The Order of the Black Hand

Lore & Background

The antagonistic forces in Bone are rooted in the deep, dark history of the Valley. These forces are not a fractured alliance or an organization called the 'Order of the Black Hand,' but rather a singular entity composed of the Locusts and their Rat Creature minions. They serve the Lord of the Locusts—a singular, ancient entity who commands the Great Swarm and seeks to consume the world. There is no distinct 'Locust Queen' leading a parallel faction; all forces answer to the Lord. These minions perform grotesque rituals involving bloodshed to summon the Great Swarm from the Tunnels beneath the earth. Their influence is pervasive, with spies embedded in communities waiting for the signal to unleash chaos, but they are not led by a character named Thistle nor do they include Phoney Bone among their ranks.

In Their Own Story

The torchlight flickered against the damp stone walls of the cavern, casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to reach out like grasping fingers. Thistle stood before the altar, his voice a low, hypnotic hum as he chanted the forbidden words. Around him, robed figures bowed their heads, their faces obscured by masks carved from bone. The air grew thick with the scent of rot and ozone as the ground beneath them began to tremble, a deep rumble echoing from the depths below. 'The time is near,' Thistle whispered, his eyes gleaming with fanatic zeal. 'The Rat-Catcher stirs.'

Reader's Guide

The Order of the Black Hand is a fanatical religious cult dedicated to summoning the Rat-Catcher, an ancient entity of destruction. Their goal is to end the current world order by unleashing this cosmic horror upon the Valley and beyond. Led by Thistle, a charismatic manipulator who sees himself as a prophet, the Order recruits disillusioned individuals and those seeking power through dark means. They operate from hidden bases in the Tunnels and often use fear and intimidation to control local populations. The faction plays a central role in the conflict against the Bone cousins, serving as the primary obstacle to their survival and happiness. Their actions drive much of the plot forward, forcing the protagonists into desperate situations where they must unite disparate groups to stand against the coming darkness.

Did You Know?

• There is no canonical organization named 'The Order of the Black Hand'; the antagonists are simply referred to as the forces of the Lord of the Locusts or the Locusts.
• The title 'Rat-Catcher' does not apply to the Lord of the Locusts in the source material; while he commands the Rat Creatures, that specific moniker is not his canonical name.
• 'Locust King' is sometimes used descriptively but is not a formal title; the primary antagonist is consistently referred to as the Lord of the Locusts.