Men of the Basilisk

The Men of the Basilisk was a society of wealthy merchants and nobles with a thirst for adventure. The society was rigorously all-male, and the name of the group came from the admission ritual that consisted in looking in the eyes of a basilisk. The Men of the Basilisk had chapters in Cormyr, Sembia, Westgate, and Iriaebor. They usually met in large feasts one or more times each winter in Teziir in order to discuss their plans for the next year and make business. They preferred using subtle methods, like assassination, bribes, torture, and fear.

In 1370 DR, the Cormyr chapter was seriously decimated by the War Wizards of Cormyr, with the surviving members going into hiding. On the other hand, the Sembian chapter grew greatly, thanks to their new local leader Harlyn Grimmerhand. In Westgate, the Men, which had been long stopped in their business by the power of the Night Masks, increased their activities during the lack of leadership in the guild. In Iriaebor, the chapter had recently recovered after a setback by Lord Bron and the Harpers.