Fractious

Main > Rules > World Statistics > World Tags > Fractious

Where a disorganized world is an incoherent mess, a fractious world is divided up into several strong, organized groups. These factions may have de facto existence in the form of rival nations or geographic regions, or they may be political artifacts of a disjointed planetary government, with different groups of officials jousting over control of offices and delegated authority. Most such worlds have not devolved into overt warfare, but tensions can range from a decided coolness toward rivals to assassination and deniable guerrilla strikes.

Leaders:
^{Who might be encountered while conducting business}

• De facto but discreet faction leader
• Figurehead leader controlled by hidden masters
• Eminently corruptible bureaucrat working for the highest bidder
• Desperate faction member on his way down the ladder of power

Enemies:
^{Who might be encountered who opposes the group}

Faction member seeking to discredit a troublesome superior

Saboteur seeking offworlder weapons

Reformer seeking offworld resources

Renegade seeking a plague on all their houses

Complications:
^{How might the situation on the world be more complicated}

All of the factions honestly mean well

One faction is clearly dominant but opposed by all the others

One faction has heavy offworld support

The factions are very good at hiding their membership

Things:
^{What items might be found on the world}

Forbidden tech meant for a faction's leadership

Restricted data stolen from a faction

Precious resource the factions are fighting over

Offworld tech shipment meant for "freedom fighters"

Things:
^{What regulations might complicate things}

Openly admitting the existence of the factions is a grave crime

The factions offer different trading terms with their own advantages and problems

Some factions have won over xenophobic locals by forbidding offworld trade

The leading faction is built on control of offworld trade

Tags: Politics, Trade