Factions

There are five main organizations, known as factions, that operate out of many main cities throughout the country. These organizations often have strong partnerships and a variety of resources to provide and may hold significant political sway- either publicly or privately- in the cities in which they are most prominent. Each faction has its own set of ideals that members follow and represent, and each has its own unique sphere of influence.

## The Emerald Enclave

> *"The natural order must be protected and preserved."*
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The Emerald Enclave is a far-ranging group that opposes threats to the natural world and helps others survive the many perils of the wild. Members of the Emerald Enclave know how to survive, and more importantly, they want to help others do the same. They are not opposed to civilization or progress, but they strive to prevent civilization and the wilderness from destroying one another. Members of the Emerald Enclave are spread far and wide, and usually operate in isolation. They learn to depend on themselves more than others. Survival in a harsh world also demands great fortitude and mastery of certain fighting and survival skills. Their goals as an organization are to restore and preserve the natural order, keep the elemental forces of the world in check, keep civilization and the wilderness from destroying one another, and help others survive the perils of the wilderness.

### Notable Members

* Bean
* Evendur Zesembul
* Aoife Roisin
* Eithne Roisin
* Elder Helera Iomeia
* Elder Gilvyre Godrinaeas
* Mesmer Brightgarden (deceased)

## The Harpers

> *"One can never have too much information."*
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The Harpers are an old organization that has risen, been shattered, and risen again several times. Its longevity and resilience are largely due to its decentralized, grassroots, secretive nature, and the near-autonomy of many of its members. Their ideology is noble; the Harpers do not seek power or glory, only fair and equal treatment for all, and will often take covert measures to ensure it. They gather information throughout Faerûn, discern the political dynamics within each region or realm, and promote fairness and equality by covert means. They act openly only as a last resort, and work to thwart any leader, government, or group that grows too powerful, and aid the weak, the poor, and the oppressed.

The Harpers have “cells” and lone operatives throughout Faerûn, although they interact and share information with one another from time to time as needs warrant. Harper agents are trained to act alone and depend on their own resources. When they get into scrapes, they don’t count on their fellow Harpers to rescue them. Nevertheless, Harpers are dedicated to helping one another in times of need, and friendships between Harpers are nigh unbreakable. Masterful spies and infiltrators, they use various guises and secret identities to form relationships, cultivate their information networks, and manipulate others into doing what needs to be done. Although most Harpers prefer to operate in the shadows, there are exceptions.

### Notable Members

* Lyra Mintheldyn
* Darathra Shendrel
* Krowen Valharrow
* Dral Thelev
* Sandyse Thunderquill
* Zazspar Bronzefire

## The Lord's Alliance

> *"Threats to the homeland must be terminated without prejudice."*
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The Lords’ Alliance is a coalition of rulers from cities and towns across Faerûn (although primarily in the North), who collectively agree that some solidarity is needed to keep evil at bay. The rulers of Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Neverwinter, Gauntlgrym, Baldur's Gate, and many other free cities dominate the Alliance, and every lord in the Alliance works for the fate and fortune of his or her own settlement above all others. The agents of the Alliance are chosen primarily for their loyalty, and are trained in observation, stealth, innuendo, and combat. Backed by the wealthy and the privileged, they carry quality equipment. The Lord's Alliance was created with the intention of ensuring the safety and prosperity of the cities and other settlements of Faerûn by any means necessary. They do so by forming a strong coalition against the forces that threaten all, and eliminate such threats whenever and wherever they arise.

To seek out and destroy threats to their homelands, agents of the Lords’ Alliance must be highly trained at what they do. Few can compare to their skills in the field. They fight for the glory and the security of their people and for the lords who rule over them, and they do so with pride. However, the Lords’ Alliance can only survive if its members “play nice” with one another, which requires a certain measure of diplomacy.

### Notable Lords

* Lady Laeral Silverhand, Open Lord of Waterdeep
* King Bruenor Battlehammer, King of Gauntlgrym
* Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate
* Nestra Ruthiol, Waterbaron of Yartar
* Dagult Neverember, Lord Protector of Neverwinter
* Selin Ramur, Marchion of Mirabar

## The Order of the Gauntlet

> *"Faith is the greatest weapon against evil."*
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The Order of the Gauntlet's duty is to be armed, vigilant, and ready to smite evil, enforce justice, and enact retribution. This means identifying evil threats such as secretive power groups and inherently evil creatures, watching over them, and being ready to attack the moment they misbehave. Many paladins and clerics of Tyr, Helm, Torm, and Hoar have joined the organization, seeing it as a way of making common cause against the evils abroad in the world. The Order of the Gauntlet is ready to lash out the moment evil acts, and not a moment before. When evil breaks laws, agreements, or commonly accepted codes of conduct, the Gauntlet strikes hard and fast, without waiting for the blessings of distant temples or the permission of rulers. Evil must be met in the field and smashed, or it will swiftly overcome all.

The Order of the Gauntlet is a dedicated, tightly knit group of like-minded individuals driven by religious zeal or a finely honed sense of justice. Friendship and camaraderie are important to members of the Order of the Gauntlet, and they share a trust and a bond normally reserved for siblings. Like highly motivated soldiers, members of the Order of the Gauntlet seek to become the best at what they do and look forward to testing their mettle. There are few, if any, “lone wolves” in this organization.

## The Zhentarim

> *"Join us and prosper. Oppose us and suffer."*
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The Zhentarim seeks to become omnipresent and inescapable, more wealthy and powerful, and most importantly, untouchable. The public face of the organization appears much more benign, offering the best mercenaries money can buy. When a merchant needs an escort for his caravan, when a noble needs bodyguards to protect her holdings, or when a city needs trained soldiers to defend its honor, the Zhentarim provides the best-trained fighting men and women money can buy. However, the cost of doing business with the Black Network can be high.

The Black Network wants to make it necessary—and preferable, even—to deal with its members. It wants to secure, over time, an iron-fisted monopoly. Members must be the best—the cheapest, the fastest, and the most secure—at providing services and goods both legal and illicit, willing to lose coin if it means destroying a competitor, and securing profits from everyone they deal with, except when to do so would work against the Black Network's ultimate goal: to make everyone dependent on it. A member of the Zhentarim thinks of himself or herself as a member of a very large family and relies on the Black Network for resources and security. However, members are granted enough autonomy to pursue their own interests and gain some measure of personal power or influence.

### Notable Members

* Xolkin Alessandar
* Kella Darkhope (deceased)
* Thenzin Ilystryph
* Nilraun Dhaerlost (previously)
* Saltines Jeff (previously)

### Notable Associates

* Giddy ScrapCarver (previously)
* Petrichor (previously)
* Darx Züks

## References

1. ↑ https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/emeraldenclave
2. ↑ https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/harpers
3. ↑ https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/lordsalliance
4. ↑ https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/ordergauntlet
5. ↑ https://dnd.wizards.com/dungeons-and-dragons/story/faction/zhentarim