Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 julescarv Feb 09, 2006 1:29:12	I'm just wondering: do philosophical groups besides the factions operate in Sigil? If so, how? For example, would a philosophical group that wasn't a faction usually be a dissident splinter group of an already existing faction? (e.g., a group of Sensates who didn't agree with all of Sensate philosophy) Or would they be seperate, autonomous groups that were structurally similar to factions, but smaller, and without any of the "official" status or prestige that goes with true factions? Besides the Faction War, is there a churn of factions as different outlooks rise and fall from favor? Let's say that someone comes into Sigil with a different outlook on life than any of the existing factions, and let's say that he wants to spread his views? What would he do, typically? Join the faction that comes closest to matching his views, and then criticize the faction doctrine from within? Remain unaligned as far as the factions, but start publishing pamphlets and giving seminars and such, and try to gather a group of disciples, in the hopes that one day his ideas might become embodied in a faction?
#2 nerdicus Feb 09, 2006 9:06:55	I belive that the big difference is the benefits that one gains from belonging to a faction. Ie various bonuses to stats, or skills, bonus spells or what not. I figure that if you wanted to start a new faction, it would be possible to just go ahead and start spreading the word but: If you were propigating something detrimental to the cage you might have problems. If you try to make a faction that is too close or too different from an existing faction you may get trouble from an exisiting faction. And though you may belive strongly in your new Fcation, you won't get any bonuses or anything right off the bat. ( DM's choice of course) I once had a character who tried to make his own faciton. Eventually i had followers but they did not gain the benefits that i did from it. ( it took along time for me to get the benefits. First I had to loose the benefits of the Faction I origanlly belonged to. Then had to prove my belief in my own) They eventually did gain the benefits, and my faction became official but didn't last long. The character had to leave Sigil for awhile on a moission. Came back and found that a different faction underminded my entire faction and I lost all my followers. Of course, I still kept my belief and subsequently the benefits I got from that belief. Does that help?
#3 rikutatis Feb 11, 2006 14:59:41	Well, you raise several questions Jules. It is my personal opinion that the current established factions wouldn't react very well to any attempt of this kind, at least when they realize it's growing and becoming more than a single barmy preaching to bubbers. The factols would go to great lenghts to keep the power and influence they maintain in the city and keep it from spreading too thin among growing sects and orders. And that's not even mentioning the Lady's edict, that there would be only a limited number of factions in Sigil. Not everyone would be willing to take their chances and say their growing group of believers isn't "official" so it shouldn't count. We know members of some sects operate in Sigil, Incantfiers, Prolongers and the such. But they're not usually grouped in bands and act more quietly, behind the curtains. But other sects might have more freedom to come and go in Sigil, if their activities benefit the other factions as a whole and/or if they have enough power and influence, like Estavan and the Merkants (what was their name? I don't have the books with me). In Faction War there was also the Eschaton (is that how it's called?) a sect of like minded individuals with apocalyptical beliefs. The Harmonium was making sure they weren't being very noisy. And yes, as you said, there's also the splinter groups within each faction. Like the Doomguard with its "subgroups", each of which has their own view of how entropy should be achieved. That should be easier to be achieved in case your belief approaches that of one of the factions, but still not that simple. You'd have to find a niche and deal with older members who aren't so keen on having you making a different interpretation of their dear philosophies. Just my take on it.
#4 kwint_pendick Feb 11, 2006 15:37:03	For other ideas on Faction splinter groups, check out Mimir.net's Faction page...Go to a Faction of your choice and click on whichever Visionaries are presented...See Visionaries such as the Hardhead Imam 'abd ar-Rahman and the Inquisition, the Guvner Grandmaster Lorill and the Players and the Sensate Checker and the Common Sense...There's more, but you get the idea... Kwint