SHIBUSEN
"A sound soul dwells within a sound mind and a sound body."
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Good
POPULATION MAJORITY: Meisters and Demon Weapons
SUMMARY:
Shibusen is a deeply rooted organization in good standing with (most) of the international community. It has a dual role: training those with the talents of Weapons and Meisters, and safeguarding the world against the dangers posed by Kishin Eggs and Witches. While the conflict five years ago stretched Shinigami's forces almost to the breaking point the organization has since recovered, seeing increased recruitment numbers in the wake of Ashura's downfall.




WITCHES of the MASS
"The Sway of Magic runs deep. With it, we shall defy gods and demons alike..."
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil
POPULATION MAJORITY: Witches
SUMMARY:
Even amongst the long-lived witches no one really knows how long the Witch Mass has been going on -- or, if they do, they aren't interested in sharing that info. Recently (and very mysteriously) bereft of their longtime potentate Grand Witch Mabaa, the Witches of the Mass have managed somehow to maintain a facade of normalcy whilst plotting and backstabbing for Mabaa's position with virtually every breath. Despite gathering regularly for their Mass these witches are still fiercely independent and secretive, even when cooperating. In Mabaa's absence the Mass and related business of the witches' society is being handled by a de facto Council of Elder Witches... who typically agree on absolutely nothing. It's an environment ripe for advancement and literally bleeding opportunity.




The EXORCISTS
"We are the sword of peace and the shield of war, humanity's bulwark against darkness, insanity, and corruption."
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral
MAJORITY POPULATION: Normal humans and Meisters
SUMMARY:
Formed by the UN in the aftermath of Ashura's defeat, the Exorcists are an elite military investigation-and-detainment force tasked with patrolling the globe for potential Kishin Eggs and pulling them (sometimes violently) out of society before they can become a serious threat. Well funded and with quickly growing recruitment, the Exorcists use a blend of high technology, soul perceptive Meisters, and good old fashioned military initiative to keep the world safe and keep the evil crazies from becoming evil crazy monsters. Though the organization is hesitant to do so, they do recruit Demon Weapons as well as the occasional oddball witch, albeit rarely. There are the first signs of a budding rivalry with Shibusen taking shape; whether good or ill natured, only time can tell.




The HERETIC CABAL
"Though a spider's web is delicate, its threads are woven steel and bring prey to fangs venomed with hate."
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Evil
MAJORITY POPULATION: Witches, Kishin Eggs, Dark Weapons, and Rogue Meisters
SUMMARY:
After Arachne's death what remained of Arachnophobia went underground -- quite literally. Swearing to carry on Arachne's research and punish those responsible for her death, the scattering of masked soldiers, researchers, and devotees rallied at a hidden tunneler base and spent the next several years licking their wounds. Rising from the ashes of death and defeat, the Arachnophobia remnants renamed themselves the Heretic Cabal and set out on a dark and bloody path: like Arachne before them they would perform experiments without boundaries, plying the depths of magic and madness alike... even if it meant killing, torturing, and experimenting on -- amongst others -- witches. The spider, once thought dead, is still spinning its tangled web...