Factions in Action?

[Barehander]

I'm not sure if this is the place to post, but I'll take the risk!

I've been browsing the forums and asking around in game for a few days now. However, I'm still rather unclear on what exactly the active factions PCs can join are, currently.

I may want to jump on a bandwagon soon enough. So if you have/know of an active faction accepting members, do tell. It would be nice to have an idea about the options available before making a PC; I currently find myself in a situation where very few if any of the factions I've met in game have anything to do with my current PC (Butcher-Luvic).

For a new PC, I'm specifically looking for some political/economical/social influence. Not trader work exactly, but something that affects the colony and/or other places and involves many people.

[Figaro]

The main DM factions as of now are-

Stygian Armada- both the protectors of the Colony and mercenaries, they're die-hard elites. Not the standard soldiers but powerful warriors. You can be anything from a guard, seeking to protect the people to a Mercenary looking to squeeze a coin out of everyone. Generally non-chaotic.

The Sons- A faction that allows basically anyone in. All you need is devotion to the Docks and to Ixpadia, a woman who recently lost a Civil War against Old Port and was sold into slavery. You can play a merchant, a freedom fighter, a thug, anyone with a vested interest in the Docks. Generally non-lawful

The Conclave- A group of Wizards and Consorts, the Conclave is devoted to studying Arcane, especially Netherese Lore. Half of the faction is Wizards, but you can play any character with an interest in Netheril! Any alignment

The Stewards- Nature dudes who protect Ymph. Often in conflict with the Colony, their main goals are to stop people from despoiling the land and protecting the island from the unnatural.

Pallid Mask- Devoted to battling the Nightrisers, these Holy Warriors spend almost the entirety of their time against the Undead threat beneath the Ziggurat. Generally non-evil

Of the PC factions-

Blackhearth- A generally good aligned group who hold a castle in the wilderness. You can be basically anything except evil. Their main goals are to fight Evil and the Orcs of the island.

Dogs of War- A mercenary group who are currently engaging in a war to civilise or subjugate the Stargazers. Basically any PCs allowed, devoted to honourable war.



I should say, in case you didn't know! The difference between DM and PC factions is that you have to send in an application to join a DM faction, but not a PC one.

[Caster13]

For a new PC, I'm specifically looking for some political/economical/social influence. Not trader work exactly, but something that affects the colony and/or other places and involves many people.

Sounds to me your PC would be interested in either the Stygian Armada, the Sons of Sabuth, or the Transcendent Conclave, depending on a few things like class and deity.
 
Currently, the Stygians are the rulers of Ymph with the backing of Old Port. Generally speaking, the Stygians--as a mercenary force--appeals to a lot of noble-headed/fighter-class/combat-oriented characters. Any such governing power, however, as its uses for the diplomatic and the subtle to ensure all the right factors exist to keep themselves in power.
 
The Sons of Sabuth appear to be a typical aggregate of chaotic gangs who cry for freedom even if it can be vague at times. Considering how they're the weaker force politically (and seemingly in numbers as well), they of all factions could benefit from the politically inclined to grow and expand their allies and their influence.
 
The Transcendent Conclave is restrictively mage-and-consort specific so that severely limits your chances of getting in if you're not a mage and if there aren't any consortless-members around. In my opinion, I think the Conclave's got something sneaky going and I wouldn't be surprised if they exert a lot of influence behind closed doors and pulled curtains.

[IxTheSpeedy]

There is also an elven PC faction called the "Keepers of the Crescent Moon" that has a number of active members.  If you have any interest in playing an elf, that is a great group to hook up with.

[eliff]

Thought i'd pitch in with the opposite to the Dogs of War.  At the moment the stargazers have quite a few pc gazers and allies.  It does require an app but it's good fun.

[Kotenku]

Speaking on behalf of the Conclave, from my personal position within the faction, I can honestly say that we rock in every conceivable way and that I have huge pity for all the suckers who aren't able to join the faction because they can't find wizards to rock out with.

The Conclave's goals are best found out in game, but they are absolutely politically oriented, and in a position for a huge amount of intrigue, both inside the faction and out.

I give the faction three thumbs up.

[Caster13]

I give the faction three thumbs up.

One of the perks of joining the Transcendent Conclave is being privvy to their biological experiments it seems.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

The Pallid Mask is a Crusader faction that often finds itself trying to push for political clout with the rest of the ziggurat factions.

It's a great faction and you won't be disappointed in joining.

[Ebok]

The Dogs of war, assuming you see any of us online, are always a good place for getting involved quickly in the other factions. We come into contact with every faction on a nearly daily basis. So if you're looking to be at the center of things, take a look. We could use some more players, even though RwG isn't looking to recruit oocly.

--- I should note, the Dogs dont recruit an app, and you'll likely to see the other factions if you end up growing into one or more of them. For those saying bandwagon against the Dogs, you've got something like 5 factions to choose from. :P Some more peeople might help stir up things a bit more. That goes for any of you peeps out there.

[Disco]

Alot of things are about to go down soon. Joining any of these Dm factions will surely heat up things for you. Good luck!

Long live the crusade.

[Mort]

Our three Main factions with DM support, follow-up and more involvement into server events are:

 - The Sons of Sabuth, a group of disorganized militants who seem to be the voice of the anarchistic, almost clan-based Docks. Think almost the Five-Point District in Gangs of New-York. Poor and destitutes with some leaders with muscle to help stir the masses one way or another.

 - The Stygian Armada, a group of soldiers instigated a more organized philosophy over a sector of the city where a pseudo aristocracy is developing and a lawful state is trying to grow from within.

 - The Transcendant Conclave, a group of wizards that see themselves as 'above' the petty bickerings of the civilians below their huge floating monolith. They observe, and negociate and take a more distant yet important role in the dynamism of the city.

This is just like paragraph overview... Obviously things are more complex.

We also have what we call minor factions. These factions are represented in-game by NPCs and have perks, objectives and goals for being in them, but they do not have direct (most of the time) DM supervision. So you'll usually be left to carve your own future, with occasional but rare DM intervention.

 - The Pallid Mask, a group of grim undead hunters who wish the eradication of the plague of Undeath tied to the ruins of the city.

 - The Stewards of the Ark, the druid circle of the Isle of Ymph.

 - The Headhunters of Belpharon, a group of undead beings known as the Nightrisers who are slave to the Nightriser Syndri Larenius and acting upon his behalf in the ruins battling a constant war against the invaders.

 - The Stargazers, native of the isle of Ymph, these pale nocturnal halflings have strange customs.

 - Various cults...

We also have many player factions.

[derfo]

you can also easily start your own faction should you like

[Drakill Tannan]

Don't forghet the shrouded isle syndicate. It is a secondary, minor faction, but a faction nevertheless.