Morag Tong

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The Morag Tong is a fictional secret society in the computer game series, The Elder Scrolls.

It is a secret society within the continent of Tamriel. It is based in and largely operationally restricted to the Imperial Province of Morrowind.

The name means "Foresters' Guild" in the same way that a forester walks observantly among the trees of the forest, before selecting the appropriate one and cutting it down.

Interestingly, in order to accord with Imperial law relating to Guilds and Fraternal Organizations, all official documents, including Writs, making reference to the Tong must use the name "Morag Tong Guild" to indicate the legal status of the organization. Morag Tong Guild literally means, "Foresters' Guild Guild".

[edit] History

It is unique in Tamriel as the only legally sanctioned organization for assassins. It was said to have been founded by the Daedra Mephala: the Webspinner and the Anticipation of Vivec. In Dunmeri legends, s/he teaches the early Chimer, who were a small faction and faced numerous enemies, how to evade their adversaries and destroy them with conspiracy and plots of secret murder.

Later, the Tong was founded on these principles, as the Daedra forbade that the Chimer engage in open warfare with each other. Instead, as a means of resolving conflicts of such a grievous nature that no other course of action was appropriate, the Chimer were to approach the Tong and offer money for an honorable execution. Because of its official sanction, the Morag Tong has the authority to print legal bills known as Honourable Writs of Execution, which excuse a Tong agent of all legal misgiving associated with any Tong related business. As such, Morag Tong executioners are expected to give themselves up immediately following an execution even if the death itself would have remained a mystery, in order to legally absolve themselves and avert any possible long-term ramifications. Tong executioners who fail to do so are considered suspect by their order and may be subject to major internal investigations, as the Tong does not harbour criminals.

The Morag Tong is an ancient order steeped in tradition and secrecy. Although they are a society of murder, they have strict internal laws and ways of governing themselves. Early in the history of the order a splinter group broke away, calling itself The Dark Brotherhood; who turned from the original intent of the society: to prevent massive bloodshed with selectively calculated killings. The Brotherhood devolved into a death cult, turning from the original worship of the patron Mephala, in to the worship of Sithis, the serpent god of death, who represents the worst of a variously interpreted "Void". Their patron became Mehrunes Dagon, the Daedra Prince of unmitigated destruction and chaos. Their murders were no longer always motivated by altruism or even by money, and they frequently abducted innocents whose souls to sacrifice in Daedric and Necromantic ceremonies.

Since their inception, to the outside world the Morag Tong has become less of a sacred institution, largely because of the Dunmeri abandonment of Daedra worship, and more of a secularized enterprise of revenge. The Tong resents this fact, still taking itself very much seriously as the upholder of traditional Dunmeri law, and feels on the whole, that its services are undervalued, as anyone with a minor grievance and enough wealth can order the murder or anyone else, while the Tong, taking their traditional role as the impartial middle-man, is obliged to accept the contract.

Although the Tong is largely restricted to activity within Morrowind Province, due to the fact that no other Imperial governments recognize them as a legal faction, this does not mean that fleeing Morrowind will protect you. Tong executioners have been known to track their prey all across Tamriel, thanks in part to an extensive network of informants and contacts maintained by the Guild.

However, the Dark Brotherhood has a monopoly on illegal assassination outside of Morrowind, and Dark Brothers have been known to abduct Tong agents wherever they find them.

Organizations of The Elder Scrolls
Military/Mercenary:	Blades | Buoyant Armigers | Fighters' Guild | Imperial Legion | Ordinators
Religious/Mystical:	Mages' Guild | Tribunal Temple
Covert:	Camonna Tong | Dark Brotherhood | Morag Tong | Thieves' Guild
Houses of Morrowind:	House Dagoth | House Hlaalu | House Redoran | House Telvanni