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 ====== Factions of Cahyali ======
-The world of Cahyali consists of eleven nations across nine continents and several dozen islands. Most of these geopolitical borders are loosely drawn, and are in a state of flux as political tensions and wars break out. In a cosmopolitan world of a multitude of races, governments, ideologies, and lifestyles, one’s homeland matters little, and many adventurers find new homes and lives across the world. many adventurers in Cahyali belong to one of five factions that have risen to prominence. Each faction has its own motivations, goals, and philosophy, some may be more “heroic” than others, and some may strive for behavior many consider “villainous.”
+The world of Cahyali consists of eleven nations across nine major landmasses and myriad islands. Most of these geopolitical borders are loosely drawn, and are in a state of flux as political tensions and wars break out. In a cosmopolitan world of a multitude of races, governments, ideologies, and lifestyles, one’s homeland matters little, and many adventurers find new homes and lives across the world. In this land of political tension and constantly-brewing war, many find their identity, if not with a nation, then with one of Cahyali's many international factions. Shown here is a list of the most major.
-==== Oxis Alliance ====
+===== The Cerulean Moon =====
+The Cerulean Moon cannot be easily defined, since they have no formal structure or tenets. Instead, they are bonded together by their respect and protection of nature and the magic inherent in the natural world. Local chapters form on their accord and organize however they wish. These chapters are mostly found in the countries of Buyuk Vahsi, Dahabu, Vervand, and the forests of Nahrūl, where the forces of nature can be felt the strongest. Cerulean Moon members are usually Julians, Vahrunians, or followers of a druidic religion.
-The Oxis Alliance is a tripartite alliance between the countries of Vervand, Shinneok, and Arenti. It is primarily an association of rulers from cities and towns across these three nations in the north of Chayali, who above all else believe that art and self expression is the epitome of life’s ideals. While carefree and quick to forget past transgressions, members of alliance know that literature and art can assert a massive cultural pressure upon the world.
+The members of this faction generally guard the creatures of the land or sea against the unnatural forces of industrialization and exploitative magics. Their methods can vary between peaceful defenders, to militant vigilantes. They generally lack any formal training or fine crafted equipment, instead utilizing the environment to their advantage. Their lack of formal leadership limits them in some respects, but also makes them very difficult to quash.
-Alliance agents include sophisticated troubadours, artists, and philosophical thinkers alike, chosen primarily for their expert ability in artistry of any kind, and their ability to compose themselves in scenarios requiring observation, innuendo, and sometimes espionage. The members of the alliance are often supplied by craftsmen from Shinneok, schooled in Vervand, and artistically trained in Arenti.
+=== Leaders ===
+The Cerulean Moon does not have formal leadership. The faction is split into several local groups and cells, which operate however they see fit.
-Agents of the Oxis Alliance help to ensure the safety and prosperity of northern Cahyali, standing against those that may threaten their artistic and cultural standing in Cahyali. Many of the operatives are often glory hounds, looking to gain a leg up on their peers, especially those in the two other countries.
+=== Heraldry ===
-== Leaders ==
-**Viktor Meyer**, the Guiding Hand of Vervand, respected for his policies that create a net for citizens who lose their way.
-**Raphael Mystíc**, the Guiding Hand of Arenti, headmaster of the Arenti School of Arts, famous for mentoring the best artists and musicians of Cahyali.
-**Akē Jinhan**, the head advisor of **Kura Tansei**, who was the Guiding Hand of Shinneok before being assassinated at the Mid-Akvofojo festival of 10078 SF (date translated to Jaernian since founding for ease). Unlike his predecessor, Jinhan believes that Shinneok needs to establish itself in the world of Cahyali more, rather than be simply a source of labor and resources.
-== Heraldry ==
-A white silhouette of a bear in profile in the center, imprinted on an olive green field on the upper half and and a black field on the lower half.
-== Rivals ==
-Ystervius
-==== The Cerulean Moon ====
-The Cerulean Moon cannot be easily defined, since they have no formal structure or tenets. Instead, they are bonded together by their respect and protection of nature and the magic inherent in the natural world. Local chapters form on their accord and organize however they wish. These chapters are mostly found in the countries of Buyuk Vahsi, Dahabu, and the forests of Nahrūl, where the forces of nature can be felt the strongest.
-The members of this faction generally guard the creatures of the land or sea against the unnatural forces of industrialization and exploitative magics. Their methods can vary between peaceful defenders, to militant vigilantes. They generally lack any formal training or fine crafted equipment, instead utilizing the environment to their advantage. Their lack of formal leadership on one hand limits them, but on the other hand makes them very difficult to quash.
-== Leaders ==
-The Cerulean Moon does not believe in formal leadership. The faction is split into several local groups and cells, which operate however they see fit.
-== Heraldry ==
 A white imprint of a crescent moon with a horizontal line leading through its center, ending in a four-pointed star on a sky blue backdrop.
-== Rivals ==
+===== La Famiglia del Cahyali =====
-Harena Trade Union of Cahyali, Ystervuis
+The Famiglia of Cahyali are not a single organization, but rather a network of many organized crime families that operate mostly across Arenti, Pthora, and Ley'Ork. Some mafia families are rivals, while others are allies. Many are patrons of the arts, and may open museums or sponsor studios as a front to their illicit dealings. With mountains of wealth and political sway behind them, the governments of Cahyali have either given up on or have been successfully bribed by the Famiglia, and interfere little in their dealings.
-==== Harena Trade Union of Cahyali (HTUC) ====
+The Famiglia originated in Arenti, and have held immense political sway there up until recently, when a new Arentian leader decided to crack down on mafia operations. From here, many emigrated to Ley'Ork, where the governing Harena Trade Union could easily be bought off. The Pthoran mafia operates a little differently, parlaying regularly with Arentian and Ley'Orkian famiglia, but mostly serving as a method of resistance against the Pthoran dictatorship. Most can join a mafia after a brief show of capability and loyalty, but once in, it is much harder to leave.
-The Harena Trade Union of Cahyali (HTUC) is a purely mercantile and commercial organization, dedicated above all else to the gaining of material profit. They seek only to expand their influence throughout the monetary sphere to control and monetize any commodity. They do not shy away from shady deals or illicit bargaining to get what they want.
+=== Leaders ===
+There are many mafia families, but some of the most major include the Arentian Bellones and Mazzettos, the Ley'Orkian Marrowkins and Metro Mafia, and the Pthoran Bratva.
-The members of the HTUC venture out to become wealthy, or to be the first to find new items and commodities to be able to sell to the highest bidder. The members are masters in the art of deception and persuasion, silver-tongued to talk their way out of dangerous situations.
+=== Heraldry ===
+Each family has their own heraldry. A symbol of a tilted wineglass, slightly overflowing, is often used in subtle and small ways to denote mafia-controlled locations.
-Other members become sellswords and mercenaries, selling their services to the highest bidder, as to afford a luxurious and affluent lifestyle. Many members are famous personalities, heads of companies and businesses, or prominent land owners. Members are highly competitive, but are also loyal when one of their own is in danger.
+===== The Kinland Order =====
+The Kinland Order is a relatively new organization dedicated towards upholding the code of honor and integrity inherent to the martial schools of Ruefang and the arcane schools of Ulos. The Order views evil as the embodiment of lacking honor, and its members act on their own authority to venture out and destroy these evils. Members of the Kinland Order consist mostly of Ruefangren, Ulosians, members of the Splint People's Union, and citizens of Dahabu's Kharshi Collective.
-== Leaders ==
+Since the honorless are found in the shadows and dark, the Order raises and trains adventurers to venture to the most dangerous dungeons, to rid them of evil and darkness. They also believe that the path to evil exists within everyone, and that memorizing and upholding the tenets of honor is the key to striding the righteous path. Despite its good intentions, the Order is plagued by quite a bit of naivete and has been vulnerable to corruption and betrayal in the past. Kinland Order members are often known as Paladins.
-The HTUC is run by the ruling families of Ley’Ork’s economy, including the Tàkeau family which controls history and the educational system, the Vane family which controls the military-industrial complex, Dævian family that controls the technological sector, the Wren family that controls the red light districts and criminal underworld of Ley’Ork, and the Berns family that controls the energy and power management of the country.
-== Heraldry ==
+=== Leaders ===
-A bronze, six-winged dragonfly as seen from above, which is centered in a smoke grey field that covers the upper two-thirds of the heraldry, above a field of silver.
+Kinland Order leaders, or High Paladins, are nominated by the order and elected once every ten years, or when a leader dies. They are often the most powerful or well-known Paladins of the Order, and operate not only as leaders of individual groups, but as figureheads and role models for the entire organization. At any given time, there are seven High Paladins.
-== Rivals ==
+=== Heraldry ===
-The Cerulean Moon, The Kinland Order
+A white imprint of a sword pointed upwards, surrounded by three eyes. The irises of the eyes are dioxazine purple, which rests on a black background.
-==== The Kinland Order ====
+===== The Wings of Oxis =====
+The Wings of Oxis are a widespread group based in the Oxis Alliance. It is primarily an association of creatives from cities and towns across these three nations in the north of Cahyali, who above all else believe that art and self expression is the epitome of life’s ideals. Many even put the pursuit of art over the preservation of life. While carefree and quick to forget past transgressions, members of alliance know that literature and art can assert a massive cultural pressure upon the world. They seek to uphold the value and freedom of art in the world, and some circles additionally seek to subtly spread Oxian culture through the proliferation of Oxian art to other places of Cahyali.
-The Kinland Order is a relatively new organization dedicated towards upholding the code of honor and integrity inherent to the martial schools of Ruefang and the arcane schools of Ulos. The Order views evil as the embodiment of lacking honor, and its members act on their own authority to venture out and destroy these evils.
+Wings agents include sophisticated troubadours, artists, and philosophical thinkers alike, chosen primarily for their expert ability in artistry of any kind, and their ability to compose themselves in scenarios requiring observation, innuendo, and sometimes espionage. The members of the alliance are often supplied by craftsmen from Shinneok, schooled in Vervand, and artistically trained in Arenti. Many of the operatives are often glory hounds, looking to gain a leg up on their peers, especially those in the two other countries.
-Since the honorless are found in the shadows and dark, the Order journeys to the most dangerous dungeons to rid them of evil and darkness. They also believe that the path to evil exists within everyone, and that memorizing and upholding the tenets of honor is the key to striding the righteous path.
+=== Leaders ===
+**Viktor Meyer**, the Guiding Hand of Vervand, respected for his policies that create a net for citizens who lose their way.
-The code of honor limits the members to striking only in defense of self, those who cannot defend themselves, or striking those who are committing evil deeds. They also believe that individuals must follow the Order’s code by their own volition, but know that some may need encouragement and support to do so.
+**Raphael Mystíc**, the Guiding Hand of Arenti, headmaster of the Arenti School of Arts, famous for mentoring the best artists and musicians of Cahyali.
-== Leaders ==
-The leaders are the five high council members of Ruefang and the archmage of the Ulos Magic Circle. They all hold equal positions, and serve more as examples and actual leaders.
-== Heraldry ==
-A white imprint of a sword pointed upwards, surrounded by three eyes. The irises of the eyes are dioxazine purple, which rests on a black background.
-== Rivals ==
+**Akē Jinhan**, the head advisor of **Kura Tansei**, who was the Guiding Hand of Shinneok before being assassinated at the Mid-Akvofojo festival of 2554 SD. Unlike his predecessor, Jinhan believes that Shinneok needs to establish itself in the world of Cahyali more, rather than be simply a source of labor and resources.
-Harena Trade Union of Cahyali
-==== Ystervuis ====
+=== Heraldry ===
+An elaborate emblem of a flying dove, crowned by a starry laurel wreath and holding a group of arrows in its feet. Depicted along with three circles of green, pink, and white; representing Vervand, Arenti, and Shinneok respectively.
-The Ystervius (pronounced “Eye-ster-vice”), or Iron Fist, is an organization of secretive, close-minded, and xenophobic individuals who believe that strict order and discipline is the only way for the world to reach its zenith, and seek to expand their power and dominion throughout Cahyali. The organization is primarily led out of the country of Pthora, but has members all over Cahyali.  Agents of the Ystervius feel that other governments and leaders are incapable of making decisions - or at least the correct decisions. Ultimately, they want to set the rules and bind all people to them.
+===== Ystervius =====
+The Ystervius (pronounced “Eye-ster-vice”), or Iron Fist, is an organization of secret police, and those who support them, who believe that strict order and discipline is the only way for the world to reach its zenith, and seek to expand their power and dominion throughout Cahyali. The organization is primarily led out of the country of Pthora, but has members all over Cahyali.  Agents of the Ystervius feel that other governments and leaders are incapable of making decisions - or at least the correct decisions. Ultimately, they want to set the rules and bind all people to them.
-To the Ystervius, wealth and political influence is true power. Its agents know that the world and its people are sustained by rivers of silver. Wealth can speak louder than a thousand troubadours. Agents of Ystervius brandish the finest weapons and armor, sparing no expense. When hirers seek out adventurers, the Ystervius provides the best that money can buy, as long as they have the coin, or for exchange of political power.
+To the Ystervius, wealth and political influence is true power. Its agents know that the world and its people are sustained by rivers of gold. Wealth can speak louder than a thousand troubadours. Agents of Ystervius brandish the finest weapons and armor, sparing no expense. When hirers seek out adventurers, the Ystervius provides the best that money can buy, as long as they have the coin, or for exchange of political power. The name of the Ystervius is rarely heard in the world, as they remain tightly secretive and prefer to spread their ideals and enforce their ways through infiltration and espionage.
-The Iron Fist encourages individual drive and ambition, but only when it conforms to its incredibly close-minded ideals. A fine line must be walked between standing out by individual achievement and innovation and keeping one’s head low to keep it on one’s shoulders.
+The Iron Fist encourages individual drive and ambition, but only when it conforms to the ideals of Pthora and its rulers. A fine line must be walked between standing out by individual achievement and innovation and keeping one's head low - to keep it on your shoulders.
-== Leaders ==
+=== Leaders ===
-The leader of the Ystervius is known only as the “Supreme Fist.” Their identity and location are unknown, and they communicate to high ranking members through magical communiqués.
+The high leader of the Ystervius is the leader of the Ember Army, and subsequently all of Pthora.
-== Heraldry ==
+=== Heraldry ===
-A black imprint of a large perched vulture on a stone tower. The background of the heraldry are alternating vertical stripes of ice blue and steel grey, with three stripes of ice blue and two stripes of steel grey.
+A black imprint of a large perched bird of prey on a stone tower. The backdrop is split into vertical thirds, colored ice blue and steel gray.
-== Rivals ==
+===== Cahyali Historical Association =====
-Oxis Alliance, The Cerulean Moon
+An organization of scholars that have come together from across the continent in the interest of collecting and documenting information on Cahyali, from its history to its cultures, myths, and geography. Most Association members hail from Ruefang's College of Mages & Scholars, Ulos' Magic Circle, the Arenti School of Arts, or one of Ley'Ork's many universities. Most information pertaining to Cahyali in this database has been written by the Historical Association.