FACTIONS OF LIGHT

The Stone‑Leaf Concord

Alliance of Falgorin Dwarves & Eldavar Elves
Born after the drowning of Tir’Vanyel, this diplomatic envoy maintains one of Tallanon’s strongest alliances.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Twin Crowns: “Stone endures, leaf bends—together unbroken.”

• No envoy may draw steel within a Concord hall.

• Disputes must be settled by paired testimony—one dwarf, one elf.

Unspoken Rules

• Never mention the Sundering of Tir’Vanyel in mixed company.

• Dwarves pretend not to notice elven arrogance; elves pretend not to notice dwarven stubbornness.

Members

• Dwarven stone‑scribes

• Elven wind‑speakers

• Mixed diplomatic guard units

Relationships

• Allies: Crimson Watch, Eldavar Envoys

• Enemies: Umbrith Shadow‑Clans

• Tense Truce: Kaldren Merchant Houses (trade disputes)

The Crimson Watch

Red Rock Keep’s elite defenders
Disciplined, loyal, and armed with Frosthelm long‑cannons, they protect the Great Sandy Strait and Eldavar trade.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Red Stone: “My life for the Keep, my blood for the Strait.”

• No Watcher may accept gifts from merchants.

• All duels must be sanctioned by the Captain.

Unspoken Rules

• Never speak of the “Night of Falling Stars” (a failed defense).

• Watchers cover for each other’s mistakes—externally united, internally brutal.

Members

• Pike‑line veterans

• Strait‑cannon crews

• Red‑mantle scouts

Relationships

• Allies: Stone‑Leaf Concord

• Enemies: Black Serpent Pirate Fleet

• Rivalry: Laketown River Wardens

The Crystal Guard

Penville’s arcane golem‑sentinels
Towering quartz constructs enforcing magical law under the Sacred Council of Seven.

Laws & Oaths

• Bound by the Seven Sigils—cannot harm a Council member.

• May only act when a sigil‑command is invoked.

Unspoken Rules

• The Council pretends the Guard is infallible. It is not.

• Golems “remember” more than the Council admits.

Members

• Quartz golems

• Sigil‑wrights

• Arcane engineers

Relationships

• Allies: Moonlit Keepers

• Enemies: Fire Lord Cult

• Uneasy Neutrality: Kaldren Merchant Houses (fear of magical enforcement)

The Iron Guard of Frosthelm

Dwarven oath‑bound soldiers
Patrol the forges and lower tunnels, containing ancient threats beneath the Dragon’s Teeth.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Deep: “We seal what should not wake.”

• No Iron Guard may abandon a tunnelmate.

• Forbidden to speak of “the Deep Hammering.”

Unspoken Rules

• The deeper the scar, the higher the respect.

• Never ask what lies beneath the Ninth Gate.

Members

• Tunnel‑shield bearers

• Rune‑hammer elites

• Deep‑lantern scouts

Relationships

• Allies: Stone‑Leaf Concord

• Enemies: Drowned Court

• Cold Neutrality: Eldavar Envoys

The Moonlit Keepers of Dellwood

Riverfolk devotees of Lunara
Fisher‑priests and shrine‑keepers who protect the moonlit waters and heal pilgrims.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Silver Current: “Flow gently, harm none.”

• No Keeper may spill blood on the river.

• All disputes judged by moonlight.

Unspoken Rules

• Never refuse a traveler water.

• Never speak Lunara’s name during a storm.

Members

• River‑priests

• Lily‑wardens

• Moon‑singers

Relationships

• Allies: Crystal Guard

• Enemies: Fire Lord Cult

• Tense Peace: Laketown Merchant Houses

The Eldavar Envoys

Elven diplomats & peace‑brokers
Maintain fragile alliances, especially with Red Rock Keep and Frosthelm.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the White Bough: “Words before blades.”

• No envoy may lie outright—only omit.

• All treaties must be witnessed by a living tree.

Unspoken Rules

• Humans are “children,” dwarves are “cousins,” everyone else is “temporary.”

• Never show fear of the sea.

Members

• Silver‑tongue diplomats

• Bough‑wardens

• Treaty‑scribes

Relationships

• Allies: Stone‑Leaf Concord

• Enemies: Umbrith Shadow‑Clans

• Rivalry: Kaldren Merchant Houses

The Laketown River Wardens

Protectors of trade routes & waterways
Unofficial but respected defenders who keep the floating city safe from sabotage and guild violence.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Planks: “Hold the line, hold the flow.”

• No Warden may take bribes (often broken).

• Smugglers must be given one chance to surrender.

Unspoken Rules

• Everyone has a price.

• Never trust a boat with no name.

Members

• Dock‑fighters

• Rope‑slingers

• Tide‑trackers

Relationships

• Allies: Crimson Watch (uneasy)

• Enemies: Black Ledger

• Secret Deals: Silk Serpents

NEUTRAL FACTIONS

The Traders Guild of Stonegate

Controls tolls, tariffs, and the flow of beasts and goods across the Bridge of Beasts and Trade.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Ledger: “Coin is truth.”

• All disputes settled by weighted scales.

• No trade on Blood‑Moon nights.

Unspoken Rules

• Bribes are “expedited fees.”

• Never cross a Beast‑Master.

Members

• Toll‑masters

• Caravan brokers

• Ledger‑scribes

Relationships

• Allies: Beast‑Masters

• Enemies: Black Serpent Fleet

• Rivalry: Kaldren Merchant Houses

The Kaldren Merchant Houses

Ancient dynasties manipulating Southlands trade and political intrigue.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the House Seal: “Profit above pride.”

• No House may assassinate another’s heir (but accidents happen).

• All contracts sealed in wax and blood.

Unspoken Rules

• Never show weakness.

• Never let outsiders see internal disputes.

Members

• Trade princes

• Silk‑accountants

• Private guards

Relationships

• Allies: Silk Serpents

• Enemies: Crimson Watch

• Cold War: Laketown Merchant Houses

The Ice‑Tribe Clans

Nomadic hunters of the Northern Ice Wastes—sometimes allies, sometimes rivals.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the White Hunt: “Take only what the ice gives.”

• No clan may steal another’s fire.

• All disputes settled by spear‑circle.

Unspoken Rules

• Outsiders are “soft.”

• Never speak of the Frozen Dead.

Members

• Frost‑hunters

• Ice‑shamans

• Mammoth‑riders

Relationships

• Allies: None

• Enemies: Fire Lord Cult

• Occasional Trade: Stone‑Leaf Concord

The Laketown Merchant Houses

Powerful, corrupt, but not inherently evil—profit above all.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Plankmark: “The city floats on coin.”

• No House may sabotage another’s docks (rarely followed).

• All debts must be paid by dusk.

Unspoken Rules

• Smuggling is “alternative trade.”

• Never trust a River Warden fully.

Members

• Dock‑masters

• Smuggler‑captains

• Coin‑counters

Relationships

• Allies: Black Ledger

• Enemies: River Wardens

• Rivalry: Kaldren Merchant Houses

The Ridge‑Spirit Shrinekeepers of Dagger Hill

Keepers of ancient ridge spirits—aloof, mystical, unpredictable.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Ridge: “Honor the forgotten.”

• No Keeper may reveal a spirit’s true name.

• All offerings must be given at dawn.

Unspoken Rules

• Outsiders are not told the whole truth.

• Spirits demand respect, not worship.

Members

• Ridge‑seers

• Spirit‑binders

• Hill‑wardens

Relationships

• Allies: Moonlit Keepers

• Enemies: Fire Lord Cult

• Neutral: Everyone else

The Madigar Sailors’ Brotherhood

A loose union of fishermen, sailors, and tavern‑folk—practical, superstitious, and fiercely independent.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Tide: “No sailor left behind.”

• No Brotherhood member may cheat at dice (ignored).

• All disputes settled by “dock‑duel.”

Unspoken Rules

• Never sail on the Day of the Drowned.

• Always buy the first round for a returning crew.

Members

• Fisher‑captains

• Net‑masters

• Dock‑fighters

Relationships

• Allies: River Wardens

• Enemies: Black Serpent Fleet

• Tense Neutrality: Kaldren Houses

The Beast‑Masters of Stonegate

Trainers of exotic mounts and arena beasts—morally grey, profit‑driven.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Fang: “Respect the beast.”

• No Beast‑Master may kill a creature without purpose.

• All beasts must be named.

Unspoken Rules

• Never bet against your own beast.

• Never reveal where the arena beasts come from.

Members

• Beast‑tamers

• Arena handlers

• Whisper‑trainers

Relationships

• Allies: Stonegate Traders Guild

• Enemies: Crimson Watch

• Secret Deals: Black Ledger

FACTIONS OF SHADOW

The Veiled Hand

Khann’s assassins and extortionists—masters of silence and poison.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of Silence: “No name, no trace.”

• No killing children.

• All contracts must be witnessed by a black candle.

Unspoken Rules

• Never refuse a contract twice.

• Never kill a fellow Hand—unless ordered.

Members

• Blade‑shadows

• Poison‑brewers

• Whisper‑collectors

Relationships

• Allies: Silk Serpents

• Enemies: Crimson Watch

• Betrayal: Black Ledger (over a stolen relic)

The Black Ledger

Smugglers, relic‑fences, and black‑market brokers of cursed items.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Hidden Coin: “What is stolen is earned.”

• No member may reveal a client’s name.

• All relics must be catalogued before sale.

Unspoken Rules

• Never touch cursed items bare‑handed.

• Never trust a buyer who smiles too much.

Members

• Relic‑runners

• Shadow‑accountants

• Curse‑testers

Relationships

• Allies: Laketown Merchant Houses

• Enemies: River Wardens

• Rivalry: Silk Serpents

The Silk Serpents

Jewel thieves, courtesans, and information‑dealers who weaponize secrets.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Veil: “Secrets are currency.”

• No Serpent may reveal a client’s shame.

• All stolen jewels must be blessed by the Matron.

Unspoken Rules

• Seduction is a weapon.

• Never fall in love.

Members

• Silk‑dancers

• Whisper‑maids

• Jewel‑cutters

Relationships

• Allies: Kaldren Houses

• Enemies: Moonlit Keepers

• Truce: Veiled Hand

The Fire Lord Cult

Volcanic zealots of the Savage Isles—molten masks, human sacrifice, and Maztek ruins.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of Flame: “Burn the weak, temper the strong.”

• No cultist may extinguish a sacred fire.

• All sacrifices must be willing—or made willing.

Unspoken Rules

• Pain is purity.

• Never show fear of heat.

Members

• Molten‑mask priests

• Lava‑born zealots

• Ash‑speakers

Relationships

• Allies: None

• Enemies: Moonlit Keepers, Ice‑Tribes

• Hatred: Crystal Guard

The Umbrith Shadow‑Clans

Subterranean dark elves responsible for the Sundering of Tir’Vanyel.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Deep Night: “Light is the enemy.”

• No Umbrith may reveal clan secrets.

• All prisoners must be blinded.

Unspoken Rules

• Surface dwellers are prey.

• Never trust another clan.

Members

• Void‑weavers

• Shadow‑blades

• Deep‑oracles

Relationships

• Allies: None

• Enemies: Stone‑Leaf Concord, Eldavar Envoys

• Ancient Hatred: Drowned Court

The Drowned Court

Spectral remnants of Tir’Vanyel ruled by the Drowned Lord.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Deep: “All must sink.”

• No living creature may leave their domain alive.

• All drowned souls belong to the Court.

Unspoken Rules

• The living are temporary.

• The sea remembers.

Members

• Drowned knights

• Tide‑wraiths

• Coral‑bound sorcerers

Relationships

• Allies: None

• Enemies: Iron Guard, Eldavar Envoys

• Rivalry: Umbrith Shadow‑Clans

The Black Serpent Pirate Fleet

A newly rallied pirate armada threatening Tallanon’s southern seas.

Laws & Oaths

• Oath of the Serpent: “Take all, spare none.”

• No pirate may steal from another’s haul.

• All captains must duel for leadership.

Unspoken Rules

• Mutiny is expected.

• Never trust calm seas.

Members

• Cutlass‑crews

• Cannon‑gunners

• Tide‑witches

Relationships

• Allies: Black Ledger (temporary)

• Enemies: Crimson Watch, Sailors’ Brotherhood

• Betrayal: Laketown Merchant Houses (failed deal)