Harper Symbol

As you can see, I’m still not sure what to call this type of organization.  A cabal or secret society has fairly dark undertones.  For this topic, I’m really trying to lean towards groups that are fighting to protect something.  It could be a kingdom, a terrible secret, or anything that can lead to disaster if it’s damaged.  So, what are some things to keep in mind?

1. The organization should have a name.  This might sound like a weird one, but many authors will make an important group and not give them a name.  With their goal being so crucial to the survival of something, you would think those in charge would want them to have a name.  It can be something fairly benign, which they can subtly use in conversation without drawing attention.  Doesn’t have to be flashy, especially since they are trying to be a secret.
2. A goal is needed for this group to both exist and function.  Why were they made and why do they remain?  If they no longer have a purpose then they probably wouldn’t stay together.  For example, a group that came together to prevent a dark god from reviving wouldn’t remain after that god was permanently destroyed.  If they do then an explanation needs to be given.
3. A key component is them being a secret, but that doesn’t have to mean that they are completely in the shadows.  People can know that they exist, but not who the various members are.  It could even be that all of that is known, but their actual purpose or functioning isn’t known.  Without these secretiveness, the organization’s activities will be easy to disrupt by their enemies.
4. While you don’t need a hierarchy, there should be some formal organization to these groups.  They can’t be ragtag since they are supposed to be established with a determined goal.  Parts of this aspect would be leadership, how tasks are handed out, territory, rules of conduct, or even smaller groups within the larger one.  To explain that last one, you might have a group that handles information gathering while another takes care of traitors.
5. Communication between members needs to have some type of subterfuge.  Written and oral messages need to be in code if the characters are in public.  If they are speaking in clear terms then anyone can hear them.  Without this, an author can’t have organization members discuss events in any scene that doesn’t include privacy, which can be a harsh limitation and increase the chance of info dumps.
6. It doesn’t hurt to create a long history for the organization.  While you might not use all of it in the story, it can help you determine how the members will function.  This can also birth ideas on the organization and hierarchy since you will be thinking about how this group changed over the years.  It can definitely help psychologically.  You would be imagining them as a small, original group and then think about how they would grow into what they need for the story.
7. Passwords and secret handshakes . . . Not necessary, but they are fun to make.