====== Factions of Austin ====== Austin is a city teetering between revolution and control, where supernatural factions clash over ideology, survival, and the soul of the city itself. Below is a breakdown of the major power players, their alignments, and their goals. ===== The Grand Struggle ===== At the heart of Austin’s supernatural conflicts lie two major ideological coalitions: * [[WEIRD]] – A loose alliance of factions that push for **individual freedom, self-determination, and radical change.** WEIRD is represented by its most dedicated members, known as [[the Sworn]]—those who have taken an oath to act in eachother's best interest through thick and thin. * [[Liars]] – The forces of **control, hierarchy, and maintaining the status quo.** The Liars seek to uphold existing power structures and suppress change. Their most dedicated members are called [[the False]]—those who have inured themselves to the negative effects of [[Contagion]]. Most factions align themselves somewhere along this spectrum, though many remain unaligned, focusing on their own goals. --- ===== Mage Factions ===== The Awakened of Austin are deeply divided between those who seek magical enlightenment for all and those who would hoard power. * **[[factions:free_council|Free Council]]** – (WEIRD) Champions of **democracy, equality, and innovation** in mage society. Part of the [[Pentacle]]. * **[[factions:mysterium|Mysterium]]** – (Unaligned) Scholars who **seek, protect, and archive lost magical knowledge.** Part of the Pentacle and the [[Diamond]]. * **[[factions:silver_ladder|Silver Ladder]]** – (Unaligned) Masters of **politics and leadership, focused on organizing mage society** and guiding new Awakenings. Part of the Pentacle and the Diamond. * **[[factions:guardians_of_the_veil|Guardians of the Veil]]** – (Lightly Liar) The secret police of magic, protecting the **veil of secrecy at all costs.** Part of the Pentacle and the Diamond. * **[[factions:adamantine_arrow|Adamantine Arrow]]** – (Lightly Liar) Warriors of the Awakened, ensuring **mage society’s survival through martial prowess.** Part of the Pentacle and the Diamond. * **[[factions:seers_of_the_throne|Seers of the Throne]]** – (Liar) Servants of the **Exarchs, enforcing absolute supernatural rule** and crushing rebellion. Opposed to the Pentacle and Diamond. --- ===== Vampire Factions ===== The undead are torn between those who seek **evolution** and those who cling to **ancient power.** * **[[factions:circle_of_the_crone|Circle of the Crone]]** – (Unaligned) **Pagan witches and blood sorcerers** who embrace the spiritual aspects of vampirism. * **[[factions:carthian_movement|Carthian Movement]]** – (Lightly WEIRD) **Revolutionaries seeking a more just and modern system** of vampire governance. * **[[factions:lancea_et_sanctum|Lancea et Sanctum]]** – (Lightly Liar) **A vampire theocracy enforcing divine law** and Christian dominion over the undead. * **[[factions:invictus|Invictus]]** – (Liar) **The old guard, enforcing aristocratic rule** and strict hierarchical power. * **[[factions:ordo_dracul|Ordo Dracul]]** – (Unaligned) **Seekers of transcendence and mastery over the Curse,** dedicated to evolving past their limitations. --- ===== Changeling Courts ===== The Lost organize into seasonal courts, each with a different philosophy on survival. * **[[factions:court_of_autumn|Court of Autumn]]** – (WEIRD) **Masters of fear, binding supernatural forces** to defend the changelings. * **[[factions:court_of_winter|Court of Winter]]** – (Unaligned) **The spies and saboteurs** of changeling society, ensuring secrecy is maintained. * **[[factions:court_of_summer|Court of Summer]]** – (Unaligned) **The warriors of the Lost, wielding raw fury** against their enemies. * **[[factions:court_of_spring|Court of Spring]]** – (Unaligned) **The revelers and healers,** bringing joy and indulgence to stave off despair. The True Fae remain **the ultimate oppressors** of the Lost. * **[[factions:the_gentry|The Gentry]]** – (Liar) **The all-powerful True Fae,** who abduct and twist mortals into playthings. --- ===== Demon Agencies ===== The Unchained coordinate and form into Agencies, usually-secret organizations, each with a different kind of structure and goal. * **[[factions:strange|STRANGE]]** – (WEIRD) **A Free Agency dedicated to the protection of Demons and semi-regulation of their activities**, formed after the Guardians of the Veil enacted an Aether Trap in order to punish all Demon's for the actions of a few. --- ===== Other Forces ===== Some entities exist beyond the typical factions, serving as **cosmic enforcers of control.** * **[[factions:the_angels|The Angels]]** – (Liar) **Agents of the God-Machine,** enforcing unknowable plans with cold efficiency. ---