Ark of Fools: Factions

The inhabitants of the Ark band together in tight factions and loose alliances, finding strength in numbers. Here is a preliminary listing of some of them:

Wakeners: those who want to revive the dead god as a good deity. Some say they only need to recover the ten thousand fragments of the true name of Armaz to do this. Hang out openly at the Temple of Armaz. They don't tell their secrets to any except ordained members.
- Swords of Armaz: band of warriors (paladins, fighters, etc.) in the service of the Temple of Armaz.
- Daughters of the Holy Flame: a Wakener Sisterhood based at the temple. They provide healing for all (for donations) and preach the return of Armaz to anyone they help.
Dark Wakeners: those who want to revive the god as an evil deity. And some are looking for the fragments of the true name of Daka. They have hidden enclaves in the Underskin. Local gravity is such that they are upside down relative to people on the outside of the Skin. They would like to reverse Daka's inner "decay". I.e. turn Akadazia back into a god's body rather than a wild plane. Naturally this would destroy Akadazia and almost everything in it.
Sleepers: those who favor the status quo
Dusters: those who want to utterly destroy the dead god
The Sworn: those who have sworn their allegiance to the Ancient's cause. They run the local law enforcement. (But only in Face, for the most part.)
Joining the Sworn: rigorous initiation rites, quests, oaths. You give your name and soul to the keeping of the Ancient. (prestige class?)
The Hounds of the Sworn: lower members of the order. They may be merely hired swords. Have not completed the rites of the Sworn.
Cult of the Dead God: those who want to suck out any lingering divinity into themselves.
Scavengers: those who make trips out into the astral and various planes to scavenge whatever they can find.
The Far Astral Trading Company: A Mercane has an outpost in Face. They get everywhere, after all. He has an understanding with the Ancient.
House Hagard: all the people affiliated with Lord Hagard (one of the Council of Three) More on Hagard
House Aschwold: all the people affiliated with Lady Aschwold (one of the Council of Three) More on Aschwold
House Silverwind: all the people affiliated with Baron Silverwind (one of the Council of Three) More on Silverwind
the Underchin Militia: one of two gangs in the Beard
the Collective: one of two gangs in the Beard
the Hunters' Guild: (aka the Assassins) impartial, expensive, and professional. They are tolerated (barely) by the Ancient and the Council of Three. Rumored to have their base in the Underskin. Leave a message with the Line Boss, and they'll be in touch. Hiring someone from House Hagard is a lot cheaper, but not nearly as secret. The major houses all train their own assassins. Assassination is illegal, so best not get caught. However, they also work as bounty hunters (against criminals or monsters.) Officially, they're all legal, tax-paying, bounty hunters.
Silver Dancers: Some are those who fled the law on multiple planes before ending up here. Others are local thieves and bandits and con men. Now they are mostly pirates and smugglers (bringing in things that the Ancient or the Council of Three officially frowns on, or to avoid paying the Ancient's tithe.) Based out of the Thieves' Ballroom.
Philosopher's Guild: To relieve the tedium of agelessness, some citizens of Face get together to ponder on the meaning of it all.
Storyteller's Guild: And others collect stories (including histories and biographies). They are based out of the library, but go all over the place for interesting tales.
The Rebellion: And others want to overthrow the Ancient, for various reasons of their own. A bunch of nearly-independent cells. A lot of squabbling, which would become serious if they ever succeed.
Various bands and tribes in the interior: these fall along racial lines, in many cases. Human bands tend to number about 150-200, and they are loosely organized into tribes. Players can create their own bands/tribes if they want to. Staff might make up a few to start with.
Godsdoor militia: led by Elena Silverleaf. They keep order in Godsdoor and go after any nearby threats.
Temple of Pelor: The sun worshippers are the strongest organized religious group in the interior demiplane (Akadazia). Most humans in Lakeland follow Pelor. The High Temple of Pelor is located in Goosetown. Temple NPCs.