Factions!

[Keira Ironheart]

THE STORMCLOAKS

"Throw off the shackles of Imperial oppression. Do not bow to the yoke of a false emperor. Be true to your blood, to your homeland."
―Nords Arise!

FACTION: The Stormcloaks
LOCATION: Windhelm
OVERALL SIDE: Stormcloacks
COMMON STONE: Warrior

Faction Details

LEADER: --
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
HEADQUARTERS: The Palace of the Kings
GOAL: To liberate Skyrim from its Imperial oppressors

Faction Rules

Nord characters may start as a member of this faction, non-Nords will have to join through recruitment.
Officers will likely only be Nord characters, unless they are proven to be intensely dedicated soldiers.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: OPEN

WAYS TO JOIN:

Volunteering at The Palace of the Kings
Invitation by existing member
Recruitment from existing Officer

Reading List

Nords Arise!
The Bear of Markarth

Historical Details

The Stormcloaks believe that Skyrim should secede from what they believe is a crumbling Empire. This stance came about due to the aftermath of The Great War and the imposition of the White-Gold Concordat by the Aldmeri Dominion. Many Stormcloaks believe that the Empire is holding, not just Skyrim but the whole of Tamriel back. They believe that if they gain independence, times will be hard, but eventually the Kingdom of Skyrim will push through into a new age. The Stormcloaks officially became a militia under Jarl Ulfric when he challenged High King Torygg’s right to rule Skyrim; so with Torygg’s defeat, and death, the civil war officially began. While the civil war has ended after twenty years, this group is still around and recruiting as many members as possible.

Members

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[Keira Ironheart]

THE THALMOR

FACTION: The Thalmor
LOCATION:
Have a 'base' called the Thalmor Embassy, however their main headquarters is located in Summerset Isle.

OVERALL SIDE: unknown
COMMON STONE: Warrior, Mage

Faction Details

LEADER: --
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
HEADQUARTERS: Thalmor Embassy

GOAL: The Thalmor appear to be in Skyrim to stamp out Talos worship. Talos worshipers are taken in or killed. The Thalmor also seek to exterminate any existing Blades, Alinori defectors, and to learn as much as they can about the current dragon situation. It is not well known, but in truth, the Thalmor seek to undo creation and become their own gods. Talos prevents them from doing this, and so they seek to make mortals forget him.

Faction Rules

Only Altmer of pure lineage, and with proof of that lineage, may join as full, ranking members.
Other races and Altmer not of approved lineage are viewed as lesser. Fraternising with them is not allowed, and is punishable by death.
Other races that join this faction are subservient to the Thalmor, and are not privy to the more obscure details of their goals. The same would go for foot-soldiers.
Daedra worship or worship of Lorkhan/Talos is not allowed, and is punishable by death or incarceration. Thalmor must hold true to the notion that this world is a trick of Lorkhan; see Altmeri monomyth.
Any members of the Thalmor faction are part of the political faction, the Aldmeri Dominion.
Members of the Thalmor may be members of other factions, but only for the Thalmor's own means (such as Ancano at the College of Winterhold).
Were-beasts and Vampires are not allowed.
Dreamsleeve users are encouraged, and needed within the Thalmor.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: Open

WAYS TO JOIN:

One may start as a member of this faction.
Only pure-blooded Altmer are allowed as full Justiciars. Other races will act as servants, foot-soldiers, and cannon fodder.
To join, pay a visit to the Thalmor Embassy in Haafingar.

Reading List
Altmeri Monomyth *required reading*
Flight from the Thalmor
PGE First Edition: The Aldmeri Dominion *required reading*
PGE Third Edition: Blessed Isle Alinor and the Summersets
The Rising Threat *required reading*
The Great War *required reading*
Elder Lore Podcast: Thalmor & Towers
Dominion Prism Extract
Michael Kirkbride forum archives

Historical Details

A part of the Aldimeri Dominion, the Thalmor look to keep'peace,' make sure that there is no worship of Talos or that anyone goes against them. The group is mostly consisted of High Elves, however Redguards and Kahjiit are a common sight among them from time to time. The Thalmor are often capable of killing someone - or torturing, if they need information - if they are worshiping Talos, or not abiding by their rules.

Members

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[Keira Ironheart]

COLLEGE OF WINTERHOLD

"You know, if you have the aptitude, you should join the Mage's College in Winterhold."
―Farengar Secret-Fire

FACTION: The College Of Winterhold
LOCATION: Winterhold
OVERALL SIDE: neutral
COMMON STONE: Mage

Faction Details

ARCHMAGE: Keira Ironheart
FUTURE ARCHMAGE: --
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
HEADQUARTERS: College of Winterhold
GOAL: To instruct students in the standardized ways of magical practice.

Faction Rules
Members of the College of Winterhold may not be affiliated with any political factions.
Members may not be afflicted with vampirism, as experienced mages in the College would easily be able to detect them.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: Open

WAYS TO JOIN:

Characters must prove at the gateway to the College of Winterhold that they can cast spells. Once they prove their skill, they may join the College.
Characters may start out as a member of this Faction.

Reading List

College of Winterhold
Night of Tears
On the Great Collapse
The Fall of Saarthal
The Throat of the World: Skyrim

Historical Details

The College of Winterhold is similar to the once prosperous Mages Guild in Cyrodiil, however was not affected when it collapsed. The College spealizies in training new and aspiring spell casters in the arts of every known magic there is. There are plenty of classes held daily for all types of students, and the teachers here are some of the very best. It takes years to master a certain skill set, of course, however, once done, many people become envious of the things the mages here can accomplish. Not many people - especially Nords - agree with mages and spell casters anymore, but that doesn't stop people from trying to learn.

Members

Keira Ironheart

[Keira Ironheart]

DAWNGUARD

FACTION: Dawnguard
LOCATION:
Are stationed in an old fort not too far from Riften and hidden in the mountains, namely called Fort Dawnguard.

OVERALL SIDE: neutral
COMMON STONE: various

Faction Details

LEADER: --
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
FUTURE PROTAGONIST: --
HEADQUARTERS: Fort Dawnguard
GOAL: To defend Skyrim from Vampires.

Faction Rules

Members of the Dawnguard may not be vampires, necromancers, or others involved with the undead.
Considering the Dawnguard's current goals and storyline, they count as a major faction, and as such, OCs joining them cannot be actively associated with other major factions (such as the Dark Brotherhood, the Companions, etc). However, they can be actively associated with minor factions (The Beautiful, the Bards College, etc). Note that this may change as the storyline progresses.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: OPEN

WAYS TO JOIN:

Volunteering at Fort Dawnguard
Invitation by existing member.

Reading List

Discovering Ruunvald, Vol. I
Discovering Ruunvald, Vol. II
Discovering Ruunvald, Vol. III
Discovering Ruunvald, Vol. IV
Incriminating Letter
Notes on Dimhollow Crypt, Vol. 3

Historical Details

A faction long ago since abandon, the Dawnguard is largely sourounded in mystery and heresay, and not much can be said about it besides that the fort it was named after had perhaps been crafted back in the second era by the previous Jarl of Riften. The faction and it's fort had been abandon since then, until recently when a Vigilant of Stendarr took it upon himself to rebuild the faction. The Dawnguard is a faction of vampire hunters, aimed to destroy all vampire kind because of their threat to the mortal world. Many people do not believe what they say, however, with vampires recently popping up around Skyrim - be they good or bad - they just might be right about one thing....

Members

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[Keira Ironheart]

THIEVES GUILD

"Our access to those bits of luck are what separates us from common bandits."
―Gallus Desidenius

FACTION: The Thieves Guild
LOCATION: The Ratway, Riften
OVERALL SIDE: neutral
COMMON STONE: Thief

Faction Details

LEADER: Miliel Mallory
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
HEADQUARTERS: Riften Ratways, Ragged Flagon, The Ragged Flagon - Cistern.
GOAL: Steal all the valuables.

Faction Rules

First, do not steal from another guild member or our associates.
Second, do not kill anyone while on a job.
Third, do not steal from the poor.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: OPEN

WAYS TO JOIN:

Get their attention, preferably in a "creative" manner.

Reading List

Shadowmarks
Hiding With the Shadow
Purloined Shadows
Confessions Of A Thief
Fall from Glory
Honor Among Thieves
Followers of the Grey Fox
Myth or Menace?
Thief of Virtue
Grey Fox, Man or Myth?
The Nightingales: Fact or Fiction?
The Nightingales Volume I: Who We Are
The Nightingales Volume II: What We Were
Three Thieves
Of Crossed Daggers

Historical Details

Located under the city of Riften, in the sewers that are commonly known as the Ratway, the Thieves Guild resides. The members of this guild are known for causing much trouble and mischief, however are protected due to many high ranking members of different families supporting them and their way to bribe the guards. The Thieves Guild has, in recent years, been slowly declining, however they've been both training and gaining better members, in the hopes to get better and become as they once were. It is said that the Thieves Guild in close association with the Dark Brotherhood as well.

Members

Miliel Mallory

[Keira Ironheart]

THE DARK BROTHERHOOD

"I told him you can't stop the Dark Brotherhood. Never could."
―Emperor Titus Mede II

FACTION: The Dark Brotherhood
LOCATION: The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary, just outside of Falkreath

OVERALL SIDE: neutral
COMMON STONE: Thief, Mage, Shadow

Faction Details

LEADER: Lupa Dragonheart (Listener)
SECOND-IN-COMMAND: --
HEADQUARTERS: The Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary in Dawnstar

Faction Rules

Any members of the Dark Brotherhood cannot be affiliated with any political factions.
Members are expected to obey Lupa, as the leader of the Sanctuary.

Additional Details

RECRUITMENT STATUS: Open!

WAYS TO JOIN:

Murder attracts the Brotherhood's attention, though the time it takes for the news to reach the Brotherhood may depend on the time and locale of the murder.

Reading List

The Night Mother's Truth
The Five Tenets
The Brothers of Darkness
Sacred Witness
Fire and Darkness
Cicero's Journal
A Kiss, Sweet Mother
Greywyn's Journal
Sithis
The Monomyth
Traitor's Diary
Sacred Witness

Historical Details

The Dark Brotherhood has been known all over Tamriel, and are a group of highly - though not always - skilled assassins. They are paid to go out and kill whoever they were hired to kill by any means necessary and paid for the job. Well, so long as they kill whom they are supposed to, and so long as they don't get captured by the guards. This group is quite elusive, many people having tried to hunt them down for many years without any luck. If you are planning to join, then good luck to you; there is no known way of contacting them, besides the Black Sacrament, and even so, rarely do they let just anyone join them.

The last known members of the Dark Brotherhood had been recorded well over two hundred years ago, before the Oblivion Crisis took effect in Tamriel. Their original hideout having been wrecked, everyone thought that the group had disbanded and were no longer existing. However, it has come to mind that many deaths seem more than just an accident or random occurance these days.

The Dark Brotherhood considers anyone who joins like 'family,' and thus treats each other as such. Meaning, if you happen to kill a member of said family without reason, then more than likely, your own death will come when you least expect it. The Dark Brotherhood here also does not take lightly to people just leaving once they've found out their secrets; once you're in family, you're usually in it for life.

Members

Lupa Dragonheart

[Keira Ironheart]

THE COMPANIONS

"I am a warrior and will die as I lived—in glorious battle!"
―The Companions' proclamation


FACTION: The Companions
LOCATION: Jorrvaskr
OVERALL SIDE: neutral
COMMON STONE: Warrior

Faction Details

HARBINGER: --
HARBINGER-TO-BE: --
THE CIRCLE: --
HEADQUARTERS: Jorrvaskr
GOAL: To carry on the traditions of the Five Hundred Companions of Ysgramor, and to take on the contracts of the people of Skyrim as honorable warriors.

Faction Rules

Members are not allowed to be a part of any political faction.
Members are not allowed to take part in politics.
Werebeasts in the Companions will have an easier time controlling their affliction, due to the fact that the Companions have a lengthy experience with lycanthropy.
Vampires are not allowed as members of the Companions, as the lycanthropes in the Companions would easily detect them.

WAYS TO JOIN:

Speak with a Circle Member at Jorrvaskr.

Reading List

The Companions
Great Harbingers of the Companions
Kodlak's Journal
Songs of the Return
The Five Hundred Mighty Companions or Thereabouts of Ysgramor the Returned
Yngol and the Sea Ghosts
Fall of the Snow Prince
Night of Tears
Lycanthropic Legends of Skyrim
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition/Skyrim
Before the Ages of Man
Nords of Skyrim
Frontier, Conquest, and Accommodation: A Social History of Cyrodiil
Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition - The Throat of the World: Skyrim

Historical Details

When Ysgramor sailed from Atmora to Skyrim (then Mereth) to seek vengeance for the Night of Tears, he brought his 500 Companions along with him. Since Ysgramor, none have truly led the Companions. Jorrvaskr itself is an upturned Atmoran ship, around which Whiterun was built.

Unknown to the common man and Companion, the Circle is actually comprised of werewolves. This began when Terrfyg, a previous Harbinger, made a compact with the Glenmoril Witches, granting the Companions the gift -- and curse -- of Lycanthropy.

The Companions are, to put it simply, much like the Fighter's Guild from Cyrodiil, in a sense that a lot of them are warriors looking for a good fight. There is one notable difference, however: while the Fighter's Guild had to fight in an arena, a member of Companions travels around Skyrim, completing jobs for people who need help, such as killing bandits, rescuing people, killing animals on their property - or even in their home! - to intimidating those that need such. Many see the Companions as the good guys, however, unknown to many, the Inner Circle of the Companions - some of the most noble, strongest, and longest serving members in the Companions, though not always - are actually Werewolves. Well, most of them, anyway. And, of course, only the Inner Circle is allowed to be as such.

The Companions often let warriors join, the most common being Nordic, however, unlike most Nords, they don't care what race you are; so long as you can manage yourself in a fight, you're all good to join if you so choose. They rarely let mages and thieves join, of course, since their job is to get the job done with the use of weapons of armor. If you want to be a thief or a mage, there's a guild and a college for you elsewhere.

Members

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[Keira Ironheart]

THE BARD'S COLLEGE

Faction Details

LEADER: --
HEADQUARTERS: The Bards College at Solitude
GOAL: Located in Solitude, the Bards College is an establishment where one can learn the arts of story-telling, music, speechcraft, and more. It has a sizable library, which students may use to pursue knowledge.

Faction Rules

Students are not allowed to be a part of any political faction.

Additional Details

AFFILIATION: None.
RECRUITMENT STATUS: Open

WAYS TO JOIN:

Visit the Bards College at Solitude.

Reading List

Walking the World, Volume XI, Solitude
Pocket Guide to the Empire 1st Ed, Skyrim
King Olaf's Verse
Olaf and the Dragon
Songs of Skyrim, Revised Edition

Historical Details

Founded during Skyrim's Alessian flirtation, the Bards College still continues to flaunt a heretical streak. Its students are famous carousers, and have no trouble finding employment in noble households across Tamriel. Students yearly invade the marketplace for a week of revelry, the climax of which is the famous burning of "King Olaf" in effigy.

The building is marked by the Flame of Callisos, which is named for a famous bard. It is said that as long as that flame burns, the college will stand.

Members

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