The Pillars

Tier I, Weak Hold

The Pillars see themselves as the foundation of Awarth ’s identity—guardians of its heritage, protectors of its traditions, and enforcers of order in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. They reject modern industrialization and foreign influence, viewing these as eroding the city’s cultural and economic roots. Instead, they advocate for a return to traditional crafts, a rigid social hierarchy, and a moral code built on discipline, loyalty, and unity.

Turf

Meeting Hall in Smokestone (HQ). Small pockets of influence on the factory floors of Ashrow.

Notable Assets

• A disciplined core of enforcers--while not elite, they are effective due to their dogged loyalty and a no-nonsense approach to physical intimidation.
• A clandestine print operation producing steady streams of propaganda. A loosely organized network of supporters who act as eyes and ears across Awarth.

Quirks

• Engineered Nostalgia: The Pillars deliberately rewrite Awarth’s history, glorifying a fabricated “golden age” to justify their authoritarian agenda and vilify their opponents as threats to tradition.
• Weaponized Symbolism: Their use of industrial metaphors—“the forge of discipline,” “the anvil of purity”—is calculated to evoke a sense of duty and inevitability in their followers, masking their manipulative intentions.
• Cult of Personality: Key leaders within the Pillars are elevated to near-mythic status, their flaws overlooked as they embody the “ideal Awarthan” in propaganda and rituals.

Allies

The Greasehands, The Hooks

Enemies

The Brackenbridge Collective, The Undertow

Public Agenda

• Cultural Revival: Restore traditional practices in craft, trade, and governance, promoting local artisanship over modern factories or imported goods.
• Economic Control: Build a self-sustaining economy rooted in community-based markets and protectionist policies, shutting out foreign competitors.
• Moral Authority: Enforce a strict moral code that aligns with their ideal of an orderly, disciplined society.
• Social Hierarchy: Reinforce class structures, placing traditional artisans and laborers as the city’s backbone while keeping “disruptive” elements in check.

We hold the line

Type

Military, Paramilitary/Militia

Leader

Darra Venst

Notable Members

• Brayla Henth
• Darra Venst
• Ravsic Orndel