The following at organization that you may love or hate be be indifferent toward (or completely ignorant of, for that matter). Some are secret, some are public as hell. I'll list the groups that are viable for players first. The second set are not necessarily impossible to play, but for the scope of this game they're out (and I may indicate why). If you would like to be a member of any of these groups let me know. Also note that most of these groups require active membership and you may be required, for the purposes of the game, to leave active membership in many of them to really participate in the plot.

Playable Groups

Knights of the Crown: These are the landed Knights of Samia. They were eighty strong before the war and now their numbers have fallen to around forty five. The order is like a brotherhood (though some would say fraternity). The knights have a gathering in Samia every year and any knight who can make it is expected to make it (though they understand how difficult travel is for some). Knights are granted land, title, and a squire to keep up their weapons, armor, horses, and other personal effects.

The Keepers of the Tradition: The city of Banion Brock had held a strong law against magic since it's founding. No magic may occur within the walls and some say that magic of most sorts is not possible within the walls. The Keepers exist to ensure that this law is enforced. An elite guard, they are taught to wield as many weapons as they can hold as quickly as possible. The more often you hit a mage the less likely he is to speak the words of a deadly spell. Since Banion Brock was given a mandate preventing them from amassing arms or a guard after the War of Ascension the Keepers have been the only group that keeps Banion Brock safe, and despite their small numbers (13 or so) this has proved less of a problem than anyone ever thought.

Incarnates: The Druid's Druid, these beings are a breed apart, literally. One does not become an Incarnate 9though they probably think they do) one is either born an incarnate or not. They are tied more closely than any other creatures to the cycle of life, death, and rebirth (in fact some are found in service to meiros), but an incarnate is truly expressed by the path of the druid or a similar nature based path. Eventually incarnates learn to channel the druidic path of shapechanging into the ability to revisit the forms of their past lives. Each Incarnate eventually gains the ability to become a Tectan and discovers their true connection to time before time. The Incarnates are the self appointed keepers of truth and historical fast, something they record mystically for all time.

Brotherhood of the Whip: When Eric Bayle founded this group he probably never thought it would become what it was. And what it was was something like a cross between a thieves guild and the musketeers for the nation of Pedrinni. Officially the brotherhood are outlaws who are wanted by the law. Unofficially, they are the protectors of the crown and the people and the sworn enemies of the Children of Kel. Five years ago the brotherhood was all but whipped out at the hands of the Children, but Bayle lived and eventually avenged the act and rebuilt the brotherhood. These expert lashers fight with whips and live the swashbuckler lifestyle with relish.

Blade Priests: Cyperion, former God-Emperor of the Vaasa, was a master with his unique blade. So skilled was he that he and his followers attained perfect movement and action. it is said that their draw did not exist at all, but that the sword merely existed in their hands before the thought to draw had even formed in their minds. They called this sort of perfection "divinity" since the crux of divinity is perfection. In such, they believed that at time they touched the divine and became gods themselves. Their philosophy is complex, and many people misunderstand and think of these sorts as a cult of personality, but it is nothing of the sort. Their philosophy is more zen than it appears. Cyperion is now dead, killed by three blademasters, one of whom was his youngest son, and he has been replaced both as head of the order and as Emperor of the Vaasa by that youngest Son, Sovolthane. He and his mate Jizelle lead the order now, though one can receive such training in Samia if they know where to look (and maybe even in the great desert).

Order of the Frozen Light: This order of monks originated, it is said, in the vast Jungles across the Kinnua Ocean, but now it sits just outside Red Fern, on top of what it considers to be holy ground. The monks teach combat and meditation as well as the art of lightness: that is they teach that the limitations of the body are mental in nature and that with proper meditation and understanding one can learn to be lighter than air. The temple venerated Aura Vek, not in religious worship, but more as servants and allies. This sort of Kung Fu action may not be right for all games, but it can certainly be made to work.

Psionics: Most settings need to address Psionics eventually and this one is no different, but the nature of psionics in the world make a difference. Psionics are powers of the mind and nothing at all like magic. Psions are a race apart and while they can be of most major races they consider themselves to be family to one another more than the races to which they belong. the gift is definitely hereditary in nature, though not every generation displays it. This makes psionics exceedingly rare, probably another reason that they are so close. Think of them as Amberites and you'll be very close.

The Blood: The blood are very powerful and while I don't think they are normally viable as PC's in a mixed game I might consider it. The Blood are an innately magical group of elite nobles from Vatica. they rule the nation and are each treated like mini gods by their citizens. They are favored by the Empress and the ruling ministers. Each member of the blood has the ability to use their magic to augment themselves and to lash out at enemies with mystic fire. They are highly respected and they expect it from others everywhere they go.

Shel Rishad: Shel Rishad is a treant phrase. it means "Don't Hide in the Woods". The Shel Rishad are the true masters of the Creeping Wood. While the Druids live with and in the woods the Shel Rishad are clearly it's masters. they are rangers, trackers, archers, and vigilant guards of the woods. Most of their territory lies on the east side of the Creeping Woods due to their strong ties to the city of D'Mirin. Each member of the Shel Rishad is given a special item upon joining that another member can use to identify them, such as a grey cloak that resembles a specific kind of moss found in the east of the Creeping Woods or boots decorated with a type on vine that grows near satyr glades in thew woods. The Shel Rishad is broken into three branches: trackers, archers, and woodland warriors. They are always recruiting and while the rites of initiation are difficult they are not impossible if you are clever enough.

The Dragonshome Band: The Dragonshome Band are a mercenary group. Calling them this, however, is rather like calling the sun a light source. What they really are is the single most powerful mercenary group in the nation. they have houses (or keeps) in every major city across Samia and Pedrinni and they have their very own city at their base of operations (called Dragonshome). Most say that the band was founded by Tysear, though his existence is the source of much scholarly debate. Currently the band is lead by Apothis, renowned as the world's best swordsman. The Band is always accepting new members and they are particularly picky (the jobs will weed out those who don't make the cut for them). The rules are simple: you are riding on the Band's coat tails. You are paid a fair wage for the jobs you work and you are given room and board at the band houses. You choose your own jobs, though the band can request that you do work for them. You keep anything you earn or come by and the band will equip you with basic gear at your request. The band is composed primarily of martial guard, but it is the wyvern riders that they are most famous for. Sometimes you can see a wyvern being ridden across the skies of Dilanael, and most people find that it makes them feel safer to know that they are up there.

Peacemakers: The Church of Jebedah is peaceful at it's core, but they understand that sometimes violence happens and they seek to stop it. Peacemakers are a branch of the Jebedan church dedicated to disabling people who are needlessly violent and pacifying crowds. They pacify and disperse, according to them. they have gifts and training that allows them to deal enormous amounts of nonlethal damage and to control the emotions of large numbers of people to ensure that they remain calm in the face of danger.

The Immortals: This is a very uncomplicated group. To gain access you must be immortal in some way. Very few people are, but if you would like to join we can talk about it. The benefits are few as are the responsibilities. they only ask that occasionally you consider the long term plans and fortunes of other members before acting on a large scale. They offer the same courtesy. it is largely a social network of people who may or may not like one another.

Sniffers: The Sniffers work for the Minister of Information of Vatica. they "sniff out" magic using elves, worshipers of banned religions, rebels, and other enemies of the state. Most of these are never seen or heard from again. Almost nobody has ever seen the Minister of Information (historically traditional) and few hope to. Sniffers can be seen m ore readily, but they are rarely understood to be what they are until they descend upon you. they are assassins, infiltrators, and detectives and they are very good at what they do. This is not really appropriate for a PC, but a former-sniffer could be a fun concept. A deep cover agent or a sleeper agent could also be possible.

The Guild: Known only as the Guild and based out of the Great Desert (but with access to almost anywhere) this group of Assassins are clearly among the most dangerous men and women on the planet. They are clever, cunning, patient, and well funded and informed. If one is willing to spend the money, the Guild guarantees that your subject will die or they will offer you the heads of the failed assassins. The Guild reserves the right to turn down and bounty and they cannot be threatened or intimidated. Membership is hard to acquire, but once won it is permanent (that is, nobody ever leaves the guild alive for long). this might be tricky to play as a PC, but not impossible, hence the inclusion.


Less (or not) Playable Groups:

The Queen's Guard: Samia is rules by Queen Talia Whitefire and her husband King Soren Whitefire. The Queen is the hereditary ruler and the guard, therefore, are hers. The guard are dangerous and protective and they have one job: to live and die for the royal line. They protect, serve, and do whatever else the Queen asks of them. Appointment to this exclusive group is for life and there are only ever seven of them at a time. Candidates for the guard are usually taken from orphanages and trained for years until they can replace someone in the guard. There are three such replacements ready at any given moment. The Guard are specially trained to repel assassins and other would be attackers of the royal family.

Children of Kel: The Children of Kel are sorcerers from the Skull Swamp of Pedrinni. Serving their quasi-god leader Kel they are known as terrorists and enemies of the state to the highest degree. They all focus on one school of magic, but many favor necromancy as it is an homage to their undead leader.

Whitefires: these powerful sorcerers are the leaders of Samia. The level of their power is immense and this, as well as the boundless resources at their disposal, make them largely unplayable, but they are fascinating and interesting.

The Thunderhammers: These "witches" are a family of nobles that rule the city of Dane's grove. They are gifted with magical powers, as was evident during the recent war, and their ties to the royal family are close (the King is of this line) but the nature of their power is a mystery to most. They are generally thought of as benevolent leaders, though, and their city is very popular. They are largely unplayable because I'm sick of dealing with them after three years of a game about them, and because the nature of their relationships to one another makes them unbalancing even in my eyes for a mixed party.


Well, that's all I have. There will be more links up soon, I swear. If you can think of any groups I left out (cough JR cough) let me know.