AOJ SYNDICATE FACTION
Black Talon
Unpredictable, aggressive and dangerously effective. Black Talon thrives when organised plans collapse and the battlefield descends into chaos.
Chaos
Disruption
Sabotage
Independent Operators
01
TEAM PROFILE
The architects of chaos
Black Talon is commonly portrayed as the hostile syndicate operating behind AOJ’s most dangerous incidents. Their objectives frequently involve sabotage, destabilisation, theft, intimidation and attacks designed to undermine established forces.
Although often regarded as the villains of the operation, Black Talon is not simply a collection of uncontrolled fighters. Behind the disorder is a calculated understanding of fear, confusion and opportunity. Members deliberately create pressure across multiple areas, forcing opposing teams to divide their attention and react without complete information.
Order creates predictable behaviour. Black Talon creates the conditions where prediction becomes impossible.
02
GAMEPLAY STYLE
Disruption over control
Black Talon excels at breaking defensive lines, disrupting communications and forcing opponents away from their primary objectives. Their missions may include planting devices, capturing personnel, stealing intelligence, destroying strategic assets or launching diversionary attacks.
The faction frequently attracts lone-wolf players and independent operators. These members may move away from the main force to conduct ambushes, reconnaissance, harassment or sabotage. While this can make Black Talon appear disorganised, their unpredictability is one of their greatest strengths.
01
Chaos
Black Talon overloads the battlefield with threats, forcing opponents to respond under pressure.
02
Disruption
Their operations are designed to interrupt command structures, defensive plans and mission progress.
03
Independence
Lone operators are given room to exploit weaknesses and create problems behind enemy lines.
04
Aggression
When an opportunity appears, Black Talon acts quickly and applies overwhelming pressure.
03
FIELD IDENTITY
Built for intimidation
Black Talon members usually wear black, dark grey and other shadow-based colours. Full tactical equipment is common, including plate carriers, helmets, masks, communications equipment and load-bearing systems.
Their appearance is intended to be immediately recognisable and intimidating. Individual loadouts may vary considerably, reflecting the faction’s mixture of organised assault units, specialists, mercenaries and independent operators.
04
OPERATIONAL DOCTRINE
Unpredictability is a weapon
Black Talon does not need to control every area to succeed. A single operator behind enemy lines, a well-timed diversion or the loss of one critical objective may be enough to change the entire operation.
The team is best suited to players who enjoy aggressive movement, improvisation and unconventional tactics. Members must be capable of acting independently while still recognising when their actions can support the faction’s wider objective.
.aoj-talon {
–talon-black: #050505;
–talon-panel: #101010;
–talon-panel-light: #181818;
–talon-red: #a91414;
–talon-red-light: #df3434;
–talon-silver: #d6d6d6;
–talon-muted: #9c9c9c;
–talon-border: rgba(190, 30, 30, 0.32);
width: 100%;
margin: 0 auto;
overflow: hidden;
color: var(–talon-silver);
background:
linear-gradient(rgba(5, 5, 5, 0.97), rgba(5, 5, 5, 0.99)),
repeating-linear-gradient(
135deg,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025) 0,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025) 1px,
transparent 1px,
transparent 20px
);
border: 1px solid var(–talon-border);
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 24px 70px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
font-family: inherit;
}
.aoj-talon *,
.aoj-talon *::before,
.aoj-talon *::after {
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.aoj-talon__hero {
position: relative;
padding: clamp(55px, 8vw, 100px) clamp(24px, 6vw, 80px);
overflow: hidden;
text-align: center;
background:
radial-gradient(circle at center, rgba(170, 20, 20, 0.22), transparent 48%),
linear-gradient(135deg, #121212 0%, #020202 100%);
border-bottom: 1px solid var(–talon-border);
}
.aoj-talon__hero::before {
content: “”;
position: absolute;
inset: 0;
pointer-events: none;
background:
linear-gradient(
110deg,
transparent 0%,
transparent 42%,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025) 42%,
rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.025) 43%,
transparent 43%
);
}
.aoj-talon__eyebrow {
position: relative;
margin: 0 0 16px;
color: var(–talon-red-light);
font-size: 0.78rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.24em;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aoj-talon h1 {
position: relative;
margin: 0;
color: #ffffff;
font-size: clamp(2.7rem, 8vw, 6rem);
font-weight: 900;
line-height: 0.95;
letter-spacing: -0.045em;
text-transform: uppercase;
text-shadow:
0 4px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8),
0 0 30px rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.22);
}
.aoj-talon h1::after {
content: “”;
display: block;
width: 100px;
height: 4px;
margin: 26px auto 0;
background: linear-gradient(90deg, #660707, var(–talon-red-light));
box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.38);
}
.aoj-talon__lead {
position: relative;
max-width: 830px;
margin: 28px auto 0;
color: #d0d0d0;
font-size: clamp(1rem, 1.8vw, 1.2rem);
line-height: 1.75;
}
.aoj-talon__tags {
position: relative;
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
justify-content: center;
gap: 10px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.aoj-talon__tags span {
padding: 8px 14px;
color: #efb1b1;
background: rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.1);
border: 1px solid rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.36);
border-radius: 3px;
font-size: 0.76rem;
font-weight: 800;
letter-spacing: 0.08em;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aoj-talon__layout {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) 320px;
gap: clamp(35px, 5vw, 70px);
padding: clamp(35px, 6vw, 75px);
}
.aoj-talon__section + .aoj-talon__section {
margin-top: 58px;
}
.aoj-talon__section > p {
margin: 0 0 22px;
color: #c6c6c6;
font-size: 1rem;
line-height: 1.85;
}
.aoj-talon__heading {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 18px;
margin-bottom: 26px;
}
.aoj-talon__heading > span {
display: flex;
flex: 0 0 46px;
align-items: center;
justify-content: center;
width: 46px;
height: 46px;
color: var(–talon-red-light);
background: rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.12);
border: 1px solid rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.42);
border-radius: 3px;
font-size: 0.82rem;
font-weight: 900;
}
.aoj-talon__heading p {
margin: 0 0 5px;
color: var(–talon-red-light);
font-size: 0.72rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.18em;
}
.aoj-talon__heading h2 {
margin: 0;
color: #ffffff;
font-size: clamp(1.45rem, 3vw, 2.15rem);
line-height: 1.15;
}
.aoj-talon__quote {
position: relative;
margin: 38px 0;
padding: 30px;
background:
linear-gradient(
135deg,
rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.16),
rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.025)
);
border-left: 4px solid var(–talon-red);
}
.aoj-talon__quote::before {
content: ““”;
position: absolute;
top: -5px;
left: 16px;
color: rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.35);
font-family: Georgia, serif;
font-size: 5rem;
line-height: 1;
}
.aoj-talon__quote p {
position: relative;
margin: 0;
padding-left: 40px;
color: #f1f1f1;
font-size: 1.05rem;
font-weight: 700;
line-height: 1.65;
}
.aoj-talon__features {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
gap: 16px;
margin-top: 32px;
}
.aoj-talon__features article {
padding: 24px;
background: var(–talon-panel);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.07);
border-top: 2px solid var(–talon-red);
border-radius: 4px;
transition:
transform 0.2s ease,
border-color 0.2s ease;
}
.aoj-talon__features article:hover {
transform: translateY(-3px);
border-color: rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.42);
}
.aoj-talon__number {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 18px;
color: var(–talon-red-light);
font-size: 0.75rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.1em;
}
.aoj-talon__features h3 {
margin: 0 0 10px;
color: #ffffff;
font-size: 1.12rem;
}
.aoj-talon__features p {
margin: 0;
color: var(–talon-muted);
font-size: 0.9rem;
line-height: 1.65;
}
.aoj-talon__sidebar {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 20px;
}
.aoj-talon__panel {
padding: 25px;
background: var(–talon-panel);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
border-radius: 4px;
}
.aoj-talon__panel–red {
background:
linear-gradient(
145deg,
rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.16),
rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.03)
);
border-color: var(–talon-border);
}
.aoj-talon__panel-title {
margin: 0 0 20px;
padding-bottom: 13px;
color: #ef7777;
border-bottom: 1px solid var(–talon-border);
font-size: 0.73rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.15em;
}
.aoj-talon__panel dl {
margin: 0;
}
.aoj-talon__panel dl div {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
gap: 18px;
padding: 13px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.06);
}
.aoj-talon__panel dl div:last-child {
padding-bottom: 0;
border-bottom: 0;
}
.aoj-talon__panel dt {
color: var(–talon-muted);
font-size: 0.84rem;
}
.aoj-talon__panel dd {
margin: 0;
color: #ffffff;
font-size: 0.84rem;
font-weight: 700;
text-align: right;
}
.aoj-talon__panel ul {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
list-style: none;
}
.aoj-talon__panel li {
position: relative;
margin-bottom: 13px;
padding-left: 20px;
color: #d0d0d0;
font-size: 0.9rem;
line-height: 1.5;
}
.aoj-talon__panel li:last-child {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.aoj-talon__panel li::before {
content: “◆”;
position: absolute;
top: 1px;
left: 0;
color: var(–talon-red-light);
font-size: 0.65rem;
}
.aoj-talon__motto {
padding: 28px 20px;
text-align: center;
background: #030303;
border: 1px solid var(–talon-border);
border-radius: 4px;
}
.aoj-talon__motto p {
margin: 0 0 6px;
color: var(–talon-muted);
font-size: 0.68rem;
font-weight: 800;
letter-spacing: 0.2em;
}
.aoj-talon__motto strong {
color: var(–talon-red-light);
font-size: 1.1rem;
letter-spacing: 0.07em;
}
/* Team enlistment selector — visually integrated with the Black Talon page. */
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector {
position: relative;
width: 100%;
max-width: none;
margin: 22px 0 0;
padding: clamp(26px, 4vw, 42px);
overflow: hidden;
color: var(–talon-silver, #d6d6d6);
background:
radial-gradient(circle at 85% 15%, rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.22), transparent 34%),
linear-gradient(135deg, #111111 0%, #050505 100%);
border: 1px solid rgba(190, 30, 30, 0.38);
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 18px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.38);
font-family: inherit;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector::before {
content: “TEAM ENLISTMENT”;
display: block;
margin: 0 0 8px;
color: #df3434;
font-size: 0.74rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.2em;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector::after {
content: “Select your permanent AOJ faction assignment.”;
display: block;
position: absolute;
top: clamp(50px, 6vw, 67px);
left: clamp(26px, 4vw, 42px);
color: #9c9c9c;
font-size: 0.88rem;
line-height: 1.5;
pointer-events: none;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector [data-team-selector-content] {
position: relative;
z-index: 1;
padding-top: 50px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(260px, 0.8fr);
align-items: end;
gap: 22px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current,
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__join,
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__actions {
padding: 22px;
background: rgba(16, 16, 16, 0.88);
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
border-top: 2px solid #a91414;
border-radius: 4px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 7px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current > span,
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__join label > span {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #df3434;
font-size: 0.72rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.14em;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current strong {
color: #ffffff;
font-size: clamp(1.25rem, 3vw, 1.75rem);
line-height: 1.15;
text-transform: uppercase;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current small {
color: #9c9c9c;
font-size: 0.86rem;
line-height: 1.55;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__join label {
display: block;
margin: 0 0 14px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector select {
width: 100%;
min-height: 48px;
padding: 10px 42px 10px 14px;
color: #f0f0f0;
background-color: #090909;
border: 1px solid rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.42);
border-radius: 4px;
font: inherit;
font-size: 0.95rem;
outline: none;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector select:focus {
border-color: #df3434;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.14);
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector button {
width: 100%;
min-height: 48px;
padding: 12px 18px;
color: #ffffff;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #a91414, #6b0707);
border: 1px solid #df3434;
border-radius: 4px;
box-shadow: 0 7px 20px rgba(169, 20, 20, 0.24);
font: inherit;
font-size: 0.82rem;
font-weight: 900;
letter-spacing: 0.07em;
text-transform: uppercase;
cursor: pointer;
transition: transform 0.2s ease, filter 0.2s ease, opacity 0.2s ease;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector button:hover:not(:disabled) {
transform: translateY(-2px);
filter: brightness(1.12);
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector button:disabled {
opacity: 0.42;
cursor: not-allowed;
box-shadow: none;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__leave {
background: transparent;
border-color: rgba(223, 52, 52, 0.62);
box-shadow: none;
}
@media (max-width: 900px) {
.aoj-talon__layout {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.aoj-talon__sidebar {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));
}
.aoj-talon__motto {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
}
@media (max-width: 620px) {
.aoj-talon__hero {
padding: 50px 20px;
}
.aoj-talon__layout {
padding: 32px 20px;
}
.aoj-talon__features,
.aoj-talon__sidebar {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.aoj-talon__motto {
grid-column: auto;
}
.aoj-talon__quote {
padding: 25px 20px;
}
.aoj-talon__quote p {
padding-left: 30px;
}
.aoj-talon__heading {
align-items: flex-start;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector {
margin-top: 16px;
padding: 24px 20px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector::after {
top: 55px;
left: 20px;
right: 20px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector [data-team-selector-content] {
padding-top: 58px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
gap: 14px;
}
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__current,
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__join,
.aoj-talon + .aoj-team-selector .aoj-team-change__actions {
padding: 18px;
}
}
