Factions, Cults, Orgs and more
This page details some of the more commonly known factions, cults, businesses and organizations that operate independent of their country of origin (and will sometimes even strike out against their own countries when beneficial.) A country tab will eventually be added to this website, which will be a similar page to this but regarding countries specifically. This page covers smaller subfactions and other groups of interest that while potentially attached to said countries are not always loyal to them.
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 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?