Faction Name: Order of the Furnace
Alias: The Forged
Faction Type: Military/Religious Order
Faction Specie(s): Men
Location: Hammer tower is located in the west, Anvil Tower is located in the east, both near the center of either side, parallel.
Faction Religion/Ideology: The Faith of the Furnace is based upon difficulties purifying the soul and body, causing them to become stronger. The greatest conflict is fighting for worthy causes, for not only does it promote goodness, but it is deadly and hard work, refining their souls and forms.
Faction Description: A Holy Order of Knightly mercenaries for hire, though they are picky. They only accept jobs that help the needy, defend justice, or purge evil.
Faction History: Twelve hundred years ago, the All-Forger's messenger appeared before a simple craftsmen, who would later be known as Uriel the Founder. As the legend goes, he lost his home and livelihood to raiders shortly after being told he was to receive a large blessing. The loss of his life's work brewed a harsh fury within him, and he single handedly killed the raiders with his crafting hammer, saving a nearby village. He then received a vision, telling him to travel across the land, to teach that hardship breeds strength. The following centuries, the religion grew a devout and moderate following, the order often going upon 'crusades' with armies they deemed fighting for worthy causes. Plundering foreign lands and traveling taught them many unique things of different cultures, as well as the rare visions the head of the Order would receive from the All-Forger.
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Important Holdings/Territory/Possessions: Hammer and Anvil
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Faction Name:
Scales of Skoth

Alias:

Faction Type:
Mercenary company

Faction Specie(s):
The scales of Skoth are made up primarily of Veeri, a reptilian aquatic species, however not exclusively so. They will accept any ‘outsider’ whom they feel has proven themselves to be capable of joining, however this does not often happen due to their heavy focus on their ocean dwelling nature and the inability of most species to breath underwater (which the scales of Skoth often use it their tactics).

Species Descriptions:
The Veeri are mostly humanoid in appearance, with several major differences. Their skin is scaled and slick, giving them natural armour and ease of motion both in the water and on land. Their heads are reptilian and often feature a number of fins ,frills or horns and a row of sharp fangs to match with their long clawed fingers and teeth (these frills and fins differ from individual to individual, some have them all over their bodies, others just on their heads). Their eyes are murky black and they have difficulty seeing in bright light, their eyes naturally adapted to the relative gloom of the ocean. Similarly they are prone to drying out if away from the water for a substantial period time, becoming weak and feeble within the first 12 hours exposure followed by death, generally over the next 6 hours for even the most resilient of Veeri. They have powerful tails that assist in propelling them through the water at impressive speeds and help them balance when on land.
They can be as intelligent and swift as the best of humans, generally preferring to use cunning and guile over brute strength though this of course differs on an individual basis much like with humans.

Location:
The Scales of Skoth have a base of operations located within the city, however this is simply their front from which to offer their services in exchange for coin or occasionally other goods. It is located along the outskirts of the Bloody Harbour district, a rather uninspiring stone building from the outside. Within its heavy walls there is little light and it is very moist, which is generally attributed to the large pool that dominates the bottom floor of the building. This pool leads below through a lengthy underwater tunnel that opens out into the depths of the harbour itself, with several underground chambers (some flooded, others dry) that branch off from various passages – it is here underwater away from the reach of land-dwelling creatures the majority of the scales live and keep their possessions.

Faction Religion/Ideology:
The Veeri generally worship their own ancestors and clan guardians, the Skoth being one such ‘prestigious’ (at least to other Veeri) clan with its own complex hierarchy of spirits and past family members to venerate and worship. They guard this knowledge and keep it to themselves however, and outwardly appear to most as unaffiliated to any religion – and even seem to despise the majority of the other religions present in New Anathagos.

Faction Description:
The Skoth are a clan of Veeri that over the years have adapted to live and function within the thriving city of New Anathagos, living and working as mercenaries that have gained a fearsome reputation over the last several generations since they moved into the city.

The Scales of Skoth as they are known are somewhat renowned as raiders and hired muscle, their natural affinity for the water and their fearsome combat prowess has garnered them a well-earned reputation (though if crossed or a promise to them remains unfulfilled they have been known to strike back with much spite). When hired and paid they will fight to the death to protect their charge (or rather willing to die to protect the clan’s name, which they honour above all else), they will attack relentlessly, often using guerrilla tactics and sinking ships unless given other specific instructions. They also salvage shipwrecks when possible, knowing that the precious cargos lost are often more than worth the risks – and offer this service to the less aquatically inclined, again for a hefty cut of the booty.

Faction History:
The Skoth clan lived as other Veeri do, amongst the more remote reefs and islands of the Anathagos Route up until several hundred years ago – living a somewhat tribal and arguably unfulfilling existence. When one of the clan’s members disappeared not much thought was given, assuming him eaten or otherwise lost to the depths. He actually had joined with a passing merchant ship before finding himself in New Anathagos, spending the next several years amongst the many humans and other races before eventually returning and defeating the existing Ratu (or chieftain) of the clan in ritual combat, making himself leader before decreeing a relocation for the entire clan. The transition was difficult and laborious, however eventually it was done and the Scales of Skoth became one of the many factions in the city. Establishing their base of operations was lengthy and difficult, especially with their need for water and privacy. They soon had purchased the building they currently occupy before hiring one of the more prestigious and exclusive of masons to excavate the underwater tunnels they desired. It certainly did not come cheap and many Skoth lost their lives salvaging shipwrecks for coin and gems in order to fulfil the always rising costs, also branching out in mercenary work to ensure they would not fall short of the costs required.

Eventually the construction was completed and the deepest most protected chambers were flooded and converted into a hatchery of sorts, where the few females of the clan live and breed. Altogether the clan today is about 20 strong, with an additional 8 female and young that live within their lair.

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