This is a repository of faction information from my proposed Paradigm-Shift version of Planescape.
The Circle of Thought
(Circlers, Revisionists)
Faction Philosophy
Circlers, as they're often called, believe that the multiverse is like a book. By understanding the events that happened in the past a Circler will argue that the meaning of existence itself can somehow be deduced. Some Circlers believe that the multiverse wasn't always as it is now and that it has gone through changes, what the Circlers call Revisions, and each Revision has brought it closer and closer to its current state. Circlers abhor the destruction of written knowledge as all words are in some way an expression of the Word, the universal structure of the multiverse. For this reason they horde books and written documents of any kind. To a Circler the plaque on a building is just as meaningful and important as a tome on magic.
What's more, Circlers are obsessed with the notion of signs (which they call semions) as they believe that each sign is a clue to a greater understanding of the current Revision. Some Circlers also believe that each semion, whether it be represented as actual text or not, contains within it a blueprint for the entire multiverse if it is analyzed properly.
Primary Plane of Influence
Uncertain right now.
Social Position in Sigil
The Circlers run the Scholarium, the largest and oldest public library in Sigil. Factotums of all factions store records there to be filed alongside less important tomes. Most books in the Scholarium are copies obtained by a diligent Circler who found a new book to add to the collection. Of course, no sensitive information is ever deposited here, as the Circlers read everything and will willingly provide space and time to any outsider regardless of faction affiliation to read any tome.
Eligibility
The only requirement for being a Circler is knowledge of how to read.
Benefits
Cirlcers get the following Philosophy feats:
Diviners Insight A Circler may use his or her Philosophy power to examine a piece of text and learn something useful about how or when or why it was made. This knowledge is gleaned -from the text itself- and no outside input is required.
Restrictions
Circlers will never destroy anything they consider to be a semion.
The Mercenaries
(Bleeders, Warmongers)
Faction Philosophy
The Bleeders believe that only through conflict can true knowledge be found. Hardship creates understanding. In order to help fulfill this goal the Bleeders seek to engender hardship amongst others. Though some Warmongers take this philosophy to the extreme, serving as ceaseless mercenaries in the various conflicts of the planes, most see it as a passive philosophy; they enjoy adversity and pain and will seek to prolong the adversity of others all the while reminding them that it is the furnace of wisdom.
Social Position in Sigil
Fitting for such a warlike faction, the Mercenaries control the Armory. The production of weapons in Sigil and the doling out of them to various lawful agencies is under the Mercenaries watchful eye. It has been hinted, however, that they sometimes give out arms to poor Hive-folk in order to show them the path of conflict and purity through war.
Eligibility
Only those who condone violence as a means of solving problems (not necessarily the only one) are eligible to join the Mercenaries.
Benefits
Warmongers get the following Philosophy feats:
At home in Pain When bloodied, Warmongers may take an instant action to spend a healing surge and regain surge + Wis modifier HP.
Restrictions
A Mercenary will never help someone out in a time of need if he can avoid it -- that robs that person of a valuable lesson.