Faction Overview
There are several factions active on Anasta that represent the most influential social, ideological, and political groups in the setting. Factions have significant resources at their disposal and can provide access to unique traits, contacts, and story opportunities. Of course, membership also comes with the expectation that members fulfill the agenda of that faction, which may sometimes come into conflict with other factions or individual Cohort goals.
Joining a Faction (Optional)
You may choose for your character to have an association with a faction during character creation. You have two (2) total Ranks you may distribute between factions. That is, you may have an association with one or two different factions (Rank 1), or be an initiate of a faction (Rank 2). A character without a starting faction may later join one, or a character with a starting faction may potentially change factions during play, both through Growth.
Carefully consider the composition of your Cohort if there are members from different factions present. Some faction affinities easily fade into the background, and some will be ideologically antagonistic to one another. While this may provide interesting roleplaying situations for short-term adventures, make sure everyone in the Cohort is on-board with the choices.
Chantry Archetype Restriction
Enchanters (full members of the Chantry) undergo extensive training over the course many years. If you want your character to unlock Chantry archetype traits during play, you must choose the Chantry as your faction at Rank 2 during character creation at Rank 2. This represents that they have completed this training. After play begins, membership in the Chantry is limited to Rank 1.
Faction Ranks
Faction membership is a Ranked trait that provides access to Faction Archetype traits as well as story opportunities. Your Ranked faction trait provides a Simple modifier to Challenges where your faction membership is relevant. This modifier could be Beneficial(+) or Hindering(-) depending on the situation. Higher faction Ranks also unlock faction Archetype traits as well as influence within the faction and, potentially, over Anasta itself.
| Rating | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Rank 1 | Associate | ±1 / 1 You have a social or working relationship with some faction members, but do not have access to faction resources or training. |
| Rank 2 | Initiate | ±1 / 2 You have pledged to the faction but are still undergoing a test of your dedication. You must choose one of the two archetypes available to the faction, though their traits remain locked. |
| Rank 3 | Member | ±2 / 2 You are a full member of the faction and have the backing of the faction. You are very likely known to the leaders of your faction, perhaps personally. You unlock one of the two traits for your archetype. |
| Rank 4 | Leader | ±2 / 3 You are a recognized leader within the faction and have significant influence. You may be recognized by the leaders of other factions. You unlock both traits for your archetype. |
| Rank 5 | Faction Head | ±3 / 3 You are the head of the faction and have the authority and responsibility that comes with it. You unlock all traits from both archetypes.You have access to significant resources and are the primary influence directing the faction. Anyone with any knowledge of the faction will know your name. |
Faction Archetypes
Faction archetypes represent specialized roles within a faction. Each faction has two archetypes to choose from, each with two unique traits that are unlocked as you increase your faction Rank. Archetype traits are initially locked and are unlocked through use of the Growth pool.