The Rhysonian Mysteries

Lands: Primarily the Imperial City and Heartlands

Races: Aasimar, Halfling (Lightfoot), Human, Tiefling

The masters of the Rhysonian mysteries are priests drawn from the nobility, and inducted into one of nine orders.  The orders are in a hierarchal caste structure, with the Violet order at the top, the Whites and the Blacks serving them, and the organized beneath them.  Virtually every part of the Imperial City’s society is dominated by the mysteries, and the noble families associated with each caste serve as priestly kings.  

• The Violet serve as the masters of the Mysteries, and are the lone members of the First Caste, interacting only with other priests.  Their domain is Arcana (from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide).
• The Whites oversee the administration of sacraments to the layfolk, and are half of the Second Caste.  Their domain is Light.
• The Blacks hold sway over all matters relating to property, worldly possessions, and death.  They are considered the lawgivers and are the other half of the Second Caste.  Their domain is Death.
• The Blue are those sworn to minister to the poor and protect the faithful.  They are one of two warrior orders (the Reds being the other).  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Protection.
• The Gold are the artists and poets of the clergy, and charged with the creation of various works to exult the mysteries.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is Life.
• The Gray are secret keepers.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is Trickery.
• The Red are a warrior order, who serve as the Mysteries generals and warlords.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Blacks.  Their domain is War.
• The Silver are the lore masters and scholars, who rigorously attempt to keep the secrets of the Empire alive.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Knowledge.
• The Greens are the prophets of the Mysteries, a powerful group who practice spiritual magic.  As members of the Third Caste, they serve the Whites.  Their domain is Nature.

History

Prior to the Great Conflagration, the power of the priests of the Rhysonian Mysteries ruled across the lands.  However, since then, they have fallen into decadence, completely controlled by the ruling families of the Imperial City.  During the Reckoning over a century ago, the Malengarth family gained control over the Violet Order, but would be wiped out through treachery two generations after.  Since then, the White and Black orders have acknowledge no true Violet priests, declaring anyone who practices the mysteries of Arcana to be heretics.

Goals

• Each order has a specific goal: for example, the Whites tend to the flock, while the Blues serve as guards and constables.  
• Since the Great Conflagration, there has been no contact with the Exalted Ones, the angels of Rhys that taught the priesthood their mysteries.
• The true purpose Rhysonian Mysteries is to maintain Imperial Society, and if possible, bring the light of Rhys back to the world as a whole.

Key Individuals

• Master Miksel the Black: A scion of the powerful Durrington family, and the de facto master of the Imperial City.
• Master Orphelia the White: Matron of the Corrinbyrd family, and Miksel’s chief rival.
• Master Garielle the Red: The captain of what remains of the Imperial forces, and the favored daughter of the Winding family.
• Master Ignoblis the Silver: The eldest member of the Ironcrown family, and one of the great lore masters of the city.
• Master Jayce the Green: One of the Justimans, the largest family in the city, Jayce embraces their chaotic ways as he leads the city’s seers.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Cleric (see descriptions for available domains)

• Acolyte (Rank 1): Clerical training available (required for 1st level of cleric).  Note, there are currently no Acolytes of the Violets.
• Adept (Rank 2): Clerical training available (required for 2nd level of cleric)
• Initiate (Rank 3): Clerical training available (required for 6th level of cleric)
• Master (Rank4): Clerical training available (required for 8th level of cleric).  Currently, there are no Masters of the Blues, Golds, or Grays.
• Templar (Rank 5): Clerical training available (required for 17th level of cleric).  Currently, there is no Templar within the mysteries.  

Heroes of the Empire

The Heroes of the Empire

Lands: The Imperial City, the Heartlands

Races: Aasimar, Human, Tiefling

The Heroes of the Empire are the collective names for the nobles of the old Empire.  These are the individuals who held positions, either in courts, or private lands beyond the city (or both).  In recent days, their numbers have dropped, such that most cities beyond the walls of Rhysone are run by guildsmen of the Keepers Guild.

Note: while the ranks of all factions are only loosely correlated with the abilities of certain subclasses (with a particular rank being a prerequisite for certain levels, not the other way around), this is particularly of note for the Heroes of the Empire.  The Rhysonian nobility is fallen and a shadow of its former self: there are very, very few holy warriors of true power left.  

History

Before the Great Conflagration, and even up until the days of the Reckoning, the nobility of Rhysone was known for their prowess in battle as much as for their constant scheming against each other.  Now, of course,  they are known only for the latter.

Goals

• Every noble has but one goal… gain power for his or her family.  The ideals of the Empire have largely fallen to the wayside.

Key Individuals

• Count Sambrun Corringbyrd: A cunning, if somewhat detached man, who opposes the unchecked power of the priests of the mysteries.
• Countess  Inga Winding: The leader of House Windling and a hero to the people, Countess Inga is the most likely to gain the support to be named Duke (and thus open ruler of the Imperial City)
• Count Wendall Ironcrown: The greatest arcanist in the Imperial City is this aging man who none the less has managed to make his family into a force to be reckoned with.

Rank and Associated Abilities

Associated Subclasses Paladin (Oath of Devotion), Sorcerer (Favored Soul)

• Lord/Lady (Rank 1): Paladin or sorcerer training available (required for 1st level of sorcerer or 3rd level of paladin).
• Baron/Baroness (Rank 2): Paladin training available (required for 7th level of paladin).
• Count/Countess (Rank 3): Sorcerer training available (required for 6th level sorcerer).  Currently, there are only three Counts.
• Duke/Duchess (Rank4): Paladin or sorcerer training available (required for 14th level of sorcerer or 15th level of paladin).  Currently, there are no dukes.
• Emperor (Rank 5): Paladin or sorcerer training available (required for 18th level of sorcerer or 20th level of paladin).  At any time, there could only be one Emperor.