Loksenta is a nation with a weak central government. The Queen draws her power from tradition, her role as the Duchess of Freyk’s Wall, and her control of the Crimson Brigade. Only the first of these holds much sway far from the capital city. In the hinterlands, particularly in the “New Lands” past the original border on the River Touze, power is concentrated in the nobility. The Dukes/Duchesses and the Margraves/Marchionesses derive their power from their wealth as well as their noble heritage. The duchies and marks, and their rulers, are:
Duchy of Freyk’s Wall - Queen Duchess Beornwyn
Duchy of Evermeet - Duke Randolph Silvermane
Duchy of Baglit - Duchess Tamarri
Duchy of Bethwar - Duke Merryn
Duchy of Cricciel - Duke Keryns
Duchy of Gellifor - Duke Demza
Duchy of Laughin - Duchess Ndellia
Duchy of Haerlech - Duchess Ruan
Duchy of Narbaenor - Duke Kitta
Duchy of Nyfyn - Duke Ié
Duchy of Rhydel - Duke Tarran
Duchy of Sengdden - Duchess Kenza
Duchy of Tregra - Duke Locryn
Duchy of Wroxley - Duchess Ysedda
Mark of Ebby - Margrave Rosynwen
Mark of Grok - Margrave Mebyn
Mark of the Lake - Margrave Talwyn
Within Freyk’s Wall itself, power and wealth are distributed between the Queen, the nobles, and the merchants. This split has encouraged the development of several major factions. Each faction has its own particular goals. These goals may complement those of some other factions and oppose those of yet others. Some factions have their own organizations. Some are loose associations of those with similar aims. Some factions operate publicly. Others are more clandestine. Their only commonality is the desire to topple the current balance of power…in their own favor.
Loyalists - Members of this faction support the rule of the Queen. The Loyalists are not an organized faction. They really do not consider themselves a faction, since it is the duty of all citizens to support the Queen. The notable members of the faction know who each other are. Or they think they do. They are usually willing to support each other and do each other favors. Notable members: Marshal Brontek, commander of the Crimson Brigade; Duke Randolph Silvermane, Lady Margaret Silvermane, Major Tasra d’Ameston.
Note that The Independent, the capital’s only major daily newspaper does try to be impartial, but it tends to lean Loyalist.
Garythites - Members of this faction believe that Duke Keryns is the legitimate King of Loksenta, as the senior descendent of the usurper Garyth. The Garythites proper are a small group of leading nobles. Their wealth and influence allow them greater ability to manipulate events in both the hinterlands and in Freyk’s Wall than their numbers would suggest. Duchess Arytha, Keryns’ wife, is the unofficial leader and plotter of the faction. Notable members: Duke Keryns, Duchess Arytha, Duke Kitta, and Margrave Mebyn.
Imperials - The most powerful nation on Glorien is Krondak. Krondak is noted for two things: the absolute power of its Emperor and its human supremacist policy. To many, Loksenta would greatly benefit by following Krondak’s example. Members of the Imperial faction want Loksenta to join the Krondak empire or, at least, deport all of the non-humans. The Imperials are not an organized faction outside Little Krondak. Within that neighborhood, supporters of the Empire hold frequent rallies. These meetings are often merely excuses for drinking heavily. They are not arranged by any umbrella organization. Notable members: Duchess Ysedda, merchant Perta Simsdota.
Bread Union - The Bread Union is a group of merchants and traders who want to establish a monopoly on the trade of foodstuffs. The existence of this faction is well known, at least in mercantile circles. Since its goals contravene the rules of both the Honorable Order of Merchants and the Trade Association, members of the Union cannot admit their membership. Despite this secrecy, the group is well organized. Their major effort is to gain support of enough of the senior nobles to secure a large majority of the foodstuff produced by noble estates. A secondary, but potentially more achievable goal, is to gain control of the rail network. They could then prohibit shipment of any goods they do not control. Notable members: Narla Dobbers, primary shareholder and manager of the Westland Mercantile Company; Borsen Weddlar, deputy manager of the Honorable Order.
Gobbashers - Members of this faction are racist nationalists. In particular, they hate the Starntor, who they always refer to with the pejorative term “goblin”. Most members do not regard themselves as members of a faction. They are happy to proclaim their bigotry loudly and occasionally drunkenly raid Goblin Town. There are a handful who share the goal of resuming the Goblin Wars and annexing the Ghanate. This core is watching for the opportunity to leverage the fanaticism of the rest of the faction to achieve this goal. Notable member: Submarshal Frynam of the Crimson Brigade.
Oligarchs - Members of this faction believe wealth should equal power. They want to do away with hereditary power, at least for the nobility. Most of the senior members of the faction want to keep the Queen as a figurehead. Senior and mid-level merchants, ranchers, and lumber barons form the core membership of this faction. The Oligarchs are opportunists. They look to take advantage of any chance they see to further their goals, rather than actively hatching plots. Notable members: Oli Olitar, manager of the Honorable Order of Merchants, Duke Tarran.
Magocrats - Members of this faction are solely mages who believe that their control of magic makes them the natural rulers of the country. However, each mage believes that they are the one who should rule. This competition prevents them from cooperating to overthrow the current order. Notable members: Archmage Floran, Archmage Ala
Land Commissars - Members of this faction want land reform. They want the large noble estates broken up and ownership of the land given to the tenants. Granted, this goal goes against the interests of all of the most powerful factions. The leaders and most of the members of this faction are middle-class citizens who want to see more even distribution of wealth.
Carmelites - Members of this faction view magic as unnatural and want it outlawed. This is not an organized or a popular faction. Only a few leading figures are open proponents of this policy. Notable figures: Corwyn Happlestop, lumber baron; Duchess Ndellia
Den of the Red Wolf 