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| In EFU: City of Rings, there are many organisations a character can join. Associations do not require an [[Applications|application]] to the DMs. However, to join a Faction, you must send in an application.
| | =The Sultan's Jannisarries= |
| | [[File:Janissaries.png]] |
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| In order to join ANY association, it is necessary to:
| | The IVth Legion of the Sultan's Janissaries has been given the dubious privilege of maintaining law and order in Ephia's Well. Called "the Misfortune" by their compeers in Baz'eel, they are dominated by an obsession with their perceived ill luck. Carrying charms and following their own superstitions, they prowl the Well looking for ne'er-do-wells... and "ensuring" they find a fair few each time. The day-to-day of a recruit in the Janissaries is similar to the dreary life of a town watchman: they ring the bell to open and close the market, sit and gaze vacantly over the bustle of the bazaar, patrol its walls for signs of attack, and arrest petty criminals. |
| 1) Be loyal to your association. If you wish to betray or leave your assocation, it is necessary to consult with a DM beforehand. | | |
| 2) All associations that have uniforms that must be worn at ALL TIMES unless specified otherwise by DMs.
| | Unfortunately for them, they are also the Well's first line of defense against invasion, and many find themselves on the wrong end of a barbarian's axe, or dragged to Qa'im to suffer a fate worse than death. Those that survive such perils, and prove themselves worthy of laurels, can soon find themselves advancing into positions of command, and from there spring-boarding their way into the highest echelons of society. |
| 3) Secure the approval of existing association members.
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| 4) No application or DM approval is required.
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| =Associations=
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' Martial and Cleric Only |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Application only |
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| ==Peerage Ward Associations== | | =Cinquefoil Rose= |
| | [[File:CinquefoilRose.png]] |
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| "The Peerage? You can laugh at their moat of sewage...chuckle at their wobbly castles and titles to non-existent lands.... just watch yourself if you get too close, runner, for they can be a dangerous folk. Watch out for prickly lords with guardsmen as fanatic as they come. And above all else, just see you never get between them and some chipped royal tea saucer ... because that's when they'll really start to fight dirty."
| | '''''"We the swift remember to ye the dead, all the red blood that beats in our hearts."''''' |
| -- Codwick the Scribbler
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| According to legend, the Peerage was once the undisputed governing authority of all of Ring 99. The self-proclaimed nobles families of the Peerage claimed the right of rule on account of purity of blood, deeds of rebellion against the Lizardfolk Master of many ages past, and above all else the blessing of the King.
| | The Cinquefoil Rose is a coalition of the forces that once fought tooth and nail to free Ephia's Well from Orentid occupation. Originally composed of refugees and heroes from far-away places, it now exists as a populist movement and formal alliance of the occupants of the Krak des Roses. Crucial to the citadel's defense, and bearing a never-quite-suppressed enmity for Baz'eel and her Janissaries, the Cinquefoil Rose blooms still in Ephia's Well... thorns and all. |
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| Time have changed, and the Peerage is now in much decline. The Guilds of the Ring have established their own Ward-Authority in Ticker Square and the Peers do not really control anything past their bridge.
| | United under Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Avergne, these three groups compose the coalition: |
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| The Peerage itself has become a viper's nest of shifting allegiances, petty rivalries, constant one-upsmanship, and intrigue between and among the different houses. The only thing that truly unites them is a shared language of tradition, superiority, and obsession with the royal markers of prestige.
| | ==Balladeers of the Lost Hearth== |
| | [[File:Balladeers.png]] |
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| While the Peerage technically has a Lord's Council that governs affairs, it has not formally met for a long time and ward's only genuinely unifying figure would be the supposed "Royal" Archivist, that staid and grim figure who seems to be only interested in keeping an accounting of which house stands where in the local hierarchy.
| | The Balladeers of the Lost Hearth are the dwindling souls who still follow the noble ideals of the old Rose. Originally the squires, troubadours, servants and sons of the original Cinquefoil Rose they have banded together under the name "Balladeers" and do all they can to keep the legacy of their fallen forebears alive. At odds with the callous Banda Rossa, whom they must abide so the Rose is not lost forever, and with a rumored fondness toward "the Drink" and the nostalgic bliss it brings, they struggle to embody chivalry and poetic virtue in a broken world. They are forever seeking (or proclaiming themselves to be) a prophesied hero who shall claim "the Cup," the mystical relic whose waters might reinvigorate the arid sands. |
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| It is clear that the Peerage itself exists in a state of flux where strong, proactive retainers have an opportunity to leave an indelible mark upon both the success of their House as well as the future of the entire Ring itself.
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any; characters of an Evil alignment may be uniquely challenged |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' No druids |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Application only |
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| In order to join a Peerage House, it is necessary to:
| | ==Banda Rossa== |
| 1) Be a human.
| | [[File:Bandarossa.png]] |
| 2) Be a Peerage Ward citizen.
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| 3) Pay an admission fee to cover the cost of your equipment (typically around 1,000GP).
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| There are five principal Houses that characters are able to join. While we recommend actually visiting the different estates in-game to get a sense of their differences, here is some basic information:
| | The Banda Rossa are a mercenary company under exclusive contract with the Grandmaster of the Cinquefoil Rose. Although nominally independent, the groundswell of refugees, adventurers, and cupseekers feeding their ranks means they have become tightly coupled with the other members of the alliance, serving as the bulk of the military might of the Knights of the Cinquefoil Rose. This integration is at times a tense one, with many calling them allies of convenience at best. They yet seek gold and glory above all else... and their bloody reputation proceeds them. |
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| ===House Orza===
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any; characters of a Good alignment may be uniquely challenged |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' No druids |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Application only |
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| [[File:HouseOrza.jpg]] | | ==Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine== |
| | [[File:Sibyllinesisterhood.png]] |
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| The Orza are a relatively new power in the Ward. Grigori Orza proclaimed his ambitions for a lordly seat as a young man, then merely the captain of the Gutterknives - a band of brigands-turned-sellsword. Wielding overwhelming military force as his primary tool, Orza first killed for the Lords until his prowess could not be denied - and then claimed his seat. The Orzas have recently claimed the fastness of the prestigious House Moonspear, in that lord's absence -- an unpopular move with their rival Houses. | | The Sisters of the Sibylline Vine are a monastic community of mystics, seers, fanatics and scholars united by shared consumption of a sacred wine, called "the Drink" by laymen. This wine is said to grant them visions of things that have yet to pass. They are highly secretive, zealously safeguarding their strange rites and their knowledge of past and future, and rarely share their insights even with the other members of the alliance. Even so, they serve as the mystic foundation of the cause: their vision of a sacred chalice and "the Heroic Pilgrim" who shall find it has bound the Cinquefoil Rose together in the years after the fall of the Orentid dynasty. |
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| Retainers of House Orza maintain its peerless martial tradition, and even in peacetime they compose themselves as rough-shod soldiers on a long campaign. The Orza represent a new way of thinking in the Peerage Ward, the idea that might and discipline triumph over ancient titles.
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any Lawful; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' Any non-martial |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Human strongly recommended. Non-monstrous possible. |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Application only |
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Lawful
| | =Astronomers of Q'tolip= |
| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Fighter, Barbarian, Wizard | | [[File:Qtolipastronomers.png]] |
| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human
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| ===House Glitt===
| | The Astronomers of Q'tolip are the free-thinking, eccentric collection of scholars gathered under the banner of the enigmatic and brilliant visionary, Q'tolip. Seeking to master the cosmos through scholarship, they are constantly engaged in the quest for knowledge of yore, and indulge in the power that comes from such things. In more practical terms, they are the primary archaeologists and magical authority of Ephia's Well, and their maintenance of the Shade affords them influence that few other organizations can boast. Often, the quest for knowledge is hindered by the unlearned, and the Astronomers understand well that their search can only be strengthened by cultivating a safe environment for their studies to bear fruit. |
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| [[File:glitt.jpg]]
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any Lawful; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' Wizards and Astrologians. |
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Application only |
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| By the efforts of Mairead Glitt and her loyalists, the Steward Skudge has been driven out from House Glitt. With the support of his family and leal retainers, Lord Bernard -- now struggling to maintain his sobriety -- has come to terms with the destitute poverty of the House. Aiming to do his father proud, the Lord Glitt now surrounds himself with what few souls in the Peerage Ward still remember the honor of the Old House.
| | =Scribes of the Sublime Garden= |
| | [[File:Sublimescribes.png]] |
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| Still impoverished, but undaunted, the men and women in service to House Glitt are fiercely loyal, ferocious in their duties, and boisterous in their hall. They have a reputation for being loutish, for speaking their minds, and for always honoring a debt to a friend. They are much loathed by the formal, dignified Houses for their swiftness to anger, and their dissatisfaction with the often sinister scheming of the other Peers.
| | The unceasingly busy bees of the Well, the commendable and highly stressed civil servants of the government. They are constantly collecting information, ensuring that letters arrive on time, and generally serving at the leisure of Ephia's legates. They are the workhorse of the minutiae of governance, and they are forever ensuring that taxes are paid, citizens are registered, and food is stored. Their duties and responsibilities are exhaustive. They, too, are exhausted. But the work is never done. |
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Good
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any; characters who cannot handle stress well and have a fear of papercuts may face unique challenges. |
| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Barbarian, Paladin, Ranger
| | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' Any non-druid |
| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Undisclosed |
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| ===House Sunpurse=== | | =The Sandstone College= |
| | [[File:SandstoneCollege.png|Frameless|960px]]] |
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| [[File:HouseSunpurse.jpg]]
| | The Sandstone College is an institution of higher education located in a rambling sandstone complex in a corner of Ephia’s Well. It was founded by a group of disaffected Ashfolk Academics from Baz’eel and has now begun to accept students. Admission requirements are very low, paying a modest tuition and passing an elementary exam is all that is necessary. It has begun to attract a widerange of slacking students from Baz’eel, the listless and uncertain, amateur |
| | archaeologists, and others who wish to devote themselves to the noble cause of learning. |
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| The solemn and dutiful retainers of House Sunpurse have been a presence in the Ward since its founding. The heirs of the House are afflicted by a curse of ill luck, and each has met his untimely demise before his 35th name day. Currently, there is no living male heir to the house - Phelan Sunpurse has gone missing. The Widow to the late Lord now exists in a state of perpetual mourning, locking herself away in the crypt-like basement.
| | Not being a member of the Accord, their agenda and place in the wider politics of Ephia’s Well has yet to be determined. It is known that the founding Ashfolk Academics have a very hostile attitude towards Q’tolip and his astronomers. Students of the Sandstone College should not expect to receive as many perks as other factions, but the obligations and duties are considerably more low key |
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| Retainers to House Sunpurse are generally phlegmatic, dutiful, and focused on the dusty histories of their prestigious House. The ideal Sunpurse is demure, focused, and driven - measuring ambition with assured success.
| | '''Recommended Alignment:''' Any; |
| | | <br/>'''Recommended Classes:''' Any; (13+ INT & Lore Investment required) |
| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Evil
| | <br/>'''Recommended Race:''' Any non-monstrous |
| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Fighter, Rogue, Wizard
| | <br/>'''Advancement:''' Characters can eventually graduate and receive a degree and go on to pursue other things. Exceptional academics may be nominated for special prizes and positions. |
| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human
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| ===House Velstra===
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| [[File:HouseVelstra.jpg]]
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| House Velstra has endured the tenure of its reigning lord, Norbert Velstra, badly. It is a House afflicted by constant scandal, and extravagant excess. Lord Norbert is infamous for siring many bastards, colloquially mocked as the "Winespills" -- it is a testament to Norbert's good humor that this now stands as their official surname. Despite the aforementioned, the House maintains its position through shrewd and intelligent political angling; Norbert's network of uplifted bastards and loyal retainers comprise the most comprehensive information net in all Ring 99.
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| Retainers of House Velstra are perfectionists, cunning at their trade, and poetic in their execution. They are artists, hedonists, and gourmands... but not lacking in restraint, when called for. The ideal Velstra is a peerless socialite, and a shrewd politician.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Any
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Bard, Fighter, Wizard
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human (Winespill bastards possible, check with a DM)
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| ===House Nephezar===
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| [[File:HouseNephezar.jpg]]
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| The haughty and mystic House Nephezar is among the oldest of the Peerage, and contend that their bloodline holds the purest and most noble lineage. The heirs of this house are prone to profound genius, or abhorrent madness; the official line of thought is that not all heirs of the family can contend with the potency of the Celestial blood in their veins, and some grow mad or mutant. Currently, the Lord of the House is indisposed - and it falls to his Brother and twin children to administrate affairs.
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| Retainers to House Nephezar are dogmatic and zealous Censors, or mystical and estoeric Thaumaturges. A strong arcane tradition dominates the house, though rather than the classical atheism espoused by most wizards, the Thaumaturges of Nephezar contend that their magical prowess is nothing less than a gift of the Gods.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Lawful
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Sorcerer, Fighter, Bard
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human
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| ==Ticker Square Assocations==
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| “There ain't no place in this City quite like our Tickertown. Friendly people, warm taverns, streets lined with stalls and shops sellin' everything you could imagine. I tell you, there's nowhere finer than Ticker Square; s'long as you got the groat to pay for it all. See, this town's run on money, an' none 'ave more than the Guilds. So if you want this place to stay friendly, you best keep your coin purse full; an' don't even think of crossing the Needles or the Quills.” | |
| -- Chauncey Tabernackey, Master of the Beggar's Guild
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| Once upon a time, Ticker Square fought against tyranny and unjust taxation and won, though in the end the price asked for freedom was one the merchants were unwilling to pay out of their own pockets.
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| Though now fettered by noble peers and ruled by a parliament on their behalf, the merchant class is still armed with the unadulterated power of groat and armored in the ink of fine print; the Square ticks away to the tune of those with the heaviest pouches of gold. Power can be bought, bartered for and easily stolen, and though there is much room for upstart newcomers to found their own guild and ascend on a wave of mayhem, it is usually the ruling guilds, at the best of their enigmatic guild masters, that come out on top.
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| Only money talks, here, so best you not scream.
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| In order to join a Guild, it is necessary to:
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| 1) Be a Ticker Square citizen
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| 2) Pay an admission fee to cover the cost of your equipment (typically around 1,000 GP).
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| There are two principal Guilds you can join, and potentially other smaller ones that lack the wealth and power of their rivals. While we recommend actually visiting the different properties in-game to get a sense of their differences, here is some basic information:
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| ===Worshipful Guild of Weavers===
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| [[File:Weaver.png]]
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| Led by Lady Valentina Velstra, the Weaver's Guild are most often seen as the force of progress within Ticker Square. They are nicknamed the "Needles" in common slang. They concern themselves with political scheming, utopian idealism and very public acts of philanthropy, promising a fairer and more prosperous future for Ticker Square and an end to the vicious oligarchies of the past. Flooding parliament with an endless litany of proposals, they busy themselves with political meddling and manoeuvring, always in the name of a “brighter future”. However, behind curtains, many whisper the socialites, diplomats, and wizards of the Weavers are more (or less) than they first seem. They say their main priority is political gain rather than real improvement, and that the Webbers' tendencies toward scheming and subterfuge have so far only sunk the Square further into chaos. The Needles wage a cold war against the staunchly traditionalist Quills, preferring to batter their rivals with a barrage of endless maneuvering and legislation than through open war in the streets.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Chaotic
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Bard, Wizard, Barbarian
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Any
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| ===Worshipful Guild of Accountants===
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| [[File:Accountant.png]]
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| Led by Guildmaster Oscar Tchammorar, some accuse the accountants guild of being little more than a guildmaster led street gang or private army. They are nicknamed the "Quills" in common slang. They are known to be deeply sceptical of Peerage rule of the Square and of their appointed representatives, and their time in parliament is spent mostly in obstruction and ensuring nothing gets done. The Accountants value business acumen above political manipulation, and direct action above petitioning or passing laws; in their minds, it is still gold rather than seats that rules the Square. The public perception of the Accountants is poor; they are often regarded as little more than an unruly assortment of loan sharks and enforcers, with some even claiming that hired assassins number among them.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Evil
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Rogue, Fighter, Sorcerer
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Any
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| ==Petty Associations==
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| Though they do not rival the greatest Guilds and Houses in terms of wealth or reach, there is a motley assortment of petty organizations who struggle and vie for power in the crowded City, some of which can be joined by players. These offer less support than the larger associations, but may have their own unique opportunities and goals...
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| ===The Prospectors===
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| [[File:Prospector.jpg]]
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| The Planar Prospectors have lain dormant for a long time; though recently they became active in Tickertown once more under the guidance of Zelia N'dare, a famed raider of the Seams, they were betrayed by her in their darkest hour and remain divided and leaderless in her absence. They are a lively addition to Ticker Square, dressing in garish clothing and dealing in strange wonders of the seams. Their number are a motley assortment of pirates, scholars, explorers and scavengers, bound together only by the support and advice of their Guild.
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| These individuals come from many walks of life, but most are magically inclined. Eccentricities and individualistic streaks are common amongst its members, who have little in the way of strict hierarchy or discipline.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Chaotic
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Ranger, Rogue, Wizard
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Any
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| ===The Blackjacks===
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| The King's Militia, most often called the "Blackjacks," are in theory the guards and soldiers of Ring 99. What they lack in pay, equipment and respect, they more than make up for in incompetence and low corruption, leaving them ill-suited to handle even the petty crimes they're supposed to be policing.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Neutral
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Fighter, Barbarian, Rogue
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Human
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| ==Other==
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| ===Secretive Druid Association===
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| It is well known that organised druidic circles have been hunted almost to extinction in the name of the King and his City, so little is known of the few that manage to avoid this fate. Rumours and old wives tales speak of changelings that lurk in the City of Rings, bringing terror to civilised society and orchestrating foul plots of fairytale evil, beastliness, and mischief.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Any
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Druid
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Any
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| ===The Recondite===
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| [[File:Recondite.png]]
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| The [[Races#Recondite|Recondite]] of Ring 98 toil in secret, under the mongrelwood. It is said they work in a system of mines, gathering the richest living stone to repair wounded city golems- a task believed impossible by the City at large. From a young age, they are taught to work until their hands bleed, and as they grow, they remain ever driven. Together, they are a unified and industrious force within the the city. A people driven together towards a singular and mysterious goal, well hidden from the city at large. At once a people and an organization, the recondite have no true allies within the city, and life within this faction will be a harder experience, intended for more experienced players.
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| Changed by their connection to the city, the Recondite are afflicted with a crippling disease. Patches of their skin slowly turn to stone, and most of them end their lives as little more than hidden statues.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Lawful
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Any
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Must be [[Races#Recondite|Recondite]]
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| =Factions=
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| Application-locked DM factions.
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| ===Arbiters of the Hundred Scrolls===
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| '''<big>Due to In-Game events the Arbiters are currently, and indefinitely, unavailable for applications.</big>'''
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| [[File:Arbiters.jpg]]
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| The Arbiters of the Hundred Scrolls are the indomitable enforcers of a complex tradition of laws written upon sacred scrolls. The Arbiters believe that they are judge, jury, and executioner. They are custodians of the law and mediators of disputes, carrying on a tradition as ancient as the City itself. Rumours brand the Arbiters both as irksome vigilantes who cause more trouble than they cure, and indispensable champions who strike fear into the hearts of the wicked. In the philosophy of the Arbiters, they are all that stand between the City and total chaos.
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| Ranking Arbiters are called Monitors, and the Arbiters are ultimately led by a secretive assembly known as the Synod.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Lawful
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Fighter, Paladin, Cleric
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Non-Monstrous
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| ===The Knaves of 99===
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| [[File:Knaves.jpg]]
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| The Knaves of 99 are a thieves guild that consider themselves the masters of all criminal activity in Ring 99. Rumour has it that no act of criminality happens without the Knaves having a hand in it, or at least knowing about it. Because of this, they are often the (willing) scapegoats of crimes they didn't commit. The Knaves are best known for pulling off bold heists that frustrate both the nobles of the Peerage Ward and the guilds of Ticker Square in equal measure, all rumoured to further some unknown 'dark design'. They are associated with any number of criminal enterprises including occasional dark dealings with narcotics and assassination.
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| Despite being full-time thieves and part-time murderers, the Knaves of 99 apparently have a strict code and hierarchy known only to their members.
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| :::'''Recommended Alignment:''' Evil
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| :::'''Recommended Class:''' Rogue, Wizard, Cleric
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| :::'''Recommended Race:''' Any
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| __NOEDITSECTION__
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The Sultan's Jannisarries
The IVth Legion of the Sultan's Janissaries has been given the dubious privilege of maintaining law and order in Ephia's Well. Called "the Misfortune" by their compeers in Baz'eel, they are dominated by an obsession with their perceived ill luck. Carrying charms and following their own superstitions, they prowl the Well looking for ne'er-do-wells... and "ensuring" they find a fair few each time. The day-to-day of a recruit in the Janissaries is similar to the dreary life of a town watchman: they ring the bell to open and close the market, sit and gaze vacantly over the bustle of the bazaar, patrol its walls for signs of attack, and arrest petty criminals.
Unfortunately for them, they are also the Well's first line of defense against invasion, and many find themselves on the wrong end of a barbarian's axe, or dragged to Qa'im to suffer a fate worse than death. Those that survive such perils, and prove themselves worthy of laurels, can soon find themselves advancing into positions of command, and from there spring-boarding their way into the highest echelons of society.
Recommended Alignment: Any; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes: Martial and Cleric Only
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only
Cinquefoil Rose
"We the swift remember to ye the dead, all the red blood that beats in our hearts."
The Cinquefoil Rose is a coalition of the forces that once fought tooth and nail to free Ephia's Well from Orentid occupation. Originally composed of refugees and heroes from far-away places, it now exists as a populist movement and formal alliance of the occupants of the Krak des Roses. Crucial to the citadel's defense, and bearing a never-quite-suppressed enmity for Baz'eel and her Janissaries, the Cinquefoil Rose blooms still in Ephia's Well... thorns and all.
United under Grandmaster Elizabetha d'Avergne, these three groups compose the coalition:
Balladeers of the Lost Hearth
The Balladeers of the Lost Hearth are the dwindling souls who still follow the noble ideals of the old Rose. Originally the squires, troubadours, servants and sons of the original Cinquefoil Rose they have banded together under the name "Balladeers" and do all they can to keep the legacy of their fallen forebears alive. At odds with the callous Banda Rossa, whom they must abide so the Rose is not lost forever, and with a rumored fondness toward "the Drink" and the nostalgic bliss it brings, they struggle to embody chivalry and poetic virtue in a broken world. They are forever seeking (or proclaiming themselves to be) a prophesied hero who shall claim "the Cup," the mystical relic whose waters might reinvigorate the arid sands.
Recommended Alignment: Any; characters of an Evil alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes: No druids
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only
Banda Rossa
The Banda Rossa are a mercenary company under exclusive contract with the Grandmaster of the Cinquefoil Rose. Although nominally independent, the groundswell of refugees, adventurers, and cupseekers feeding their ranks means they have become tightly coupled with the other members of the alliance, serving as the bulk of the military might of the Knights of the Cinquefoil Rose. This integration is at times a tense one, with many calling them allies of convenience at best. They yet seek gold and glory above all else... and their bloody reputation proceeds them.
Recommended Alignment: Any; characters of a Good alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes: No druids
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only
Sisterhood of the Sibylline Vine
The Sisters of the Sibylline Vine are a monastic community of mystics, seers, fanatics and scholars united by shared consumption of a sacred wine, called "the Drink" by laymen. This wine is said to grant them visions of things that have yet to pass. They are highly secretive, zealously safeguarding their strange rites and their knowledge of past and future, and rarely share their insights even with the other members of the alliance. Even so, they serve as the mystic foundation of the cause: their vision of a sacred chalice and "the Heroic Pilgrim" who shall find it has bound the Cinquefoil Rose together in the years after the fall of the Orentid dynasty.
Recommended Alignment: Any Lawful; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes: Any non-martial
Recommended Race: Human strongly recommended. Non-monstrous possible.
Advancement: Application only
Astronomers of Q'tolip
The Astronomers of Q'tolip are the free-thinking, eccentric collection of scholars gathered under the banner of the enigmatic and brilliant visionary, Q'tolip. Seeking to master the cosmos through scholarship, they are constantly engaged in the quest for knowledge of yore, and indulge in the power that comes from such things. In more practical terms, they are the primary archaeologists and magical authority of Ephia's Well, and their maintenance of the Shade affords them influence that few other organizations can boast. Often, the quest for knowledge is hindered by the unlearned, and the Astronomers understand well that their search can only be strengthened by cultivating a safe environment for their studies to bear fruit.
Recommended Alignment: Any Lawful; characters of a Chaotic alignment may be uniquely challenged
Recommended Classes: Wizards and Astrologians.
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Application only
Scribes of the Sublime Garden
The unceasingly busy bees of the Well, the commendable and highly stressed civil servants of the government. They are constantly collecting information, ensuring that letters arrive on time, and generally serving at the leisure of Ephia's legates. They are the workhorse of the minutiae of governance, and they are forever ensuring that taxes are paid, citizens are registered, and food is stored. Their duties and responsibilities are exhaustive. They, too, are exhausted. But the work is never done.
Recommended Alignment: Any; characters who cannot handle stress well and have a fear of papercuts may face unique challenges.
Recommended Classes: Any non-druid
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Undisclosed
The Sandstone College
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The Sandstone College is an institution of higher education located in a rambling sandstone complex in a corner of Ephia’s Well. It was founded by a group of disaffected Ashfolk Academics from Baz’eel and has now begun to accept students. Admission requirements are very low, paying a modest tuition and passing an elementary exam is all that is necessary. It has begun to attract a widerange of slacking students from Baz’eel, the listless and uncertain, amateur
archaeologists, and others who wish to devote themselves to the noble cause of learning.
Not being a member of the Accord, their agenda and place in the wider politics of Ephia’s Well has yet to be determined. It is known that the founding Ashfolk Academics have a very hostile attitude towards Q’tolip and his astronomers. Students of the Sandstone College should not expect to receive as many perks as other factions, but the obligations and duties are considerably more low key
Recommended Alignment: Any;
Recommended Classes: Any; (13+ INT & Lore Investment required)
Recommended Race: Any non-monstrous
Advancement: Characters can eventually graduate and receive a degree and go on to pursue other things. Exceptional academics may be nominated for special prizes and positions.
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