Factions

The many factions and sects of the Awakened world weave a complicated dance through the World of Darkness. Even so, four factions stand out most clearly:

• The Council of Nine Mystic Traditions

 an embattled fellowship of sorcerers, witches, unorthodox technicians, and other devotees of esoteric orders. Bitter enemies of the Technocratic Union, they appear to have been losing the battle for reality.   
• The Technocratic Union (NPC Faction)

Also known as the Technocracy, a ruthless hypertech consortium that strives for control over an increasingly chaotic world. Dedicated to wiping out Reality Deviants, they’ve spent over 500 years at war with the mystic Traditions.
• The Nephandi (NPC Faction)

a subversive network of nihilistic corrupters. Existing on the fringes of the other factions, this group commands a terrifying degree of influence within the modern World of Darkness.  
• The Marauders (NPC Faction)

a loose confederation of metaphysical schizophrenics. Through rare and disorganized, these mages carry personal bubbles of “psychotic reality” wherever they go.

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Unaligned Mages

Other mages and sects – often referred to, disparagingly, as “orphans” and “crafts” – exist outside of this Ascension War, either because they choose to avoid it, or because they don’t even realize it exists. Even in between the shadows of this existential war, however, the battle for Reality influences the mages who refuse to take part in it.
 

Traditions

Seeking a return to the days of High Magick, or a new dawn of mystic potential, the mystics within these nine Traditions personify the word “mage.”   

• The Akashic Brotherhood 

Also known as The Akashayana, Masters of mind, body and spirit, this “Brotherhood” pursues the Arts of personal discipline.   

• The Celestial Chorus 

Sacred singers who give a human Voice to the Divine Song, the Chorus magi nurture humanity and embody holy grace.

• The Cult of Ecstasy 

Also known as Sahajiya Visionary seers who transcend limitations through sacred experience, the members of this “Cult” expand perceptions, physics and time itself through their path of sacred excess.

• The Dreamspeakers 

Also known as the Kha’vadi, Preservers and protectors of both the Spirit Ways and the Earthly cultures that have been looted, abandoned and oppressed, these mystics mix timeless Arts with postmodern insight and righteous anger.

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• The Euthanatoi 

Also known as Chakravanti, Disciples of mortality who purge corruption and bring merciful release from suffering, these “death mages” struggle with an ominous reputation and their sacred duty to the Cycle of Being.

• The Order of Hermes 

Rigorous masters of High Magick and the Elemental Arts, the many Houses of Hermes study powerful Arts and esoteric Sciences in their quest to perfect the human condition through mastery of Creation as a whole.

• The Society (or “Sons”) of Ether 

Graceful saviors of scientific potential, the Etherites delve into strange theories and unconventional machines.

• The Verbenae 

Devotees of rough Nature and mystic blood-Arts, these “witch-folk” command primal magicks and pagan refinements of technology.

• The Virtual Adepts 

Also known as the VAs Reality-hackers devoted to rebooting their world, the Adepts perfect the political ideals and esoteric uses of information technology.

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The Technocratic Conventions

Despite a fearsome (and well-earned) reputation as ruthless oppressors, the agents of the Technocratic Union strive to unite humanity within a safely controlled technological ideal… under their Enlightened guidance and protection, of course.

• Iteration X

Perfectors of the human machine, these “machine people” combine esoteric cybernetics with industrial precision.

• The New World Order

Custodians of social order and global stability, NWO operatives provide safety
and security for the Masses while eliminating Reality Deviants who threaten the human realm.

• The Progenitors

Innovators dedicated to the potential of organic life, these “mad doctors” challenge biological limitation in their quest to rectify nature’s “mistakes.”

• The Syndicate

Masters of the financial realm, social advancement and the power of wealth, these sharp operators understand the true meaning of “value” beyond mere monetary gain.

• The Void Engineers

Courageous and often eccentric operatives, the Engineers explore and protect Earthly and extradimensional space.