Fortress Factions

Fortress politics.

Fortress is home to a lot of factions, groups and gatherings. They are described below, together with influential individuals related to them.

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Workers union

Exactly what it says on the tin, they are quite influential among the populace, for two simple reasons: A lot of people in the city are workers, and the borderline military nature of some city functions has everyone worried of their rights violations. They are granted a few civil functions as well and members of the union are present in most gatherings of building and neighborhood administrators, which has in turn made some wary of THEIR increasing power.

Nevertheless, the sheer size of the union has made things difficult for the more military inclined individuals and factions, and as a result have kept a balance between the factions.

Important individuals: Not any in particular, the Workers Union relies on a lot of representatives from a lot of any neighborhood or area of the city, from both the Worker and the Civil Districts. They have a Council that handles most affairs and decisions as a result.

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The Adherence of Drias

The adherents of a long lost... actually it is unclear just what Drias/Dryas/Dorias is, only that it is somewhat related to the Stone-Birds. Their members are highly secretive about the nature of their beliefs, and also very strict about them. People that wish to join need to be admitted first, and this is done through a series of short tests. This has made people wary of the Adherence, in it's early days, however it was soon overturned as an opinion.

They are quite helpful and charitable, in times of crisis offering anything they can to anyone they can, and aside from that they tend to be some of the most peaceful and open-minded individuals around. Education is provided for by the Adherence as well, and these people tend to be intellectual as well, not to mention advocates of free thought. Despite all this, it is clear that there is a strangeness about the Adherence, which is not easily dispelled.

Most people treat their members with no more caution than they would the average citizen, but when it comes to issues relating directly to the Adherence, things suddenly get significantly more hushed.

Important individuals: There is no distinction of rank among members of the group, they are all Adherents. Despite that, there are a few that have gained a reputation.

==========  Adherent Cain : Most Adherents, in their public appearances tend to forgo the use of their last name. Adherent Cain is a public speaker and often chosen to represent the Adherence as a whole in Union gatherings, as well as speak for it when people have questions. He is an elderly individual, but possessed of great vigor. Rumor has it he possesses WALL power, or is at least quite knowledgeable of it.

==========  Adherent Lya: A foreigner, from Arwas, Adherent Lya's past is shrouded in suffering and pain. She is quite youthful and has remained so for a very long time, and allegations she is not human have spread, and are from the perspective of most, practically confirmed. She came from an influential faction within Arwas and thus had a lot of information about the place as a whole. Even to this day, her experiences are deferred to, by Adherence members and more.

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The Knights of Oruen

A group of intellectuals who display particular philosophical keenness in the current world, the Knights of Oruen are a widespread organization that includes select individuals among it's ranks. Oruen itself is a conceptual location, formed in a separate dimension, from the thoughts of enlightened people. The Knights assign a 'weight' or 'intensity' to all thoughts and ideas, and believe that in this 'dimension' of a sort, the heaviest and  brightest thoughts have congregated together to create a promised land of all thinkers.

As a result, the Knights were founded to defend Oruen, and uphold it's ideals, doing this by both propagating what they consider heavy thoughts, and combating ideas and beliefs that are shallow and misplaces. It has lead many people to consider them an ancient conspiracy at worst, or for more realistic interpretations an elitist group that disdains the masses. The Knights have shown little to no interest in politics, but it must be noted they rarely act as an unified faction.

They are however some of the brightest minds of Fortress, and some of the wealthiest too, and seem to have quite the potent connection with Central, as the below entries will reveal.

Important individuals: Most Knights prefer to keep their membership a secret, due to the overall unpleasant reception they have, especially with some specific members of the Workers' Union. However, the ones below are widely known, and due to their positions, few ever want to step on their toes.

========== Dr. Roxanne Harker: In order to defend the city, Central and specifically, it's defense, needed more advanced technology. While it was not really able to be mass produced, the advancements her predecessors, and Oakless herself brought, were a huge step forward and ensured the stability of the whole city, for decades.

========== Cpt. Malkiss : Malkiss came from the Turtle, and before that, he was from Arwas. Definitely not human, although he has preferred not to comment on it too much, he retired at a late age after a long life of heroic defense of the city, and turned to philosophy. He still uses his money to fund expeditions, and seems to be obsessed with finding Zerua.

========== Oswald Cross: Charismatic, young and quite popular with a good deal of the young adults of Fortress, Oswald Cross, owner of one of the factories in the Worker District, took a more public persona in the recent years and immediately gathered his own followings, spreading the ideas of the Knights of Oruen across all Fortress. His contribution to the faction, is undoubtedly great.

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Fortress Defense Front

The defenders of Fortress, the warriors that keep the place safe when it most needs to. They number to about 400 troops at any given time, but only about 30-40 are actual fighters. Aside from them, there is an Automated Force, made of automata, created by Central, in the Sealed District, that numbers to around 300. There are four main companies to the whole human force, each commanded by a captain. The current leader of the armed forces is also the head of Central, and of the whole city as an implication, at any time.

The Fortress Defense Front tries it's best to resist the threats, through the use of Artifacts, items that allow their warriors to channel WALL power, but often ends up with collateral damage or a large repair bill for any of the damaged Artifacts. Not just that, but losses too, are unavoidable. Despite everything they try their best not to get too involved in the political scene, although there are sub-factions and gatherings of people that WANT them to be, they are mostly what the Worker Union tries to keep in check, despite being simply a disorganized, mad mob.

Whenever they do need something however, the Defense Front acts, subtly, or not, to gain it and is rarely ever impeded. Among their ranks, a lot of potent and important figures have risen, who possess authority among the people by their fame and deeds alone. Being part of the Defense Front means living in Central, not sharing a lot of details about your work, and all in all having a pretty stressful and important job to do.

Important members: Included, are mostly the prime combatants and leaders, as they are the most well known:

========== Chroman Leiss: The Symbol of Hope, the appearance of his Artifact surely lends credence to the title, as do his battles against Manka and his followers, bandits, mutated beasts from afar, and generally his attitude when called upon to deal with civil unrest , the rare few times it happens, promoting peaceful solutions and discussion between both sides.

========== Cpt. Adria Meeph: One of the very few individuals who can channel WALL without an Artifact, making unwitting foes think of her a wizard, or worse, she is also one of the most keen and observant individuals, having more often than not come up with practical solutions to a lot of Fortress' outside, and occasionally internal problems.

========== Cpt. Flame: Whoever goes around getting called 'Captain Flame'? Apparently this mysterious individual, whose details are completely unknown, except for their odd ability to manipulate fire, supposedly without an Artifact. While Captain Meeph's shtick is definitely known, Flame is a thorough mystery.


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The Last Rose

A mysterious organization, the rebellion mentioned before, these people seem to move swiftly on the city's underground, have ties to it's criminal circles, possibly have ties in the Knights of Oruen and the Adherence of Drias, definitely have influence in the Workers' Union (although that is not saying much), their motives are to possible overthrow, or unveil the secrets of Central. Nobody really knows the truth, except for it's actual members.

It is said that they approach specific individuals, in specific circumstances. It is also said that nobody has ever rejected them, for reasons unknown. It is said they are crazy conspiracy theorists, that the Knights of Oruen are just a font for them, that they are just terrorists trying to manipulate everyone for their own sake, and ... many things are said, long story short. Confirmation is impossible, and information is scarce.

The only thing known is their name, revealed in their first and currently only public stunt.

Important members: Not quite applicable with them.