Shining Kingdoms: Faction archetypes

Fortitude and bravery – are the terms deeply etched in the solid corpus of every Arkadia’s inhabitant’s consciousness. Almost nothing can catch them off guard, and their disposition towards hard work is a sight of marvel. Such a soil of a wish to “manifest oneself”, although, might initiate a path for opportunists and fortune-seekers, but the commonplace benevolent mood holds those flaws on a short leash.

For the Order of Sentinels the kingdom provides the Swords of Arkadia formations. As a keeper of old martial arts, the Kingdom of Arkadia none like the others can instruct the valiant youth and release proper knights. To serve in the Order of Sentinels ranks is a great honour for each Arkadia offspring: every noble (and not limited to) family senses a holy duty towards the others – to submit at least one of their childs to the service of Order. In the royal family any heir to the throne is obligated to undergo training and service in the Order. As such they are bound to receive management and commandment skills, experience in communications and interactions with representatives of other cultures, from whom they eventually latch onto the alternative wisdom. Moreover, this is an opportunity to see the world and study life beyond the palace.

“In today’s tournament we are happy to greet daring bravehearts ready to demonstrate acquired finesse. On behalf of our village a young, but very determined Vilhelm is going to perform. He hopes this is going to secure his acceptance as lord’s Manerell squire and eventually conquer himself a title. Let’s wish him luck!
…
Also, out of the neighbouring district we are visited by sir Norend. But the bigtime event in today’s tournament is the participance of the Crown Prince, who was returning from the studies in Selinara along with the Order of Sentinels comrades. This day promises to be a real special one! Let us greet the contestants once again!”

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An entire dwarven kingdom has taken up residence atop and inside of the biggest volcanic range – Adamant’s Ribs. The finest artisans of architecture and metalworking find here comradery and competition. The very worthiest of the craftsmen are granted access to the sacred shrine of dwarfs – the most ancient magma trough referred to as Adamnat’s Heart. Almost 2500 years the place is tended by the Smithlord’s ruling family, which starts its lineage with the first artisan ever to conquer the unstable nature of the volcano.

From here the Order of Sentinels are joined by Adamant’s Hammers: besides being combatants they are also skillful field smiths and builders. If somewhere there is a need to construct a fortification or restore infrastructure the best result will obviously be achieved by the Hammers. The population of Adamant’s Ribs lack a developed tradition of regularly submitting cadets into the Order of Sentinels: it operates on a voluntary basis. The two most common tendencies are either someone is willing to unveil own craftsmanship beyond the Forge; or somebody wants to replace an obsession towards a craft with something else.

“…
And this mace was crafted by my Great-Great-grandfather out of the Skysteel…
This is my Great-grandfather’s hammer, it is said that he dropped it as a blank in magma and was forced to quickly retrieve it. That is why he has a nickname – “Hardened Palm”, tee-hee-hee. Next is my grandpa’s hammer. Aunt said that grandpa wanted to repeat the legend, however was unsuccessful in catching anything, and now upon the pedestal stands tall a mere copy, tee-hee-hee…
Here is my father’s axe. By the way, never have I seen it used by anyone at all…
And this place is reserved to me, when I’ll be ready to produce my own family relic. I, honestly, haven’t decided yet what to make…
You see, hammers, axes and other weapons are, of course, good and all, but…kinda not my thing. Helmets on the other hand – is a completely different story: head is important, one should take care of it. And also head – is where the face is. When someone is looked at – first of all look in the direction of a face, and therefore onto a head. And imagine this, upon the head lies a helmet, such a beautiful helmet…such delicate one. And in case you got unlucky with the snout you’ve got – then an enclosed helmet I’ll craft, and a new face you’ll have, tee-hee-hee!…
Yeaaah, Prince, it’s too little for you to study only a trade. We aren’t letting you go home from the Forge, until you get the sense of local humour, tee-hee-hee.“

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A territory of predominantly elves, where a special attention is devoted towards speechcraft, theatre, literature, singing and music. For every occasion there will be a precisely planned celebration: even for events that others would consider inappropriate. Inhabitants of Selinara are capable of even the bleakest atmosphere to portray in a highly fascinating light.

Order of Sentinels finds itself the Selinara’s Lustreos Guard. It’s tricky to say who they are foremost: warriors or philosophers. Lustreos Guardsmen – are magnificent diplomats and mentors. They oversee and develop the concepts of ethics in the Order, for an irresponsible force – is but a mere clumsy violence, nothing to be delighted at. Through the service in the Order of Sentinels missionary activities can be carried out: the Lustreos Guard is always ready to speak of their homeland worldviews to any stranger and spread the word of Selinara Culture.

“A reference book of Plays and accompanying Situations
Lindir’s tome VII
…
Triumph of Ianyur
Situations: first flowers’ emergence, first harvest day, victory in a sports championship.
Requirements: a bouquet of fresh yellow and violet flowers, 2 silver plates, a grey/black dog if able
Full content: Elas Plays, the first half
Short summary: Ianyur returns home through the blooming field after his journey; the locals cheerfully welcome him, along with his loyal dog, which this time couldn’t venture off with its master.
…
Death of Ianyur
Situations: old warriors funeral, the first snow in late autumn (when all leaves have already fallen).
Requirements: a bouquet of pale-rose and white flowers, a mechane for lifting an actor
Full content: Elas Plays, the second half
Short summary: the final strengths abandon Ianyur, after he lost a bet with Time and drained poison. The Ianyur’s history drifts in front of him: the actor in turn performs slow dances with the specified key characters. Afterwards they lay down Ianyr onto a bed and attaching him to the mechane. The body of Ianyr rises in the air, because Skyweld has accepted him as a valiant warrior. Upon the bed remains a bouquet of flowers. Flowers are either given out to or thrown to the viewers.“

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Patrons: Gilingroz, Rhunfar, Skyweld

An organisation of those who desire to protect their home world along with its inhabitants. Despite the fact that in the world of Shining Kingdoms reign the culture of fraternity and a pantheon of benevolent gods, from time to time the seed of evil does find a way of dispersing its sprouts. Outlaws and villains worm their way into society. Long forgotten fiends may crawl out of the gloomy caves and wreak havoc. Natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, should also be taken into account.

Exactly for such occasions the Order of Sentinels comes to the rescue. Every major kingdom provides its own formations with their hallmarks and worldviews, therefore the Order of Sentinels serves as the points of interactions and cultural exchange.

The Order’s squads on the basis of common training period and mutual history form Maniples, which with time nurture their custom traditions and symbols. Such is an example of the infamous 413th Maniple, initially an amalgamation of the Swords of Arkadia and the Selinara’s Lustreos Guard – also known as “the Mourners”. By the will of a bitter fate this manipule time over time has gotten itself in the grimmest of circumstances, yet every time miraculously endured. Due to their constant casualties members of the maniple have dyed their armour in a funebrial black colour, for as commemorations of the deceased never end among their ranks. The Mourners even though are perceived as an omen of imminent tragedy, but they also embody a symbol of tenacity and hope no matter what. This leads to the maniple’s existence being sustained by the incoming from outside squads, who themselves have outlasted morbid hardships and felt a connection with 413th.

In the wake of Airf’s return and calamities incited by the 3 World Confluence, the Mourners maniple has been lost without a trace. Some consider this a bad sign and that a demise has finally spared them from their suffering, however the spirit of 413th maniple dictates to hope for the better outcome against all odds.

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An association of remarkable mages of the Shining Kingdoms. They found academies to teach and prepare young prodigies: a natural knack should be sharpened and tamed with responsibility. Moreover, these are destinations for various discovered artefacts and spell writings, so their potential could be later analysed. Something is going to have a beneficial impact on life, whereas the others are to be shut inside a safety vault out of harm’s way.

Magi Chain provides its services and its members to the others. In return, just like a church, it receives a tithe for maintenance. In addition, they get help in the form of bodyguards in order to protect the mages from close combat, while also from malign intent.

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An ancient collegium of hunters, druids, old ways devotees. They settle in nature’s spots, close to the fauna and flora. Between the Cradle’s colleagues prevails a popular belief in the Cycle of Life – everything rises from the roots, and into the roots it returns. The important thing is to find one’s niche inside of such circulation and not to interfere with the passage of time. This principle the Root Cradle is ready to safeguard with their lifes at stake. As such other Cycle of Life participants join the colleagues in the nature’s defence – animals, treants, wondrous creatures, etc.

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