The @Derian-Ka is the ancient Order of the Dead, a secret society formed by the disciples of the great necromancer @Kerghan following his banishment.
They are known for practicing the arts of @Necromantic Black and are associated with the symbol of a bird with a snake's head.
The order was established in the years after @Kerghan's banishment, with the earliest possible creation date being shortly after his death, as confirmed by Joachim's journal.
The @Derian-Ka are linked to the Ancient Temple, which is also known as the Temple of the Derian-Ka and is the home of the decaying form of Torian Kel, a former warrior for the order.
The @Derian-Ka had a complex relationship with the Molochean Hand, an assassins' guild that originated as their own assassins but later split due to doctrinal differences. The split occurred after the Hand's leader, Trellian, discovered the atrocities committed by @Kerghan and led a war against the @Derian-Ka, ultimately breaking their alliance.
A theory suggests the @Molochean Hand was formed by a collaboration between the @Derian-Ka and descendants of the survivors of the destroyed city of Vendigroth (@Vendigroth Ruins), who brought their advanced technology and shared a common enemy in @Arronax.
The @Molochean Hand adopted the ancient symbol of Vendigroth, distinguishing themselves from the @Derian-Ka's gryphon symbol.