Factions#
Organizations and groups active in and around Drakkenheim.
Amethyst Academy#
- Type: Magical institution
- Goal: Research delerium
- Base: Red Lion Hotel (Emberwood), Eckerman Mill (meetings)
A group of mages studying the properties of delerium. They send researchers into Drakkenheim, though many don’t return.
Known Members#
- River (blue tiefling)
- Theobroma (PC, on leave from PhD)
Party Relationship#
Theobroma is affiliated; working relationship with River established
Key Objectives#
- Reclaim the Inscrutable Tower (broken in half, top hovers — many arcane devices within powered by delerium)
- Research delerium properties
- Retrieve large delerium node from under the Rat’s Nest Tavern (1,250gp offered)
Log
- Session 1
- First mentioned; Theobroma met River at the Red Lion Hotel
- Session 2
- River met the party at Eckerman Mill; the last group of seasoned mages sent two weeks ago never returned
- Party proved themselves in the city; River gave delerium node retrieval quest and potions of healing
Followers of the Falling Fire#
- Type: Religious faction
- Goal: Embrace the meteor as the Sacred Flame made real
- Base: Hendrix Farm (pilgrims), the Crater
- Leader: Lucretia Matthias
A faction of Sacred Flame worshippers who believe the meteor was a divine manifestation. They practice rituals at the crater, including (rumored) plunging delerium into their hearts.
Known Members#
- Lucretia Matthias (leader)
- Nathaniel Flint (chaplain, at Hendrix Farm)
Party Relationship#
First contact made — Nathaniel Flint approached the party and asked them to retrieve the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio.
Log
- Session 1
- Mentioned by Flamekeeper Bella; not yet visited
- Session 5
- Nathaniel Flint appeared at Bella’s chapel in Emberwood Village with a group of robed pilgrims
- Asked the party to retrieve the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio to help reassemble Saint Vitruvio’s vestments
- Directed the party to the Chapel of Saint Brenna: north on Champion’s Way, ~1 mile into the city
Hooded Lanterns#
- Type: Military order
- Goal: Restore the throne of Drakkenheim
- Base: Watchtower, Emberwood Village
- Leader (local): Ansom Lang
A military organization working to restore order to Drakkenheim and place a rightful heir on the throne.
Known Members#
- Ansom Lang (Captain, commander, Emberwood)
- Petra Lang (Lieutenant, captured by ratlings)
Party Relationship#
Friendly — party agreed to rescue Petra
Log
- Session 1
- First mentioned by Eren Marlowe; party met Ansom Lang at the Watchtower
Queen’s Men#
- Type: Criminal organization
- Goal: Profit, control; loyalty to the Queen of Drakkenheim
- Base: Buckledown Row (inside Drakkenheim)
- Leader: The Queen (identity unknown; court location secret)
A criminal organization that controls roads and territory within Drakkenheim. The Queen is alive and present in the city — her court’s location is a closely guarded secret, but all five crews in Buckledown Row operate under her rules and pay her monthly dues.
The Hooded Lanterns consider the Queen’s claim to Drakkenheim illegitimate, and any known Hooded Lanterns affiliation is dangerous in Buckledown Row.
Dues#
To operate in Buckledown Row — or to make initial contact with the Queen — drop 100 gold into the well behind Smee’s Palace. Monthly dues are 100 gold.
Sub-Crews (Buckledown Row)#
| Crew | Base | Known Members | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wounded Hearts | Smee’s Palace | Mr. Lament, Dorian Dare | Patron of the arts; fighting pits; entry requires besting Dorian Dare |
| Rose and Thorns | Old Imperial | Rose | All-female leadership; procurement, enforcement, intelligence; 5% commission on jobs |
| Catacomb Cobras | Sneaky McGee’s | Mamba Jones | Assassin-type rogues; cobra insignia |
| Howling Dogs | Sweaty Bugbear | Bloodhound | Growling dog skull insignia |
| Pins and Clubs | Padlock Tavern | Unknown | Lowest entry bar of any crew |
Known Members (Outside the Row)#
- Blackjack Mel (operative, Skull and Sword, Emberwood Village)
- Unnamed bandits on the roads
Party Relationship#
Cory is now a dues-paying contact — she dropped 100 gold and a note in the well (Session 5), completing her initial introduction to the Queen. Heda discussed joining the Rose and Thorns with Rose. Mr. Lament is mildly intrigued by Cory and Margareta as performers.
Log
- Session 1
- Bandits attacked the party on the road; party killed leader and routed the rest
- Session 2
- Cory met Blackjack Mel at the Skull and Sword on Zayn’s recommendation
- Party delivered a delerium chip; Mel told them about the Buckledown Row well
- Session 5
- Party visited Buckledown Row for the first time; learned the full crew structure
- Cory paid initial dues (100gp into the well); faction quest completed
- Heda met Rose at the Old Imperial; party discussed possible affiliation with Rose and Thorns
Silver Order#
- Type: Religious/military faction
- Goal: Destroy the meteor as an arcane abomination
- Base: Camp Dawn (NE of Emberwood Village)
A faction of Sacred Flame worshippers who believe the meteor is an abomination that must be destroyed. They seek to purge the contamination from Drakkenheim and restore the city.
Known Members#
- High Flamekeeper Ophelia Reed (leader)
- Silver Order paladins/knights
Party Relationship#
Friendly — Ophelia purged Heda’s contamination and tasked him with retrieving the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio
Log
- Session 1
- Mentioned by Flamekeeper Bella; not yet contacted
- Session 2
- Ophelia Reed visited Chapel of St. Ardenna with knights. Purged Heda’s contamination and gave him the scepter retrieval quest.