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Factions in Runes of Magic are not what I have come to expect in an MMOG. Most of the time the factions are at odds with each other and when you “get in good” or raise your reputation with them you gain certain benefits. Well in Runes of Magic they are simply a piece of lore. There is only really a good side and a bad side in Runes.

The humans and the elves worked together to cure what ever is plaguing the wold at this time. So all the playable characters in game got along with all of the NPC's in all of the cities. As a human you could even travel to the elven starting area or vice versa. So since I had set out to bring information to you all about the factions in the game, I’ll give you a closer look at the lore portion since they really don't effect game play at all, at least not directly.

While the faction groups below have no real impact on the game you will run into them from time to time. Outside of the title under their name its hard to tell them apart. You will probably interact with those from the Phirius Workshops more frequently than any other as they seem to give out daily quests and also you can buy stuff from them through out the game. So if you spot one of the faction members in the land of Taborea

Factions

The Eye of Wisdom – This is a group of politically active mages and researchers. They collect information about the old world; specifically that of the magical variety. They do this both for their own knowledge and as they see it for the good of Varanas.

The Order of the Dark Glory – The original army of Varanas formed out of a group called the “association of steel group”. Those that call themselves by this name are no longer directly associated with Varanas. Those who still serve the city are now called The Guard of Varanas. The order of the Dark Glory are the elite fighters from the “association of steel group” and now maintain the largest mercenary training facility called the Obsidian fortress. Many leaders are sent here for combat training and understand what it truly means to lead.

Adventuring Guild: Silvershadow – A group of people who took it upon themselves to train all of the pioneers that have come and will come to Varanas in the art of basic combat and survival so that they may live.

The Guard of Varanas – When the elite fighters left to venture deeper into the wild areas those that were left behind were fostered by the Silvershadow to form the Guard of Varanas. They remain there to this day keeping peace in the city and surrounding areas.

The Council of Varanas – A group that is loosely tied together that forms the governing bodies of Varanas. They are made up of several of the other prominent groups in Varanas such as the Guard, the SilverShadow and the Eye.

Ailics Fellowship – Ailic was a mage in the Eye who mysteriously disappeared one day. About a year later a person showed up claiming to be Ailic and started gathering people from all walks of life and even some of the more despised races. Since that time they have become known as the foremost group in almost every vein of research.

The Vahtos Academy – The Vahtos holds a certain amount of mystery, taking its name from its leader who is rumored to have been alive for over 200 years. Most do not believe this as they just think it is now a title that is passed from one leader to the next. None however dispute the fact that he is the most powerful mage in all the land.

The Holy Circle – This is essentially the church for Runes of Magic. Just like in life some people support and follow while others don't. Outside of that they don't seem to be that active.

Phirius Workshops – The craftsmen of the land. Those that are members of the Phirius are masters of their trade and work tirelessly to become so. The leader holds the title “Grandmaster Phirius” and it has been such for hundreds of years. While they claim their main focus is in architecture and construction they are masters in every trade and often travel to very dangerous locations to obtain the rarest of materials. So if you want something of quality it’s wise to seek somebody from the Phirius Workshops out.

Zurhidon – The group to end all groups. They attract the most highly trained from all of the other groups. They are said to be in possession of the Zurhidon Stone Tablet which has the names of all of the lands demons arranged in a magical order. They also say that all of their actions are directed by the Enigma. Nobody knows if this is the rumored Enigma Rune which is said to be a rune that possesses more power than all other runes combined or an actual person. Either way the Zurhidon are known for their ruthless pursuit of whatever it is that they want. Put simply if they ask for something you give it to them or die.

As you can see, many of the factions in Runes revolve around magic which makes sense given the nature of the game. There is an amazing core for lore that can go on and on for quite some time. I even see a possibility for some type of alignment or reputation added to the game surrounding all factions except maybe the Zurhidon.

An example of how they could incorporate one group like “The Order of the Dark Glory” would be play on the fact that they are a mercenary group. So if you were closely aligned with the Order through the quests you choose then when you entered the town you would be ignored unless you specifically addressed somebody in which they would suddenly treat you like you were their most favored champion. There could also be a back ally area used for a black market that you could only enter into if you were aligned with the appropriate groups. I would even be super excited if the incorporated a form of decisions through quests and that is what set up your alignment.

The options are endless as to what they could do and how they could set up the faction alignment options. So play on and tell us what you think about the faction and how they might incorporate a new faction alignment into the game.