Factions, Cults, Orgs and more

Table of Contents

Society (Cult) of the Open Hand

The Cult of the Open Hand is a religious organization which believes The Helping Hand, an anomalous being with unknown abilities and power, is the agent of some sort of god or greater power. Originally an offshoot of The Church of the One True God, the cult quickly adopted more extreme ideologies similar to Angelic Salvation.

In recent years their numbers have grown, directly opposing dark entities like Strife and The Mother while fighting The Trophy Organization and local governments in their search for knowledge and efforts to serve what they call The Hand of Truth.

The facts behind The Helping Hand (or The Hand of Truth) are hard to pin down due to the elusive nature of the anomaly, however it seems to pick individuals to follow. The current individual the hand follows is Vincent Holliday, a man under surveillance by The Trophy Organization. When the cult learned of Vincent's existence, they started preparations to break into site M-19 and kidnap Vincent.

The Flock

The Flock started on Cornan, harvesting recourses from the long-fallen civilization that once made the mushroom-covered planet home. In more recent years The Flock has become known by the Corians and Knights of the Sky as a hostile entity. A being or collective of machines which works in the shadows of Cornan, oftentimes seeking the same lost technologies and currencies The Knights of the Sky are looking for.

The Flock controls a variety of machines and robots, most famously Shepherds and Sheep - two designations of machine, one a massive tripod armed with rockets and plasma cannons and the second being smaller six-legged crawlers which scurry across the surface of Cornan.

Nobody knows what The Flock wants, but it doesn't tolerate interference and has been knows to attack humanoids and other sapient races it views as threatening. Theories are widespread, ranging from a terrorist group using facilities to create these custom machines to old cults to ancient artificial intelligence gone rogue.

Scholars of the Comet

The Scholars of the Comet are a predominantly human-led technological organization that focuses on the study of leytrees, magitech, blightsteel and the innate properties of Westerlot's infamous fallen comet which led to the establishment of the kingdom. The Scholars of the Comet are both a registered organization under the MUC and a school which many children in Westerlot seek to take part in.

The Celestial Monks

The Celestial Monks, in recent years, have grown in size and power to such a degree that many leaders of different nations have actually grown wary of their power. Most monks are citizens of varying countries; however they are strictly loyal to The Celestials and their wishes.

Many monks are spiritual, worshiping The Celestials as deities or belonging to the church of The One True God. The Celestial Monks themselves are not a religious organization, but they deal with the supernatural on the regular, especially when there are magical embalances in a region - such as the rise of a dark entity corrupting the countryside, or innocents being harmed by experiments done by illegally practicing mad magicians.

Due to their efficiency, most countries allow them to operate within their borders regardless of their skepticism regarding The Celestials themselves and their overall goals. The general populace tends to find comfort in the presence of The Celestial Monks, and their organization is generally well-liked across the known universe.

Monks also play a lot into local legend and lore, such as Elatriel's "The Monk and The Silver Star" story, which is often told around winter to children around the fire.

Angelic Salvation

Angelic Salvation is an offshoot of those worshipping The One True God. They're more radical in their beliefs and worship angelics as supposed ancestors of "True Angels."

Many don false wings and wear vibrant halos of light and gold, traveling the land in an attempt to convert others to their religion. Most are outwardly polite and kind, but those who have been within their churches and sermons tell another story - one of mechanical monstrosities and golden ichor which changes those who drink it.

In recent times the religious organization has become somewhat infamous for its beliefs and process of worship, as well as its battles against dark entities across the world of Rosalvinia. While nothing has been confirmed, suspicion continues to mount. Is Angelic Salvation something to be feared or are they a light in the dark?

The Red Tear Organiztion

The Red Tear is a medical organization which acts under but not entirely for the MUC, or Mainstream Universal Council. They, however, hold authority so high that at times when public health is at risk even reaches above the MUC.

They work to develop vaccines, medicines, potions and other remedies to diseases, sicknesses, viruses and the like. During times of war they will act as a neutral party working to help soldiers on both sides.

Killing Red Tear workers is considered a war crime - one of very few that exist officially - and as such they are often intentionally used as shields by nations fighting among one another.

Likewise, however, almost all nations rely on them for medical assistance as their expertise and equipment is far more advanced than most average hosptial or emergency facilities. Their symbol is a large, red droplet - hence their name.

H.E.L.P

Not much is known about H.E.L.P. It was established around fifty years ago, making it a younger force in the universe. The members are few and scattered, as after the death of their leader Jared Tango the organization was forced underground.

H.E.L.P was primarily focused on cyberterrorism and extortion of government entities who they viewed as hurting the people of Metropolis II and the city country of Metropia. They are responsible for the bombing of Metrocouncil and their judiciary branch, as well as the stealing of nearly four billion accounts belonging to both citizens and government figures who have engaged in acts they deem noteworthy.

Using a combination of technology and martial arts, combined arms and the network, H.E.L.P is there to fight for the "little person" - a supposed "Criminal for the people." The reality is a bit more complicated. Some members are unhinged, some hate one another and many betrayed the ideals they originally subscribed to.