The Tongue-Tyers

The Tongue-Tyers are the upper echelons of Exchange ritual specialists. Acting as the hand in the dark, they are rarely recognized for their work, and many of them prefer it that way. As the Exchange's version of a spook, they are often in charge of intensive and high-profile interrogations as well as investigations. Their methods are esoteric, and often brutal, cutting to the quick on protecting the line between the supernatural and the mundane. They have the ability to brand people with enchantments, on function of which will gag them from speaking of a topic the Tongue-Tyers define, an art they have perfected since their inception. Now, their unique brand of magic can do much more, but the secrets of it is zealously guarded as it is not something that should be common knowledge.

In Europe, they are primarily based in Erasmus Cross, and joining their ranks is a competitive and often dangerous affair. Their academy is world-class, with a demanding curriculum that produces powerful and knowledgeable ritual practitioners. There is no academy or central location for Tongue-Tyers in America and as such their numbers are sparse, with agents going where they are directed rather than settling in any one place. If a Tongue-Tyer darkens your doorstep, then things are serious indeed.

In Easthaven

Since they are so rare, in the Americas there are no available positions for Tongue-Tyer characters, although you are free to use them for your character's history.

Historical Context

Their name comes from their roots. This branch of the Exchange was originally meant to keep track of the comings and goings of Erasmus Cross, using intimidation and vigilance to keep the secrets of the city hidden. However, after the advent of Egyptian grimoires and the introduction of ritual magic, they became known for branding runes onto the top of people's mouths. These runes kept the unfortunate from speaking about the city, or about the brand that keeps them from doing so. The practice has expanded as the art of enchantment was refined. These runes can now create all sorts of controlling effects, which allows the Tongue-Tyers to create protective measures for both the Exchange and the supernatural.

In the era of old Erasmus Cross, Arcanists were primarily high-born women with the time, money, and energy to put into ritual magic. As such, the Tongue-Tyers were one of the few groups in the Exchange that were comprised almost entirely of women. As such, the group never received an official hierarchy. Instead, they have organized themselves into a group subordinate to a Matron and her secretary. This group complemented the combat-focused agents and assisted the detectives and uniformed officers in their work. These days, they take everyone into their ranks, functioning as a meritocracy, but they have not forgotten their roots and more often than not, the head of the European academy is still a Matron.

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