Playable Factions of the Fracture
The shattered world of Fracture is kept in perpetual tension and intrigue by its myriad factions. Each group has carved out its own beliefs, customs, and domains, vying for influence and survival in a landscape forever changed. To thrive, understanding the motivations and culture of each is crucial.
The Devoted: The Devoted are united by their awe and reverence for enigmatic “Gods” whose origins and motives are the subject of endless speculation. Within their sanctuaries, intricate rituals are performed to invoke divine favour, often involving sacrifices, chanting, and the use of ancient relics said to channel these entities’ power. Members are marked by their unwavering discipline; outsiders might call it fanaticism, but to the Devoted, faith is the ultimate source of strength, binding their communities tightly together. Their enclaves are known for their mystical architecture shaped by visions and prophecy, and their leaders often claim to receive guidance directly from the gods. With magic that is wild and unpredictable, Devoted magicians are both feared and respected, able to unleash formidable powers at a cost. Relations with other factions are complex; some seek alliances for protection or knowledge, while others avoid them, wary of their zealous nature. The Devoted’s influence stretches far, as their missionaries travel the land in search of new converts and relics, spreading their doctrine wherever they go. The Devoted loathe the Techno-Priests and blame the Fracture entirely on them and will often rely on the Remnants to act as intermediaries with the Techno-Priests.
The Techno-Priests: Rational and methodical, the Techno-Priests serve as custodians of the old world’s scientific legacy. Within their dominion, halls and laboratories are broken, old and sometimes working machinery, flickering data screens when they work, and relics salvaged from a civilisation that once mastered both magic and technology. Their priests blend limited engineering with religious ritual, treating blueprints and algorithms as sacred texts to be deciphered and preserved. Apprentices undergo rigorous training, learning to repair and improve machines whose full purpose often remains a mystery. The Techno-Priests value order, logic, and innovation, striving to reclaim the lost achievements of humanity, from energy sources to communication devices. While some factions mistrust their reluctance to embrace magic, others depend on their expertise to survive. The Techno-Priests maintain a strict hierarchy led by a High Engineer, whose word is law. Their members are distinguished by their ornate robes woven with circuitry and sometimes carry relics that blend technology with symbols of devotion. Encounters with the Techno-Priests are marked by negotiation, as they are always seeking rare parts, knowledge, and potential recruits who can further their mission to rebuild the world through technology. Their distrust of the Devoted means they will often hire a member of the Remnants to act as intermediaries with the Devoted.
The Wildborn: The Wildborn are deeply attuned to the primal energies unleashed by the Fracture. Eschewing both the rigid doctrines of the Devoted and the analytical mindset of the Techno-Priests, they instead foster a symbiotic relationship with the altered landscape. Their societies are more nomadic, moving with the seasons and the migrations of monstrous creatures that they have learned to coexist with; some Wildborn can even communicate with, train, or ride these beasts. Exposure to the surface has changed them; subtle mutations grant superior strength, heightened senses, and resilience against harsh environments. Tribal in structure, each group is led by chieftains and shamans who interpret the will of nature and enforce ancient laws. The Wildborn are expert trackers and hunters, revered for their ability to find water, food, and safe passage where others falter. Their attire is both practical and symbolic: pelts, feathers, and bone ornaments signify status and history, and many keep unusual pets or companions adopted from the wild. The Wildborn value freedom above all and act as mediators between civilisation and chaos, often negotiating peace or guiding those lost in the wastelands. With a fierce code of honour, they defend their territory but are willing to cooperate when the balance of the world is at stake.
The Remnants: The Remnants exist on the fringes of society, clinging to remnants of history, culture, and identity scattered amidst the ruins. Unlike other factions, they operate as loose bands or families rather than a centralised group, using their adaptability and resourcefulness to survive. Their settlements are improvised, rising wherever salvage is plentiful: crumbling libraries, hidden bunkers, and abandoned cities serve as their bases. The Remnants are expert scavengers, piecing together artefacts and forgotten traditions in hopes of reconstructing what was lost. They value learning and negotiation, trading information, goods, and favours with any willing to deal. This flexibility allows them to broker peace or spark conflict, making them indispensable in the shifting power dynamics of the fractured world. Remnants are known for their eclectic appearance; patchwork clothing, mismatched tools, and heirlooms worn as badges of honour. Often underestimated, they wield considerable influence through their knowledge of the land’s secrets and hidden paths. For many, the Remnants represent hope: a chance to recover a sense of identity and continuity in a world where both are rare. They are often used by other factions to negotiate.
Each faction brings a distinctive philosophy, culture, and set of strengths to the fractured realm. Your choice of allegiance will affect not only your own destiny but also the future of the world itself. Whether you seek the mystery of the Devoted, the innovation of the Techno-Priests, the resilience of the Wildborn, or the adaptability of the Remnants, your path will be shaped by the allies you make, the enemies you confront, and the secrets you uncover. In Fracture, the fate of civilisation hinges on these rival powers and on the choices you make within them.
Notable Non-Playable Factions
In addition to the major playable factions, the world of Fracture teems with lesser-known groups whose ambitions and influence cannot be underestimated. These non-playable factions shape the landscape in ways both subtle and dramatic, often serving as antagonists, unexpected allies, or mysterious forces lurking at the fringes of civilisation. Many possess their own philosophies and rich histories, and while players cannot join them (yet), their actions constantly ripple through the fractured world offering opportunities, threats, and secrets to those who dare to interact with them.
The Scavenger Lords: Ruthless warlords who rule over contested territories, the Scavenger Lords command bands of raiders, slavers, and mercenaries. Their strongholds are built atop ruined cities or underground bunkers, fiercely defended against all intruders. They thrive on chaos, trading in stolen goods, weapons, and captives, and are notorious for their shifting alliances and brutal justice. Each Scavenger Lord operates as a petty despot, imposing harsh rules upon their followers and extracting tribute from those unlucky enough to fall within their reach. Despite their brutality, these warlords sometimes broker fragile truces with other factions, especially when mutual enemies threaten their holdings. Ambitious and ever-watchful for opportunities, the Scavenger Lords are both a bane and an uneasy necessity in the fractured economy, offering illicit wares and information for the right price.
The Wakened: Resulting from unnatural exposure to the energies of the Fracture, the Wakened are humans and animals who have undergone profound physical and mental changes. No longer fitting into any civilised society, they form their own tribal enclaves, driven by instinct and cryptic visions. Their motives are hard to decipher, and encounters with the Wakened are as likely to end in violence as in uncanny revelations. Some see their mutations as a blessing, embracing new powers and heightened senses, while others are haunted by nightmares and uncontrolled rages. Wakened shamans claim to hear the fractured world’s voice, guiding their people through dreams and portents. Sometimes, a Wakened envoy will seek parley with outsiders, offering prophecy or rare knowledge in exchange for safety or resources. Most, however, remain deeply suspicious of all strangers, protecting their kin with terrifying fervour.
The Keepers of the Deep: This secretive order traces its origins to the earliest days of the exodus underground. Even as the surface factions vie for dominance, the Keepers maintain hidden archives and forbidden knowledge beneath the earth. They act from the shadows to influence events above, hoarding relics and secrets too dangerous for the world at large. Tales speak of their agents appearing at critical moments offering cryptic warnings, sabotaging dangerous technologies, or spiriting away artefacts on the verge of discovery. The Keepers are said to be bound by oaths older than the Fracture itself, and their ranks are rumoured to include survivors from every walk of life: scholars, spies, defectors, and even former leaders of surface factions. Rarely glimpsed and never truly understood, the Keepers are both a source of deep unease and a key to unravelling the mysteries of Fracture.
The Ironbound: Once intended as servants and defenders, these sentient constructs now serve only themselves. The Ironbound pursue their own mysterious directives, scavenging technology to repair and upgrade their mechanical bodies. Some seek to protect remnants of lost civilisation, while others hunt for vengeance against those they blame for their abandonment. Over time, the Ironbound have developed their own culture communicating through coded signals and cryptic glyphs, holding solemn gatherings in ruined foundries, and revering myths of their creators. Some Ironbound have become folk heroes, defending settlements from threats in hopes of honouring ancient programming, while others have devolved into fearsome marauders driven by corrupted logic. Encounters with these mechanical beings are unpredictable: one might offer a battered community assistance or wisdom, while another may see all living beings as threats to be eliminated.
The Chimera Clans: Formed from the merging of human survivors and mutated animals, the Chimera Clans are tribal societies whose members exhibit striking physical traits; fur, horns, claws, or keen senses, each reflecting their beastly lineage. Living in close-knit bands across forests, highlands, and ruined outskirts, they honour the primal instincts that guide their survival, with traditions rooted in both animal behaviour and human memory. Clan structure is matriarchal or patriarchal depending on their dominant animal traits, and every member contributes to the group’s well-being through hunting, ritual, and storytelling. The Chimera Clans are fiercely protective of their territory and kin, yet are renowned for their wisdom in navigating both the natural and supernatural dangers of the Fracture. Though suspicious of outsiders, they are sometimes sought out for guidance through wild lands, rare medicines, or ancient lore preserved in song and dance. Their appearance is as varied as their heritage, with garments woven from natural fibres and adorned with animal motifs, and many boast tattoos or scars marking important life events. Encounters with the Chimera Clans are unpredictable, but those who earn their trust may find allies with unique insight and strength.
These non-playable factions ensure the world of Fracture remains dynamic, perilous, and full of intrigue. Each has its own agenda, resources, and secrets, meaning alliances and hostilities can shift rapidly. Whether acting from the shadows or dominating the wastes, these groups challenge the established order, presenting both obstacles and unexpected opportunities for those adventuring in the fractured realm.