Factions

Geardagas is made up of a number of different groups. The locals are either Witches, Monsters, or non-practicing Witches known as “humans”, while the Mirrorbound will always be either a Witch or a Monster. In Aefenglom, these groups are entirely intermingled. While there are some areas where Monsters tend to congregate in greater numbers than Witches and vice versa and there is some wariness in their interactions as a result of the Cwyld's threat -- due to the rising culture of Bonding, seeing Witches and Monsters in each other's companies has been growing ever more common in the city. There are also the Mirrorbound, characters such as yours, newly arrived through the mirrors.

This article discusses each group's distinct history and role in Aefenglom society. For player information about being a Witch or a Monster in the game itself and what each role comprises of in terms of game mechanics, see:

* Monsters (Character Role)
* Witches (Character Role)

## Mirrorbound

The Mirrorbound are those who seem to have come from other worlds, spilling through the mirrors in the Looking-Glass House. How they’ve come here and why remains a mystery, but all characters who arrive in Aefenglom are essentially referred to as the “Mirrorbound.”

While facing some suspicions early on, the Mirrorbound have since proven themselves and are largely accepted around Geardagas. They are especially welcome in Dorchacht and the Underground due to having had a large hand in assisting these settlements.

The Mirrorbound have also formed the **Mirrorbound Council** where any Mirrorbound can propose resolutions and raise concerns that are then brought to Parliament in order to try and help improve the city. Anyone can join the Mirrorbound Council regardless of age and are free to submit motions to pass via majority vote. Currently, the Council’s seats in Parliament were once those belonging to a family assisting Morganna and in the kidnapping and torture of the Mirrorbound. Since helping to dispel her grip on Dorchacht following the Uprising, the Mirrorbound were instead offered those seats by Parliament as compensation.

One small exception to all this friendliness is in the Outer City, where some of the residents believe the Mirrorbound may have been responsible for the Nuckelavee attacks in the area. As such, should your character visit, they may find the reception to be chilly and there are those who would prefer the Mirrorbound not set foot here at all. Others seem open to accepting Mirrorbound help in the form of medical aid, etc., for the infected.

## Witches

Witches are those born with magical aptitude who have chosen to pursue formal training with the Coven. While all non-Monsters have the potential for magic, the only ones who are truly referred to as "Witches" are those who study magic under the Coven's supervision.

Due to the number of Witches in the city, most of Aefenglom is powered by magic and magical trinkets, magitech devices, and potions/enchantments can be found in shops all over. Witches and magic are a common sight in the world and locals will not blink or hesitate to see spells being cast -- nor will spells gone wrong attract too much attention or concern (provided the destruction is minimal.)

That said, Witches can still be dangerous due to the possibility of them going supernova if they aren’t careful, so they're encouraged to find ways to manage their magic. This includes Bonding or using familiars to assist with cycling their magic, though it's important to note that Mirrorbound Witches *must* Bond and cannot rely on familiars the same way a native Witch could. It is also possible to find certain types of spells being banned in places of business or during certain events, as they’re considered hazardous (as in, if a fire spell is cast in a bookshop, the Witch may find themselves barred for life).

### The Coven

The Coven is one of the official representatives in Geardagas. As noted, the majority of Witches belong to the Coven -- though there is no real ceremony or “membership.” Essentially, if they undertake their studies with the Coven or assist with the Coven in some way, they are considered part of the Coven.

Although Monsters don’t technically take part in magic lessons and such, due to the Coven being at the forefront of the using bonds, Monsters are still a frequent sight around the Coven grounds and are welcome to sit in on lessons or accompany their Witch bonded. Some Monsters even work in the Coven, doing various jobs from sorting library books to assisting with potion making to performing research.

In addition to providing lessons and assistance, the Coven has also taken on the responsibility of keeping the city safe from the Wilde and the Cwyld. This includes fighting back the Cwyld, but also researching treatments and cures for the infected in hopes of ridding the land of the blight.

While there are a number of known Covens both throughout the world and in Geardagas, due to the Cwyld and issues of communication over long distances, only the Aefenglom Branch and the Dorchacht Branch are in regular contact.

See:

* The Coven (Aefenglom Branch)
* The Coven (Dorchacht Branch)

### Wilders

While fighting and culling potential threats is still a priority, the Coven has decided to look elsewhere to see if there are easier ways to go about such things; this lead to the formation various groups, from ones whose skills sets focus less on pure magic power to those researching the effects of widespread destruction on the Wilde. One of the most prominent of these groups are the Wilders.

Wilders are a small group of Witches, along with their bonded, who volunteer to traverse past the Wall and into the Cwyld-infested lands in order to better the Coven's understanding of it. All Wilders are bonded due to the dangers of being outside the city walls and they often travel in pairs or groups.

There are frequent job postings on the quest board regarding help for the Wilders. The Mirrorbound are always welcome to assist, so long as they’re aware of the dangers and are traveling with a partner -- whether temporarily or permanently bonded, though the latter is preferred.

### Non-Coven Witches

Non-Coven Witches are extremely difficult to find. Nonetheless, if someone is determined, they can ask around the city and find some clues. There are various symbols that signal practitioners from different groups, or little key phrases. Putting together these details and information is a complicated process and will take some time.

The majority of non-Coven Witches are individual practitioners. Some do gather in small groupings that meet once a week like "book clubs" and "sewing groups" to exchange information and the like. Basically, they're not any sort of alternate coven of their own, but rather individuals who are aware of each other and open to forming alliances and information swapping.

Should they be found by a Mirrorbound and the Mirrorbound seemed sincere in wanting to leave the Coven, they would likely be suspicious and may ask to have the Mirrorbound prove their trust by allowing them to be shadowed for a week by a familiar of some sort to ensure their lack of Coven appreciation, save as the occasional employer. It is possible for one or more of these Witches to agree to tutor a Mirrorbound who has proven themselves. New blood is always good for magic no matter where it comes from. Even Coven students probably learn things from them every now and then, though this sort of interaction isn't publicized.

## Monsters

Monsters are those in whom magic manifests instead as a transformation process. Within the local population, Monsters are almost never a surprise: Monster parents make Monster children, and the children show their traits fairly early. If both parents are of the same type, so too will be their children, while those of two different types might result in a Chimera or the more dominant trait may take over.

There is a long history of Monsters being seen as a threat or a danger. In the past, many were taken care of on sight or brought in for study. Although this attitude has since faded in the wider population, it’s still possible to find it perpetuated in some smaller circles. In addition to the turbulent history in Dorchacht where Monsters were enslaved by a Witch and her followers, some local Monsters may hold a certain suspicion or wariness of non-Monsters.

**Monsters currently do not hold any seats in Parliament** and in fact have never done so, with the exception of the handful of seats that the Mirrorbound Council hold -- the Council consisting of a variety of Monsters and Witches alike. Some are also refugees from Dorchacht or were otherwise displaced into the more dilapidated Western Residential. They are far rarer to be seen in more upper class areas such as the Aristocratic District, and some consider themselves unwelcome or uncomfortable there. As a result, stirrings if discontent can be found if one keeps one’s ear to the ground regarding these issues.

Nonetheless, on a day to day basis, Monsters can be found running businesses, holding jobs, and doing their trades the same as anyone. Due to how common bonds have become as of late, Monsters can most frequently be seen in the Coven with their Bonded Witches, and it is not unusual to find Monster-Witch pairs out and about the city together.

### Maneaters

Most Monsters consider themselves above consuming another Monster or Witch, even if their predatory instincts might suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, Geardagas does have a history of maneaters.

Not all Monsters who go feral and kill become maneaters. Maneaters are specifically Monsters who kill indiscriminately over a period of time, having become too lost in the feral mindset. Maneaters can also result from Monsters who are fed Witch blood. In fact, it’s strictly discouraged for Monsters to consume the blood of a Witch -- even if it may help bring them down from a feral mindset.

Some Monsters have been known to kill Witches specifically for the blood fix, and there are a few who still do so to this day, though the numbers are much smaller.

## Humans

Humans are not necessarily a separate “species” nor were they born differently than Witches. In Geardagas, humans are simply those who have not inherited Monster traits and who chose not to pursue the magical studies and training that would have them become a Witch. Thus, all humans are born with the spark of magic in them and have the potential to become a Witch.

Humans are almost always unbonded, though some may choose to have a familiar to offset some of the magic they have. Others choose to use expensive potions for the rest of their lives to suppress their magic entirely. Due to the high cost of magic-suppressing potions, many who choose to be human belong to the wealthy upper class.

There are a variety of reasons a human might choose not to use or hone their magic: some may want to focus on other skills, some simply don’t want to have to find a bondmate, and others may consider magical studies a waste of time. **Some Witches may look down on this decision, seeing it as a waste of potential or a rejection of their own nature.**

Most humans can be found in the Aristocratic District, and the majority of those attending the prestigious Undermael College are humans or at least human-passing. Parliament also largely consists of humans, along with a handful of Witches. As Parliament seats are occupied via nepotism, the seats have been mostly retained by the human population as a result.

**It is not possible for a Mirrorbound to suppress their magic in the same way and remain “human”**. If a Mirrorbound arrives in Aefenglom as a Witch, they will need to learn to use their magic and form a bond in order to keep it from overwhelming them.