Factions
"Four Pillars Holding the Sky"
The Accord
The Accord functions as the bureaucratic heart and skeletal structure of Lorehaven. They are the lawmakers, the judges, and the tax collectors. Charged with maintaining order within the city walls, the Accord believes that civilization survives only through rigorous structure and adherence to code.
They control the City Watch and the magical infrastructure that keeps the streetlights burning and the water running. To the average citizen, they are the face of safety; to the independent adventurer, they are often seen as stifling overlords obsessed with permits and regulations. Their headquarters, the Grand Citidel, is a fortress of golden stone that stands in stark contrast to the chaotic architecture of the Rift.
The Wardens
If the Accord is the shield of Lorehaven, the Wardens are its sword. A highly disciplined military force with headquarters at the Iron Palace, they are the first line of defense against the horrors that spill from the Rift. They often man the northern outposts and organize the "Rift-Breaker" expeditions — large-scale military incursions designed to push back the boundaries of the chaotic terrain.
The Wardens view the Rift not as a resource or a mystery, but as a threat to be neutralized. They advocate for the conquest of the Rift, a stance that puts them at direct odds with the Syndicate and the Conclave. Their ranks are filled with veterans bearing the scars of planar warfare, and they command the respect of the common people who sleep soundly only because the Wardens stand watch.
The Syndicate
The Syndicate is a collective of merchant princes, guild masters, and privateers who control the vast wealth of Lorehaven. To them, the Rift is the greatest treasure vault in existence. They fund the majority of private adventuring parties, purchasing Rift-touched materials, planar crystals, and exotic beast hides to fuel the city's economy.
While they have no official standing army, their wealth buys them immense influence. From their headquarters at the Obsidian Exchange, they control the markets, the trade routes to the south, and the flow of supplies. The Syndicate believes that Lorehaven should expand into the Rift, establishing mining colonies and harvesting its infinite resources. They are often accused of putting profit before lives, a charge they dismiss as "the cost of progress."
The Conclave
The Conclave is a loose association of wizards, sorcerers, and scholars who have dedicated their lives to understanding the Rift. They view the anomaly not as a monster or a mine, but as a living, breathing entity—perhaps even a god. Their headquarters, the Spire, is a massive white tower that glows with the infusion of magic.
They are the keepers of the lore and accumulated knowledge about the Rift. Without the Conclave, much of the city's magic would be impossible. This monopoly on arcane secrets affords them political leverage. They advocate for the preservation of the Rift, believing that it holds the key to the next age of magic, and are constantly conducting experiments that unnerve the rest of the city.