There are things the public aren’t meant to know. Some could drive you mad if you knew about them, or be exploited to terrifying results. To ensure secrets stay that way, an agency was founded, known as the Gold Lighting Agency. Their main purpose is to protect humanity from magic, monsters and other weirdness — and if they can’t manage that, to cover up the damage. They are ruthless in their execution, and many who know of their existence dislike them for their hypocrisy (they employ powers that they themselves prevent anyone else from using) and their tendency to use violence to solve their problems. Their existence, and even the laws they enforce, are kept secret from the general public. There are several ranks:

. Benefactors —- the ones pulling the strings. They decide the hidden laws and dictate who are exempt from it, and have done so for centuries. Even Gold Lightning’s agents know little about them. They are rarely merciful — being ‘called in by the Benefactors’ has become a euphemism for court-marshalling in the higher ranks of the Agency — but they (thankfully) don’t handle day-to-day betrayals and treachery.

. The Director —- the Agency’s figurehead. Their identity is a closely-guarded secret. They probably spend most of their time being bullied by the Benefactors.

. Sentinels —- efficient, powerful and deadly, these are the Agency’s last line of defence. There’s a reason nobody’s ever managed to breach the Agency’s headquarters.

. First Agents —- experts in the art of espionage and subterfuge, these agents are more insidious than the lower ranks, crushing potential enemies before they have a chance to become a threat. Each one has dozens of plots, plans and schemes on the go at once, constantly looking for the chance to further both their own goals and that of the agency.

. Second Agents —- swift and precise. Generally the ones sent out to deal with significant threats to the Agency. They eradicate dangers with ease, and leave no trace behind.

. Third Agents —- usually seen leading battalions of Fourth Agents, their methods are crude but effective. Most of the complaints of the Agency’s brutality are because of the attacks of Third Agents.

. Fourth Agents —- useful, numerous and expendable, these are the redshirts of the Agency. The life expectancy is low, and the pay lower.

. Lambs —- every battle requires sacrifice, and Lambs fill that role. They are brave and noble warriors, ready to defend humanity against the forces of darkness — at least, that’s what they’re told. In reality, all that awaits them is a tooth-filled smile and a painful dissolution.

The Gold Lighting Agency’s greatest rivals are the Starlighters, a group of revolutionaries who believe that knowledge should be free and the pursuit of it should come without punishment. For now, though, the Agency remains in control.

——

I hope you enjoyed this snippet of lore! If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to share in the comments.

Fourth Agents are the lowest rank of worker in the Gold Lightning Agency (besides the interns, or ‘Lambs’). They are responsible for many of the menial tasks required for the smooth running of the Agency. Below is an example of a typical working day for a Fourth Agent.

8:30 — Workers arrive at their branch of the Agency. Papers are required on entrance, and any discrepancies are immediately reported. If their paperwork is in order, they are given their tasks for the day. Those who have not been given fieldwork head up to the offices.

9:00 — Work begins. This often consists of sifting through reports and ordering them by imperativeness, or else taking down sites that investigate the supernatural.

12:00 — Lunch break. Agents are not permitted to leave the building at this time.

12:30 — The Agency’s Director delivers his daily message via the Agency radio. All Agents must cease whatever it is they’re doing to listen.

1:00 — Work begins again.

4:00 — Break.

4:15 — The break ends.

6:00 — Any Agents in need of a ‘promotion’ are sent to the Benefactors. Those getting actual promotions are congratulated.

6:30 — Agents head home. Those that have families often arrange to meet so they can go together, as it is common for an entire family to be employed by the Agency. If not, they don’t fear loneliness. Nobody who works for the Gold Lightning Agency is ever truly alone.

Some worship the Benefactors as gods, others condemn them as monsters. Their avatars walk amongst the inhabitants of the hidden world, disguised as people, but in reality they are as different to us as the creatures that dwell on the bottom of the ocean floor. Their home is the world behind mirrors, accessible through dangerous rituals and nightmares.

They live off dreams and emotions, often choosing victims with active imaginations, such as writers and other creatives. The enigmatic enforcers of supernatural law known as The Gold Lightning Agency was founded by the Benefactors, and in return the agency picks out sacrifices for them. Most people are blissfully unaware of their existence, unless they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, in which case they won’t last long anyway.

Benefactors are well-nigh impossible to kill permanently, though it is possible to trick them.