something so obscure?!"
Hue: "Obscure? Look who is talking. Besides, these kind of 'Castaways' happen all the time over there, except they are usually picked up by either random transports passing by them or dedicated patrols looking for missing fishermen in the area."
The implications are obvious; silence fills the room.
Hue: "Make sure to finish your glasses before he falls in! Or this could get dirty up here tonight!"
As the floe gives in to the weight and the person falls into the water, screaming for help as he descends into the depths just as the countdown reaches zero, all three have emptied their glasses. Shattratath awakens once again, and a night of waking terror commences as fated.
Max: "Alright, what else was in that bottle? why are we not affected?"
Hue: "Oh, just a little bit of protection from Shatti's influence, you know, little insurance in case you guys fail as always. What were you guys even thinking waiting this out on top of a tower? You would have easily fallen to your deaths from here..."
Both start looking kinda embarrassed all of a sudden.
Hue: "Don't tell me you were so convinced of your success that you didn't consider this? oooh, or maybe you guys did consider it after all?"
Max: "No! stop that! ...fine, you win this time again, but don't think this is the end!"
Hue: "Oh, I am counting on that! This is always so much fun! Soo, since down there is currently hell anyway, we might as well spend the night together up here; why don't we?"
Victor: "You probably wouldn't leave anyway, so fine. Wanna share how in Tael you managed to get that floe to melt exactly on the second?"
And with that, the three spent the rest of the night drinking and telling each other about their obscure ways of operation. It's not like they have any secrets from each other to begin with, with both parties always being open to their methods, the Fatas because they know they wouldn't be able to hide it from an endlessly curious god like Hue, and Hue because she doesn't care.
The next day, Victor gives orders to release the kidnapped sailors from their little captivity, which was basically just a timeless holiday resort near Scientia. They have no idea how much time has passed, but they also don't really care, as they enjoyed their "forced" stay. Some operators of the Fata Dener were later accused of terrible mismanagement of the harbors, which ultimately led to them losing most of their control over them again. Overall, fate was somehow kind enough to let Victor and most of the organization go pretty much unpunished for their crimes, which ultimately led to them calling the entire operation "The Silent Siege" afterward.
Maximillian was still a bit confused about Hue calling Shattratath "Shatti", thinking it was not the first time hearing that name. But he couldn't quite pin it down, and he eventually ignored it again for the time being.