This is not to imply that they lack power - each one is pre-eminent in its own domain. Some have greater resources than main factions, merely in places that are not relevant or accessible. Yet.
The British Empire
Of all the minor factions, this one is the one with the greatest influence on the world outside the Magus. The British Empire is at the height of its power and pursues a diplomatic policy of splendid isolation - it neither wants nor needs entanglements with other nations. It is content to reside above all other global forces and act to ensure that the balance of power remains in its favour. It is no coincidence that Clocktower is based in London.
Empress Victoria is not blind to the dangers that the magical world poses. The Church has historically been an enemy of Albion and the entanglements between Magus and the Empire run deep. This, mostly political involvement, has no hesitation in requesting assistance behind the scenes or paying richly for that assistance. Notable proponents of the Empire’s interests include Lady Primrose and Lord Barthomeloi, while a prominent opponent is Charles Parnell.
Those who find great favour with the Empire can obtain Wealth - land around the world as well as finances. That, and the influence the Empire wields can be useful for those with international interests. For enemies of the Empire, on the other hand, finances can become strained as quiet words with bankers ensure crippling rates of interest. There is also a strong mutual connection with Clocktower - they will hear of anyone consistently working against the interests of the Empire.
The Sidhe
Empress Victoria is not blind to the dangers that the magical world poses. The Church has historically been an enemy of Albion and the entanglements between Magus and the Empire run deep. This, mostly political involvement, has no hesitation in requesting assistance behind the scenes or paying richly for that assistance. Notable proponents of the Empire’s interests include Lady Primrose and Lord Barthomeloi, while a prominent opponent is Charles Parnell.
Those who find great favour with the Empire can obtain Wealth - land around the world as well as finances. That, and the influence the Empire wields can be useful for those with international interests. For enemies of the Empire, on the other hand, finances can become strained as quiet words with bankers ensure crippling rates of interest. There is also a strong mutual connection with Clocktower - they will hear of anyone consistently working against the interests of the Empire.
The Sidhe
Events in Ireland led to a resurgence of Elementals - beings whose origins are the Reverse Side of the World who take on forms which permit them to exist here. Unlike the more destructive Demons, the Sidhe act as beings out of myth and legend. While the container they inhabit bears no more relation to their true form than water does to a glass, they are compelled to act in accordance with the understanding of humanity. For now. Those who can be reasoned with, who have aims which are not entirely hostile to humanity, those Magus refer to as the Sidhe.
This initial, minor breach has widened considerably with the crisis of the Towers. While they are not yet capable of walking freely from the Reverse Side, any commotion is enough to cause breaches. They infest the Ley Lines and may eventually start to make problems for Magus who live in affected areas. Still, this also brings opportunity for those who make allies of the visitors - they range in power from small creatures like Madam Rose to immense beings of ancient power like Dragons. The previous commander of their forces, Manannan, was chased away from this realm through the power of Pope Pius X and they have yet to organise any of their armies.
They seem to have a vast population and gleefully move from place to place, sometimes helping, sometimes hindering. Regardless of their motivations, harnessing their whims can give a Magus many Tokens to distribute as well as moving them around. The Church in Rome, of course, despises them but most other people are indifferent to their actions. Of course, if a leader arises then they may start to punish those who oppose them and become more of a threat.
Madam Rose:
This initial, minor breach has widened considerably with the crisis of the Towers. While they are not yet capable of walking freely from the Reverse Side, any commotion is enough to cause breaches. They infest the Ley Lines and may eventually start to make problems for Magus who live in affected areas. Still, this also brings opportunity for those who make allies of the visitors - they range in power from small creatures like Madam Rose to immense beings of ancient power like Dragons. The previous commander of their forces, Manannan, was chased away from this realm through the power of Pope Pius X and they have yet to organise any of their armies.
They seem to have a vast population and gleefully move from place to place, sometimes helping, sometimes hindering. Regardless of their motivations, harnessing their whims can give a Magus many Tokens to distribute as well as moving them around. The Church in Rome, of course, despises them but most other people are indifferent to their actions. Of course, if a leader arises then they may start to punish those who oppose them and become more of a threat.
Madam Rose:
A minor Sidhe, discovered and brought to the summit through the work of Philippe de Lyon, Madam Rose is a curiosity amongst Elementals. She has taken the form of a giver of gifts in exchange for access to the Magic Circuits of Magus. She openly admits that in her native lands these are rarely available and therefore she is astoundingly weak compared to most of her kind.
Currently living in Philippe de Lyon’s attic, she has claimed asylum from the Reverse Side of the World and is enjoying a landscape which doesn’t contain creatures such as Dragons. She has been one of the strongest advocates for preventing the two worlds from merging and considers herself a refugee.
Manannan:
Currently living in Philippe de Lyon’s attic, she has claimed asylum from the Reverse Side of the World and is enjoying a landscape which doesn’t contain creatures such as Dragons. She has been one of the strongest advocates for preventing the two worlds from merging and considers herself a refugee.
Manannan:
Previously a warlord from Ireland, this Sidhe led an army which threatened to attack Magus and Clocktower. During negotiations Pope Pius X intervened to lay a curse upon his entire bloodline. While he remained in this world he would die, along with all of his family. Cursing the name of all mortals, he retreated back to the other world in exchange for having the curse lifted from his name.
The Broken Tower
The Broken Tower
In the aftermath of the Grail War in India, the wish to learn the secrets of the Divine Words was made by the surviving allied Magus. This wish carried with it dire consequences - one of the ancient Towers which were constructed in the Age of Myth has broken, partially collapsed and with it has come a host of strange Magus as well as vast tides of Demons and Sidhe. They speak some particularly ancient dialect of Sumerian and few can communicate with them. Relations between Magus here and them have been cautious at best, hostile at worst, and they have magical powers beyond the Magus of this time, wiping out forces from the Sea of Estray sent to contain them.
Their emissaries to Clocktower have been confused, to say the least. They have reported that they expect ‘those who were left behind’ to keep the faith - but they have not said to what. Furthermore, they expect the whole world to be united under their dominion and regard any explanation of the geopolitical realities of the world to be humorous or blasphemous. They have mostly been occupied securing the land around what they refer to as the Hyperborean Tower, preparing for some great work that they have demanded incredibly rare and expensive components to achieve. So far the only visitors have been an Emissary from the Broken Tower who did not give his name as well as a High Priestess who referred to the other as the Anthropologist.
Their numbers are small, barely a handful of Magus have shown themselves so far. They do appear to possess secrets of Power as well as military forces but they have been reluctant to give out any of this knowledge - if they favour any Magus over another, they are keeping that quiet. While what they will grant those who are admitted to their ranks is unknown people have seen what may happen to those who anger them - a flight of dragonriders has been spotted leaving the Tower to destroy those they see as enemies.
Anthropologist:
Their emissaries to Clocktower have been confused, to say the least. They have reported that they expect ‘those who were left behind’ to keep the faith - but they have not said to what. Furthermore, they expect the whole world to be united under their dominion and regard any explanation of the geopolitical realities of the world to be humorous or blasphemous. They have mostly been occupied securing the land around what they refer to as the Hyperborean Tower, preparing for some great work that they have demanded incredibly rare and expensive components to achieve. So far the only visitors have been an Emissary from the Broken Tower who did not give his name as well as a High Priestess who referred to the other as the Anthropologist.
Their numbers are small, barely a handful of Magus have shown themselves so far. They do appear to possess secrets of Power as well as military forces but they have been reluctant to give out any of this knowledge - if they favour any Magus over another, they are keeping that quiet. While what they will grant those who are admitted to their ranks is unknown people have seen what may happen to those who anger them - a flight of dragonriders has been spotted leaving the Tower to destroy those they see as enemies.
Anthropologist:
A curiosity, this visitor to the summits initially arrived unable to speak any of the languages of the current age. Instead he insisted on communicating via translation of some obscure ancient dialect. Furthermore he displays a lack of understanding of the structure of modern society. Fascinated by the details of how the world around him works, he communicates the needs of the Broken Tower to those he calls the faithful, the ‘priests’ who they left behind.
High Priestess:
High Priestess:
Unlike the Anthopologist the High Priestess does not show any interest in modern society. She uses magic to communicate directly, bypassing any language barrier and any sense of modern morals. Her only appearance so far has been to threaten to sack London if her demands were not immediately met, a threat which it appeared she had a fair chance of carrying out. It is as yet unknown which of the two members of the Broken Tower are more representative of the average denizen.
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