D&D (2024) Forgotten Realms Player Guide

[Henadic Theologian]

The Zhentarim, Harpers, Order of the Guantlet, Emerald Enclave and Lords Alliance will also likely be factions, as they were the main factions in 5e. Red Wizards makes six, I could see say 4 more factions, who do you think they will be?

Some possibilities, Flaming Fist, Brotherhood of the Griffin (really like this one), Kraken Society, From Throne, Order of Blue Fire.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The Zhentarim, Harpers, Order of the Guantlet, Emerald Enclave and Lords Alliance will also likely be factions, as they were the main factions in 5e. Red Wizards makes six, I could see say 4 more factions, who do you think they will be?

Some possibilities, Flaming Fist, Brotherhood of the Griffin (really like this one), Kraken Society, From Throne, Order of Blue Fire.

And none of the Factions are "Good" - they're a mess. The Zhentarim are obviously the Mob - they'll side with the "good guys" when the world is at stake, of course. The Order of the Gauntlet are militant to the point where any given sub-faction could be downright Fascist. The Lords Alliance can obviously be entirely corrupt, as "Gentlemen" often are, and even the Emerald Enclave can strike into Eco-Terrorism and the Harpers are so opposed to Tyranny that they can, at worst, be Anarchists (in a bad way).

The Factions are organizations filled with people, and therefore are a mixed bag. I like it that way.

 

[Parmandur]

Sure, I just don't want them to become "misunderstood neutral" as a power faction.

We'll see when the book will come out, I guess.

I mean, I'm sure Szass Tam and his entire nation state will still be the baddies.

 

[Jolly Ruby]

And none of the Factions are "Good" - they're a mess. The Zhentarim are obviously the Mob - they'll side with the "good guys" when the world is at stake, of course. The Order of the Gauntlet are militant to the point where any given sub-faction could be downright Fascist. The Lords Alliance can obviously be entirely corrupt, as "Gentlemen" often are, and even the Emerald Enclave can strike into Eco-Terrorism and the Harpers are so opposed to Tyranny that they can, at worst, be Anarchists (in a bad way).

The Factions are organizations filled with people, and therefore are a mixed bag. I like it that way.

I like them as mixed bags too. As I presume the "intention" behind the five factions they choose for original 5e is that each one is on a represents a point of the alignment chart: Zentharin as the most Evil of the bunch, the Lord's Alliance as the Lawful faction focused on bringing order and civilization, the Harpers are the anti-tyranny Chaotic rebels and spies, and the Order of the Gauntlet as the good aligned knights. And the Emerald Enclave at the middle, as True Neutral striving for balance.

Most factions can provide interesting plots inside these alignments: the lawful good agent of the Lord's Alliance looking for another missing agent who is supposedly kidnapped by mercs, just to uncover the missing agent is actually behind the ruthless mercs, and using them to bring order to the frontiers. Or the Emerald Enclave agent who's opposed to getting rid of the chromatic dragon because it's his lair and it would disturbe ballance and unleash other evils. Except, I think, the Order of the Gauntlet... They're kinda boring, IMHO.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Except, I think, the Order of the Gauntlet... They're kinda boring, IMHO.

Have you read the stuff regarding them in Elturel, in Decent into Avernus? Or in Tyranny of Dragons? I agree that in a lot of ways, they're the least interesting, but there's still some stuff there when you have an idea about them.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I've always felt the Order was under developed when compared to the other Factions with more lore behind them (the Enclave also suffer from it, IMO).
I would have preferred if they took more well-known organizations instead of those. Maybe the Hellriders, Faerun's answers to 40K's Space Marines and the Circle of Sword or the Shadow Druids?

And the Shadow Thieves and Arcane Brotherhood!

 

[Jolly Ruby]

Have you read the stuff regarding them in Elturel, in Decent into Avernus? Or in Tyranny of Dragons? I agree that in a lot of ways, they're the least interesting, but there's still some stuff there when you have an idea about them.

Not yet, but I'll make sure to read it! Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I've always felt the Order was under developed when compared to the other Factions with more lore behind them (the Enclave also suffer from it, IMO).
I would have preferred if they took more well-known organizations instead of those. Maybe the Hellriders, Faerun's answers to 40K's Space Marines and the Circle of Sword or the Shadow Druids?

And the Shadow Thieves and Arcane Brotherhood!

Order of the Gaunlet needs heavy lore support, but Emeramd Enclave has alot of lorr behind it,including a really dark period in its history.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Order of the Gaunlet needs heavy lore support, but Emeramd Enclave has alot of lorr behind it,including a really dark period in its history.

Yeah, reading more about them, being responsible for a magic wave of mass-suicides to claim lands and refusing to stop an eruption, causing 50 000 deaths isn't very nice.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Yeah, reading more about them, being responsible for a magic wave of mass-suicides to claim lands and refusing to stop an eruption, causing 50 000 deaths isn't very nice.

It was not entirely the Emerald Enclave's fault, they got twisted for a time by dangerous magic.