The group that is known as the Court of Owls began innocently as an exclusive gentlemen's club for the richest families on the East Coast. Founded by R.H. Orchard in 1836, it was envisioned as a meeting of the greatest financiers in America. The club was very exclusive, only admitting those whose pocketbook could afford the initial membership fee and yearly tithe. Membership allowed access to their lavish meeting halls and activities such as hunting trips, lavish parties, and debauched escapades inspired by the infamous Scottish Hellfire Clubs of the 18th Century.
Through the Court, a network of influence was created, which allowed the members to further increase their wealth and power. Because of its location, many of the upper classes settled in Gotham and the Court of Owls gained unprecedented control over the daily affairs in the city. They used that control to promote industry but stifle workers rights, creating a wealth gap that far exceeded its neighbors. Problems they couldn't solve from money and politics were dealt with by their trusted agents known as Talons
The Talons were originally hired goons that provided security for their soirées, but as the group gained wealth and connections, so did the Talon's capabilities. By the turn of the 20th Century, a Talon was a brainwashed assassin, trained by the best warriors in the world, physically augmented with fringe science, and cryogenically frozen until they were needed. So feared were the agents of the Court, that the Talons became enshrined in children's nursery rhymes in Gotham.
It's ironic that the decline of the Court corresponded with the rise of the Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne's parents had long campaigned to change the fortunes of the city's poor, working to restore infrastructure and social programs that had stagnated over the decades. Though it's unclear if the Owls had anything to do with the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, they used their proxies within the GCPD to hinder the murder investigation. It would be this injustice that would spur Bruce to become Batman.
The Bat-Family and the Court of Owls would clash on a regular basis, with the Gotham heroes becoming victorious each time. No matter what the Court seemed to plan, Batman and his allies would find a way of stopping them, stripping away a layer of influence in the process. In the aftermath of the Apokolips Incursion, there were only a handful of Talons in reserve and most of the Court's chief influencers saw themselves incarcerated or otherwise neutralized.
Their final hope was the Special Security Zone and the Magistrate, who was a loyal member of the Court. The fallout from that debacle put the city in the hands of the Sword Nations and their arch-enemy James Gordon. Fearing a radical change in the social order, many of the wealthiest dynasties have chosen to leave Gotham, and as a result, the members of the Court of Owls dwindle each day. It truly seems like the end of an era.
Now with the referendum nearing, the Court of Owls believes they need to act decisively or they will be swept away.
The Talons were originally hired goons that provided security for their soirées, but as the group gained wealth and connections, so did the Talon's capabilities. By the turn of the 20th Century, a Talon was a brainwashed assassin, trained by the best warriors in the world, physically augmented with fringe science, and cryogenically frozen until they were needed. So feared were the agents of the Court, that the Talons became enshrined in children's nursery rhymes in Gotham.
It's ironic that the decline of the Court corresponded with the rise of the Dark Knight. Bruce Wayne's parents had long campaigned to change the fortunes of the city's poor, working to restore infrastructure and social programs that had stagnated over the decades. Though it's unclear if the Owls had anything to do with the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, they used their proxies within the GCPD to hinder the murder investigation. It would be this injustice that would spur Bruce to become Batman.
The Bat-Family and the Court of Owls would clash on a regular basis, with the Gotham heroes becoming victorious each time. No matter what the Court seemed to plan, Batman and his allies would find a way of stopping them, stripping away a layer of influence in the process. In the aftermath of the Apokolips Incursion, there were only a handful of Talons in reserve and most of the Court's chief influencers saw themselves incarcerated or otherwise neutralized.
Their final hope was the Special Security Zone and the Magistrate, who was a loyal member of the Court. The fallout from that debacle put the city in the hands of the Sword Nations and their arch-enemy James Gordon. Fearing a radical change in the social order, many of the wealthiest dynasties have chosen to leave Gotham, and as a result, the members of the Court of Owls dwindle each day. It truly seems like the end of an era.
Now with the referendum nearing, the Court of Owls believes they need to act decisively or they will be swept away.
They would need another Night of the Talons…
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