Factions

Depending on who a body asks, he'll be told that the factions are the lifeblood of the planes - or the worst plague that's ever befallen them. 'Course, it's not like anyone can remember a time when there were no factions. Most of the groups that exist today are just a thousand years old or younger, but other factions were around before that time as well. The bands weren't always so organized, either, and there used to be a good deal more of them - four dozen or so, all bickering and brawling. It was the Lady of Pain herself who eventually forced the factions to limit their number to 15, in an event called the Great Upheaval that took place over 600 years ago.

Each faction looks for the meaning of life, the path to power, or the dark of the planes. In short, they all seek truth. Problem is, most of 'em believe they've already found it, and they try to persuade everyone else to accept their view as the one true way. Over the years, this kind of open-minded undertaking has claimed the lives of thousands of sods.


Changing Factions

It's possible to change factions, but it doesn't happen very often. For one thing, most people don't have a dramatic change of heart when it comes to their basic beliefs. What's more, the factions - as organized groups with agendas and enemies - don't take quitters lightly. Faction membership is extremely important, and turning stag is dangerous. No faction (as an entity) likes to suffer such a betrayal, and no factioneer (as an individual) likes being made to feel like a leatherhead for trusting and confiding in someone thought to be a kindred spirit.

Triad of Order	Triad of Despair	Triad of the Spirit	Triad of the Self	Triad of Independence
Harmonium	Bleak Cabal	Society of Sensation	Believers of the Source	Athar
Fraternity of Order	Doomguard	Transcendent Order	Fated	Free League
Mercykillers	Dustmen	Xaositects	Sign of One	Revolutionary League

Sects

On planes where the factions don't hold as much sway as they do in Sigil, other organized groups with wide-reaching philosophies take their place. These groups are called sects. Some are former factions that fell in importance or membership (perhaps because of the Great Upheaval). Others are just groups that espouse the ideas unique or limited to a particular plane or realm.