Every faction member has powers unique to their group, which they may use by engaging a staff member to facilitate in order to ensure fair play. These powers reflect the flavor of the faction and are meant to be fun, easy-to-use ways to further story-oriented roleplay. It is important to note that faction powers are intended to be fun quirks, NOT powerful, game-changing abilities.
Bāhira Conch Shell: Storytellers, orators, and the keepers of Mutu Valley’s ancient lore, when a Bāhira speaks, Auxientia listens. (When an NPC is on hand to facilitate) a player character can take the floor by speaking the Bāhira word “bōla” for all to hear. All must listen while this PC speaks uninterrupted until their speech is delivered.
Gilded Golden Business Card: The Gilded are the movers and shakers of the city, with a vast network of connections in government, trade, and business. This is reflected in game by Gilded players’ ability to summon any person of influence for a short meeting or conversation. To do this, the Gilded PC approaches an NPC and uses the phrase “Golden Opportunity.” For example, “I would like a golden opportunity to meet with the minister of trade,” or “I would like a golden opportunity to meet with the mafia don who controls the docks.” That NPC temporarily transforms into that person. In this way, a Gilded PC can directly influence the structures of trade and power within the city.
Irregulars “Extra! Extra!”: The masses of the city that collectively comprise the Irregulars are the voices of the people, the voices of the streets, and their opinions—true and false—may be heard on every street corner; where the Gilded speak to the structures of power, the Irregulars speak with the voices of the streets. In game, an Irregular PC can instantly broadcast a headline-style announcement by saying the phrase “Extra! Extra!” to an NPC, followed by the headline (spoken or written) that the PC wishes to broadcast. The NPC then echoes the announcement loudly so other staff members pick up the call, acting as Observer newsies to spread opinions. For example, “Extra! Extra! The chief of police is a Beyonder spy!” Or “Extra! Extra! Automatons are plotting to destroy the city!” Or “Extra! Extra! Buggins’ bagels are the best in town!”
Luciole Ltd. “Hey Spider”: As the information architects and technicians of the city, Luciole Ltd. has created a “web” of knowledge and lore that they can access by asking simple questions (essentially Auxientia’s version of Siri). In the presence of an NPC, a Luciole NPC can use the phrase, “Hey Spider,” and ask any question about any topic whatsoever, which the staff member will answer with information. But beware! The technology is imperfect and “the web” is rife with opinion and misinformation and isn’t always right!
Parastin Protector: From their earliest days as the protectors of Auxientia, the Parastin have long served as a balance to equalize the other, often contentious, factions within the city. In this tradition, a Parastin PC can offer protective service to an individual or faction by swearing a spoken contract of “Protection.” While in another faction’s service, the Parastin player character temporarily gains access to that faction’s ability as if the Parastin were a member of the faction. The effect lasts until the contract ends (typically one half day or at mealtimes), when the Parastin NPC faction lead summons the Parastin player characters back to council and strategize toward maintaining the balance.