| Phantom Troupe | |
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Symbol |
The group's signature twelve-legged spider. |
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Base of operations |
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Members: |
0: Vance Volkihar |
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Affiliations |
Independent |
The Phantom Troupe, sometimes just called the Troupe , is an infamous band of diabolical thieves with Class-A bounties. The group is also known as the "Spider" and its members the "Spiders", most of whom hail from the Eastern Kingdoms. They seek to overthrow all the states, kingdoms and clans of Azeroth, replacing the corrupt nobility with representatives of the people.
History[]
Sixty years ago, in the ruins of Alterac, a group of children, including Vance Volkihar, formed a bond amidst the desolation. These children, living as outcasts, were drawn together by their shared circumstances and a desire to rise above their station. The group, initially formed for mutual protection and camaraderie, gradually evolved into something more. They took on the name "Phantom Troupe," symbolizing their intent to be unseen but impactful forces of change. Their goal was to challenge the corrupt powers across Azeroth and replace them with true representatives of the people.
Under Vance's emerging leadership, The Troupe explored various arcane and forbidden arts. They discovered an ancient and powerful artifact hidden within a forgotten vault beneath Alterac. This artifact, pulsating with a strange energy, was tied to the deepest magics of Azeroth, an amalgamation of life and death forces. Upon contact, a surge of energy coursed through Vace, altering his very essence. The transformation endowed Vance with abilities resembling those of a shadow hunter, but with a unique connection to the forces of life and death.
Seeking a remedy for their bloodlust, the group traveled to Gilneas, where they met the alchemist Krennan Aranas. Aranas crafted a potion that temporarily quenched their thirst for blood. However, the side effects of their condition led to a gradual mental decay. To combat this, the Troupe journeyed to Tal'dorei, seeking the wisdom of the Harvest Witches to soothe their troubled minds.
Years later, as the Scourge threatened Gilneas, Vance and his Troupe stood at the forefront of the defense at the Greymane Wall. In a desperate move, Archmage Arugal unleashed the worgen as a counter to the Scourge. The plan initially succeeded, but once the undead were repelled, the worgen turned on the Gilneans. During this chaotic battle, the original members of the Troupe were decimated, leaving Vance as the sole survivor.
After the tragic loss of his companions, Vance, driven by a desire for vengeance against the Scourge and a need to honor the memory of his fallen friends, officially founded the Phantom Troupe. This new Troupe was more than a band of rebels; it was a symbol of resistance and a call to arms for those who sought to fight against tyranny and corruption.
The Cataclysm, a devastating event that reshaped Azeroth, led to the fall of the Greymane Wall and opened Gilneas to the Forsaken's invasion. Sylvanas Windrunner's assault forced the Gilneans to evacuate, with many finding refuge in Darnassus. During this time, Vance made a crucial decision to maintain the independence of the Phantom Troupe, refusing King Greymane's offer to integrate them into the Alliance's forces.
Vance promised to return to fight for Alterac and Gilneas when the time was right. In the meantime, the Troupe, now known as the Ghost Troupe, reestablished itself with bases in the underground of Gilneas and the Undercity. Operating in secrecy, they continued to work towards their goal of overthrowing corrupt states and establishing a world governed by the people.
Hierarchy and Rules[]
Mirroring the metaphorical representation of the group as a ten-legged spider, the Phantom Troupe is ideally composed of eleven main groups in total. Each groups has one "head" and ten "legs". All the "legs" are equal in ranking and decision-making power, and tasks are assigned based on each member's individual skills or preferences. The "heads" are the leaders and elects one of them to be the Boss, whose orders are to be of the utmost priority; however, their life is not, since even the leaders can be replaced. The members are expected to always adhere to the governing principle that the prosperity of the group as a whole trumps the survival of any one of its individuals, including the leader himself.
The Troupe does not assemble frequently but gathers at the leader’s request, which can be discretionary or mandatory. Skipping a mandatory meeting could result in a member being punished. Only the leader has the authority to add new members, although they can recommend candidates they deem suitable. Defeating a current member is a viable way to replace them, which may not be subject to the leader’s approval.
Other than following their leader’s orders and not fighting amongst themselves, members are not expected to follow any specific procedures. Although some members believe buying and bidding to be against the ways of the group, others have no qualms about resorting to legal, non-violent channels and transactions. It has been noted that two members are always by the leader’s side when the Troupe gathers together, but it is unknown whether this is an official rule.
Positions and Roles[]
Phantom Troupe members are assigned to or volunteer for certain activities in the group based on their aptitude.
- Boss: The leader of the Phantom Troupe.
- Head: The leader of each group.
- Leg: General members
Coin Tossing[]
Serious fights are prohibited among Phantom Troupe members. Since no member outranks another, if a clash of opinions cannot be solved through discussion, coin tossing is used to settle the quarrel. However, disputes solved by the coin are only between two individuals. The coin used is custom-made, with the heads side sporting the group's signature ten-legged spider and the tails side depicting a spider's web.
Tattoo[]
Members of the Phantom Troupe sport a tattoo of a ten-legged spider somewhere on their body. Inside the spider, there is a number ranging from 1 to 12, which differs for each member. It is unknown how these numbers are assigned. Although the ten-legged spider is instantly recognizable as the symbol of the Troupe, the fact that it’s numbered is not as widely known.