Factions of Faerun

[Bard of Lore]

Factions of Faerun

The Harpers

Motto: "Down with tyranny. Fairness and equality for all."

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Headquarters: Moongleam Tower in Everlund

Overview:

The Harpers are a secretive group of spies and infiltrators who work to protect the common folk from oppression and tyranny. They operate in the shadows, gathering intelligence and disrupting the plans of corrupt rulers, evil organizations, and those who seek to enslave or exploit the masses. Despite their covert nature, they are seen as heroes by many, especially the downtrodden.

Notable NPCs:

• Elminster Aumar: A legendary wizard and one of the most influential Harpers.
• Storm Silverhand: One of the Seven Sisters, a powerful Harper agent.

Goals:

• Thwart the ambitions of oppressive regimes and tyrannical rulers.
• Protect historical lore, magic, and artifacts from falling into evil hands.
• Promote freedom and justice across the Realms.

How to Get Involved:

    Players interested in espionage, covert missions, and protecting the oppressed will find a place among the Harpers. They often work behind the scenes to support larger goals, focusing on disrupting enemy plans through intelligence gathering, sabotage, and diplomacy.


Ranks available:

Watcher (Rank 1)
Role: New recruits. They perform reconnaissance and minor missions to prove their loyalty.
Attainable: During character creation, after a completed adventure, or granted by a Brightcandle or greater rank.

Harpshadow (Rank 2)
Role: Field agents who operate with more autonomy, gathering intelligence and disrupting enemy plans.
Attainable: After two completed adventures, or granted by a Wise Owl/High Harper.

Brightcandle (Rank 3)
Role: Leaders who manage multiple Watchers and Harpshadows, coordinating larger operations.
Attainable: After three completed adventures, or granted by a High Harper.

Wise Owl (Rank 4)
Role: Trusted advisors to senior Harpers, offering strategic counsel and leading major operations.
Attainable: After four completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 15 while a member of the Harpers.

High Harper (Rank 5)
Role: The ruling council of the Harpers, who oversee the entire organization. High Harpers work to keep the Harper mission true and advise on major geopolitical matters.
Attainable: After five completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 20 while a member of the Harpers.

---

The Zhentarim (The Black Network)
Motto: "Join us and prosper."
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Headquarters: Darkhold Castle, Western Heartlands

Overview:
The Zhentarim is a shadowy organization that specializes in mercenary work, smuggling, and illicit activities. While presenting themselves as a network of traders and mercenaries, their ultimate goal is to control Faerûn's wealth and power. They are ruthless, willing to engage in anything from assassination to sabotage to expand their influence.

Notable NPCs:

• Manshoon: Founder of the Zhentarim, known for his use of clones and masterful manipulation.
• Fzoul Chembryl: A former leader who was a devout follower of Bane, god of tyranny.

Goals:

• Control trade routes and the black market.
• Amass wealth and political power through any means necessary.
• Crush opposition and extend their reach across the Realms.

How to Get Involved:
Players who enjoy subterfuge, wealth-building, and morally ambiguous work will find the Zhentarim appealing. They offer lucrative rewards for loyalty but expect members to take on dangerous tasks, including espionage and covert operations.

Ranks Available:

Fang (Rank 1)
Role: New recruits who take on low-level mercenary or smuggling jobs to prove their loyalty.
Attainable: During character creation, after a completed adventure, or granted by a Wolf or greater rank.

Wolf (Rank 2)
Role: Agents trusted with more dangerous jobs, including assassinations, smuggling runs, or black-market deals.
Attainable: After two completed adventures, or granted by an Ardragon/Doomlord.

Viper (Rank 3)
Role: Commanders who manage multiple agents and oversee operations such as securing valuable cargo or expanding the organization’s influence.
Attainable: After three completed adventures, or granted by an Ardragon/Doomlord.

Ardragon (Rank 4)
Role: Senior members responsible for strategic planning and regional operations. They are trusted to make important decisions regarding the future of the Zhentarim in their area.
Attainable: After four completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 15 while a member of the Zhentarim.

Doomlord (Rank 5)
Role: The highest-ranking members of the Zhentarim, responsible for overseeing all operations in Faerûn. Doomlords advise directly on how to expand and consolidate power.
Attainable: After five completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 20 while a member of the Zhentarim.

---

The Order of the Gauntlet
Motto: "We are the sword and the shield."
Alignment: Lawful Good
Headquarters: Waterdeep, with strongholds across Faerûn

Overview:
The Order of the Gauntlet is a group of paladins, clerics, and warriors who uphold justice and protect the innocent from evil. They are dedicated to stamping out tyranny and corruption, facing down evil with righteous might. The Order has a strict code of honor and is known for its unwavering commitment to its cause.

Notable NPCs:

• Ontharr Frume: A prominent paladin and member of the Order who is known for his bravery and adherence to justice.
• Sir Isteval: A knight and influential member, advocating for the Order’s presence in the North.

Goals:

• Defeat evil wherever it rises, particularly undead, demons, and corrupt rulers.
• Protect the innocent and maintain justice in Faerûn.
• Defend holy sites and sacred relics from desecration.

How to Get Involved:
Players drawn to themes of justice, righteousness, and heroic combat will find a home in the Order of the Gauntlet. They engage in direct confrontations with evil and are often found defending towns, temples, and people in need.

Ranks Available:

Chevall (Rank 1)
Role: New initiates who prove their valor by taking on minor quests to protect the innocent.
Attainable: During character creation, after a completed adventure, or granted by a Whitehawk or greater rank.

Marcheon (Rank 2)
Role: Seasoned members who lead small groups in battle and undertake dangerous missions against evil forces.
Attainable: After two completed adventures, or granted by a Vindicator/Righteous Hand.

Whitehawk (Rank 3)
Role: Commanders of larger operations, responsible for leading crusades and protecting regions from threats.
Attainable: After three completed adventures, or granted by a Vindicator.

Vindicator (Rank 4)
Role: Senior leaders who coordinate large-scale campaigns against evil forces, overseeing multiple branches of the Order.
Attainable: After four completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 15 while a member of the Order.

Righteous Hand (Rank 5)
Role: The highest rank within the Order, responsible for guiding the organization’s direction and strategy against large-scale threats to Faerûn.
Attainable: After five completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 20 while a member of the Order.

---

The Emerald Enclave
Motto: "The balance must be preserved."
Alignment: Neutral
Headquarters: The Isle of Ilighôn, Chondalwood

Overview:
The Emerald Enclave is an order of druids, rangers, and nature-focused individuals who seek to preserve the natural balance in Faerûn. They act to protect the wilderness from destruction and prevent civilization from overstepping its bounds. The Enclave believes that both nature and civilization can coexist if harmony is maintained.

Notable NPCs:

• Lady Dala Silmerhelve: A noblewoman who represents the Enclave's interests in Waterdeep.
• Reithann: A druid who mentors adventurers in the North.

Goals:

• Maintain the balance between nature and civilization.
• Protect natural resources from exploitation and destruction.
• Safeguard the Realms from unnatural threats such as aberrations and undead.

How to Get Involved:
Players who care deeply about nature and the balance between civilization and the wild will find the Emerald Enclave to be a natural fit. The Enclave focuses on restoring balance wherever it is disrupted, whether through diplomatic or forceful means.

Ranks Available:

Springwarden (Rank 1)
Role: New members tasked with protecting nature through minor quests and learning the Enclave’s ways.
Attainable: During character creation, after a completed adventure, or granted by a Autumnreaver or greater rank.

Summerstrider (Rank 2)
Role: Protectors of the wilderness who actively defend natural areas from encroachment or destruction.
Attainable: After two completed adventures, or granted by a Winterstalker/Master of the Wild.

Autumnreaver (Rank 3)
Role: Commanders responsible for coordinating efforts to restore balance in large regions, including leading teams of Summerstriders.
Attainable: After three completed adventures, or granted by a Winterstalker/Master of the Wild.

Winterstalker (Rank 4)
Role: Senior members who oversee the Enclave’s protection of vast territories and work to ensure that no force upsets the balance of nature.
Attainable: After four completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 15 while a member of the Enclave.

Master of the Wild (Rank 5)
Role: The highest-ranking members, responsible for the overall strategy and protection of the natural world. They advise the Enclave’s leaders and make critical decisions about the future of the organization.
Attainable: After five completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 20 while a member of the Enclave.

---

The Lords’ Alliance
Motto: "Threats to home must be terminated without prejudice."
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Headquarters: Waterdeep

Overview:
The Lords’ Alliance is a coalition of powerful city-states, nobles, and merchant lords who work together to ensure stability, safety, and prosperity for their respective regions. They believe in maintaining law and order, protecting trade routes, and defending against external threats such as orc invasions or evil organizations like the Zhentarim.

Notable NPCs:

• Laeral Silverhand: The Open Lord of Waterdeep, one of the most powerful figures within the Alliance.
• Dagult Neverember: Former Open Lord of Waterdeep and ruler of Neverwinter, who seeks to restore his city to its former glory.

Goals:

• Ensure the stability and prosperity of the member cities and states.
• Defend against external threats like the Zhentarim, orc invasions, and dark magic.
• Maintain peace and order through diplomacy and, if necessary, military action.

How to Get Involved:
Players who are interested in political intrigue, diplomacy, and the defense of city-states will find a place in the Lords’ Alliance. They often act as envoys, spies, or commanders, working to keep their region safe from external threats.

Ranks Available:

Cloak (Rank 1)
Role: New members assigned to minor diplomatic missions, intelligence gathering, and maintaining local security.
Attainable: During character creation, after a completed adventure, or granted by a Stalwart or greater rank.

Stalwart (Rank 2)
Role: Experienced agents who serve as envoys, spies, or defenders of their city-state, taking on more significant threats.
Attainable: After two completed adventures, or granted by a Warduke.

Warduke (Rank 3)
Role: Commanders responsible for defending large territories, ensuring the safety of their region from threats both foreign and domestic.
Attainable: After three completed adventures, or granted by a Lioncrown.

Lioncrown (Rank 4)
Role: Senior leaders who oversee security for multiple regions, ensuring the stability and growth of the Lords’ Alliance.
Attainable: After four completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 15 while a member of the Alliance.

Lord’s Shield (Rank 5)
Role: The most powerful members of the Alliance, responsible for coordinating defense strategies and diplomacy across all member nations.
Attainable: After five completed adventures, or granted by reaching level 20 while a member of the Alliance.