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The Factions of the Outer Rim The Outer Rim consists of four factions, each containing members drawn from each of the four areas of adventurers. Each faction has its own leaders, agendas, and operates seperately from the other factions unless ordered to work together by the Inner Circle. These factions are only privy to some of the secrets of the Obsidian Order, because they belong to the Outer Rim. However, these factions have secrets of their own, and are actually secret societies operating under the Obsidian Order's protection. One important thing must be noted, however, unless otherwise stated, the agendas and secrets of any given faction will and cannot overrule the factions loyalty to the Inner Circle. Members of each faction will still take the orders of a full-fledged, high-ranking Shadowmage above the orders of their officers. However, usually, the Inner Circle operates through the various faction's leaders. As always, the mission of these factions is to study and promote sorcery, and find ways to break out of the crystal sphere surrounding Krynnspace. As members of the Outer Rim know little about the details of the master plans of the Obsidian Order, they usually obey the word of the Inner Circle. The will of the Obsidian Order and the Inner Circle come first; each factions agendas and issues come second. It is crucial to remember that members of the Outer Rim know little or nothing about the machinations of the Obsidian Order and the Inner Circle, and as such, the Inner Circle will usually make little effort to retrieve or silence a rogue or captured member of the Outer Rim. However, the faction to which the member belongs to will intervene, and either silence or rescue a member depending on the circumstances. Below are the four factions within the Outer Rim. Every member of the Outer Rim is part of a faction. These factions are patterned after the roles presented in Heroes of Steel, Heroes of Defiance, Heroes of Sorcery, and Heroes of Defiance. The Karagartayne This faction contains members whose roles are depicted in the Heroes of Steel boxed set. All warriors who belong to the Outer Rim belong to this faction. There are many Adventurous Warriors, Archers, Mercenary Warriors, Rogue Knights, Warrior-Sorcerer and Warrior-Mystics in this society. There are few Barbarian Warriors, Cavaliers, Legionnaires, or Yeoman. Knights of the Lily and Knights of Solamnia are non-existant. Some members of the Knights of Takhisis have forged an agreement with the Obsidian Order, but are not members of the Outer Rim, while Knights of Solamnia have a reputation for disdaining sorcery, and are not aware of the existence of the Obsidian Order. The Karagartayne are ruthless in their work, and serve as the Obsidian Order's private army of henchmen. Most members wander around Ansalon until needed, at which point they will drop any current projects and devote their services to the Order. Members, called Kargayats, are payed well for their work, and some are permanently stationed in various strongholds around Ansalon. One such stronghold is nestled deep in the Khalkist Mountains just north of Thorbardin. This massive fortress holds nearly 900 members awaiting the orders of the Inner Circle. Another fortress is stationed in Ergoth just north of Daltigoth. THe emperor is unaware of the stronghold, which holds a little more than 600 warriors ready to attack or withdraw at the whim of the Inner Circle. The Kargaratayne also has its own agendas. Many bitter Kargayats remember the Dragon Purge, and the friends and loved ones who died in it. Because Malystryx was the Great Dragon who initiated the Dragon Purge, they have targeted Malys for doom. The Kargaratayne know that their numbers and resources are too weak to defeat Malys, and they know that the Inner Circle will never help them on such a violent path. Therefore, they subtley try to thwart her plans, and infuriate her at her every move. Some members have begun to speak heresay towards the Inner Circle, saying that they are weak sorcerer's who cow behind weak magics. These radicals believe that the Obsidian Order should use its vast resources and popwer to topple Malystryx, and eventually the other Dragon Overlords. These care little for the Order's quest for magical knowledge. So far, the Kargaratayne have remained under the Inner Circle's control, and have been loyal, but that could change at any moment as these radicals are secretly gaining support. Brandon Daggerwell(human adult male, courageous demeanor, Champion), a Cavalier is the current leader of the Kargaratayne. The only reason why the radicals haven't been quelled is because Brandon has sheltered them and hid them from the Inner Circle. While he is still loyal, he sympathises with the radicals, and looks for a peaceful resolution. His second-in-command is Jayla Glitterstar(Silvanesti young adult female, determined demeanor, Adventurer), who is a Warrior-Mystic. The leader of the radicals, a Rogue Knight, and a high ranking general is Joran Quinten(Half-elf adult male, rash demeanor, Champion). For heroes who want to become part of the Kargaratayne, just impose this Kargayat template role onto the already pre-existing role of the hero. The heroes role need not be changed, but next to his/her current role, should be "Kargayats" in parenthesis'. The Shadow Hand The Shadow Hand is the faction that contains the members who specialize in subtlety and nimbleness. More specifically, rogues whose roles emulate the ones found in Heroes of Defiance. Their are many thugs, Spellfinches, Healer, Displaced Nobles, Ambassadors, Thieves, as well as assasins and bounty hunters in the Shadow Hand. Their are fewer Legionnaire Scouts, Qualinesti Rebels, Bards, Handlers, Displaced Nobles, Con Artists, Merchants and River Pirates in this faction. Healers, Barmaids, "Loyal Servants", Street Performers, Street Urchins, Fops, and "Staunch Supporters" are nearly non-existant in the Shadow Hand. The Shadow Hand is the subtle faction. The members of this faction are called upon to kill someone who knows too much, to steal important documents, objects, or magical items, and to serve as connections to the Ansalon underground. The Shadow Hand has no true dwelling, instead prefering to meet in secret, and in variable locations. The Shadow Hand maintains good relations with the Thieves Guild of Palanthas, the Elven resistance, the Legion of Steel. While none of these organizations knows the true goal of the Shadow Hand, they still help them in various ways. The contacts in the Shadow Hand in no way know about the Obsidian Order, and think that the Shadow Hand is just an independent organization. The Shadow Hand is rife with intrigue and power clashes as members try to oust each other for more power. THe Inner Circle pays little attention to this, however, they do step in if the faction's "civil wars" seem too much out of hand. When someone wrests power away from a previous leader, the Inner Circle doesn't care as long as the Shadow Hand continues to provide its services. Some members of the Shadow Hand have grown suspiscious of the members of the Inner Circle. They speculate that the Inner Circle is privy to magical wonders and fabulous riches. These greedy members are secretly plotting against the Order, and want to take control of the entire Obsidian Order. As of yet, only a small percentage of the Shadow Hand belongs to this traiterous bunch, but their numbers are steadily growing. Cyran DeBergerae(Human middle-aged male, crafty demeanor, Master), a retired thief, is the leader of the Shadow Hand. He reports directly to the Inner Circle, and is very loyal to them. However, he is not above lining his own pockets with steel if the oppertunity arises. Brack Ironsmelt(Daergar middle-aged male, plotting demeanor, Champion), a thug, is the leader of the movement to overthrow the Obsidian Order. However, his traiterous status is a well guarded secret and he will kill anyone who discovers it. For players that want their rogue heroes to join the Shadow Hand, they only need to add the Shadow Hand template role to the heroes already existing role. The player need only add the Advantages and Disdvantages of this add-on role to the hero, and put "Shadow Hand" in parenthesis' next to the heroes role. The Brahumman The Brahumman is a faction composed of members who wield the might of mysticism. That is, people who have roles pertaining to the Heroes of Hope dramatic supplement. There are many Independent Mystics, Monks, Mystic Sorcerers, and Rogues in the Brahumman. There are fewer Centaur Shapechangers, Dwarven Earth Mystics, Kagonesti Shamans, Kender Nightstalkers, Knights of the Skull, Legionnaire Mystics, and True Believers in the Brahumman. Barbarian Shamans, Knights of the Sword, and Knights of the Rose are non-existant in this faction. The Brahumman have a few various schools located around Ansalon. One growing school is located near Solace, although the Brahumman is considering shutting it down as Palin Majere and Goldmoon have become suspiscious. A very large school is located in Southlund of Solamnia, housing nearly 100 disciples and mystics. Another school is located in Ak-Khurman, where a growing number of Legionnaire Mystics is joining the Brahumman. The Brahumman is nearly never called upon by the Inner Circle. In fact, the members of the Brahumman are the most free of the factions. THe Inner Circle just decided that they needed to also control myticism to counterract any threats. Some members work diligently with shadowmages of the Inner Circle to produce mysticism/sorcery hybrid techniques. Theya re currently working on a way to enchant an item with mysticism-like powers. Currently, the Brahumman is the smallest faction in the Outer Rim. While the Brahumman is technically under the beck and call of the Inner Circle, in reality, the Brahumman pursues its own agendas. Most of the time, the Brahumman is spreading the word of mysticism, as well as trying to fully develop and understand the power of the heart. In a way, the Brahumman is doing exactly what the Obsidian Order wants to do, only they want to develop mysticism. Sometimes, it looks like the Brahumman is a completely seperate organization from the Obsidian Order, but the Inner Circle does command the Brahumman, and the members are extremely loyal. Ashari Fireflight(Kagonesti adult female, inspiring demeanor, Champion), a Kagonesti shaman, currently runs the Brahumman. Like a select few powerful mystics, Ashari is working in conjunction with several high-ranking shadowmages to produce magical items enchanted with mysticism. She does not yet know about the Obsidian Order's master plans, or about Shade, but the Shadow Dragon is seriously considering making her an honorary member of the Inner Circle. Brukt Axefell(Minotaur adult male, belligerent demeanor, Champion), a minotaur necromancer, is Ashari's second-in-command. He helps her run the ordinary affairs of the Brahumman when she's experimenting with magic. For players that want their heroes to be member of the Brahumman, just add the details of the Brahumman mystic template. This template does not replace the existing role of the hero. Add "Brahumman" in parenthesis' next to the heroes role to indicate his membership in the faction. The Initiates Circle This faction is unlike the other three, and it doesn't even have an official name. It's often referred to as the Initiates Circle. Unlike the other factions, members of this faction do give up their previous roles. Members of this role are all characters with magic-using potential, who are training to become full-fledged shadownmages. Therefore, they are shadowmage aspirants, as detailed in the Heroes of Sorcery dramatic supplement. These beginning shadowmages are taught in various schools of magic around Ansalon. Most however, are taught within the Dwelling. This is a crucial difference between factions, because aspirant shadow mages learn of the Dwelling, and many of the Obsidian Order's secrets, including knowledge of the master of the Order Shade, even though they are members of the Outer Rim. However, these neophytes still don't know the specifics of the Order's master plans. A small school is located Duntol, where many aspirant shadowmages are taught the secrets of Enchantment. Another is located in Gwynned on the isle of Northern Ergoth. This school boasts nearly 500 students, as well as a formidable (and secret!) collection of magical items created by the Obsidian Order. There are no secret agendas of the Initiates Circle mainly because the aspirant shadowmages are nearly fully inducted into the Order. They dedicate their heart and souls to the Orders cause, and strive for nothing else. As a aspirant progresses, he/she learns more and more about the master plans, and will play a greater role in fulfilling it. Every shadowmage, from the newest aspirant to Shade's personal retinue of sorcerers is vital to the master plans. Korish Toryl(Half-elf young-adult male, inspired demeanor, Adventurer) is nearly ready to become a full member of the Inner Circle. He has mastered the schools of Enchantment, Geomancy, and Summoning. He is currently working on a way to create a magical bracer that absorbs magical energy, and upon completion, he will be brought before Shade. There, he will create his first magical item, learn the full truth of the Order, and become a shadowmage. Players who want to join this faction must take up the shadowmage aspirant role. Starting players can begin play as full-fledged members of the Obsidian Order and the Inner Circle, and can begin play with the role of Shadowmage.