Bjarkmundur
2019-09-12, 12:26 PM
I'm creating this for my own game, but I'm sure there's someone out there who might find this useful.
Each faction has a clear theme, and can be substituted for any faction or benefactor in your own game.
Factions and Themes
Lord's Alliance - Goverment, Law Enforcement
The Harpers - Spies
Emerald Enclave - Druid theme
Order of the Gauntlet - Paladin theme
Zhentarim - Black Market & Ruffian Theme
Including factions in your game has multiple benefits, but mostly serves to immerse the players and make them feel like they're a part of the setting. It can also serve as a way to help your players to indulge in their character's theme and identity.
.
Factions
Faction representatives can be found at the Yawning Portal at any time of day. Each faction has a safe house and is willing to safely harbor any members of Rank 1 or higher, as well as share with them relative information.
.
Renown
A character earns renown by completing missions or quests that serve an organization's interests or involve the organization directly. Eventually you might be up for a promotion, as long as you meet that rank’s requirements, as shown below.
.
Rank - Level - Renown
1 - - - 1st - - - - 1 - - -
2 - - - 3rd - - - - 3 - - -
3 - - - 5th - - - - 5 - - -
4 - - - 8th - - - - 8 - - -
5 - - - 10th - - - 10 - - -
.
Ideal Members: Loyal Waterdavians who put the city’s interests above their own.
Cause: Security of the city and the realm.
Representative: Jalester Silvermane
Head: Lady Laeral Silverhand
Location: Palace of Waterdeep
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Lord’s Alliance may give renown to a character for the apprehension of a known criminal.
.
.Initiate Rank - Cloak
City Watch officials are instructed to provide support to members with this rank whenever they can.
.
Rank 2 - Redknife
You gain access to the Risky Business downtime.
.
Rank 3 - Stingblade
You receive Badge of the Watch
.
Rank 4 - Warduke
Iron Bands of Binding
.
Rank 5 - Lioncrown
Periapt of Wound Closure
.
.
Ideal Members: Altruists against tyrants, competent spies.
Cause: Spy and gather information.
Representatives: Mirt, Renaer Neverember, Remallia Haventree
Location: Ulbrinter Villa
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Harper’s may give additional renown for the sharing of secrets pertaining to nobles or other figures of power.
.
.Initiate Rank: Watcher
Harpers give above average quest rewards.
.
Rank 2 - Harpshadow
You gain access to the Risky Business downtime.
.
Rank 3 - Brightcandle
Wand of Secrets.
.
Rank 4 - Wise Owl
Medallion of Thoughts
.
Rank 5 - High Harper
Magic item that allows you to cast Scrying once per long rest.
.
Ideal Members: Interest in protecting nature or the natural order.
Cause: Harmony between nature and civilization.
Representatives: The Tarms, Jeryth Phaulkons, Melannor Fellbranch, Blossom Snobeedle
Location: Phaulkonmere, Snobeedle Orchard and Meadery.
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Emerald Enclave may give additional renown for each undead, aberration or monstrosity defeated with a CR 1 or higher, as long as proof can be provided.
The spellcasting services of The Emerald Enclave are available to the party once every 30-day period.
.
Initiate Rank - Springwarden
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 1st level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
.
Rank 2 - Summerstrider
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 2nd level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
.
Rank 3 - Autumnreaver
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 3rd level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Ring of Animal Influence but instead contains the spells Speak with Animals, Animal Messenger, and Beast Sense.
.
Rank 4 - Winterstalker
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 4th level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Magic Item that allows you to cast Plant Growth once per long rest.
.
Rank 5 - Master of the Wild
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 5th level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Jeryth bestows upon you the gift of the wild.
You can cast Guardian of Nature once per long rest.
or
You can cast Druid Grove once per long rest.
.
.
Ideal Members: Worshippers of Helm, Torm or Tyr.
Cause: Seek out and destroy evil and bring peace.
Representative: Savra Belabranta
Location: Halls of Justice (Temple of Tyr)
The spellcasting services of The Order of The Gauntlet are available to the party once every 30-day period.
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Order of the Gauntlet may give additional renown for each Lawful Evil creature defeated with a CR 1 or higher, as long as proof can be provided.
.
.Initiate Rank - Chevall
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 1st level cleric spells.
.
Rank 2 - Marcheon
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 2nd level cleric spells.
.
Rank 3 - Whitehawk
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 3rd level cleric spells.
Ring of Protection
.
Rank 4 - Vindicator
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 4th level cleric spells.
Amulet of Health
.
Rank 5 - Righteous Hand
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 5th level cleric spells.
You gain a weapon of Dispel Evil, which you can use once per long rest
.
Ideal Members: Adventurers and ‘promising business folk'.
Cause: Trade mercenaries and goods for profit, defeat Xanathar.
Head: Davil Starsong, Istrid horn, Skeemo Weirdbottle, Tashlyn Yafeera and Ziraj the Hunter
Location: City of the Dead
In addition to quests and downtimes, the True Zhentarim may give additional renown in exchange for a permanent magic item with a value of 500gp or more.
..
zInitiate Rank: Fang
- Zhentarim give above average quest rewards.
- You can buy harmful consumables not normally available in waterdeep from Skeemo Weirdbottle, such as poisons, with a market value of 400gp or less.
- You can purchase Vicious Weapons without having to pay Waterdeep’s weapon tax through Davil Starsong.
.
Rank 2 - Wolf
- The Black Network can help you track down magic items for purchase. As a downtime activity you can ask the Network to present you with an inventory of magic items as per the Buy a Magic Item downtime free of cost or track down a specific magic item for you to purchase at an increased market price.
- You can purchase Sword of Life Stealing and Sword of Sharpness without having to pay Waterdeep’s weapon tax through Davil Starsong.
.
Rank 3 - Viper
- You can hire a band of thugs to intimidate an NPC, in your name or anonymously.
- Istrid offers loans of up to 2,500gp with an interest rate of 30% per month
.
Rank 4 - Ardragon
Adventurers can hire Ziraj to assassinate someone of CR 5 or lower, in return for some undisclosed favor to be called in later or 3,900gp.
.
Rank 5 - Dread Lord
Missing benefit
Downtimes:
Risky Business
You can use your downtime to do high-risk work as an attempt to gain renown with the appropriate faction. At the end of the downtime you gain 60gp and 1 Renown. In addition, make a DC 15 ability check of your choice. On failure you suffer one Minor Injury. This injury lasts until the end of your next downtime.
Gain Renown
You can spend your downtime improving your renown with a faction by undertaking minor tasks and socializing with its members. At the end of the downtime your current renown with your chosen faction increases by 1.
Each faction has a clear theme, and can be substituted for any faction or benefactor in your own game.
Factions and Themes
Lord's Alliance - Goverment, Law Enforcement
The Harpers - Spies
Emerald Enclave - Druid theme
Order of the Gauntlet - Paladin theme
Zhentarim - Black Market & Ruffian Theme
Including factions in your game has multiple benefits, but mostly serves to immerse the players and make them feel like they're a part of the setting. It can also serve as a way to help your players to indulge in their character's theme and identity.
.
Factions
Faction representatives can be found at the Yawning Portal at any time of day. Each faction has a safe house and is willing to safely harbor any members of Rank 1 or higher, as well as share with them relative information.
.
Renown
A character earns renown by completing missions or quests that serve an organization's interests or involve the organization directly. Eventually you might be up for a promotion, as long as you meet that rank’s requirements, as shown below.
.
Rank - Level - Renown
1 - - - 1st - - - - 1 - - -
2 - - - 3rd - - - - 3 - - -
3 - - - 5th - - - - 5 - - -
4 - - - 8th - - - - 8 - - -
5 - - - 10th - - - 10 - - -
.
Ideal Members: Loyal Waterdavians who put the city’s interests above their own.
Cause: Security of the city and the realm.
Representative: Jalester Silvermane
Head: Lady Laeral Silverhand
Location: Palace of Waterdeep
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Lord’s Alliance may give renown to a character for the apprehension of a known criminal.
.
.Initiate Rank - Cloak
City Watch officials are instructed to provide support to members with this rank whenever they can.
.
Rank 2 - Redknife
You gain access to the Risky Business downtime.
.
Rank 3 - Stingblade
You receive Badge of the Watch
.
Rank 4 - Warduke
Iron Bands of Binding
.
Rank 5 - Lioncrown
Periapt of Wound Closure
.
.
Ideal Members: Altruists against tyrants, competent spies.
Cause: Spy and gather information.
Representatives: Mirt, Renaer Neverember, Remallia Haventree
Location: Ulbrinter Villa
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Harper’s may give additional renown for the sharing of secrets pertaining to nobles or other figures of power.
.
.Initiate Rank: Watcher
Harpers give above average quest rewards.
.
Rank 2 - Harpshadow
You gain access to the Risky Business downtime.
.
Rank 3 - Brightcandle
Wand of Secrets.
.
Rank 4 - Wise Owl
Medallion of Thoughts
.
Rank 5 - High Harper
Magic item that allows you to cast Scrying once per long rest.
.
Ideal Members: Interest in protecting nature or the natural order.
Cause: Harmony between nature and civilization.
Representatives: The Tarms, Jeryth Phaulkons, Melannor Fellbranch, Blossom Snobeedle
Location: Phaulkonmere, Snobeedle Orchard and Meadery.
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Emerald Enclave may give additional renown for each undead, aberration or monstrosity defeated with a CR 1 or higher, as long as proof can be provided.
The spellcasting services of The Emerald Enclave are available to the party once every 30-day period.
.
Initiate Rank - Springwarden
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 1st level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
.
Rank 2 - Summerstrider
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 2nd level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
.
Rank 3 - Autumnreaver
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 3rd level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Ring of Animal Influence but instead contains the spells Speak with Animals, Animal Messenger, and Beast Sense.
.
Rank 4 - Winterstalker
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 4th level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Magic Item that allows you to cast Plant Growth once per long rest.
.
Rank 5 - Master of the Wild
If petitioned, Jeryth Phaulkon will cast a 5th level spell for members of this rank, free of cost.
Jeryth bestows upon you the gift of the wild.
You can cast Guardian of Nature once per long rest.
or
You can cast Druid Grove once per long rest.
.
.
Ideal Members: Worshippers of Helm, Torm or Tyr.
Cause: Seek out and destroy evil and bring peace.
Representative: Savra Belabranta
Location: Halls of Justice (Temple of Tyr)
The spellcasting services of The Order of The Gauntlet are available to the party once every 30-day period.
In addition to quests and downtimes, the Order of the Gauntlet may give additional renown for each Lawful Evil creature defeated with a CR 1 or higher, as long as proof can be provided.
.
.Initiate Rank - Chevall
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 1st level cleric spells.
.
Rank 2 - Marcheon
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 2nd level cleric spells.
.
Rank 3 - Whitehawk
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 3rd level cleric spells.
Ring of Protection
.
Rank 4 - Vindicator
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 4th level cleric spells.
Amulet of Health
.
Rank 5 - Righteous Hand
Free spellcasting services at a Temple of up to 5th level cleric spells.
You gain a weapon of Dispel Evil, which you can use once per long rest
.
Ideal Members: Adventurers and ‘promising business folk'.
Cause: Trade mercenaries and goods for profit, defeat Xanathar.
Head: Davil Starsong, Istrid horn, Skeemo Weirdbottle, Tashlyn Yafeera and Ziraj the Hunter
Location: City of the Dead
In addition to quests and downtimes, the True Zhentarim may give additional renown in exchange for a permanent magic item with a value of 500gp or more.
..
zInitiate Rank: Fang
- Zhentarim give above average quest rewards.
- You can buy harmful consumables not normally available in waterdeep from Skeemo Weirdbottle, such as poisons, with a market value of 400gp or less.
- You can purchase Vicious Weapons without having to pay Waterdeep’s weapon tax through Davil Starsong.
.
Rank 2 - Wolf
- The Black Network can help you track down magic items for purchase. As a downtime activity you can ask the Network to present you with an inventory of magic items as per the Buy a Magic Item downtime free of cost or track down a specific magic item for you to purchase at an increased market price.
- You can purchase Sword of Life Stealing and Sword of Sharpness without having to pay Waterdeep’s weapon tax through Davil Starsong.
.
Rank 3 - Viper
- You can hire a band of thugs to intimidate an NPC, in your name or anonymously.
- Istrid offers loans of up to 2,500gp with an interest rate of 30% per month
.
Rank 4 - Ardragon
Adventurers can hire Ziraj to assassinate someone of CR 5 or lower, in return for some undisclosed favor to be called in later or 3,900gp.
.
Rank 5 - Dread Lord
Missing benefit
Downtimes:
Risky Business
You can use your downtime to do high-risk work as an attempt to gain renown with the appropriate faction. At the end of the downtime you gain 60gp and 1 Renown. In addition, make a DC 15 ability check of your choice. On failure you suffer one Minor Injury. This injury lasts until the end of your next downtime.
Gain Renown
You can spend your downtime improving your renown with a faction by undertaking minor tasks and socializing with its members. At the end of the downtime your current renown with your chosen faction increases by 1.