Reading the Ecology of the Keeper article from Dragon 353, I find myself eager to use the Critters in Black for my upcoming Ethereal/Inner Planar campaign. So, in this article are names of various bands of Keepers, likely secrets that band was set to watch over. These are: the Apotheosis, the Draeden, the Final Gate, the Iron Flask, the Maze, the Mists, the Gray Path, the Seven Parts, the Ur-Fiend, the Unliving God, and the example character's grouping: the Colorless Pool.
I have a good idea about what a number of those refer to, but I am curious to see what we can figure out about them. I do realize that this might be uncharted lands, but all ideas are welcome. And if you can figure out a reference or something like that, so much the better.
Anyone interested?
Well, here are my guesses for as many as I can figure out.
Iron Flask: The Iron Flask of Tueny the Merciless. Nasty little artifact that can trap a huge number of fiends, or one Abyssal Lord
The Maze: Possibly a reference to the Lady's Mazes
The Mists: Ravenloft, and possibly the Dark Powers that preside over it
The Seven Parts: The Rod of Seven Parts. Another artifact
The Ur-Fiend: Possibly Asmodeus, in reference to what's at the bottom of Nessus
The Unliving God: Almost certainly Tenebrous/Orcus
As for the others, no idea at all. Hope it was some help