Tyrant Queen of Darkness
What is the Faction System?
The Dark Court thrives not as a monolith, but as a shifting constellation of wills, ambitions, and allegiances. Within its shadowed halls, power does not rest solely in the hands of a single throne, but flows through countless rivulets: factions, cabals, and circles each striving to shape the Court according to their vision. To belong to the Dark Court is to step into an arena where alliances are forged with a word and broken with a whisper, where strength is measured not only in one's command of the Force or the blade, but also in the networks of influence one commands.
Factions provide identity and focus within the Court's ever-changing tides. Some are ancient lineages of Sith philosophies reinterpreted, others are mercantile syndicates or military cadres, while still others gather around a single charismatic figure whose ambition demands followers. They compete, cooperate, and betray—yet all remain bound by the greater truth of the Court: that survival and ascendancy come only to those who dare to seize them.
Joining or founding a faction is more than a political choice. It is an act of defiance, of declaring one's purpose against the void. Characters gain not just allies, but resources, agendas, and enemies. Each faction shapes the Court's wider narrative, contributing to the tapestry of conspiracies, wars, and revelations that define its story. No one path is supreme; every banner offers opportunity for those cunning enough to claim it.
In the Dark Court, factions are not static. They rise, fracture, merge, and collapse, leaving behind scars and legends. To swear loyalty is to enter a living struggle. To lead is to hold lightning in one's grasp. And to oppose is to risk being consumed.
OOC: Factions
Out of Character, factions in the Dark Court are designed as player-driven groups that give structure, flavor, and continuity to your stories. They are not rigid sub-factions with their own rulesets, but creative platforms where writers can collaborate, explore themes, and give their characters a shared identity.
- Player-Created: Anyone can propose or form a faction, whether it's a Sith cult, a mercenary company, a noble house, or a cabal of alchemists. You decide its purpose, style, and culture.
- Narrative Tools: Factions serve as story engines. They provide common ground for characters to meet, plot, and act together, whether in cooperative arcs or rivalries. A faction's goals and actions directly shape ongoing narratives within the Court.
- Fluid Membership: Characters may belong to one faction, multiple, or none at all. Loyalty can shift, betrayal can happen, and factions themselves can evolve or dissolve depending on the story.
- Recognition, Not Hierarchy: The Dark Court does not impose mechanical advantages or disadvantages for factions. Instead, prominence comes through storytelling—how active the faction is, what stories it drives, and how it influences the wider Court.
- Opportunities for Everyone: You don't need to lead or found a faction to participate. Joining an existing group gives your character instant hooks, allies, and rivalries. Creating one gives you the chance to shape the Court's future.
While the Dark Court encourages creativity and freedom, the founding of a new faction follows a defined process to ensure consistency, visibility, and integration into the Court's wider narrative. This process mirrors the political reality of the Court itself—order amid chaos, recognition amid ambition.
1. Declaration of Intent
A player wishing to form a faction must first declare their intent publicly in the #faction-registry or designated forum thread. This should include a short summary (around 100–200 words) outlining the faction's name, theme, goals, and general tone. This declaration serves as your faction's first "manifesto" to the Court.
The template is as follows:
FACTION NAME:
The title under which your group operates. May include translations, epithets, or alternate designations.
SYMBOL / INSIGNIA:
Optional visual reference or description of the faction's sigil, banner, or identifying mark.
FOUNDER / LEADERSHIP:
Name(s) of the primary leader(s), overseer(s), or council. Can include IC titles.
SUMMARY:
A 100–200 word overview describing the faction's purpose, philosophy, and defining traits.
OBJECTIVES:
List a few active or long-term goals (political, martial, spiritual, mercantile, etc.). These can be concrete missions or abstract ambitions.
STRUCTURE / MEMBERSHIP:
Briefly explain how the faction is organized and who may join. Open, selective, invitation-only, or secretive?
RELATIONS:
Optional – list known allies, rivals, or neutral factions. These help other writers find connection points.
STATUS:
Awaiting Approval / Provisional / Recognized / Defunct (updated by moderators as the faction evolves).
2. Review and Alignment
The Dark Court's moderators or narrative leads will review the submission to ensure the faction fits within the setting's established tone and lore. Adjustments may be suggested to maintain balance, avoid overlap, or strengthen narrative hooks.
3. Recognition
Once approved, the faction is granted Provisional Recognition. After demonstrating consistent activity for a month, the faction may request Full Recognition by sending a message to the current FO of the Dark Court, granting it a permanent listing on the official roster and many other features.
4. Registration and Record
A recognized faction is added to the Factions Directory, including its insignia, leader(s), brief description, and any known alliances or rivalries. Updates can be made at any time to reflect its growth or evolution.
5. Legacy and Continuity
Should a faction fall inactive or be destroyed IC, its record remains archived—its legacy preserved in the annals of the Court. Other writers are free to inherit, rebuild, or usurp its remnants, just as in the shifting politics of the Dark Court itself.