Factions

### *Guardian Alliance*

The Guardian Alliance is a loose federation formed between the five major realms and various free cities of Ethera. It is tasked with maintaining international co-operation and order following the devastating outcome of the Temper Wars. Its major political organs are the Chancery, Conclave, and Guardians. Although the Guardian Alliance has endured centuries of political turmoil, it is growing more fragile as the memory of the Temper Wars becomes an event of the distant past.

### *The Conclave*

The Conclave’s primary responsibility is to oversee judicial matters related to the Guardian Alliance. It also functions as the highest court of the five realms, with jurisdiction to rule on domestic affairs. Each of the Conclave elders hail from one of the five realms. They occasionally provide guidance to Chancery and its Herald, with a Chief Justicar assuming the main responsibilities of representing the group. They are also said to play a direct role in the dealings of the secretive inquisition and its Augurs.

### *Crown Loyalists*

The civil war in Icenaire firmly divided its citizens into the opposing factions of the Crown Loyalists and the Crimson Rain. The Loyalists now seek a return to Icenaire’s former greatness by re-establishing a firm rule of law based on Dwarven hegemony through the authority of King Argrim. While this has been the normal state of affairs for centuries, King Argrim is now missing and his fate is unknown. As such, authority now falls to his son, Prince Gunnar and Hakkon, leader of the Dwarven guard.

### *Crimson Rain*

The Crimson Rain are a militant group of political dissidents within Icenaire. They seek to overthrow the Crown’s authority, which has reigned over the city-state for centuries. These revolutionaries, mostly composed of Drifters, claim to have been motivated to action due to their oppressive treatment from the ruling Dwarves. They furthermore believe that the laws of Icenaire are unequal, thus contributing to their people’s destitution. Their leader Hilda Severson carried on her brother’s mantle after he was slain.

### *Naziri*

The Naziri united the warring desert tribes of Zumurrud through centuries of intrigue and bitter fighting. Their leader, the Shadowbrand, now holds absolute dominion over the realm. The Naziri are considered masters of stealth, assassination, and blood magick. Their culture is characterized by a rigid but complex caste system; members of the Naziri are born into their respective classes without the possibility of upward mobility. These classes in descending order are the priests, warriors, artisans, and thralls.

### *Hedge Hospitaller*

The Hedge Hospitaller are military order comprised of Sylvani Wardens, Hedgemages, and Celestines. The order has a distinctly charitable character; they are sworn to provide medical care to those in need, without prejudice to race or class. Another distinct characteristic of the Hedge Hospitaller is that the militaristic arms of the order is comprised entirely of Sylvani females. Many of these warriors have undergone centuries of rigorous training and can wield powerful hedge magick. They serve at the Sylvani matriarch’s discretion.

### *North Venture Company*

The North Venture Company is a Foxier mercantile group under the control of the Asadali Emperor, It was formed soon after the discovery of the mainland and has been operational for centuries. It deals in trading a variety of goods that range from Zumurrudi spices, Edeni textiles, Sylvani woodworks and fruit, and Dwarven technology. Authority in the company is divided between regional heads who carry golden seals issued by the Emperor. The company also employ a formidable fleet and military force of thousands.

*Sources provided by VanTheMan in their recent playthrough on the Dvora Studio Discord.*