There are five. There are only ever five. It has been thus for two centuries.

When one dies, another must take their place.

They are egalitarian in their outlook; anyone can join. However, the price of admission is paid in blood: one must challenge and best an existing member in a fight to the death. There is no cruelty or malice in this rule. It simply guarantees competence and ensures that the line is unbroken.

Horkus

The youngest member of the outfit. Some say that the fight against his predecessor was unfair (old Malgin the Black was getting on in years and said to be suffering from arthritis) but rules are rules and Horkus has earned his place, for the moment at least.

Earning his place among the five has given the hard-drinking Horkus a big head though. Unlike his compatriots, he is given to vainglorious boasting and conspicuous consumption.

Level 6 Halfling

AC 5 [14] (leather), HD 6 (23 hp), Att 1 × polearm (1d10), THAC0 17 [+2], MV 60′ (20′), SV D6 W7 P8 B10 S10, AL Neutral, XP 275

Ainara the Undying

A dhampir, spawn of a human father and a vampire mother. Departing from the stereotype of her kind, she enjoys bright colours and gardening. Between adventures, Ainara can often be spotted touring the elven gardens of Llangryfll beneath a multi-hued pastel parasol, sipping on iced rabbit-blood and bothering the gardeners with questions about their trade.

Level 7 Dhampir

AC 7 [12] (leather armour), HD 7 (23 hp), Att 1 × claw (1d6) and 1 × bite (1d8) or charming gaze (special), THAC0 14 [+5], MV 90′ (30′), SV D8 W9 P9 B10 S10, AL Neutral, XP 850

Charming gaze: Targets must save vs. Spells at a -2 penalty or be charmed to obey, defend, and follow the dhampir; the charm breaks if the vampire dies.

Sun sensitivity: Attacks and damage at -2 in direct sunlight

Silent Solon

A grim, sinewy giant. Rumours abound as to how he lost his tongue (bar fight? traded with a hag in exchange for his almost superhuman strength?). Regardless, his maul does the talking now.

Level 7 Fighter

AC 3 [16] (plate mail), HD 7 (31 hp), Att 1 × enormous maul, (1d12), THAC0 14 [+5], MV 60′ (20′), SV D8 W9 P10 B10 S12, AL Chaotic, XP 450 Items Enormous maul (can only be wielded by someone with a strength of 18 or over)

Sister Ygritte

Nearly sixty years of age, this famed battlenun shows no signs of slowing down. Bound in service to Yansanan, goddess of lightning storms, war, and ephemeral glory.

Level 8 cleric

AC 2 [17] (plate mail + shield), HD 8 (29 hp), Att 1 × war hammer (1d6) or 1 × spell, THAC0 17 [+2], MV 60′ (20′), SV D9 W10 P12 B14 S12, AL Lawful, XP 1200 Spells resist cold, detect evil, resist cold, resist fire, snake charm, silence 15’ radius, cure disease (cause disease), locate object (mu), sticks to snakes, protection from evil 10’ radius (c), commune

Althazamar the Unclad

A centenerian garbed in nothing but a loincloth. The eldest of the ‘five’ and a living legend whose exploits are known from the cursed wastelands of the oncemen to the berg-fortresses of the island elves. His precise age is a mystery, though he is recorded as having been present as a young man at the siege of Greyrock ninety years ago. Not for nothing has the phrase ‘as old as Althazamar’ become a popular coinage. Eschewing spellbooks, he carves his arcane arsenal in ink upon his person.

Level 9 wizard

AC 9 (10), HD 9 (25 hp), Att 1 × dagger (1d4) or 1 × spell, THAC0 17 [+2], MV 120′ (40′), SV D11 W12 P11 B14 S12, AL Lawful, XP 2800, Spells sleep, charm person, read magic, phantasmal force, invisibility, continual light (continual darkness), lightning bolt, fly, haste, charm monster, remove curse (curse), hold monster, Items None. However, magic-users can learn one spell of up to fifth level by studying Althazamar’s flesh for one day