Factions#

Organizations and groups active in and around Drakkenheim.

Amethyst Academy#

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
  • 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#

A faction of Sacred Flame worshippers who believe the meteor was a divine manifestation. Their sacrament involves plunging a delerium shard into the heart — a transformation Lucretia Mathias was first to undergo and that every member of her congregation has since taken. Those who survive the sacrament become immune to the haze and are changed in ways Lucretia calls “elevated.” She views delirium not as a plague but as a force of nature with purpose — inviting humanity toward something new.

The congregation’s pilgrims camp near the crater, including at Champion’s Gate, and are unbothered by the haze that other factions’ members cannot endure.

The Sacrament#

Members of the Falling Fire take a delerium shard and drive it into their own hearts. The process is terrible; those who survive emerge immune to the haze and transformed by delirium in ways that may include enhanced senses, changed appearance, or new abilities. Lucretia Mathias describes this as “embracing” rather than merely wearing delirium.

Known Members#

Party Relationship#

Friendly and trusted. The party retrieved the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio and brought it to Lucretia Mathias, who returned it to Heda as a caretaker rather than claiming it for the faction. She cured the party’s contamination and gave them a new quest. Heda is personally drawn to the Falling Fire’s philosophy.

Log

Hooded Lanterns#

A military organization working to restore order to Drakkenheim and place a rightful heir on the throne.

Known Members#

Party Relationship#

Friendly — party agreed to rescue Petra

Log

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)#

CrewBaseKnown MembersNotes
Wounded HeartsSmee’s PalaceMr. Lament, Dorian DarePatron of the arts; fighting pits; entry requires besting Dorian Dare
Rose and ThornsOld ImperialRoseAll-female leadership; procurement, enforcement, intelligence; 5% commission on jobs
Catacomb CobrasSneaky McGee’sMamba JonesAssassin-type rogues; cobra insignia
Howling DogsSweaty BugbearBloodhoundGrowling dog skull insignia
Pins and ClubsPadlock TavernUnknownLowest entry bar of any crew

The Six Seals of Drakkenheim#

The Queen’s deeper goal is the coronation of Drakkenheim’s throne. Before the meteor, six magical artifacts were held by the city’s most powerful officials — required jointly for any coronation ceremony. Without all six present, no one can be crowned. The Queen believes gathering them will let her claim the throne without relying on disputed noble house legitimacy.

SealFormer Holder
Chancellor’s CrestHigh Chancellor
Inscrutable StaffHigh Mage
Lord Commander’s BadgeHead of the City Guard
Saint Vitruvio’s PhylacteryHigh Flame Keeper
Spymaster’s SignetSpymaster
Steward’s SealSteward

None of the seals have been located. The Scepter of Saint Vitruvio is not one of the six seals.

Known Members (Outside the Row)#

Party Relationship#

Cory is a dues-paying contact (Session 5). Next step to deepen the relationship: bring a permanent magical item to prove loyalty, earning a proper 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
  • Session 7
    • Cory and Margareta met Blackjack Mel at the Padlock Tavern; he revealed the Six Seals of Drakkenheim and the Queen’s coronation strategy
    • Confirmed: to earn an introduction to the Queen, bring a permanent magical item
    • Brief meeting with Donovan Marlowe, Mel’s appraiser, to assess the rod from Saint Tarna’s statue

Silver Order#

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#

Party Relationship#

Friendly — Ophelia purged Heda’s contamination and tasked him with retrieving the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio

Log