Parth is ostensibly ruled by a council, but everyone knows that the real
power lies in the guilds. Four major guilds are currently vying for
power and influence.

The Alchemist's Guild is an organization of alchemists, and to a lesser
extent wizards and sorcerers. This guild is the smallest of the four big
ones, but its power is formidable. The Alchemist's Guild holds control
over the manufacture and sale of alchemical and magical items and
services. If you are a hedge wizard or potion brewer in Parth, either
you are a member of the guild, or you will experience "trouble". This
guild also operates an academy dedicated to arcane and alchemical
education and research.

Strengths:
-Magic
-Wealth

Weaknesses:
-Numbers
-Regarded with suspicion by many

The Way of the Free is a loose association of religious groups dedicated
to various neutral and chaotic gods. Formed by religious refugees
fleeing persecution in Nómos, many of its members went on to serve as
the foot soldiers in the Parthian Rebellion. The Freemen (as they call
themselves) lack formal leadership or organizational structure, but fear
of (and hatred for) the Theocracy of Nómos serves as a powerful unifying
factor, and many within the organization use the looming threat of the
Theocracy as a rallying cry to serve their own ends.

Strengths:
-Divine fervor
-Populist support
-Military strength

Weaknesses:
-Disorganized
-Poor

The Trader's Guild controls half of the trade within the Free Cities.
The guild has a reputation for unscrupulous behavior. "Privateers" roam
freely with Guild blessing, claiming to only target Nómosian vessels
while attacking anyone they can get away with. Guild smugglers evade
taxes and fees, as well as sneaking mages and magical goods into and out
of Brax. The Guild disavows any and all knowledge of criminal activity
within its ranks, and is quick to silence accusations - vocal critics of
the Guild have an unusually high rate of fatal "accidents".

Strengths:
-Rich
-Subtly influential

Weaknesses:
-Ability to act publicly is limited
-Disorganized
-Constant backstabbing and infighting

The Merchant's League controls half the trade within the Free Cities.
They provide economic stability for their members, co-ordinating between
buyers and sellers to keep trade flowing. They also provide security, in
the form of mercenary ships-for-hire. These mercenaries, taken all
together, constitute the largest standing navy in the Free Cities, and
are a force to be reckoned with. League ships take a proactive role in
dealing with piracy, and the League claims the right to attack Trader's
Guild "pirates" on sight - often this results in shooting first and
asking questions later.

Strengths:
-Naval might
-Large public influence

Weaknesses:
-Ability to act unscrupulously limited
-Less profitable than Trader's Guild