
A crazed artist vented her rage at the mannequin’s seeming perfection.
Shortly she moved on to human subjects.

A crazed artist vented her rage at the mannequin’s seeming perfection.
Shortly she moved on to human subjects.

Not as glamorous as evil societies or those dedicated to dark magic. But every sizable town and city in a typical Medieval European society has them. There are guilds devoted to workers and tradesmen, merchants’ leagues, secret societies like Freemasons, civic leagues dedicated to improve some aspect of city life, and even rebels lurking below the surface. Can they serve the plot? Yes and yes. At the very least, they will round out your world and make it whole.
| The Provident Townsmen of Bitterend
Fraternity of Benevolent Buskers The Iron & Bronze Society League of the Unconventional Key Glorious Citadel of Labor Allegiance of Youth The Hand of Charity Axe & Snuffbox Fellowship The Hand & Hoof Brigade The Charitable Syndicate of Nungeska The Temple & Sandal Fellowship Munificent Coalition of Physicians Lucid Association of Egalitarian Courtesans Townsmen of Unprejudiced Good Benevolent Coalition of Ironworkers The Ear of Emancipation Lodge of Plentitude Company of Enlightened Witches Consortium of Unprejudiced Husbandry The Noble Handmaidens of Starsweet The Dignified Ladies of Lovebegone Kinship of Congenial Hospitality Brotherhood of the Fetid Sandal League of the Copper Wyvern The Diligent Brethren of Greenchild Association of the Orange Cravat Fellowship of Bright Butchers Provident Goodwives of Saltsark Apprentices of Skeleton Mountain Exalted Townswomen of Gingervot Coalition of Beneficent Landlords Brothers of Summer Followers of the Precise Empress League of the Playful Jewel Pro-Farming League of Landowners Ancient Gathering of Explorers Citadel of Invisible Ecstasy The Stonemasons’ Union Of Valerüch Caravaneer’s League of Rumilady Commune of the Cat Sisterhood of the Yellow Iris Society of Astrological Adventuring Numinous Order of the Rainbow Allegiance of the Humble Brothers of the Fox Esteemed Blacksmiths of Chanverandis Society for the Study of Celestial Navigation Pro-Exercise League of Magic-Users Esteemed Kin of Wings Gentle Tailors of Swanfest |

Her visage was so terrible she always kept it masked….
until the day a handsome man was able to pierce it. But that’s another story.

Fantasy fiction (and science fiction, for that matter) is full of secret societies, thieves’ guilds, Hellfire clubs, and other associations for like-minded individuals. Often these are major drivers of the plot. Frank Herbert’s Dune would not be the same without the Bene Gesserit, or The Wheel of Time series the Aes Sedai. H.P. Lovecraft had all matter of secretive covens plotting for the return of The Old Ones. And who can forget the brutal Owsla of General Woundwart in Richard Adams’ Watership Down?
Here are some randomly-generated sinister societies for you to use in, or inspire, your own fiction.
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| The Savage Alliance of Saxluft
Brethren of Whispering Sorcery The Fingers of Destruction Order of the Bloody Whip Brotherhood of the Damnable Dawn Eldritch Allegiance of Villainy Shadowed Acolytes of Darkness Circle of Unmentionable Thaumaturgy Sisters of Searching Doom Worshippers of the Black Bee Fellowship of the Fiery Cowl League of Cthonic Triumph Order of the Hideous Hood Conclave of the Undead Eye Confederacy of the Shadowed Prophet The Shadowed Wives of Garamshire Fathers of the Jackel The Scabrous Trillium Coalition of the Faceless Cobra League of Malefic Dark Conclave of the Red Tower Brotherhood of Scarlet Abomination Fellowship of Hell’s Bookbinders Coven of the Amber Badge Society of the Black Crocodile Scarlet Legion of Villainy Handmaidens of the Hooded Order Matriarchy of the Demon Scarac Sisterhood of the Infernal Gorgon Kinship of the Hellbound Brothers of Monstrous Mayhem Townsmen of the Bewitched Wizard Enclave of the Vulture Sanctum of Inexporable Darkness Brothers of the Squamous Solstice Society of the Vampiric Trousers Coven of the Scabrous Claw Legion of the Hook and Hand Cenobites of the Mumbling Void Vile Disciples of Pestilence The Squirming Basilisk The Monstrous Shadow The Eldritch Sisterhood of Stabworth Brethren of the Twilight Minions of Cloaked Decay Gray Company of Death Slaves of the Blind Ibis Sanctum of Despair Silent Bone Society Kinship of the Iron Sphere Disciples of the Red Claw |

I was going to list some ideas for evil societies for this week, but the randomization software needs more tweaking. So here are some more random magic spells and items.
| Lamp of Grim Digging: Enables the owner to find and dig up buried bodies quickly and easily.
Yungamel’s Levitating Unicorn: Causes a unicorn to rise into the air for maximum of 50 feet. The unicorn can be willing or unwilling. Pipe of Lengthy Wonderment: A lightweight metal pipe of 1” diameter that can expand up to 20 feet and contract back again. May also be cast on the owner’s genitals to impress the ladies. Saddle of Kicking Turmoil: When placed on any equine, it causes the animal to go into a frenzy of kicking so nothing can sit on its back. Incense of Sorrow: When burned, it causes all smellers to lament loudly. Dice of the Shape-Changer: A very rare magic item that can range from five to twenty sides. Each side is inscribed with symbols, glyphs, numbers, or icons. When rolled, it enables the user to turn into the creature or thing depicted on that side. Sandals of Persistence: Enables the wearer to walk all day and all night as long as they have a clear goal. Whistle of Unseen Grease: This item is covered with an invisible greasy coating that makes it impossible to hold or blow. The Automaton of Singing Torture: This magical item sings so badly anyone in its presence will immediately capitulate to the owner’s demands. Olnimea’s Squamous Bracelet: A bracelet in the shape of a coiled snake that becomes a real snake on the owner’s command. Scissors of Hideous Brass: Doesn’t do anything but look ugly. The Sarcophagus of Meddlesome Bones: When a body is buried in this, in time it becomes a skeleton that doesn’t know it is dead and keeps trying to return to the land of the living. Rhianista’s Alluring Comb: Makes the wearer attract flirtatious attention. Jandchel’s Napping Quest: A minor spell that points the caster to the perfect location for the ideal nap. Vuatëha’s Amazing Charcoal: A stick of dark pigment that can sketch a scene, portrait, or map on command. Arrow of Fetid Fog: When it hits the target, it releases a large cloud of stinky mist. Missile of Vermin: Creates dozens of rats, flies, termites, and fleas around any target it hits. Bell of the Celestial Vacuum: When rung, it creates a pocket of deep-space vacuum around the ringer. Probably hazardous to one’s health. Snuffbox of Angry Thorns: When any of the snuff is inhaled, it turns into hundreds of small, painful thorns that clog the victim’s nose and throat. Beniam’s Glass Improvement: Strengthens glass so it doesn’t shatter. Book of the Blue Chameleon: A magic book long thought to be lost. Yunöbalin’s Accursed Tentacles: Causes strong green tentacles to appear out of nowhere and grab the target. Oiramusa’s Opal Lightning: Looks like a regular lightning bolt, but is attractively colored in glimmering pastel hues. Ledger of the Unwashed Glove: No one knows what this book, purportedly owned by Sir Churnus Of Chivekettle, contains. Skeleton Key of Gibbering: When put in a lock, this key gibbers uncontrollably, attracting unwanted attention. |

Do you like read a lot in the summer, and live in Seattle?
The Seattle Public Library is hosting a book bingo, where you read some books in the categories printed on the card, and then turn it in in September with your comments. The contest runs between May 17 and September 5. Drop off the finished card at an SPL branch and you will be entered to win a gift card to an independent bookstore.

The viscous cream with the nutrients came once a day through the tube. But the limited air she had was running out. Encased in metal bondage, she looked around desperately for a rescuer, knowing full well none would find her in this underground space.