T.A.S.

The Artists’ Society (T.A.S.) is a rapidly-growing refuge and support colony. It allows individuals to express themselves through various creative mediums, and find an outlet to contemplate the intricacies - both beautiful and terrible, of the Backrooms. Their outpost is located in Level 57, providing a space for one to collaborate in trades, share unique skills, develop a career in craftsmanship, and contribute to a sense of sanctuary in the presence of other likeminded individuals. Their objective is to trend toward peace and raise the stock of life for the wanderers fortunate enough to knock on their door, all while maintaining an unassuming philosophy.
Although a relatively new colony with limited historical documentation, the group initially thrived independently with more reclusive tendencies than most. This characteristic, even today, is illustrated in their wardrobe. To distinguish itself from other groups, T.A.S. employs its members with uniquely-curated uniforms. Many can be identified by their group emblem, but most initiates are represented by a mask of their choosing created in their Masking Ceremony.
They provide art adjacent services to groups and colonies in need of them, such as murals, architecture, real estate photography, sculpture, topology, archeology, etc. with the price of resources, the amounts of resources and the value depending on the complexity of the work, or at the discretion of the service provider and client on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, they scavenge the resources on their own by traveling into other levels. This faction demands experience, and many are willing to take this method because of their peaceful lifestyle of living in their hideout. However, a recent shift in their approach led to proactive engagement with M.E.G. in an effort to translate their savvy in architectural, literary, and philosophical designs into practical applications that would strengthen their foundations and improve general conditions of the wider Backrooms community. 
==Divisions==
The Artists' Society may be divided into smaller groups serving specialized purposes. Even in spite of the diversity between these different factions, they are all nonetheless part of the greater whole.
===Artistic Groups===
Hobbies can be separated into 3 different large groups such as Liminal Artists, The Journalists and Theatre Performers. Each group has their different abilities as the name says.
====Liminal Artists====
The Liminal Artists are a division which specializes in the "art" form of hobby. They possess vast knowledge regarding architecture and design, which they use in the construction and renovation of outposts for The Artists' Society. They also design the gear of members, and draw portraits of them.
====Journalists====
The Journalists specialize in the field of all things literature. They perform research, gather intelligence, conduct experiments, and document information for the wider group. They will often contribute their findings to the database, so that all may benefit from the knowledge.
====Theatre Performers====
The Theatre Performers are the most eccentric division within The Artists' Society. They specialize in performance, drama, song and dance. They work as the entertainers of the group, conducting stage plays and musicals.
Beyond these three groups, there are indeed other, though they tend to be smaller, exotic or underrated. Members of T.A.S. can be part of any number of these smaller groups without restriction.
===Operational Groups===
Whilst the artistic groups involve minimal risk and danger, the operational groups serve more practical purposes which involve active field work.
====Scavengers====
Unlike most other members of The Artists' Society, Scavengers venture beyond T.A.S. bases for various purposes; most commonly delivering messages to other bases, and foraging for resources. Such resources most commonly consist of food, medicine, construction material (for both artistic and practical purposes), and weaponry. Members of this group possess at least a moderate degree of physical fitness, survival skills, martial arts training, and/or hunting experience. Scavengers dress differently from other groups within the Artists' Society, most notably in their penchant for wearing parts of entities they have hunted or scavenged. All of them have customized whistles they carved from bones. The sound of the whistle emitted a loud, deep and dreadful tone. They blow the whistle whenever there's a potential danger nearby to intimidate and warn the rest of the group.
==Traditions==
The Artists' Society is steeped in rich culture and traditions, dating back several hundred years.
===Masking Ceremony===
The masking ceremony is considered to be the most important ritual, serving as a rite of passage for new members. The initiate may design a mask which best represents their "true self", then work alongside more experienced members to constructing it as part of a teambuilding exercise to socially integrate them. Once completed, the mask is presented to the initiate by the leader in a public ceremony, in which the mask is placed onto them to signify their official membership within The Artists' Society.
===De-Masking Ceremony===
The de-masking ceremony is the opposite of the masking ceremony, signifying a member's departure from the group for any reason. Depending on the circumstances of a member's departure, the mask will either be memorialized or destroyed.
Category:Groups
Category:Apollo
Category: T.A.S.