Nightmare Bane
An ancient race that stands for absolute justice and an honorable code that based on the religious, near Zealot belief in a divine codex from which they obtain all of their laws and rituals.
What remained of the Dreamwalkers. They are either a powerful faction that rules over and protects many cities and lands, a faltering group that fights for survival against the evils that seek to destroy them and their way, or an organization of honorable mercenaries and workers that fight everything from common thugs the demons from the abyss, helps rebuild ruined towns and villages, and supplies aid to all who need it. Whichever one you guys want to go off of. Go off of this however you like, but here's my thoughts on this groups general character.
Although supposedly just and good, this group isn't completely good and kind. They base their beliefs completely on an ancient and powerful codex, which has very strict laws and rules and beliefs that may not hold true for many other groups in the world. To them, work is the only play people need, and they shun laziness. They despise anything they deem filthy or repulsive, including races who may seem less attractive to other races, even if they have done no wrong. Also, despite their view on good for all that are good, they usually see themselves as the pinnacle of righteousness and the superior beings of the land, believing all other races are either like sheep to be herded and protected, or monsters to be destroyed. They deal with all that they perceive as wrong with an iron fist, and treat any who would do wrong with equal harshness, be they a murderer, or a simple pickpocket. Though protective and helpful to those they deem worthy of their aid, they can be quite cruel to those they see as corrupted and vile, and think of them as little more than germs to be exterminated.
Shrine Templars
Another "good" Faction could be the guards of the Oracle/Elderitch, they could be known as the Shrine Templars, and have always been in opposition to the Nightmare Bane/Dreamwalkers. Only the Shrine Templars know the actual Identity of the Oracle/Elderitch, high ranking members of the order even refer to the Oracle/Elderitch as Matron since they are always female.
Committee of Alchemists
An "evil" faction could be the Committee of Alchemists. They're only goal is to change the rules of nature set by the Gods and twist it to Man's will. Even at times rising up and Murdering a Shaper God to steal their power and replace them. These Alchemists whisper a legend about the Dreamwalkers and the first of their faction.
The Shattered Blade.
"When the Greatclaw fell against the Twisted One, his twin blade laid shattered beside him. With his last breathe, he cried out in the Old Tongue to his Ancestors, offering his soul..." - Unknown Survivor of the Twisted One's wrath.
The Shattered Blade is a Artugian Secret Society that protects the interest of Artugia and her people. They all come from different tribes and different walks of life, however when they join the Shattered Blade, they leave their old life behind. They do not take husbands or wives, nor are they permitted to have children, as such emotional bonds are hard to seperate.
Well trained in all matters of Artugian Warfare, they are considered the most lethal amongst their people, even more so than the Great Leaders Elite Guard. From the moment they join, they learn how to incorporate Claw and Blade in combat, as to make them flow harmoniously together in a beautiful, yet deadly dance. They are also trained in the arts of subtly, stealth and assassination, and are known to kidnap their targets in the middle of the night, without making a sound.
They have no tolerance for any sort of magic, unless it further's their goals of keeping the peace, and stops previous events from reoccuring.
What is the most frightening thing about them is the lack of common knowlegde amongst the great society of Artuga. Very few are privy to the fact they exist, and those few are usually amongst the highest ranking Artugians (the Great Leader and his/her Elite Guard) save a few select Mur-Folk. What is even more frightening is how easily they can intergrate themselves back into Artugian society without cause for alarm, though most choose to stay at their base at Mihal.
Using the "haunted" reputation Mihal carries, the Shattered Blade has remained undisturbed in their operations and have carried out numerous missions for the sake of keeping the peace.
The Creed
A group once only training assassins, the group later started training warriors. Even though the group has been seperated officially from the Patris government, it still makes up the bulk of Patris' military.The Maliscal
A faction of mages that seek to find the true limits of magicks. They are primarily made of females, seeing as females have a higher aptitude for magic. Males still make up some 21% of the organization's members.The Swords of the Dark
"The quickest (and the most expensive) way to deal with Darklings. Strange fighters, with stranger abilities. Known for their black armament and Dark magic."Old times:
They are actually an order of warriors that fight against the Dark Magic and vile arts of Necromancy. They use Dark against Dark (Motto: "Darklings we fight. Darklings we shall become."). Nobody knows the actual location of their headquarters called Dark's Fall. Rumored to be located in Underneath the Ruins of the Goblin City Nestor, but they always hear the call. They don't ask for gold, but they don't work for free either, the price may vary depending on the task, usually materials to craft weapons and armor.
They use very rare crystals, which they call it Death Defiance, to shape pendants. These pendants, which are designed for each member, give the wearer the ability to bypass death once in their lifetime. Many novices tend to lose this in their first mission.
Fighting style: They fight with dual edged straight swords and great swords. They never use shields, as it limits their mobility, though there are a few that use shield alongside a short sword.
Sword of the Dark (Ability): They coat their blade with their blood, which in turn allows them to engage Darklings.
The Dark Demon (Ability): As part of their initiation, they are bound to their inner dark, which is also referred to as the Dark Demon. They can summon their inner Demon, but that would be like a sword with a blade as the hilt. They only use it when total destruction of a place is required, such as cursed ruins. This ability leaves the caster vulnerable to their surroundings, and any damage done to the demon carries itself to the caster.
Dark Residue: The residue left after the death of a Darkling. It is said that the Dark corrupts mind, and slowly deforms the host, creating a Darkling that hunts to become stronger.
Dark Essence: Refined Dark Residue. The residue of Darklings contains common soil combined with the Dark Essence.
The old members of the Sword of the Dark used the Dark Essence to enhance their combat capabilities against the Darklings.
New times:
Their HQ has remained a secret, but they are not very active like the old days, and they are low in numbers (14 warriors), and Death Defiance crystals are no more, which was one of the most important parts in their tradition.
They have lost their former glory, and are hunted for practicing abominated arts.
Dark Demon is a wrong term commonly used by the members of the Sword of the Dark for Darklings, as they usually don't study the philosophy of the Dark, they just destroy it.
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