“Move!” The whip cracks above the beasts of buren. The wagon slowly moves forward.

If you had an unusual amount of gold and silver at your disposal, where would you put it? Would the fear of the night stalkers run the risk of hiring to many inept gaurds to patrol your home to keep your coins safe? Would the gardener that you have known for years now look suspicious because he asked how your business was doing? Look no further, let the Coinlenders Guild protect your coins and wipe your worries away.

- Coinlenders Guild Advertizment.

The principal axiom of the Curalon Hestaris, and the basis of all its teachings, is this:

"Inhale. Kill. Exhale."

An Order created in ancient times built upon the concept of “Knowledge is Power”. They are the ultimate power.

The Guilds of Antioch are the most important social group in the region. The Guilds have replaced the Clan as the central social organization of society. Each Guild Head (or representative) meets with the Guild Council to determine laws and policy of Antioch.

The Clan is the original unit of social organization for the people of The Known World. Humanti society is becoming more diverse. The Guild or professional organization is taking the fore in the Known World. Except on the Sea.

Sitting in a gloom lit by a single candle, the masked and robed figures shuffle into the room. Some are tall. Some are short. Some are round. Some are thin. They are all different, yet they are the same… those that organize and run the city from behind the scenes.

From the bone dusted hills of Aadda, to the ocean foam of the pearly bay.
The children of the sweet legions frolic in the streets by day.
At night their games are different, and guards whisper of their skills and feats.
They say that nothing is safe, or too large, for the legions of the Knuckle Sweets.

- A song sung around taverns to honor the children gang.

If one travels, you might notice it. Each one has a blue orb on their signage or somewhere in the shop. The merchants seem to specialize in foreign goods, but often buy local produce and products, to trade in other places. They seem totally unrelated to the others. It seems to be a secret organization, but nobody knows for sure.

Mitrall was a Guardian Deity of the Dead, who would watch over the Dead and their tombs until the time of their return (physical or re-incarnation). The culture that worshiped Mitrall has been conquered and destroyed a few centuries ago. Yet the Cult of Mitrall continues.

Scents of ages past and scents of the zeitgeist. A guild of perfumers.

The Order is about the past. It is a collection of people who love history, ancient times, and artifacts of the past. Only people who are really interested in past should be members. A passing interest is not enough. One must be dedicated to the past to be invited into this organization.

And now the day was here, and the people had gathered for the spectacle of my punishment for show throughout the arena the bodies of those about to perish had led off a procession of their own death. My master was sitting there piling up favor derived from our blood. Although no one could know my fortune, my family, my father, because I was separated from my homeland by the sea, among certain spectators nevertheless one thing made me pitiable, that I seem inadequately prepared; truly I was destined to be a certain victim of the arena, no one had caused less expense for the giver of the games than I. One thing they do not know, while I may be inadequate in preparation, the fear of a cornered man knows no bounds.

-Agustine, prisoner of war and Gladiator

Those of the Southern Territories were at a disadvantage at court. However, banded together, they become a mighty force for conservative and religious values.

The Order is a stanch defender of The Crown, despite that he has turned his back on traditional ways. They try to council him in “proper ways” to handle things. They are known for their motto “Tradition is my Shield”.

Life is nothing more than a turn of the gaming wheel. Since “Fortune Serves the Bold,” the world should serve the members of this organization.

A peculiar guild of specialists. "Flick your ticks, slice your lice, squeeze your fleas."

Secret societies have long existed for a number of social and political reasons. The Red Flower Society dates back to the time around the burning of the Great Temples of the South when the Churians invades the Great Civilized Land from the North. The organization teaches the finest martial arts and skills of subterfuge to its members

Thus the world is kept safe by a few courtiers, silversmiths, woodsmen, and the occasional mage. All of them linked by the Phyrus (X)and a need to keep the world safe.

The Society of Blood is much more benign than its name sounds. Initially created as an award of valor for common foot soldiers, membership. The SOBs decided to make themselves a benevolent, protective order for all veterans. They quickly united informally and, without any bloodshed or even any overt threats, restored order and fairness for veterans through all the lands.

How is it built? One brick at a time lad. One brick at a time.

“The great hulk of the scaled beast lay wheezing before me, and I am not ashamed to say that I was frightened: though it was injured, I knew the dragon could easily tear me in twain.  The young monk, however, knelt beside the creature’s head, whispering to it in a strange growling tongue.  I questioned the woman, but she ignored me completely, engrossed in examining the scaly monster.  After much badgering, she said merely, ‘I do not mean to be rude, but you are quite a distraction.  Please, leave me to my work.’” -Jeron’s Great Journeys, Book III, Chapter 4

The Blades of the Golden Sun are an organization lost to history. They are a legendary group, with songs, stories, and histories written about the exploits of their members. They were warriors of the famous Sun Swords, fighting against “The Evil”, the Dark Night.

The Bowmen of Love are a more or less secret organization found within the larger towns. For a price, they can be hired to drop a love potion into someone’s drink or shoot them, not with a bow despite their name, but with a tiny blowpipe that fires a dart with a love potion on it.

If you are into the occult, you should also know the groups that are active in these shadowy parts of magic and reality, whether these are real or only rumours. One somewhat known group is the Cabal. Unlike other cults (if it is a cult), this sect seems to be rather benign, and actually offers useful services, for a price. Some experts mark them as occult freaks that do it only for the show and pretending, nothing more.

The Crimson Skulls Company is a mercenary company of some repute. That repute is not always the most positive. Their Motto is “We are Dead; we have no fear of you.”

History provides us with more interesting groups than we could ever hope to create.

Death is an art form. Where can a single act that is repeated by every single life at least once in their lifetime and have multiple emotions involved in each one. I relate this in a similar manner as a dramatic play. You look into the audience at the height of the emotional act and you see ranges of emotion from everyone. I experience this every time I watch the eyes of a guasto widen and become cold to look at. You should witness this yourself, to understand your own immortality and how to overcome it. Look into the mirror as your life trickles away and the truth will be revealed.

- Janus Sanguine High Priest of the Jongleurs Sanguine

A group of highly educated rich youths and nobles that have a desire for a darker side of life. While the King’s Paupers are from the veins of the rich and noble, they are far from the same attitude of their fathers and the court. They took the name the Kingââ?¬â?¢s Paupers in jest to the way their life was.

The Liberators of the Coin is primarily an organization Halflings devoted to (insert trickster/thieving/Halfling god). They pattern themselves after a myth of the god stealing gold coins from his brother on the evening of his wedding. The stolen gold was a part of the wedding ceremony and its absence meant that the ceremony could not proceed. The theft resulted in the trickster being able to marry his brother’s intended.

I will be the blade that shines by the holy suns.
I will be the shield that protects by the darkened shadows.
I will be vigilant in my duties to protect the Gods and their flocks.
I will be faithful to the edicts of my brethren.
Above no other will I be fully given to but the gods and my brethren.
I will be pure and woe to those who are not true.

- Mirrored Hand Ceremonial Edict

The Order is an odd order. It is a knightly order that does not require its members to be knights, or even noble. It is a small order to be sure, but no one knows as no list of its members has ever been published. However, the leader of the The Order can sit in on the Council and instantly get audiences with many important people. No one is sure what the Order is about and many who have an inkling DO NOT want to know more.

Smeer was dragging a cart full of strings. Another cart of another strings, it was heavy, but probably the best job in these works for a weak boy. He brought it to the machine that weawed the ropes; the hands of older boys powered it. They were paid a few coppers more, but could barely move after a whole day of work. Smeer hoped to get older and stronger one day, to help his family out of poverty. Pulling the cart back through the yard, he suddenly noticed something. Does not that pebble look like… a coin? A glistening silver coin?! That would help for a few days! Looking around, he carefully picked it up, and hurried to work to stay unnoticed.

But something has noticed him.

The Pillar of Zech is a quasi-Masonic secret society that exists throughout the continent of Laurentia. The goals of the Pillar are the active promotion of the Seven Princely Virtues (courage, honour, independence, intelligence, integrity, piety and revenge) across the world.

This is an unofficial order of the King’s Guard, those charged with protecting the castle, the king, and any holdings. The Red Hand are the elites of the prisioner guards.

Officially this is an organization for people who had direct ancestors who fought in the Returner’s War. It is a quaint historical society.

Who needs fantasy, when reality provides so much more?

This is a magical organization that will transcend any “guild” or school. The mages of this order will have access to different, almost clerical spells, in addition to the standard spells available to most.

The Royal Geographical Order is a Learned Society representing geographers and explorers. It was founded over one hundred and fifty years ago for the advancement of geographical science and knowledge (of the known and unknown world) and has been among the most active of the learned societies ever since. The largest geographical society in the world, and one of the largest learned societies as well. It now operates on a regional, national and international scale.

The Sundar family name was one spoken with honor and reverence. None were ever spoke ill of, and should a question arise of their honor and integrity it was quickly set right by those who knew them. Now they are a fallen noble family of disgraced knights who are fearless, emotionless, and uncaring for anything other than own survival and vengence.

A Renaissance dawns. A School of Art emerges.

This organization began with a simple idea to protect the common people from the danger of magic run amok. Far too many disasters and atrocities were being commited by irresponcibe, evil, or mad wizards with no one to answer to but their own degraded consciences. But like so many things, it started off good and has shifted to the dark side.

What do three guild masters, one noble, a seneschal, a “wine barrel merchant”, and a massively wealthy merchant have in common? Nothing, except maybe they an appreciation for wine.

Via Humanitae - For Humans to live and thrive, non humans must be removed.