Line Up

Alignment serves as the moral compass of players and NPCs alike and is a great role playing aid.  

An advancing orc army threatens a village. One way to stop it with little bloodshed is to release a dam and flood the plain they are advancing on. This will destroy the village's crops and make her long term survival difficult. What do you do? Alignment will help you decide how to tackle this problem. Like using a PC's stats to help paint a picture of a character, alignment can provide valuable insight into how he/she might behave in situations you would never face outside of an RPG. 



~ Check out the Alignment Story (From the 2nd edition D&D Player's Handbook) for a good example of alignment in action.

Alignment Test ~  What Color Are You? (Magic) ~

~ Good vs. Evil: According to Magic the Gathering~

GOOD: Alturistic, respect life, and show empathy and concern for the dignity of others. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" They are self sacrificing if it will serve the greater good.

EVIL: Oppresses others with little or no compassion and kill with no qualms if it is suits their needs. Willing to sacrifice others to see their ends met.

NEUTRAL: reluctant killers who seek to spare the innocent, they are not quite ready to make the big sacrifice to protect and help others but won't turn a deaf ear to injustice either. 

~ Law vs. Chaos ~

LAWFUL: tell the truth, keep oaths, respect the law and tradition and seek to judge those who fall short and bring them into line. (Honorable, trustworthy, obedient, and reliable; but also seen as closed-minded and self righteous) Respect the laws and help others do the same. 

CHAOTIC: Follow your own moral compass even if it is sometimes broken, resent authority, and favor out of the box thinking to solve problems. (Flexible, adaptable and free but is also seen as reckless and irresponsible)

NEUTRAL: tend to respect most of the law but also values individual freedom but not to the point of bucking authority or breaking the big laws that hold society together. Generally honest but will tell the white lie if the need arises.

~ Alignment Types ~

Lawful Good: "The Saint" or "Crusader" ~ Lawful good characters hold their personal honor and reputation to be worth more than personal wealth. She respects the laws of the land but would find it difficult to uphold the law or an oath if it would lead to someone being injured or killed. She respects her elders and those in positions of authority. She helps those in need without seeking personal glory protecting the common weal over the needs of the individual.

• Quote: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" (Spock)
• Traits: Friendly, righteous, courteous, reliable, honorable, loyal, helpful, dedicated, law abiding, selfless, benevolent, philanthropist, respectful of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" 
• Examples: Superman, Galahad, Percival, Optimus Prime, Captain America, Daredevil, Spock, Samwise Gamgee, Faramir, Queen Amidala, Yoda
• Magic the Gathering: White ~ 
• Pathfinder: Angel, Dragon (Bronze, Silver, & Gold); Paladins, Crusading Cavaliers, Dwarves... 

Lawful Neutral: "The Judge" or "The Disciplined" ~ This character believes in honor, order, tradition often following a personal code of conduct as well. He will enforce strict laws even if they meant a loved one would be turned over to the law. No one is above the law for society to function and thrive. He might be a soldier who follows his orders without question, a judge who follows the word of the law and the judgements of the past, or a disciplined monk. Personal morals come second to what the law dictates. 

• Quote: "You may ask, how did this tradition get started? I'll tell you... I don't know, but it is a tradition [... and] without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!"
• Traits: Dedicated, obedient, law abiding, reliable, responsible, truthful, orderly, loyal, rigid, neat, methodical, precise, respectful of authority...
• Examples: Boromir, Judge Dread ("I am the Law"), Picard ("The Prime Directive prohibits me from interfering"), Most Jedi Knights, Stormtroopers (just doing their jobs / following orders), Boba Fett (follows the rule of law to bring rebels to justice), Cornelius Fudge (Minister of Magic), Admiral Helena Cain (Battlestar)... 
• Magic the Gathering: Azorius Senate (Blue/White) ~ Boros (White/Red) Organized guild of warriors ~ Semic Combine (Green/Blue)
• Pathfinder: Shaitan, Dwarves 

Lawful Evil: "The Dictator" or "Fiendish" ~ "Might makes right" and the deserving strong deserve to be first ~ These characters respect the laws that benefit themselves and seek to exploit the ones that don't, but generally don't break those laws. She might be a mercenary who usually respects and obeys her superiors and keeps her word but looks for ways to curry favor or step over others for a promotion. They care little for the rights or freedoms of others, they are out to better their own positions or houses. Tyrants, devils, or mercenaries who will take distasteful jobs are good examples of LE characters.

• Quote: "Xavier is my greatest enemy, and perhaps my only friend... but I have waited all my life for this moment!" (Magneto) 
• "With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy. Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. [...] Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son" (Vader- Empire Strikes Back)

• Traits: Fascist, domineering, selfish, power hungry, cruel, vengeful, proud, callous, hostile, malevolent, plotting, merciless, tyrannical, organized, respectful of those more powerful, megalomaniac
• Examples: Hitler, Stalin, Lex Luthor, Magneto, Megatron, Darth Vader, Dr. Doom; Sauron, Jabba the Hutt, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Wolfram & Hart (Angel), The Mayor (Buffy), Rumplestitskin (Once Upon a Time)
• Magic the Gathering: Orzhou Syndicate (White/Black)
• Pathfinder: Devils, Dragon (Blue & Green), Efreeti, Giant (Cloud), Hobgoblin, Wererat, Medusa... 

Neutral Good: "The Benefactor" ~ "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." —Frederick Douglass ~ Guided by conscience and very little by laws and traditions; a neutral good character will cooperate with the law but see themselves as their equals. For them, life comes first and they see it as their duty to respect the life of others: neither the individual nor the group is more important.  If doing the right thing requires bending or breaking the law they don't loose sleep over it as a LG player would.

• Quote: "“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.”(Gandalf to Frodo) 
• Traits: Self reliant, kindly, benevolent, helpful, courteous, kind, respectful, loving, merciful, humane, altruistic, respectful...
• Example: Zorro, Spiderman, Gandalf, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, King Author, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Legolas Greenleaf, Elrond, Arwen, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Mace Windu, Wonder Woman, Will Turner, Frodo, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones
• Magic the Gathering: Selesnya Conclave (Green/White)
• Pathfinder: Angel, Giant (Cloud), Pixie, Pseudodragon, Treant, Gnomes

True Neutral:"On the Fence" ~ "Nature's Alignment" ~ She's the farmer who wants to simply feed her family and stay neutral in a civil war; He's Tony Stark, pre-Iron Man willing to sell his weapons to anyone not caring whose hands they end up in. Most mercenaries without an agenda beyond payment are neutral- serving opposing sides of a conflict depending on that year's contract but staying true to that contract. Mostly a neutral character acts without prejudice or compulsion in any situation. A minority seek to balance the alignments and see it as their role to weed out any particular extreme that has taken hold.

• Quote: "Look, I ain't in this for your revolution, and I'm not in it for you, princess. I expect to be well paid. I'm in it for the money" (Han Solo- Episode IV)
  
• Traits: Diplomatic, judgmental, enigmatic, aloof, distant, self-reliant, even handed, fair, indifferent, impartial
• Example: Conan, Grey Mouser, C-3PO, Lara Croft, Han Solo at the start of Episode IV, Treebeard (LoR)
• Magic the Gathering: Golgari Swarm (Black/Green) ~ Green
• Pathfinder: Animals (Dire, Wild, or Magical), Elementals, Janni, Giant (Stone), Merfolk, Druids

Neutral Evil: "The Lawbreaker" ~ "True Evil" ~ Selfish and in it for themselves, a NE mercenary would switch sides if made a better offer. He's the trained assassin with no regard for society's laws but who doesn't needlessly kill or a henchman plotting behind a superior's back and who might just sell him out if it suited him. NE characters make allies as it suits their needs, casting them aside when it no longer suits their goal or is inconvenient. They won't hesitate to harm others if it furthers their goals but won't go out of their way to cause carnage if there is no benefit in it. She is not bound by honor or tradition nor is she disorganized and needlessly violent making for a lethal mix.

• Quote: "The old world will burn in the fires of industry. A new order will rise. We will drive the machine of war with the sword and the spear and the iron fist of the orc." (Saruman the White)
• Traits: Selfish, domineering, deceitful, aggressive, callous, self reliant, wicked, cruel, depraved, corrupt, immoral, vicious, destructive, megalomaniac
• Example: Saruman the White, The Warlock Lord, Palpatine, Most Sith Lords, Bane (Dark Knight Rises), Mordrid (King Author) 
• Magic the Gathering: House Dimir (Blue/Black) ~ Black
• Pathfinder: Cyclops, Giant (Cloud), Goblins, Lich, Undead, Tiefling

Chaotic Good: "The Cynic" ~ "Rebel" ~ "The ends justify the means" ~ a CG character wants change for the "greater good" and has a healthy dislike for large (LN) bureaucratic organizations that bog down life with their rules and forms. She values personal freedom for herself and others above all else. Her heart is in the right place, but her methods are far outside the box. Plans tend to be sketched out quickly in the dirt. When all else fails, improvise.

• Quote:

  Inara: You're always breaking the rules, no matter which society you're in! You don't get along with ordinary criminals either, which is why you're constantly getting in trouble!

  Mal: You think following the rules will buy you a nice life, even if the rules make you a slave. (Firefly)

• Traits: Vigilante, free spirit, unpredictable, independent, cheerful, optimistic, easy going, carefree, merciful, respectful of personal freedoms
• Example:  Malccom Reynolds (Firefly), Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica), Robin Hood, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, The Incredible Hulk, Green Arrow, Wolverine, R2-D2, Captain Kirk, Batman, Anakin, Elizabeth Swann
• Magic the Gathering: Gruul Clans (Green/Red)
• Pathfinder: Angel, Dragon (Brass & Copper), Dryad, Djinni, Giant (Storm), Nymph, & Unicorn 

Chaotic Neutral: "The Anarchist" ~ "Free Spirit" ~ They are individualists who follow their hearts shirking rules and tradition. Unlike CG characters they regard their personal freedom above all others. The only reliable thing about them is how unreliable they are. They tend to be selfish when it comes to the goals of the group but expect all others to drop what their doing to help them reach theirs although they go about that in a disorganized and unpredictable way.

• Quote: "I’m dishonest and a dishonest man you can trust to be dishonest. honestly its the honest ones you have to watch out for. Its hard to predict when they’ll do something incredibly… stupid" (Jack Sparrow)  
• Traits: Free Spirit, violent, unpredictable, independent, greedy, inconsistent, unpredictable, selfish, disorderly, self-centered, unfettered, free, egotistical  
• Example: Jack Sparrow, Animal (Muppets), tricksters, Loki, Beetlejuice, The Mask, Q (Star Trek), Faith (start of season 3), Puck (Midsummer Night's Dream)... 
• Magic the Gathering: Izzet League (Blue/Red) ~ Red
• Pathfinder: Marid, Satyrs, primordial gods, wild elves...  

Chaotic Evil: "The Destroyer" ~ These malevolent characters care little for anything but themselves and their desires- rules and others matter little unless they further their needs. They resent others telling them what to do and only follow others out of fear. On the flip side, they don't constantly perform evil acts for the sake of causing chaos but do revel in the suffering of others.

• Quote: "Some men just want to watch the world burn" (The Dark Knight)
• "Introduce a little anarchy, upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos" The Joker (The Dark Knight)
• Traits: Aggressive, destructive, violent, deceitful, aggressive, hedonistic, cruel, malicious, uncaring, selfish,  
• Example: Joker, LoR: Balrog, Red Skull (Captain America), Darth Maul, Fenrir Greyback (Harry Potter)... 
• Magic the Gathering: Cult of Rakdos (Black/Red)
• Pathfinder: Bugbear, Chimera, Demons, Dragons (Black, Red, & White), Drow, Giant (Frost, & Hill), Gnoll, Harpy, Hag, Werewolf, Ogre, Orc, Troll, & Vampire

Factions at a Glance

Another layer to what a good RPG can provide are factions: a way to personalize your PC and game world with larger-than-life Schools of Magic to aspire to and Assassin Guilds hired to do you ill. Factions are often either controlled by powerful guilds that operate outside the State or are an important part of it. The following are the major guilds and factions of the Pathfinder (PF) world with links to the Pathfinder Wiki for more details and background information. Other guilds listed without the (PF) stamp are my creations that I have developed over the years.

Major Faction ~ Influence nations and are powers onto themselves with private armies, economies that rival small nations and political pull with the rich and powerful
Regional Faction ~ Control global regions and most people outside of their area of control have heard them mentioned. Like Major Factions, they exert power over several nations and have the wealth to back most ventures.
Minor Faction  ~ Exert control in narrow bands of the world and are seldom heard of outside of the nation they form a part of.

~ ARCANE SCHOOLS ~

Arcanamirium ~ (PF*) Arcane Academy for the Practical Application of Magic

• Alignment: N (seek to provide practical uses for everyday magic at a price)
• Arcane Classes: Alchemist, Bard, Sorcerer, or Wizard
• Ranks: 1: Apprentice; 2-3: Journeyman; 4-5: Maven; 6+: Arcanscenti 
• Region: Main Campus Absalom; Minor schools of testing and learning in the Inner Sea Region  

Guild Mages: Arcanamirium Graduates seek ways to bring magic to the masses- several fields of study at the Arcane Academy allow for this and are listed below. Each of these fields has formed into an Allied Guild to draw practitioners into it upon graduation to fulfill the school's goal of providing practical magical services to the realms, at a price.

• Gleeman Guild: Bards and Illusionists offer their services to fairs, theaters, and royal courts while Alchemists ply their trade through fireworks
• Ratpipers' Guild: Bards who specialize in vermin and pest control through magical means
• Fire Calmers' Guild: specialize in containing and calming fires offering to set up guild branches in major cities for a price
• Title: Firecalmer
• Purgers' Guild: specialize in non-divine healing magic as a secular alternative to divine healing by setting up Guild Hospitals and purifying a city's water supply
• Illuminators' Guild: specialize in lighting cities with magic so as not to endanger the populous with dangerous oil lamps and protect citizens from the dangers of the night.
• Titles: Lampbearers and  Illuminators 
• Lighters' Guild- Oppara (Taldor) guild of lamplighters the Illuminators have been tasked to train

• Couriers' Guild: specialize in delivering messages locally and to far off realms through message and haste spells
• Purifiers' Guild: Hire out as private stewards to households to test and purify food of toxins and oversee the staff and holdings of estates and royal families
• Truthseers' Guild: specialize in Truthsaying in the courts to ensure that not only all speak the truth but are compelled to do so; also assist guardsmen and investigate crimes 
•  Titles: Forensic Sorcerers and Truthseers 

Allied Trade Guilds specialize in a handful of useful spells and run their mundane counterparts 

Benefits & Obligations: 5-10% of monthly earnings (Debt -1/%); Follow all guild customs, rites, and laws; Only Guild Members can buy/sell goods at wholesale costs; Assist other Guild Members with lodging away from their home districts.

~ OTHER ARCANE SCHOOLS of LEARNING ~

• Acadamae  ~ (PF) Center of Arcane Learning in Varisia
• Arcane Classes: Sorcerer or Wizard
• Focus: Conjuration



Golemworks Master Craft Golem

• Location: Korvosa (Varisia)

• Bloatmages ~ (PF) Arcanists who overload their blood system to power their spells through Blood Magic
• Alignment: CN
• Typical Members: Wizard, Witch, Sorcerer, or Summoner
• Region: Kaer Maga (Varisia) 

• Golemworks  ~ (PF) Crafters of Constructs and Golems
• Arcane Classes: Alchemist and Wizard 
• Focus: Transmutation and Craft Skills
• Location: Magnimar (Varisia) 

•  Cypher Lodge ~ (PF) Headquarters of the Order of the Cypher- Cyphermageswho seek to uncover and unlock the mysteries of Varisia's lost past
• Arcane Classes: Sorcerer and Wizard
• Focus: Divination and Transmutation
• Location: Riddleport (Varisia)   

• Stone of the Seers ~ (PF) seek to reveal the mysteries of life and the world
• Arcane Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard, or Oracle 
• Focus: Divination and Abjuration
• Location: Magnimar (Varisia) 

• Twilight Academy ~ (PF) Seek to unlock the power of the harrow deck and traditional ritual magics of the region
• Arcane Classes: Oracle, Sorcerer, Summoner, Witch, or Wizard
• Focus: Universal and Varisian Magic
• Location: Galduria (Varisia) 

Kitharodian Academy Student

• Kitharodian Academy ~ (PF*) Greatest Bardic College in Oppara and Grandest in the World
• Alignment: LN
• Typical Members: Bard, Rogue, or Wizard
• Region: Taldor
• Trains Taldor's cadre of spies, the Lion Blades, who serve as assassins and spies for the kingdom 

 

~ MUNDANE SCHOOLS ~

• Pathfinder Society ~ (PF) In addition to running the Society of explorers, the Pathfinders maintain a school at the Grand Lodge in Absalom

• Memory Houses ~ Secular centers of higher learning to train scholars in all fields and philosophies as scribes, scholars, lawyers, consultants, and accountants 
• Titles: Thaumatological Scholar,  Consulting Mage, "Bluestockings" (Memory Houses for women only), or Maester (teachers in noble households and royal courts)  

~ TRADE / COMMERCE / EXPLORATION ~

Aspis Consortium Trade Ship

• Aspis Consortium ~ (PF*) Chelish Trade Syndicate of merchants and non-landed nobles- They have access to their own private army, merchant fleets, and tens of millions of gold pieces. 
• Alignment: NE (in for profit and personal gain; manipulate markets and rivals to further their ends)
• Typical Members: Fighter, Rogue, Sorcerer, or Wizard
• Ranks: Bronze, Silver, & Gold Agents
• Region: Global with regional centers of power lead by Gold Agents; Headquarters: Ostenso  

• Darklight Sisterhood ~ (PF) Chelaxian guild that seeks to undercut and undermine the Pathfinders in their search for knowledge, relics, and artifacts and acts as government spies in country and in Chelaxian holdings
• Alignment: LN
• Typical Members: Female Rogues, Bards, Fighters, and Sorcerers 
• Region: Global with headquarters in Cheliax

• Free Captains / Shackles Pirates ~ (PF*) Organized Pirate Nation-State of the Shackles

  

  Pirate Lord

• Aligenment: CN - individual captains rule as Pirate Lords or Free Captains but all sail under the rule of the Hurricane King
• Typical Members: Barbarian, Rogue, Fighter, Sorcerer, or Gunslinger
• Religion: Besmara "The Pirate Queen"
• Region: Shackles (Port Peril) and coastal regions of the Inner Sea

• Pathfinder Society ~ (PF*) 400+ year old society of historians, tomb raiders, and explorers who seek out strange unexplored regions, unseen tribes, and new civilizations- who boldly go where no elf, dwarf or human has gone before...
• Alignment: N - goal is to stay apolitical so as not to close any borders to their organization. RULES:
• Explore- regions untouched or delve into the past to uncover hidden truths
• Report- record adventures/findings in journals along with detailed maps
• Cooperate with other members or stay out of their way
• Typical Members: Bard, Rogue, Fighter, Wizard, Sorcerer, or Ranger
• Ranks: Venture-Captains (run local lodges and are active members of their communities); Field Agents (general term for Pathfinder Explorers); Governing Council (10 members called the Decemvirate) 



Prophet of Kalistrade

• Region: Absalom (location of the Grand Lodge); several smaller lodges exist in most regions of the world.    

• Prophets of Kalistrade ~ (PF*) Followers of a strict set of secular prophecies dealing with wealth and rule; they are consummate traders and diplomats who seek to acquire power through personal wealth.
• Alignment: LN - All else is below the primary goal of gaining wealth, but laws, however strict, help to maintain that wealth. They run banks that loan out money at a price...
• Members prefer the services of debt-bound servants to other forms of payment- most debts last 1-2 years.
• Typical Members: Bard, Rogue, Wizard, or Sorcerer
• Enforcers: Mercenary League- "Blackjackets" protect Druma and the Prophets as the principal military order of the realm. 
• Region: The Gilded Vault in Kerse (Capitol of Druma); Regional trade 

Shearwater Rider

• Shearwater Guild ~ Messengers and tradesmen who ply the coastal regions of the world on giant albatrosses known for their swiftness and discretion.
• Alignment: LN - tend to hire out as scouts and messengers to navies and coastal kingdoms
• Typical Members: Bard, Ranger, Rogue, or Sorcerer
• Region: Absalom and the Inner Sea Coastal regions

• Varisian Wanderers ~ (PF*) wanderers of Varisia and the Inner Sea for the last 5,000 years, the Varisians are a people without home.
• Alignment: CN- family and clan are at the center of Varisian life as are elders and Harrowers (advisor, teacher, and lawgiver) 
• Typical Members: Bravos:"Charlatan; Knife Master; Rake" Rogue, Fighter (Cad); Fortune-Tellers: Bard, "Tattooed" Sorcerer, or Witch; Kapenia Dancer (Magus Archetype)   
• Prestige Class: Harrower 
• Region: Varisia and Magnimar (Spring gathering place for more than 1,000 years)

~ MERCENARY ORGANIZATIONS ~

• Aleuriers’ Guild ~ Entertainers and Glamour Girls of the wealthy, most of its founders are graduates of the Arcanamirium but formed their own guild and now only answer to their clients and themselves. Specialize in dreamsending and espionage (breaking into the dreams of their targets to extract secrets) and implanting ideas into the minds of others.
• Alignment: N
• Typical Members: Wizards (Illusionists and Enchanters); Sorcerers, Witches, Alchemists, and Bards
  
• Region: Cheliax and Inner Sea regions

• Bellflower Network ~ (PF*) Slave Emancipators seeking to free enslaved halflings in Cheliax
• Alignment: CG
• Typical Members: Bard, Cleric, Paladin, Ranger, or Rogue
• Region: Cheliax 

• Bloodstone Swords ~ (PF*) Mercenary group seeking to do as little harm to the common folk as possible
• Alignment: N (refuse to hold slaves, obstruct travel, or break an oath freely given)
• Typical Members: Fighter, Ranger, or Rogue 
• Current Members: 200 soldiers and support staff
• Region: River Kingdoms (small offices in Andoran, Druma, Nirmathas, Lastwall, and Taldor)

• Ninth Battalion ~ (PF*) Mercenary Dwarven defenders who answer distant dwarven clan's calls to aid
• Alignment: LG (answer calls for assistance across the realms to dwarven clans in need)
• Typical Members: Dwarven ~ Bards, Cavaliers, Clerics, Fighters, Paladins, Rangers, and Rogues; nondwarves can join but can't rise too far in the ranks.
• Region: Maintain small pockets of members in various fortresses in Avistan; Primary stronghold- Earth Axle

• Sea Dragons ~ (PF) Mercenary company with 20 warships and 80 merchant ships that loan out their services to merchants but are beholden to no nation.
• Alignment: LN (followers of Abadar God of Law, Wealth, and Merchants)
• Typical Members: Experts, Fighters, Rogues, Sorcerers, and Clerics
• Region: Inner Sea Region with headquarters in Absalom 

• Ulfen Guard ~  (PF*) Mercenary Royal Guards- Currently employed by the Grand Prince of the Royal Court of Taldor
• Alignment: N- the Guard care for the sanctity of their oath and the protection of their ward but little else frequently breaking Imperial Law in pursuit of would-be assassins. 
• Typical Members: Humans of full or half Ulfen blood- Barbarians, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Summoner, or Sorcerer
• Region: Taldor (20 Guardsmen are with the Grand Prince at all times) while other scout out potential threats to the crown

~ MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS / KNIGHTLY ORDERS ~

• Eagle Knights ~ (PF*) Andoran Ambassadors of good devoted to freedom, liberty and justice
• Alignment: NG / LG (overthrow tyrants, slavers, and pirates where they grow

  

  Eagle Knight Commander of the Golden Legion

  thickest)
• Typical Members: Bard, Cavalier, Fighter, Paladin, or Ranger
• Branches
• Golden Legion- protect the homeland
• Steel Falcons- free slaves and serve as ambassadors to stop kingdoms from trading in them
• Twilight Talons- Assassinate slave ring leaders; serve as spies to protect Andoran from her enemies, and sabotage them as needed
• Ranks: Lance Corporal; Captain; Major; Knight of Andoran; Commander
• Region: Andoran
• Opposed: Cheliax, Taldor, and other regions not along the border of Lake Encarthan

•  Hellknights ~ (PF*) Knights of the Law in Cheliax- seeking order, discipline, and mercilessness and enforce their code of justice "The Measure and the Chain"

  

  Hellknight of the Order of the Coil

• Alignment: LN / LE
• Typical Members: Cleric, Cavalier, Fighter, Paladin, or Inquisitors; Sorcerer or Wizard
• Prestige Class: Hellknight
• Related Orders: Sisters of the Golden Erinyes
• Rank: 
• Soldier: Armiger (Squire), Hellknight, Marakictor (Mid-level), Paralictor (High-Ranking), Master/Mistress of Blades (Marshall Commander)
• Spellcaster: Signifer (Arcane/Divine), Marakicto, Paralictor
• Region: Cheliax and other realms
• Major Orders: each is lead by its own Lictor (general) or Vicarius (Scholar Leader)
• Order of the Chain- return fugitive slaves and escaped convicts to their rightful place- The meek are the stepping stones of the powerful, might makes right (LE)
• Order of the Gate- Deal and bargain with otherworlders and collect knowledge and secrets of its realms (LE)
• Order of the Godclaw- Draws its doctrine from the 5 Lawful gods and are religiously fervent as they try to set the world down their path of righteousness (LE)
• Order of the Nail- Headquarters outside of Cheliax, near Korvosa-Hunters of brigands and crusaders against slavery and sometimes serve as law enforcement. (LN)
• Order of the Pyre- Seek out witches, shamans, summoners, and cults to stamp them out as they contaminate the virtues of the world (LN)
• Order of the Rack- Seek out dangerous knowledge and cleanse the world of it before it can corrupt it (LN)
• Order of the Scourge- Seek to bring justice to the lawless many and remind them that no crime goes unpunished (LN) Focused on organized crime syndicates.
• Minor Orders: each is lead by its own Lictor (general) or Vicarius (Scholar Leader)
• Order of the Pike- hunt monsters who plague civilized lands (LN)
• Order of the Scar- seek out assassins and murderers to bring them to justice (LN)
• Order of the Coil- seek to bring civilization to the barbaric reaches of the world or tame them so they don't contaminate the outside world (LN)  

• Knights of Ozem ~  (PF) Military Order of the goddess Iomedae, they insure the Worldwound is protected.
• Alignment: LG
• Typical Members: Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, or Cavalier
• Prestige Class: Low Templar
• Region: Vigil, Lastwall

• Kusari-Gama ~ (PF*) Martial Arts training schools seeking to create the perfect warrior in preparation for the end of days. 
  
• Alignment: LN (requires dedication to training and rigorous discipline
• Typical Members: Monk, Cleric, Fighter, or Oracle  
• Region: Global pockets or hidden clans; Tian Xia (origin)  

• Mendev Crusaders ~ (PF*) Mendev crusaders who seek out demonic threats to both kingdom and world. Frequently venture into the Worldwound to stamp out demonic incursions and lead by the realms monarch, Queen Galfrey. 
• Alignment: LG (crusade in areas known for strong demonic presence and build fortresses along demonic borders to prevent their spread) 
• Typical Members: Cleric, Fighter, Inquisitor, Paladin, or Ranger
• Prestige Class: Low Templar
• Region: Mendev; border town of Kenabres serves as a meeting place prior to most crusades 

• Risen Guard ~ (PF*) Risen dead who serve the rulers of Osirion, the Forthbringers, and the Ruby Prince.

  

  Risen Guard of the Ruby Prince

• Alignment: LN - they follow the rule of the Ruby Prince and as his word is law, they obey him above all else. 
• Typical Members: Risen dead- Fighter, Monk, or Rogue
• Region: Osirion ~ 2 dozen travel with the Ruby Prince where ever he treads 

~ Other Orders ~

• Blackravens ~ (PF) Ulfen defenders of the north
• First Guard ~ (PF) Absalom defenders, protecting and quelling threats to the kingdom
• Sable Company ~ (PF) Hippogriff Riders and protectors of Korvosa

~ RELIGIOUS & MYSTIC ORGANIZATIONS ~

•  Blackfire Adepts ~ (PF) Mystics and Arcane Experts who explore the Outer Rifts through holes in the fabric of the world. 
• Alignment: N - Members tend to infiltrate other organizations such as the Pathfinders to use their wealth to explore these outer realms
• Typical Members: Alchemist, Rogue, Fighter, Sorcerer, Wizard, Witch, Summoner, or Oracle 
• Region: Former rulers of Nex before being exiled in the Age of Enthronement to the corners of the world

• Church of Razmir ~ (PF*) Seek to further the machinations of The Living God

  

  Razmir Cultist

• Alignment: Lawful Evil (undermine other religions, seek to be the power behind rulers)
• Typical Members: Alchemist, Bard, Inquisitors, Monk, Oracle, or Rogue
• Region: Lake Encarthan / River Kingdoms

• Eldritch of the Palatine Eye ~ (PF) Mysterious order who stand against the Whispering Way and defeated Kazavon, Blue Dragon Lord of Scarwall
• Alignment: LN - deal in political and arcane matters of state
• Typical Members: Alchemist, Bard, Inquisitors, Monk, Oracle, or Rogue
• Region: Ustalav 

• Green Faith ~ (PF*) "The Old Faith" "The Great Eld" or "The Wyrd" Seeks to restore and maintain the natural balance of the world
• Alignment: N (culls the weeds of the world that threaten to choke it while cultivating that which is in harmony with the natural world)
• Typical Members: Barbarian, Bard, Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer (Fey Bloodline), Summoner, or Witch
• Ranks: Druid, Arch Druid (3 serve under a regions Great Druid), Great Druid (1 per major wooded area), Grand Druid (1)
• Region: Global (strong congregations in Fangwood, the Verduran Forest, and the Mwangi Expanse (sacred pools, standing stones, and stone circles are its places of worship)

• The Harbingers ~ (PF) Founded 60 years ago by followers of Aroden, they believe the world that exists is an alternate reality that should never have been
• Alignment: CN - Lead by Lady Arodeth, the founder's daughter, the cult seeks to set the world to rights and restore it to its former path before the Age of Lost Omens
• Typical Members: Alchemist, Oracle, Witch, Sorcerer, Summoner, or Rogue
• Region: Absalom

• Old Cults ~ (PF*) Seek to ready the world for the coming of the Great Old Ones- primordial gods of great power- by finding lost knowledge and artifacts that sealed them away
• Alignment: CE ~ restore the world to its former state of chaos and entropy as it existed before the taint of man set in
• Typical Members: Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Witch, Wizard, Summoner, or Oracle 
• Splinter Groups: Night Heralds- mages seeking to summon powers from the Dark Tapestry
• Region: Pockets of Old Cults exist throughout the world but seldom interact 

• Religious Factions ~ (PF*) Cults and Churches devoted to the tenants of the various gods of the Pathfinder World.

  

  Druid of the Green Faith

• Alignments: Varies by deity
• Typical Members: Clerics, Oracles, Paladins, or Inquisitors
• Goals: Convert followers and maintain existing ones
• Eliminate opposing deities and religions 
• Promote deity's area of influence
• Operate schools of learning, both secular and religious to promote the deity 

• Riftwardens ~ (PF) Sworn enemies of the Blackfire Adepts who seek to close the rifts to the Outer Rifts
• Alignment: Unknown
• Typical Members: Rogue, Fighter, Sorcerer, Wizard, Witch, Summoner, or Oracle 
• Region: Outer Realms / Great Beyond

• Whispering Way ~ (PF*) Religion that seeks perfection in Undeath
• Alignment: NE- infiltrate and spread their faith from within centers of knowledge to corrupt them into following their ways; other factions seek to unseal Tar-Baphon the Lich King
• Typical Members: Cleric, Fighter, Wizard (Necromancer), Witch, Sorcerer, or Summoner 
• Night Harrows Cell of adventures
• Region: Global with their headquarters at the Gallowspire

~ SHADOW ORGANIZATIONS: THIEVES GUILDS / ASSASSINS ~

~ Thieves Guilds ~

Guild Size: An average of 500 people (+/- 100 to reflect a poorer/richer population) per professional rogue is necessary to support/cover the activities of a Guild.  

Village:100-1000 (2); Manorialism:1000-2500 (2-5); Town: 1000-5000 (2-10); City: 5000-100,000 (10-200); Imperial City: 100,000-1 million (200-2,000) 

Court of the Rogue: Rules over the law-breaking population of a kingdom/city. A new Rogue is chosen by combat—anyone may challenge, but must have backing to stay the Rogue. Assisted by District Chiefs (Enforcers; Rushers; Fronts; Scales; Fences; Foists) Guild Tax: 10-15% (member fee/protection money per month); District Chief: 5%; Rogue takes 10% per District. 

Fronts: Teamster Service—ships stolen goods to fences out of the area. Charge: 10% of take; Shipowners—smuggles/transports goods to specific buyers; gets wanted men out of city; Servant Agencies—Hire out to well-to-do homes and provide inside info for a fee to later blackmail/rob owner; Locksmiths, Dealers in Second-hand Goods; Jewelers; Bordels; Gambling Dens; Inns; Taverns; Pubs; Guild Halls

(PF) Thieves Guilds :

• Bloody Barbers: Operate in the city of Absalom
• Local Criminal syndicate
• Brotherhood of Silence: headquarters located in Oppara's Crownsgate district
• Largest Guild in the Inner Sea Region
• Cerulean Society: Operate in the Varisian city-state of Korvosa
• Small local Guild 
• Council of Thieves: Well known Chelish guild located in the city of Westcrown
• Large regional guild
• Gallowed: gang of Sczarni thugs in Rag's End District of Magnimar. Work as hired muscles for the Shore District's notorious slum lord
• Small local Guild
• Gargoyles: Thieves Guild of Magnimar who see themselves above the common riff-raff as they specialize in cat burglary 
• Kortos Consortium- Merchant Guild in Absalom and Diodel that fronts as a crime syndicate running contraband in the Inner Sea
• Night Scales: LE Thieves Guild of Magnimar who specialize in petty theft, extortion and smuggling avoiding districts that the Gargoyles claim. 
• Pirate Pact: a protection racket on the Sellen River in the Riverkingdoms
• Rivermen's Guild: Sargava River lords out of Port Freedom run an unofficial Thieves Guild
• Thin Wisps: Only authorized thieves' guild in Corentyn (Cheliax), paying taxes and percentages to the city just like all the other guilds; Halfling run and operated 
• Wasp Queens: Elite Mercenary Rogues for hire based in Kyonin; Allows only female elves and half-elves into the fold and following the teachings of Calistria
• Operate across Avistan

• Sczarni ~ (PF) Varisian bandits, smugglers, thieves, and rakes who form local gangs or larger crime families
• Alignment: CN - they tend to target non-Varisian marks and focus on scams, pickpocketing, cons, and mugging.
• Typical Members: Varisian Rogues, Fighters, or Sorcerers



Lantern Bearer

• Region: Varisia 

  ~ Assassin & Bounty Hunter Guilds ~

• Daggermark Assassin Guild ~ (PF) 300 year old Assassin & 90 year old Poisoner's Guild in the renamed town of Daggermark
• Alignment: LE - National Assassin Guild will target anyone for a price except for members of the military
• Typical Members: Rogue, Monk, or Alchemist
• Region: Avistan in the River Kingdoms 

• Lantern Bearers ~ (PF*) "Shin'Rakorath" Elven hunters of their twisted Drow cousins who seek to eradicate them from the surface and keep their existence a secret out of shame.
• Alignment: NG
• Typical Members: Elven and half-elven Rangers, Druids, Sorcerers, or Wizards
• Founded: The Winter Council
• Region: Independent groups linked by Elf Gates 
• Avennara, in Kyonin is a favorite meeting place

• Red Mantis Assassins ~ (PF*) the most feared & notorious assassins in the Inner Sea and a religious organization worshiping the Mantis God Achaekek.

  

  Red Mantis Vernai Assassin

• Alignment: LE - while money does exchange hands at the signing of a contract, the Red Mantis see their missions as a form of worship.
• May not kill a rightful ruler but all others are fair game
• Typical Members: Bard, Fighter, Rogue, or Sorcerer
• Prestige Class: Red Mantis Assassin
• Rank: Vernai "High Killers" and Assassin Lords of the Red Mantis (typically female numbering around 13 members); Lead by the Blood Mistress
• Region: Headquarters- Ilizmagorti (front to interact with the world); the Crimson Citadel lies hidden from the outside world; every major city houses a secret guild location and several safe houses.

~ Master of Whispers: Kingdom's Spymasters ~

• Lion Blades ~  (PF*) Taldor's cadre of spies serve as assassins and spies for the kingdom
• Alignment: N (keep corruption at bay withing the kingdom and fight her enemies abroad)
• Typical Members: Alchemist, Bard, Rogue, Sorcerer, or Wizard
• Region: Taldor
• Trains potential members from the Kitharodian Academy at their hidden Shadow Schools