Choosing Your Faction
The most important decision you'll make at character creation.
Why It Matters
Your faction choice affects:
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Starting Skills | +2 to primary, +1 to two secondary skills |
| Initial Missions | Your first assignments come from your faction |
| Memory Machine | You contribute to your faction's machine |
| Story Access | Faction-exclusive narrative content |
| Natural Allies | Easier relationships within your faction |
| Political Position | Pro-Centopoly, Neutral, or Anti-Centopoly |
The Four Factions
Scions of Ogo
Homo Technologicus warriors, forbidden from Centopoly space
Political Alignment: Anti-Centopoly
History: Created during the Synthetic War as enhanced soldiers, the Scions were exiled when peace came. They remember the betrayal. They train for the next war.
Culture:
- Martial excellence above all
- Genetic enhancement is virtue
- Loyalty is absolute
- The strong protect the weak
Starting Bonuses:
- +2 Basic Combat
- +1 Advanced Combat
- +1 Tactical Planning
Best Careers: Combat Specialist
You'll Enjoy This If:
- Combat is your primary interest
- You prefer direct action to subtlety
- You want early combat effectiveness
- You enjoy military fiction
Prospectors
Ancient explorers with 8,000+ years of accumulated wealth
Political Alignment: Neutral
History: The oldest human faction, dating to pre-Centopoly exploration. They've catalogued more of the Cosmos than anyone. Their wealth comes from knowledge others forgot.
Culture:
- Discovery is sacred
- Knowledge preserved is knowledge earned
- Patience over haste
- The unknown calls
Starting Bonuses:
- +2 Pattern Recognition
- +1 Memory Enhancement
- +1 Reticle Navigation
Best Careers: Intelligence Analyst
You'll Enjoy This If:
- You want to discover secrets
- Exploration appeals to you
- You enjoy puzzle-solving
- You prefer knowledge to force
Technomages
Functionally immortal scholars pursuing "The Prime"
Political Alignment: Neutral
History: Achieved functional immortality through consciousness transfer technology. Devoted to understanding the fundamental nature of reality—"The Prime."
Culture:
- Technology reveals truth
- Mortality is a choice
- Understanding supersedes belief
- The Prime awaits discovery
Starting Bonuses:
- +2 Echo Interface
- +1 Analytical Thinking
- +1 Bridge Tech
Best Careers: Tech Operative
You'll Enjoy This If:
- You want to master game systems
- Technology interests you
- You enjoy analytical gameplay
- You prefer understanding to doing
Mercantile Alliance
Economic power, most Metric-integrated faction
Political Alignment: Pro-Centopoly
History: The economic engine of civilized space. They don't need armies when they control currencies. The Metric is their ally—stability means profit.
Culture:
- Wealth is influence
- Trade builds peace
- Relationships are investments
- Every interaction is negotiation
Starting Bonuses:
- +2 Negotiation
- +1 Alliance Building
- +1 Faction Relations
Best Careers: Diplomatic Envoy, Economic Strategist
You'll Enjoy This If:
- Economics and trade appeal to you
- You prefer diplomacy to combat
- You enjoy social gameplay
- You want faction relationship advantages
Decision Framework
Step 1: Playstyle
What do you want to do most?
| Primary Interest | Best Faction |
|---|---|
| Combat operations | Scions of Ogo |
| Intelligence/puzzles | Prospectors |
| System mastery | Technomages |
| Trading/diplomacy | Mercantile Alliance |
Step 2: Political Preference
Where do you stand on Centopoly?
- Anti-Centopoly: Scions of Ogo
- Neutral: Prospectors or Technomages
- Pro-Centopoly: Mercantile Alliance
Step 3: Story Interest
What narratives appeal to you?
- Military conflicts: Scions of Ogo
- Ancient mysteries: Prospectors
- Technological secrets: Technomages
- Political intrigue: Mercantile Alliance
Working With Other Factions
Your faction choice doesn't isolate you:
What You Can Still Do
- Take missions from any faction
- Build standing with all factions
- Access most game content
- Trade with anyone
- Compete in Memory Machine (for your faction)
What's Faction-Locked
- Starting skill bonuses (permanent)
- Faction-exclusive story content
- Memory Machine team
- Some advanced missions
- Faction-specific equipment
Building Cross-Faction Relationships
Over time, you can:
- Increase standing with other factions
- Earn trust through demonstrated reliability
- Access content through relationship building
- Become known across faction lines
Common Questions
Q: Can I change factions? A: No. Your primary faction is permanent. But you can work with other factions.
Q: Is one faction "best"? A: No. Each excels in different areas. "Best" depends on your playstyle.
Q: Do factions compete? A: Yes, especially in Memory Machine competition. Your faction's success matters.
Q: Will my faction choice limit content? A: Some content is faction-exclusive, but most of the game is accessible to all.
Q: What if I choose "wrong"? A: There's no wrong choice. Each faction offers a complete experience.
Quick Reference
| Faction | Alignment | Strength | Starting Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scions of Ogo | Anti-Centopoly | Combat | +2 Basic Combat |
| Prospectors | Neutral | Intelligence | +2 Pattern Recognition |
| Technomages | Neutral | Technology | +2 Echo Interface |
| Mercantile Alliance | Pro-Centopoly | Social | +2 Negotiation |
Make Your Choice
Consider:
- What gameplay do you want to prioritize?
- What story interests you?
- Where do you stand politically?
- What culture resonates with you?
Then choose. Your faction awaits.
Next Steps
- Character Creation — Complete the process
- Faction Overview — Detailed faction information
- Skills — Understanding your starting skills