The Sovereigns of Seregon are a rebellious and defiant organization, opposing the rise of the human gods, the spread of prophecy, and the rigid hierarchies enforced by the Sentinels of Seregon. They stand as a bastion of technological progress, free will, and the preservation of Seregon's cultural identity in the face of both divine manipulation and societal dilution. Formed as a direct counter to the Sentinels and their vision of the future, the Sovereigns reject prophecy as coercive and see the Sentinels as relics of a failed past, clinging to the old ways.
Structure and Leadership
The Sovereigns are led by a council of intellectuals, revolutionaries, and technologists who believe in the rejection of divine prophecy and the embrace of technological progress. Though secretive, their leadership is known for their sharp minds and ideological convictions rather than brute strength. Their ranks are filled with individuals who see themselves as visionaries, working to bring about a future where magic and technology are accessible to all, not monopolized by gods or prophesied heroes.
- High Command: This group consists of five figures who specialize in different aspects of the Sovereigns' rebellion—ranging from technology and innovation to subversive politics and social engineering. Unlike the Sentinels, who rely on brute force and prophecy, the Sovereigns' leaders are tacticians, scientists, and strategists, each with a deep-seated resentment toward divine interference in mortal affairs.
Ideology and Goals
The Sovereigns of Seregon reject the dominance of the human gods and their manipulation of free will through prophecy. They believe that the introduction of new races and ethnicities into Seregon threatens to dilute its cultural identity and that technological progress, not divine intervention, holds the key to a prosperous and free future. They see the old guard—the Sentinels of Seregon—as outdated, clinging to the past while the world moves toward a future shaped by science, magic, and personal freedom.
Anti-Divine, Anti-Prophecy: The Sovereigns view both the Great Old Ones and the human gods as oppressive forces that impose their will on the people of Seregon. They oppose the idea of prophecy being forced upon adventurers and see the Sentinels of Seregon as enforcers of this oppressive narrative. "If prophecy is real," they argue, "it should unfold naturally—not through coercion or manipulation."
Preservation of Seregon's Cultural Identity: The Sovereigns oppose the introduction of new races and ethnicities into Seregon, seeing this as a dilution of the city's core identity. While not inherently supremacist, they are fiercely protective of what they view as Seregon's unique traditions, culture, and history, which they believe are being eroded by external influences.
Embrace of Technology: In sharp contrast to the religious factions in Seregon, the Sovereigns champion the use of fantastical technology as a means to bring magic to the masses. They see technology as the great equalizer, a way to free society from the tyranny of gods and mages. Magical devices and innovations are seen as a future where everyone—not just the powerful—can wield magic.
Relationship with Vexilar the Vile
The Sovereigns are allied with Vexilar the Vile, a notorious figure known for his anti-divine stance and rebellious philosophy. Vexilar’s goals overlap with the Sovereigns' in their shared disdain for the human gods and prophecy. However, while Vexilar is obsessed with the return of the Great Old Ones, the Sovereigns have no interest in those eldritch entities as a solution. Their focus remains on creating a future driven by mortal agency and technological innovation, not the intervention of ancient and alien powers.
- Mutual Benefit: Vexilar provides the Sovereigns with resources, forbidden knowledge, and technological artifacts in exchange for their support in undermining the established powers in Seregon. While the alliance is pragmatic, the Sovereigns are wary of his deeper motives, understanding that his goals may ultimately lead to chaos they cannot control.
Opposition to the Sentinels of Seregon
The Sentinels of Seregon, who serve as the city's protectors and enforcers of divine prophecy, are the Sovereigns' primary adversaries. The Sovereigns despise the Sentinels' reliance on prophecy and their willingness to force it upon adventurers. To the Sovereigns, this practice represents the worst kind of manipulation, stripping people of their freedom to shape their own destiny.
Rejection of Ambergris the Wizard: Once, the human wizard Ambergris, one of the Sentinels, attempted to recruit the Sovereigns to become the next generation of Sentinels. The Sovereigns vehemently rejected his offer, seeing it as a blatant attempt to conscript them into the very system they sought to dismantle. This failed recruitment attempt only deepened their animosity toward the Sentinels.
Despise the Elven and Dwarven Influence: The fact that the current Sentinels are composed of two elves and a dwarf, with only the "hapless" human Ambergris among them, fuels the Sovereigns' disdain. They see this as an alien influence dominating Seregon's future, one that has no regard for the city's true heritage.
Pointing to Past Failures: The Sovereigns openly mock the failures of the Sentinels, especially the spectacular fall of the Holy State of Tarab, a major political and military catastrophe that the Sentinels failed to prevent. The Sovereigns use this as proof that the Sentinels are not only ineffective but also dangerous, clinging to failed ideologies while Seregon crumbles.
Key Locations
While the Sovereigns have no single headquarters, they are known to operate from secret bases scattered throughout Seregon, including:
- The Hollowed Vaults: An underground network beneath the city's merchant district where technomancers and engineers work on the latest innovations.
- The Spire of Rust: A crumbling, abandoned tower on the outskirts of the city, rumored to be a testing ground for magical devices and home to some of the Sovereigns’ most dangerous experiments.
Relations with Other Factions
~Sentinels of Seregon: The Sovereigns are in open opposition to the Sentinels, viewing them as enforcers of the oppressive status quo. They see the Sentinels' reliance on prophecy as not only manipulative but dangerous to Seregon’s future.
Temples of Seregon: The Sovereigns have a contentious relationship with the religious factions of Seregon. While they do not actively seek to destroy the temples, they oppose their influence and view them as tools of the gods, oppressing free will.
Vexilar the Vile: Vexilar provides resources and occasional support to the Sovereigns, seeing them as useful in undermining the gods’ influence. However, the Sovereigns do not fully trust Vexilar, recognizing that his ultimate goals are far more apocalyptic than their vision of technological progress.