Factions

There are a few major factions that cut across the Guilds and ships of Flotilla, which any player character can choose to be a part of or at least aligned with.

Lord’s Alliance

The Alliance represents the nobles and leaders from the Old World and their chosen heirs. They have a large amount of money behind them, and an equally large amount of pride. Some of them hold to the code of noblesse oblige and try to organise people to deal with problems that aren’t solvable without coordination. Others are interested in holding on to their prestige or using their wealth to gather more. There are lords who will bankroll their own expeditions in competition with the Seeker’s Guild, and it has been known for them to come into armed conflict with Seekers when they go after the same targets.

Look and Feel

• Fancy clothing - velvet, gold thread, and heraldry.
• Impractical clothing.
• Elegant or decadent.

United Workers

The Union represents the labourers and craftspeople of Flotilla. Their philosophy is that people should muck in and do what they can to help people, and especially contribute their own labour. They take a dim view of management and leadership that doesn’t involve actually doing part of the work. They tend to align themselves with the worshipers of Korr, God of the Physical.

Look and Feel

Union gang. Should give the feeling that they’re willing to break your knees for crossing picket lines.

• Heavy gloves or aprons.
• Weapons that are improvised tools - wrenches, oars, etc.
• Bandanas and goggles.
• Smears of grease or soot.

Preservers of Nature

The Preservers who consider it of paramount importance to keep what survives of greenery and nature alive. They take pains to preserve samples of each tree and plant that survives aboard Flotilla, and lobby for more of the topdeck spaces to be dedicated to green and growing things.

Look and Feel

• Homespun fabrics.
• Flowers, dried or fresh.
• Wooden ornaments.
• Green paint or tattoos, and green accents to clothing.
• Symbols of trees.
• Wooden weapons - staff, bow, club, etc.

Reconstructionist Society

The Society is a group concerned with finding ways to return the quality of life back to how it was before the Cataclysm. No two members seem to quite agree on how to pursue their joint goal - some intend to calm the Great Storm and colonise it, others to build new islands powered by lightning-collectors, still others to capture and tame sky-whales and build upon their backs. They are often thought of as benevolent crackpots. However, they are deadly serious in their purpose, and more than a few vital breakthroughs for shipboard life have come from their efforts. Headed by the Society President and his advisors, termed the Luminaries, they tend to throw their weight behind long-shot projects that have a chance to do great good.

Look and Feel

• Absent-minded professors or earnest charity demagogues.
• Slightly scruffy formal wear with a few bits of protective gear strapped on over it.
• The Society’s symbol is a telescope and timepiece.

Committee for the Immanentization of the Eschaton

The Committee is a not-so-secret secret society within Flotilla. They hold the belief that the Cataclysm heralds the End of Days and that humanity needs to prepare for a final battle to enter Paradise. They are a mix of post-doomsday preppers, military training nuts, and sincere cultists looking for ways to bring about the Last Battle. They are officially considered harmless enough to be left alone, so the guards and Captains don’t tend to crack down on them. They do have some sort of upper leadership, but it’s unclear who they are.

Look and Feel

Normally, no different outward look. They are at least in theory a secret society. Not quite as incompetent as the Elucidated Brethren of the Ebon Night. Face-concealing cowls or robes for secret meetings. Their “secret handshake” is having one’s hand upside down when shaking hands, or presenting a hand with the thumb downwards against one’s torso if you don’t wish to shake hands.

Revellers of the Night

The Revellers are less a group and more a widespread movement, born from the feeling that the world is in an inexorable slide into disaster and they might as well take what pleasure they can in these latter days. They mainly come to the attentions of others when they organise parties in public spaces - or when those parties degenerate into riots. The Church of Psima has officially denounced their excesses, but their individual priests are still regularly found caught up in Reveler events.

Look and Feel

• Obnoxiously raucous partygoers with a nihilistic bent.
• Red and blue clothing or body paint, especially together.
• Face-paint or masquerade masks.

Argent Order

The Argent Order used to be guardians of a vast wasteland called the Voidgrave, before the Cataclysm occurred. They specialised in dealing with all kinds of supernatural terrors, but most especially the undead. The few members of the Order that made it to Flotilla have founded a chapter-house aboard the ship now named the Enduring Oath, and make it their mission to ensure that the knowledge of how to fight these threats is not lost.

Look and Feel

• Paladins.
• Silver and dark blue.
• Skull decorations. (But not eagles.)
• They don’t wear helmets, because it makes it too easy to hide the signs of possession.