Twelve nations collapsed during the Sundering, folded into the realm of Riedra. Old customs were wiped away, castles and cathedrals shattered and left in ruins. People were told to forget the past. Sarlona had finally risen from the nightmare of war into an age of peace.
Yet the past held as many wonders as terrors. Art, religion, philosophy, magic—each kingdom had its treasures, and many of those jewels are still out there. Study of the past is forbidden to Riedrans, but some find its lure impossible to resist. Over the centuries, a secret movement has grown, an alliance of those who doubt the Path of Inspiration and seek to reclaim the traditions of the past. These rebels call themselves the Broken Throne.
The Broken Throne is not a violent organization, and its members have no plans to fight the Inspired. They simply want to preserve ancient traditions. To this end, they gather relics of the past, both physical treasures and knowledge. Illiterate recruits are usually taught to read, so they can appreciate books and scrolls recovered from the ruins. Many learn the traditional crafts of their culture, pushed into obscurity by the Inspired. A few study the priestly traditions of Pyrine and Khalesh, the psionic teachings of the Maleeri wilders, or the arcane magic of the Corvaguran sorcerers and Syrk wizards. Members of the Broken Throne believe these are not the tools of dark spirits but are instead wonders.
The Broken Throne is most active in villages located near ancient ruins. Within the bastions, a few of its members hold significant positions in the Guiding Path (see page 55), and these pathfinders help cells communicate with one another. A passive force, the Broken Throne takes no direct action against the Inspired. Nonetheless, the practices of the Throne are heresy, and the Thousand Eyes (and most Riedrans) eliminate any cell that is exposed.
Getting the PCs Involved: Members of the Broken Throne have a critical trait most Riedrans lack: curiosity about other cultures. They might offer unexpected sanctuary or assistance to foreigners in trouble, and they are often educated about nearby ruins. It's possible to make contact with the Broken Throne in Syrkarn, since those fleeing the Thousand Eyes often come to this land to continue exploring the past. A Throne refugee can also provide a relic hunter with helpful contacts inside Riedra. Of course, the help of the Broken Throne comes at a price—those who plunder an ancient ruin might have to give the Throne access to what they recover.