The Factions

In-Game Structure

The Curious Pastimes game system is organised around the concept that the majority of characters are members of factions and groups. Much of the game revolves around the relationships between factions and outside events, adversaries or Non Player Characters (NPCs) and interactions between the factions themselves. Within each faction there are usually a number of smaller groups. Player characters (PCs) are encouraged to join/form groups because they provide support and identity within the campaign world. Factions and groups are managed in character (IC) and so choose their own IC laws and rules, factions are also organised out of character (OOC) and many operate events and activities outside of the main CP event season. Each faction has a Command Team in place, these are all CP staff members with appropriate NPCs.

The structure in each faction is formalised within the game world by differing levels of noble rank which are an expression of a PC’s social standing. This rank takes many forms from the strict hierarchies of knights to the tribal respect for elders amongst nomadic peoples. Each faction organises their rank structure individually both in terms of how it is divided and allocated and the particular roles that confer rank within that faction. As PCs serve a faction over a period of time their noble rank may increase, and with it their standing among their peers. Nobility within a faction also affords a PC an increased income, represented by the IC money received when they attend an event. IC rank also confers a resistance to Terror effects (link to be added).

The Factions

Factions are essentially geographical in origin and so draw the majority of their members from a specific area of the known world. Each faction has its own distinct ‘personality’, to which each member is expected (to a greater or lesser degree) to conform. Some factions draw their identity from myth, legend or popular culture, whilst others have unique backgrounds. The personality of a faction is not only dependent on its history, but also on its future goals. The development of a faction is somewhat dependent upon the aims of its command team; these aims may include the development of strategic, military or commercial alliances with other factions; the acquisition and mastery of magical knowledge and power or more esoteric, religious or altruistic ends. The power of a faction is rooted in its membership; faction leaders are likely to represent the feelings and opinions of their people and to bear their wishes in mind when making decisions.

Loyalty to a faction is an important component of membership and most command teams will deal with those showing signs of disloyalty in the most abrupt manner. On the other hand, loyal service to a faction may reap its rewards for even the most junior member.

Characters that choose not to join an existing faction are collectively known as mercenaries. While a number of true mercenary groups do exist there are also some groups who feel their individual concepts do not fit within a faction so choose to exist independently and so are placed within the mercenaries ideologically and physically to camp at events. The mercenaries as a collective are not a faction and therefore do not gain any of the benefits of faction status (rank structure, a faction warchest, faction weapons). However, mercenaries do have a degree of freedom that the more rigid command structure of a faction does not always allow.

The following factions are currently recognised at CP:

• Algaia
• Fir Cruthen
• Jhereg
• Lions
• Kabourashi
• Mercenaries
• Steppe Alliance
• Teutonia
• Wolves