Exploring the Halls of Arden Vul: Institutions - Revision history

Atlictoatl: /* Vengeance Factor */

2021-07-18T07:30:22Z

Vengeance Factor

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:30, 18 July 2021
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	The empire-wide public assassin’s guild. While it is legal to hire assassins for private matters (especially matters of honor), Archontean law prohibits the Vengeance Factor from targeting public officials.		The empire-wide public assassin’s guild. While it is legal to hire assassins for private matters (especially matters of honor), Archontean law prohibits the Vengeance Factor from targeting public officials.

	As the bureaucracy is very large, many individuals are ~~‘pro-tected’~~ by their status. It is not uncommon, therefore, for a person to hire the Vengeance Factor to satisfy his grudges immediately before taking public office. Assassination that is not conducted by the Vengeance Factor is strictly prohibited, and is punished with the most gruesome of public torture.		As the bureaucracy is very large, many individuals are ‘protected’ by their status. It is not uncommon, therefore, for a person to hire the Vengeance Factor to satisfy his grudges immediately before taking public office. Assassination that is not conducted by the Vengeance Factor is strictly prohibited, and is punished with the most gruesome of public torture.

	The Vengeance Factor is quite selective in what contracts it accepts, at least partly because members of the Factor who are killed in the service of a contract may not be avenged. In Narsileon, the Vengeance Factor operates a guild-hall in the Grain Market district, where Plashey the Face facilitates contracts.		The Vengeance Factor is quite selective in what contracts it accepts, at least partly because members of the Factor who are killed in the service of a contract may not be avenged. In Narsileon, the Vengeance Factor operates a guild-hall in the Grain Market district, where Plashey the Face facilitates contracts.

Atlictoatl: /* Archontean Navy */

2021-07-18T07:27:00Z

Archontean Navy

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	==Archontean Navy==		==Archontean Navy==
	The Archonteans have a long history as a naval power, even as their only real threats by sea are Wiskin long ships and pirates from the coast of Ostralios. The Archontean navy is built around the dromon, a fast galley with one or two banks of ~~oarsmen~~ plus a lateen sail. Light dromons carry 108 ~~oarsmen~~ in one bank, where heavy dromons carry 180 ~~oarsmen~~ in two banks. A super-heavy ship, the chelandion, carries 300 ~~oarsmen~~ in three banks. Each ship is captained by a novarch. A unit of 2-20 ships is called a squadron, and is commanded by a droungarios. A unit of more than 20 ships is a fleet, and is commanded by a strategos.		The Archonteans have a long history as a naval power, even as their only real threats by sea are Wiskin long ships and pirates from the coast of Ostralios. The Archontean navy is built around the dromon, a fast galley with one or two banks of oarspeople plus a lateen sail. Light dromons carry 108 oarspeople in one bank, where heavy dromons carry 180 oarspeople in two banks. A super-heavy ship, the chelandion, carries 300 oarspeople in three banks. Each ship is captained by a novarch. A unit of 2-20 ships is called a squadron, and is commanded by a droungarios. A unit of more than 20 ships is a fleet, and is commanded by a strategos.

	The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarsmen; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.

			The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarspeople; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.

	=Collegia=		=Collegia=

Atlictoatl: /* Archontean Army */

2021-07-18T07:25:47Z

Archontean Army

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:25, 18 July 2021
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	The Archontean emperor maintains a standing army composed of five legions of heavy cavalry (cataphracts), six legions of heavy infantry (scutarii), and three legions of light infantry (velites). In addition, the emperor directly controls nine cohorts of the tagmata, or imperial guard.		The Archontean emperor maintains a standing army composed of five legions of heavy cavalry (cataphracts), six legions of heavy infantry (scutarii), and three legions of light infantry (velites). In addition, the emperor directly controls nine cohorts of the tagmata, or imperial guard.

	Each legion is led by a polemarch and is supposed to contain 3,000 soldiers. Legions are subdivided into 6 cohorts of 500 ~~men~~, each led by a komes; each cohort has 5 kentarchia of 100 ~~men~~, each led by a kentarch; each kentarchia has two pentarchia of 50 ~~men~~, each led by a pentarch; each pentarchia is divided into five konturbia of 10 ~~men~~, each led by a dekarch.		Each legion is led by a polemarch and is supposed to contain 3,000 soldiers. Legions are subdivided into 6 cohorts of 500 soldiers, each led by a komes; each cohort has 5 kentarchia of 100 soldiers, each led by a kentarch; each kentarchia has two pentarchia of 50 soldiers, each led by a pentarch; each pentarchia is divided into five konturbia of 10 soldiers, each led by a dekarch.

	The imperial tagmata are slightly different. Each cohort contains 1,000 ~~men~~ and is led by a taxiarch. Each cohort is divided into two banda of 500 ~~men~~, each led by a komes; each bandon is divided into 5 kentarchia of 100 ~~men~~, each led by a kentarch; each kentarchia is divided into 5 konturbia of 20 ~~men~~, each led by a dekarch. Common soldiers (privates) are called spatharii.		The imperial tagmata are slightly different. Each cohort contains 1,000 soldiers and is led by a taxiarch. Each cohort is divided into two banda of 500 soldiers, each led by a komes; each bandon is divided into 5 kentarchia of 100 soldiers, each led by a kentarch; each kentarchia is divided into 5 konturbia of 20 soldiers, each led by a dekarch. Common soldiers (privates) are called spatharii.

	==Archontean Navy==		==Archontean Navy==

Atlictoatl at 16:46, 12 July 2021

2021-07-12T16:46:31Z

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			[[Exploring_the_Halls_of_Arden_Vul \| Back to main page]]

	=Institutions of Empire=		=Institutions of Empire=
	==Themes==		==Themes==

Atlictoatl: /* Criminal Activity */

2021-07-12T16:45:57Z

Criminal Activity

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	=~~Criminal Activity~~=		=Organized Crime=
	==Sanctioned==		==Sanctioned==
	===Benevolent Brotherhood===		===Benevolent Brotherhood===
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	===Lords of Justice===		===Lords of Justice===
	A recently-formed, secretive, alternate thieves’ guild, designed to challenge the Benevolent Brotherhood’s monopoly. The nature, size, and motives of the Lords of Justice are unknown. The Brotherhood is quite concerned about this threat, even as the imperial authorities have so far turned a blind eye to its activities.		A recently-formed, secretive, alternate thieves’ guild, designed to challenge the Benevolent Brotherhood’s monopoly. The nature, size, and motives of the Lords of Justice are unknown. The Brotherhood is quite concerned about this threat, even as the imperial authorities have so far turned a blind eye to its activities.


	=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=		=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=
	The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.		The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.

Atlictoatl at 16:45, 12 July 2021

2021-07-12T16:45:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 12 July 2021
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	A few well-placed magi suspect that an eighth, secret collegium exists.		A few well-placed magi suspect that an eighth, secret collegium exists.


			=The Factors=
			The Factors are large, empire-wide mercantile enterprises. All of the major Factors have constructed a Factor-Hold in each of the major Archontean population centers. Individual merchants belonging to the Factor can thus travel between cities and towns and be assured of a secure base for their transactions. The Factors also offer banking services: one can deposit monies or goods for secure storage, and one can also procure letters of credit to be redeemed at any Factor-Hold (thus reducing the amount of cash one must carry). While the four large factors have truly empire-wide reach, a number of more regional factors also exist.

			The four large Factors are:

			*The Silent Factor
			*The Golden Band
			*The Prosperity Factor
			*The Wisdom Factor

			Each of the four has certain idiosyncrasies. For instance, members of the Silent Factor publicly wear attire that covers all but their eyes and refuse to speak to non-members at all; they use elaborate sign-language (and, occasionally, interpreters). The Golden Band is the largest and most prosperous of the four.

Atlictoatl at 16:43, 12 July 2021

2021-07-12T16:43:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 12 July 2021
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	===Lords of Justice===		===Lords of Justice===
	A recently-formed, secretive, alternate thieves’ guild, designed to challenge the Benevolent Brotherhood’s monopoly. The nature, size, and motives of the Lords of Justice are unknown. The Brotherhood is quite concerned about this threat, even as the imperial authorities have so far turned a blind eye to its activities.		A recently-formed, secretive, alternate thieves’ guild, designed to challenge the Benevolent Brotherhood’s monopoly. The nature, size, and motives of the Lords of Justice are unknown. The Brotherhood is quite concerned about this threat, even as the imperial authorities have so far turned a blind eye to its activities.


	=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=		=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=
	The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.		The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.

Atlictoatl: /* Sanctioned Criminal Activity */

2021-07-12T16:43:26Z

Sanctioned Criminal Activity

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 12 July 2021
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	=~~Sanctioned~~ Criminal Activity=		=Criminal Activity=
	==Benevolent Brotherhood==		==Sanctioned==
			===Benevolent Brotherhood===
	The Brotherhood is the empire-wide thieves’ guild, active in all major Archontean cities and towns. Members are ranked: Little Brothers are the rank and file thieves; Brothers run cells within a given area; Elder Brothers are those with a certain geographic jurisdiction and authority over 7-10 cells; Eldest Brothers are a shadowy handful of senior thieves who coordinate empire-wide activities as needed.		The Brotherhood is the empire-wide thieves’ guild, active in all major Archontean cities and towns. Members are ranked: Little Brothers are the rank and file thieves; Brothers run cells within a given area; Elder Brothers are those with a certain geographic jurisdiction and authority over 7-10 cells; Eldest Brothers are a shadowy handful of senior thieves who coordinate empire-wide activities as needed.

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	The imperial authorities normally do not intervene in the daily affairs of the Brotherhood, leading many to speculate that the Brotherhood pays regular ‘tithes’ to avoid scrutiny.		The imperial authorities normally do not intervene in the daily affairs of the Brotherhood, leading many to speculate that the Brotherhood pays regular ‘tithes’ to avoid scrutiny.

	==Vengeance Factor==		===Vengeance Factor===
	The empire-wide public assassin’s guild. While it is legal to hire assassins for private matters (especially matters of honor), Archontean law prohibits the Vengeance Factor from targeting public officials.		The empire-wide public assassin’s guild. While it is legal to hire assassins for private matters (especially matters of honor), Archontean law prohibits the Vengeance Factor from targeting public officials.

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	The Vengeance Factor is quite selective in what contracts it accepts, at least partly because members of the Factor who are killed in the service of a contract may not be avenged. In Narsileon, the Vengeance Factor operates a guild-hall in the Grain Market district, where Plashey the Face facilitates contracts.		The Vengeance Factor is quite selective in what contracts it accepts, at least partly because members of the Factor who are killed in the service of a contract may not be avenged. In Narsileon, the Vengeance Factor operates a guild-hall in the Grain Market district, where Plashey the Face facilitates contracts.

			==Unsanctioned==
			===Lords of Justice===
			A recently-formed, secretive, alternate thieves’ guild, designed to challenge the Benevolent Brotherhood’s monopoly. The nature, size, and motives of the Lords of Justice are unknown. The Brotherhood is quite concerned about this threat, even as the imperial authorities have so far turned a blind eye to its activities.

	=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=		=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=
	The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.		The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.

Atlictoatl at 16:41, 12 July 2021

2021-07-12T16:41:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:41, 12 July 2021
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	The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarsmen; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.		The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarsmen; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.


	=Collegia=		=Collegia=
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	===The Sacred Band===		===The Sacred Band===
	A knightly order of paired lovers, some male-male, some male-female, some female-female. Typically, the pair includes one fighter/knight and one magic user. While proud of the order as a whole, members are typically more devoted to their partner than to the order. This renders the Sacred Band more valuable for heroic individual (or dyadic) missions than for large, collective endeavors.		A knightly order of paired lovers, some male-male, some male-female, some female-female. Typically, the pair includes one fighter/knight and one magic user. While proud of the order as a whole, members are typically more devoted to their partner than to the order. This renders the Sacred Band more valuable for heroic individual (or dyadic) missions than for large, collective endeavors.


			=Sanctioned Criminal Activity=
			==Benevolent Brotherhood==
			The Brotherhood is the empire-wide thieves’ guild, active in all major Archontean cities and towns. Members are ranked: Little Brothers are the rank and file thieves; Brothers run cells within a given area; Elder Brothers are those with a certain geographic jurisdiction and authority over 7-10 cells; Eldest Brothers are a shadowy handful of senior thieves who coordinate empire-wide activities as needed.

			In sizable population centers (e.g., Narsileon), the Brotherhood operates a public ‘front’, where those in need of the Brotherhood’s services may deposit requests for service with a named Brother (or with a randomly-chosen one, if none are known to the petitioner).

			The imperial authorities normally do not intervene in the daily affairs of the Brotherhood, leading many to speculate that the Brotherhood pays regular ‘tithes’ to avoid scrutiny.

			==Vengeance Factor==
			The empire-wide public assassin’s guild. While it is legal to hire assassins for private matters (especially matters of honor), Archontean law prohibits the Vengeance Factor from targeting public officials.

			As the bureaucracy is very large, many individuals are ‘pro-tected’ by their status. It is not uncommon, therefore, for a person to hire the Vengeance Factor to satisfy his grudges immediately before taking public office. Assassination that is not conducted by the Vengeance Factor is strictly prohibited, and is punished with the most gruesome of public torture.

			The Vengeance Factor is quite selective in what contracts it accepts, at least partly because members of the Factor who are killed in the service of a contract may not be avenged. In Narsileon, the Vengeance Factor operates a guild-hall in the Grain Market district, where Plashey the Face facilitates contracts.


	=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=		=Thorcin Recovery League (TRL)=
	The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.		The name given to organized Thorcin resistance to the Archontean Empire on the continent of Irthuin. Members of the TRL use distinctive blue arrows and are said to be led by a certain Eadric Strigona. Stated goals of the TRL include the expulsion of the Archontean empire from Narsileon and Arcturos.

Atlictoatl: /* Institutions of Empire */

2021-07-12T16:39:12Z

Institutions of Empire

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 12 July 2021
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	=Institutions of Empire=		=Institutions of Empire=
			==Themes==
			The Archontean empire is subdivided into thirteen themes, or administrative units. Six of the themes are on Mithruin: the city of Archontos itself, plus three agricultural and two mountain themes. Three more are mainly military in nature, and encompass the seas and trading lanes of the North, South and Center. The last four reflect overseas possessions: Borealios, the Grain Islands, Narsileon and Arcturos.

			The title of the officers in charge of themes varies by their nature, being either an eparch (for Archontos the city), an archon (the agricultural themes of Mithruin), a strategos (the mountain themes of Mithruin, the theme of Borealios, and the naval themes), or an exarch (the Grain Islands, Narsileon, and Arcturos).

	==Archontean Bureaucracy==		==Archontean Bureaucracy==
	The vast imperial bureaucracy is divided into three main branches, the House of Coins, the House of Sight, and the Private House. Each branch is led by a thesmothete living in Archontos, who consults regularly with the basileus about decisions affecting the empire. In each imperial theme or exarchate, the chief bureaucrat for each branch of the administration is a logothete, who administers a small army of chartoularii, enforcers, guards, and so forth. Service in the bureaucracy is common for middle- and upper-class citizens.		The vast imperial bureaucracy is divided into three main branches, the House of Coins, the House of Sight, and the Private House. Each branch is led by a thesmothete living in Archontos, who consults regularly with the basileus about decisions affecting the empire. In each imperial theme or exarchate, the chief bureaucrat for each branch of the administration is a logothete, who administers a small army of chartoularii, enforcers, guards, and so forth. Service in the bureaucracy is common for middle- and upper-class citizens.
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	The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarsmen; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.		The main Archontean naval forces are located as follows: the Karabisoi, or home fleet, based in Archontos; the Grain Isle squadron, based in Ostentown; the Irthuin Squadron, based in Narsileon; the Borealios squadron, based in Westholm; the Ostralios squadron, officially based in Agoreon but actually based in Arcturos; and the Iron Isles Squadron, based in the Iron Isles. Each ship carries a complement of marines numbering 1/6 the number of oarsmen; these marines are trained as, and have the same prestige as, members of the imperial tagmata.


	=Collegia=		=Collegia=