Organisations

There are many different Organisations throughout the game world, covering everything from scholars to soldiers, Catholics to Jews, spies to witches. These can be highly organised, or can simply perform the function of a meeting-place for like-minded people.

There is nothing preventing an individual being a member of several Organisations at the same time, either bona fide or to infiltrate other organisations. Since Organisations are quite loose in this way, there are other connections that players may consider which can run parallel or outside the more formal groupings.

Affiliation to a foreign country, whether you originate from it or sympathise with it, can point you to allies. Being in the same profession may also lead towards the formation of a sort of club. Furthermore, there is the possibility of a new faction being formed if there is enough support for it and justification, both IC and OOC; if you have an idea for a new Organisation and several other players who're keen to join in, please email the GMs!

Affiliation to an Organisation may be Private or Public. If Public, you are either generally known to be associated with that Organisation, or it is trivial for someone to find out this detail; your allegiance will be listed on the website. If Private, your allegiance to your Organisation is kept secret by both the Organisation and yourself. Some Organisations require public affiliation; some require secrecy. If you belong to an Organisation which allows both, please let the GMs know your preference.

Finally, not belonging to a faction does not prevent you developing individual relationships and rising to power in other ways (in the areas of wealth or noble rank, for example), and could even provide a more interesting path to glory!

However, if you're uncertain of what your character's goals are, or have never played a freeform game like Albion before, we recommend membership in at least one Organisation to give some structure to your game, and give you a chance to mingle with other likeminded types at the start of the game.

A brief summary of the groups available to join at game start:

• The Earl of Essex's Dragoons and the Army of Albion: A military organisation. Defends the country and raids Cadiz.
• The Most Ancient and Venerable Order of Sir Walter Raleigh: Pirates Privateers. Honest.
• The Queen's Own Horticulturalists: An elite military organisation specialising in using mythical creatures in battle.

• The Guild of Navigators: The mercantile guild which holds a monopoly over river and boat travel between the islands of the Archipelago.
• The Merchant Companies of Albion: Trading and colonisation throughout the New and Known Worlds!

• The Church of England and Anglican Churches Abroad: The clergy of the state religion. Also includes the Anglican churches set up throughout Europe, and missions in the Colonies.
• The Order of Arundel: A secret society, the spies of the Catholic Church; the Albion branch of the Jesuits.
• The Brothers of the Rose Cross: The Rosicrucians, a secret society who spy for the Anglicans within Albion and elsewhere, and protect the state religion and the Crown.
• The Kabal of Yehudim: The loose affiliation of practising Jews within the Archipelago.

• The Invisible College: A scholarly institution devoted to Science and Philosophy.
• The Sisters of Hecate: An informal order of (mostly) women who practice Witchcraft.
• The University of Oxford: Very politically important, since Oxford is in the capital. Students and courtiers from all walks of life congregate here.

Additional affiliations possible:

• Other Countries
• Order of St John (Knights of Malta)

Each organisation has its own rank structure which may be a set structure or (in the case of Embassies for example) less rigid. A new character can choose to start at any position, bar the top, for any organisation provided that they fulfil any requirements. Common sense also applies - if you are in several organisation you cannot necessarily occupy high ranks in both. Furthermore, higher ranks, while allowing you more power within the organisation, also makes you more responsible and answerable to those above you with more important duties to perform.

One can advance in ranks within all organisations. See each individual page for requirements.

Every rank in every organisation carries a certain amount of responsibility. At higher levels you must devote increased amount of time (AP) to the organisation and its operation. This can be handled occasionally by delegation and other resources, but reliance on others to do your duties can lead to a negative feeling towards you within organisation and a target for removal (and advancement for others). Leaders of organisations who do little for it can be quickly removed in favour of a more competent, reputable, or clever individual.

Of course, at the higher levels, you also have more control of how the organisation is run, and part of your responsibilities can be devoted to moulding it all to your ideals.