Factions

The Bureau of Unusual Affairs is a clandestine government agency within the Colonial Alliance, dedicated to investigating and managing the strange, the uncanny, and the outright impossible. Its origins lie in the aftermath of the Psionic Holocaust of 2,450—a cataclysm that unleashed untold chaos across Elysium and left scars on both the world and its people. In response to the unpredictable emergence of individuals with astonishing, often uncontrollable abilities, the Bureau was quietly established to confront the new threats lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.

Mission and Mandate

Officially, the Bureau does not exist. Its activities and findings are classified at the highest levels, its agents operating in the shadows to ensure that the unsettling truths they uncover never reach the general populace. The guiding philosophy is simple: knowledge of the myriad dangers stalking Elysium’s wilds and cities alike would do more harm than good, potentially inciting panic or despair. Thus, the Bureau’s first line of defense is secrecy.

The Bureau’s remit is vast. Its Custodians—agents selected for their resilience, resourcefulness, and discretion—are dispatched to investigate reports of psionic phenomena, anomalous technology from the High Tech past, and encounters with creatures that defy natural law. Their work is equal parts investigation, containment, and cover-up, as they labor to protect not only lives, but also the fragile sense of order and normalcy that sustains society.

A World of Hidden Threats

Elysium is a world where the past and present collide: relics of a forgotten, advanced civilization are coveted by those who seek to wield their power or replicate it using nascent Steam technology. The planet’s uncharted regions teem with bizarre lifeforms—some merely strange, others lethally hostile. Every day brings new mysteries, from unexplained phenomena that some consider magic to outbreaks of psionic anomalies, all demanding the Bureau’s intervention.

The greatest of these mysteries is The Event, a reality-changing occurrence that remains shrouded in speculation and fear. The Bureau’s leadership considers unraveling its secrets to be their most urgent and sensitive priority, believing that understanding The Event is key to safeguarding Elysium’s future.

Custodians: The Bureau’s Silent Sentinels

Bureau agents, codenamed Custodians, are the Alliance’s unseen guardians. They combine scientific expertise with investigative acumen and the ability to operate under extreme conditions of secrecy. Whether tracking rogue psionics, neutralizing ancient artifacts before they can fall into the wrong hands, or engaging with monstrous threats from Elysium’s unexplored frontiers, Custodians are trained to resolve situations swiftly and quietly.

Discretion is paramount. Custodians employ elaborate cover stories, erase troubling evidence, and sometimes even resort to memory-altering techniques to ensure the truth remains hidden. The Bureau’s presence is rarely acknowledged, but rumors of its interventions persist—stories of government “fixers” who arrive unannounced and leave behind resolved crises and blank spaces in official records.

Safeguarding More Than Lives

The Bureau of Unusual Affairs exists not only to protect the Colonial Alliance from physical dangers but also to shield its citizens from the existential dread that knowledge of such threats would bring. In a world still recovering from disaster, the illusion of safety is as vital as safety itself. Through secrecy and sacrifice, the Bureau works tirelessly to ensure that, for most people, the extraordinary remains the stuff of rumor and legend—while the true horrors are quietly and efficiently kept at bay.

The Cypher Assembly is an infamous and shadowy criminal syndicate operating out of the opulent heart of Aoudaghost, the bustling capital of Kalahari. Led by the enigmatic and ruthless Sheikh Asad el-Khan—a merchant whose legitimate dealings are matched only by his underworld influence—the Assembly has become synonymous with intrigue, power, and the art of illicit enterprise.

Origins and Organization

The Assembly was born in the labyrinthine bazaars and back-alleys of Aoudaghost, where fortunes rise and fall with the shifting sands of commerce. Originally a loose coalition of smugglers, fences, and black marketeers, the Cypher Assembly was unified under Sheikh Asad el-Khan’s charismatic leadership. Under his reign, the organization grew from a collection of rival gangs into a disciplined and far-reaching syndicate, its operations cloaked in secrecy and cunning.

The Assembly’s name is whispered in fear and awe throughout the city, for it is said that nothing of value changes hands in Aoudaghost without their knowledge or approval. Their influence reaches from the bustling All Merchants Square to the shadowy corners of the Kalahari Aerodrome, and even into the hallowed halls of Al-Jahiz University, where information is as valuable as gold.

Criminal Activities

The Cypher Assembly’s operations are as varied and sophisticated as the wares traded in Aoudaghost’s legendary markets. Their core enterprises include:

• Smuggling and Black Market Trade: The Assembly’s network controls the flow of contraband—rare spices, prohibited relics, exotic animals, weapons, and forbidden texts—across borders and oceans, evading authorities with practiced ease.
• Racketeering and Protection: Local merchants, from humble stall-owners to wealthy trading houses, often find themselves “protected” by the Assembly for a price. Those who refuse may find their fortunes suddenly reversed.
• Espionage and Information Brokering: In a city where knowledge is power, the Assembly’s spies and informants gather secrets for sale or blackmail, manipulating the political and economic currents of Kalahari and beyond.
• Assassination and Sabotage: When negotiation fails, the Assembly employs more direct measures. Their agents—masters of disguise and deception—are responsible for a string of unsolved crimes, from mysterious deaths to devastating acts of arson or theft.

Structure and Secrecy

The Assembly operates as a tightly-knit hierarchy, with Sheikh Asad el-Khan at its apex. Beneath him are trusted lieutenants—each responsible for a different aspect of the syndicate’s operations, from finance and logistics to intelligence and enforcement. Lower ranks are organized into cells, each knowing only enough to serve its purpose, ensuring that betrayal or infiltration rarely threatens the whole.

Communication within the Assembly is conducted through coded messages, secret handshakes, and clandestine rendezvous, earning them the “Cypher” moniker. Even the city’s most vigilant authorities struggle to penetrate their network, often finding themselves outwitted or outbid.

Influence and Reputation

While the Assembly’s heart beats in Aoudaghost, its veins stretch across the world. Trusted agents handle business in far-off ports, foreign capitals, and remote outposts, making the Cypher Assembly a global force in the criminal underworld. Their reach is so extensive that some say the Assembly’s shadow falls wherever Kalaharian goods are traded.

The government of Kalahari, with its severe punishments and gladiatorial justice, often turns a blind eye to the Assembly’s activities—so long as the right palms are greased and no open challenge to the Caliph’s authority is made. In this climate, the Assembly thrives, exploiting the city’s extreme wealth disparities and the capitalistic virtues that drive Kalaharian society.

Legacy and Leadership

Sheikh Asad el-Khan is both respected and feared, his public persona as a generous patron masking the iron will and cunning that maintain his grip on the Assembly. Under his rule, the organization has become a fixture of Aoudaghost’s underworld—its schemes as complex and dazzling as the city’s famed markets.

To cross the Cypher Assembly is to risk ruin, exile, or a grim fate in Jahannam Stadium. Yet, for those willing to pay the price or serve its interests, the Assembly offers pathways to riches and influence that few other organizations can match.

Origins and Founding Ideals

Activities and Expeditions

Membership and Culture

Reputation and Influence

The Ruritanian Imperial Ministry of Security—colloquially known as “The Emperor’s Presence”—is the shadowy arm of Ruritania’s might, a formidable intelligence agency whose influence reaches from the gilded halls of the imperial court to the farthest reaches of foreign lands. Charged with protecting and securing the interests of the Ruritanian Empire, the Presence is as much a symbol of imperial authority as it is an active force, operating with unwavering loyalty to the Emperor above all else.

Mandate and Structure

At its core, the Ministry of Security serves as the Emperor’s invisible hand, tasked with rooting out dissent, monitoring potential subversives, and ensuring that the machinery of state runs without interference from traitors or foreign agents. The agency’s reach is absolute within Ruritania: from commoners to nobility, no one is beyond its surveillance or above its questioning—save for the Emperor himself. The Presence operates through a vast network of informants, secret police, and covert operatives, ensuring that loyalty is both expected and enforced at every level of society.

Domestic Operations: The Emperor’s Watchful Gaze

Domestically, the Presence is ever-vigilant. They infiltrate salons, guilds, and even religious institutions, listening for whispers of rebellion or discontent. Their methods are as varied as they are effective—ranging from subtle manipulation and persuasion to open intimidation and detainment. The mere rumor of an investigation by the Presence is enough to silence most critics; the knowledge that one could be watched at any time breeds a culture of caution, if not outright fear, throughout Ruritania.

High-ranking officials, wealthy industrialists, and even members of the imperial family know that their actions are subject to scrutiny. The Presence conducts regular audits, secret tribunals, and surprise interrogations, maintaining an atmosphere where disloyalty is perilous and absolute obedience is the only safe course.

International Operations: The Emperor’s Reach

Beyond Ruritania’s borders, the Presence operates with daring and cunning. The agency’s foreign operatives—known as the Imperial Arbiters, but far more infamous by their nickname, the Widowmen—are trained in the arts of espionage, infiltration, and subterfuge. They gather intelligence, foment unrest among enemy nations, and, when necessary, resort to sabotage, assassination, or theft to advance Ruritanian interests.

Their reputation is both legendary and terrifying. In the shadowy world of international intrigue, the Widowmen are whispered about with a mix of awe and dread. Rival governments fear their presence, diplomats watch their backs, and traitors know that escape is nearly impossible. The Widowmen’s methods are ruthless, their loyalty to the Emperor unquestionable, and their success rate chillingly high.

Culture and Reputation

To the Ruritanian populace, the Ministry is a source of both security and anxiety. While many believe that the Emperor’s Presence keeps the peace and upholds order, others live in quiet fear of attracting their attention. Tales of midnight arrests, mysterious disappearances, and spies lurking in every crowd are common in Ruritanian folklore.

Within the agency, discipline is strict and training is relentless. Imperial Arbiters are selected for their cunning, resolve, and utter commitment to the Emperor’s will. They are sworn to secrecy and bound by an oath that supersedes all other loyalties.

Unseen, Unmatched, Unyielding

The Emperor’s Presence stands as both the shield and the dagger of the Ruritanian Empire. Through vigilance, fear, and decisive action, they safeguard the Emperor’s throne and ensure that Ruritania’s enemies—whether within or beyond its borders—never sleep easily.

The Order of Servitude is a revered monastic brotherhood with deep roots in the spiritual and martial traditions of Old Earth’s African heritage. Founded in the aftermath of The Event, the Order arose in the city of Houssa—a place renowned for its harmony with nature and its commitment to the nourishment of body, mind, and spirit. Inspired by ancient philosophies and martial arts such as Dambe and Capoeira Angola, the monks of the Order have developed unique disciplines that blend meditation, physical mastery, and selfless service.

Origins and Philosophy

The Order’s doctrine is built on the belief that true enlightenment is achieved through the union of a disciplined mind, resilient body, and a spirit dedicated to service. Members see themselves as humble vessels, dedicating their lives to aiding others, alleviating suffering, and defending the innocent. Martial arts are not simply a means of combat but a form of moving meditation—a path to inner peace and spiritual awakening.

Central to their practice is the concept of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” The monks believe that their own growth and enlightenment are inseparable from the well-being of the communities they serve. Training in the Order combines rigorous physical exercise, martial discipline, and deep study of philosophy, herbalism, and the natural sciences. Their martial style, inspired by African traditions, emphasizes fluidity, adaptability, and the use of the environment itself as a partner in both defense and healing.

Wayfarers and Servants

The Order’s monks are known as Wayfarers of Servitude. They travel throughout Elysium—and even Erebus—offering aid, guidance, and protection wherever they go. They seek out those in need, mediate disputes, provide healing with their knowledge of local flora, and teach self-defense to the vulnerable. Wayfarers are often found working alongside scholars, explorers, and healers, especially in untamed or troubled lands.

The Sanctuary of Osanyin and the Houssa Temple

The heart of the Order is its temple in Houssa, located alongside the Sanctuary of Osanyin—a renowned center for education and spiritual growth. Here, new initiates are trained not only in martial arts and meditation but also in the study of nature, herbal medicine, and the wisdom traditions of their ancestors. The temple is a place of peace and refuge for travelers, the sick, and the lost, embodying the Order’s values of humility, discipline, and compassion.

Leadership and Legacy

Brother Isago Baruti, the current head of the Order, is widely respected for his humility, wisdom, and formidable martial prowess. Under his guidance, the Order has deepened its commitment to service and has become a symbol of hope and stability in a world often riven by conflict and uncertainty.

Culture and Reputation

The monks of the Order of Servitude are recognized by their simple robes, beaded bracelets, and the staff or walking stick each carries—a symbol of their journey and readiness to aid others. Their reputation for fairness, restraint, and wisdom precedes them, and many rulers and communities welcome their presence, seeking their counsel in matters both spiritual and mundane.

Influence and Role

While the Order shuns political power, their influence is felt across Elysium and Erebus. Their teachings on peace, resilience, and harmonious living inspire those they encounter, and their acts of service have saved countless lives. In times of crisis, the Order’s Wayfarers have been known to stand against tyranny, protect the weak, and remind all of the enduring strength found in humility and compassion.

The Pharos Technological Society stands as one of the most influential and controversial intellectual organizations of the Elysian Age of Enlightenment. Founded in the fervor of renewed scientific curiosity and technological ambition, the Society quickly became a beacon—both literally and metaphorically—for those dedicated to unlocking the secrets of Elysium’s past and advancing its future.

Origins and Mission

Born in the early decades of the Enlightenment, the Society’s founders were a diverse assembly of pioneering scientists, engineers, explorers, and philosophers. United by a shared fascination with the relics of the vanished High-Tech era, they named their organization “Pharos” after the legendary lighthouse—symbolizing not only illumination and guidance, but also the pursuit of knowledge in a world still partly shrouded in ignorance.

The Society’s stated goals are threefold:

1. Rediscover Lost Knowledge: Delve into ancient ruins, decipher forgotten archives, and recover the wisdom of Elysium’s forebears.
2. Reverse-Engineer High-Tech Artifacts: Study and, where possible, replicate the advanced technologies left behind, in hopes of propelling Elysium toward a new golden age.
3. Promote Creativity and Scientific Curiosity: Foster a culture of innovation, critical thinking, and open inquiry among its members and the broader intellectual community.

Publications and Influence

Membership in the Pharos Society is highly coveted—by invitation only, and bestowed as a mark of professional distinction and personal accomplishment. To be inducted is to join the ranks of Elysium’s most elite minds, to gain access to a global network of experts, and to contribute to the Society’s celebrated monthly periodical, The Lighthouse Science Journal Illustrated. This journal is a cornerstone of the Elysian scientific community, chronicling the latest discoveries, theoretical debates, and field reports. Reading its pages is both a privilege and a responsibility, as members are expected to uphold the highest standards of rigor and integrity.

The Society is also known for its material support of research and exploration. It has funded expeditions to the most remote corners of Elysium in search of lost laboratories, derelict automata, or rumored caches of advanced equipment. Many pivotal breakthroughs in the modern era—such as the first successful integration of steam technology with recovered high-tech components—can be traced in some way to Pharos sponsorship or collaboration.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite—or perhaps because of—its lofty ideals and remarkable achievements, the Pharos Technological Society is not without detractors. Traditionalists accuse the Society of meddling in forces best left alone, while some religious and political factions view its members as dangerous iconoclasts or reckless opportunists. The more sensationalist newspapers refer to the Society as a “guild of mad scientists and quacks,” claiming that their experiments sometimes cross ethical boundaries or risk public safety.

Rumors circulate of secret laboratories, forbidden experiments, and internal rivalries. There are even whispers that some members covet power as much as knowledge, seeking to control or weaponize the advanced technologies they uncover. Though the Society officially rebuffs such accusations, the air of mystery and occasional scandal only adds to its mystique.

Leadership and Legacy

Currently presided over by the renowned and charismatic Dr. Santiago Uriza, the Society enjoys a period of renewed vigor. Dr. Uriza, a celebrated polymath and inventor, is known for his tireless advocacy of open science and for his personal involvement in several daring expeditions. Under his stewardship, the Pharos Society continues to shape the scientific and technological destiny of Elysium—lighting the way for future generations, even as its own motives and methods remain the subject of fascination and debate.

The Virtue Militant stands as the militant and disciplinary arm of the Holy Church of Revelation, upholding the faith’s strict moral code with unwavering zeal. Founded in the tumultuous years following The Event, when chaos and disbelief threatened to unravel Elysium’s fragile societies, the Virtue Militant quickly became both a shield and a sword for the faithful. Charged with safeguarding communities, enforcing orthodoxy, and defending the Church’s interests, the Virtue Militant wields considerable influence—both in the independent theocracy of Italica and wherever the Church’s reach extends.

Origins and Structure

The Virtue Militant was established under the leadership of Patriarch Simplicio Conte, following the rapid expansion of the Holy Church of Revelation in the years after The Event. Conceived as both a military and law enforcement organization, its ranks are drawn from the most devout and disciplined followers—men and women trained not only in arms, but also in the theological and legal doctrines of the faith.

The Virtue Militant is organized according to a strict hierarchy, with ranks such as Knight-Protector, Virtuous Captain, and Palatine Chaplain. Members are sworn to lives of discipline, austerity, and public service, expected to embody the Church’s ideals in every action. Their distinctive uniforms—imposing coats, polished boots, and sunburst insignia—make them instantly recognizable, and their presence is both reassuring and intimidating to the public.

Duties and Activities

The responsibilities of the Virtue Militant are as varied as they are vital:

• Law Enforcement: In Italica and Church-controlled territories, the Virtue Militant serves as police, judge, and sometimes executioner, investigating crimes, settling disputes, and dispensing justice according to Church doctrine.
• Guardianship: They protect churches, religious leaders, and holy relics, often serving as bodyguards or escorts during important processions and pilgrimages.
• Suppression of Heresy: The Virtue Militant is charged with rooting out heresy, apostasy, and moral corruption. They conduct inquiries, trials, and, when necessary, public punishments to maintain spiritual purity and communal order.
• Military Campaigns: The Virtue Militant is regularly called upon to defend the faithful from external threats—bandits, pirates, rogue psychics, or rival factions. In times of crisis, they organize and lead the faithful in battle, drawing upon both martial prowess and religious fervor.

Worldwide Influence and International Operations

The reach of the Virtue Militant extends far beyond the borders of Italica. In a world still marked by uncertainty and spiritual hunger, the Church of Revelation’s message—and its enforcers—have found fertile ground in nearly every nation on Elysium.

• Ecclesiastical Embassies: The Virtue Militant maintains official embassies—often called Chapters—within the major cities of allied or tolerant nations. These Chapters serve as local headquarters, recruitment centers, and hubs for Church charity and influence.
• Private Security and Protection: The Virtue Militant offers “Virtue Guard” services to churches and communities abroad, providing elite security details for religious sites, processions, and important dignitaries. Their presence is both a symbol of Church favor and a deterrent to would-be troublemakers.
• Diplomatic Envoys and Advisors: Officers of the Virtue Militant frequently serve as diplomatic envoys or moral advisors to foreign courts, leveraging the Church’s influence to shape policies, mediate disputes, and promote Church-approved laws and customs.
• Inquisitorial Missions: In nations where the Church is not dominant, the Virtue Militant operates more discreetly. Agents—sometimes operating independently or under diplomatic cover—monitor local religious movements, gather intelligence, root out perceived heresies, and offer “counsel” to wavering communities. In some regions, they work alongside or in parallel with local authorities to suppress cults, psionic threats, or social unrest, often in exchange for political support or favors.
• Charitable Works: The Virtue Militant sponsors orphanages, hospitals, and relief missions worldwide, using acts of charity to build goodwill and extend the Church’s reach. These charitable efforts are often accompanied by efforts to convert or educate the populations they serve.

Culture and Reputation

Within the Virtue Militant, discipline, loyalty, and obedience are paramount. Members are expected to model piety and virtue, eschewing personal ambition in favor of service to the Church and community. Training is rigorous, blending arms and tactics with theological study, public speaking, and moral philosophy.

To the devout, the Virtue Militant is a bulwark against chaos and vice—a living testament to the Church’s commitment to justice and order. To critics and those outside the faith, however, their strictness, willingness to enforce dogma, and intolerance of dissent sometimes cast them as zealots or agents of foreign influence.

Influence and Legacy

The Virtue Militant’s power is at its height in Italica, where it acts as both military and police, but its reach extends wherever the Church of Revelation is strong. Their interventions are often decisive in times of social unrest, and their support is crucial for any who wish to secure the Church’s favor.

While the Virtue Militant’s legacy is one of discipline, sacrifice, and public service, it is not without controversy. Tales abound of overzealous inquisitions, wrongful punishments, and political intrigue cloaked in the language of virtue. Yet, for many, the Virtue Militant remains a necessary force—guardians of faith and order in a world ever threatened by uncertainty and moral decay.