The New World Update #22

Iron Tower Studio’s games tend to be filled with distinct, colorful NPCs and influential, if a bit unsavory, factions. And to give you a taste of what to expect in that regard from their upcoming colony ship RPG The New World, the latest development update introduces the faction leaders you’ll be able to meet on your journey through the ship.

Three main factions, four lesser ones, three distinct groups of fighting men, and an assortment of minor gangs – you’ll have plenty of opportunities to engage in diplomacy, politics, and conflict. These are some of the people you’ll be dealing with while doing so:

A setting is defined by the factions it spawns. For example, 9th century England is not defined by dudes sporting swords and chainmail but by the warring kingdoms, Viking factions, puppet rulers, the Danelaw, and a clash of religions. In turn, the factions are defined by their leaders who reflect the current state of affairs, and the leaders are defined by the challenges they face.

Thus the time has come for you to meet the finest sons and daughters of Starfarer: the elected, appointed, hand-picked, hereditary, and self-proclaimed leaders who hold the fate of the Ship’s inhabitants in their hands. Let’s start with the three main factions fighting for control over the Habitat – the central living complex housing 80% of the Ship’s population. For more information on the Ship’s factions, see our website:

http://irontowerstudio.com/new-world-factions

PROTECTORS OF THE MISSION

When Silas Reis was promoted, he was handed the same unfulfilled mandate as every Commander before him: restore order. The meaning of this directive was simple: to exterminate the Brotherhood wherever they skulked, crawled or hid, and finally end the generations-long Mutiny. If Reis were to doubt the likelihood of carrying out this objective, he was careful never to acknowledge it. Defeatism is heresy, and heresy is punishable by death.

Every member of the Mission Control Council which appointed Reis could trace his lineage back to the original crew. Since these wise elders occupied a perch far above reproach, any failure in furthering the directive must lie with the Commander. Failure at this level was also punishable by death.

Silas’ mentor, Commander Matheson, had been eight years in the role before his execution at the Council’s order. They gave no reason for their decision but it was widely believed Matheson had been too timid in his persecution of mutinous filth. Immediately after his promotion ceremony, Commander Reis began planning a major assault against the Brotherhood. Whether or not his tenure would end in execution, no one would call him timid.

BROTHERHOOD OF LIBERTY

Bill Hanson, the Chairman of the Brotherhood’s Executive Council, has served longer in that position than anyone before him due to his deft handling of the Council itself – a nest of bickering, backstabbing vipers. They were a never-ending headache and more dangerous, in Bill’s opinion, than their archenemies, those blowhard fools calling themselves the ‘Protectors of the Mission’.

In order to keep their teeth off his throat so he could bloody think for a goddamned minute, Bill had orchestrated a few small victories for the Protectors. The rapid reversal of those victories proved that the Chairman was a necessary evil to keep people safe, and talk of removing him from power had finally died down.

Taking advantage of this tiny bit of breathing room, Chairman Hanson had established an understanding with the Protectors’ Commander Matheson, which may have blossomed into a working relationship and – just imagine it – an end to the hostilities. Then one of the snakes on the Council got wind of it and scuttled the whole deal.

Matheson was executed shortly thereafter and the Protectors appointed Colonel Reis, a known straight-edge and all round git, in his place. To Bill’s mind, this kind of instability and rapid change didn’t bode well for anyone. As for the Councilman who got Bill’s maybe-friend killed… well, if there’s one thing he could not abide, it was a snitch.

CHURCH OF THE ELECT

Chaplain-General Abraham Davis had been chosen by God to battle the Devil aboard Starfarer and to deliver her crew from evil. It was at times a wearisome burden. Some of his flock questioned the Devil’s very existence. Hadn’t they left the Father of Lies behind on Earth? Weren’t they flying away from sin, and through the heavens at that? But Davis knew better, for God had opened his eyes.

The Mutiny had not been made by man. It was one of the Devil’s sideways deceptions, pushing folks to choose either Protectors or Brotherhood as their saviors when both were the Devil’s guises, diversions from the true path.

A less experienced leader would have struck at once. The two groups had been weakened by their endless skirmishing. But to bring the Church into their conflict prematurely, to leave themselves vulnerable to a counterattack, would invite the infection of the enemy’s lies. The Chaplain-General was no such fool. He knew that once the Devil has made his home inside your door, no military victory would save you.

Instead, Abraham would bide his time and watch the two deluded factions like a hunter scouting dangerous prey. He would learn the enemy’s habits and weaknesses. Sooner or later the Devil will make a mistake and then Abraham will strike. Then will be revealed the power and fury of the Lord.