The Factions (PWH)

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Depending on who a body asks, he'll be told that the factions are the lifeblood of the planes—or the worst plague that's ever befallen them. 'Course, it's not like anyone can remember a time when there were no factions. Most of the groups that exist today are just a thousand years old or younger, but other factions were around before that time as well. The bands weren't always so organized, either, and there used to be a good deal more of them—four dozen or so, all bickering and brawling. It was the Lady of Pain herself who eventually forced the factions to limit their number to 15, in an event called the Great Upheaval that took place over 600 years ago.
Each faction looks for the meaning of life, the path to power, or the dark of the planes. In short, they all seek truth. Problem is, most of 'em believe they've already found it, and they try to persuade everyone else to accept their view as the one true way. Over the years, this kind of open-minded undertaking has claimed the lives of thousands of sods.