The Amshir

Origins
It is unknown when this order of monks were created, but their knowledge suggests they are as ancient as the very earth they walk upon, or so the legends say. They rest in the northern mountains of Ganam, the Vibrant Hills to their backs and the icy tundra to the north. The monastery is quite old, with some of its foundations estimated to be at least 12,000 years old.

Organization
Their is the grandmaster, and then there are all others. All must answer to the grandmaster, and be designated their roles and tasks based on their proven skills. These include lore keepers, assassins, alchemists, and magic users. Their current leader is Grandmaster Liang Nodachi, one of the youngest to ever attain the title. He has trained in martial arts and cryomancy, and only on rare occasions will allow an Amshir assassin to take on jobs for outsiders. He's not particularly fond of those traversing through Amshir lands without prior permission, as seen by the heads mounted on the monastery walls of past intruders.

Relationships
The Concordian Empire has an uneasy alliance with the Amshir, although alliance is pushing it. The Amshir stand merely at around 300 strong. If an armed force were sent against them to take the mountain pass and have unrestricted access to the Vibrant Hills, their leaders would be found dead days later with their throats slit or drinks poisoned. And so, the Concordians acknowledge their capabilities and always give heavy compensation to allow a select few to traverse beyond the north or venture into the Vibrant Hills.

The order's only other ally, someone who is almost entirely unknown to the rest of the world, is Isha Zavil. Isha stands as one of Ganam's primary experts on all things alchemy and divine, herself being a conduit for the god Jormungandr, the keeper and binder of the material plane.