Contractor Associations
Contractors that the various other factions hire consist largely of normal civilians looking for a quick way to make a fortune. Though, for more protection, and the more experienced among them, it is not uncommon for individual contractors to join an Association. Several more prominent groups are listed below, among many others registered in the Network.
West Association
Largely operating in Dyon, West Association owns a total of eight branches spread across the settlement, making it one of the larger Associations of the City. It typically takes contracts from either Firmament Corporation or the Academy, and its members typically dress themselves in fully gray formal uniforms. Their signature armory involves a small sidearm that fires enchanted rounds of Oneirum-infused lead and a miniature storage Implant that allows for the transportation of certain small objects in a spatial pocket.
West Association Patents
Dimensional Lock - A small Implant in the shape of a small square patch that may be used to store a single small item in an extra-dimensional pocket, inaccessible to anyone but its user, or a person possessing a “Master Key.”
Master Key - A small key-shaped gadget capable of retrieving the contents of any Dimensional Lock with a touch on the patch. It is only ever distributed amongst City customs inspectors, or the most internal employees of the West Association.
Ammunition Fabrication - As granted by the Patent Office, the West Association is the only organization that may manufacture and possess ammunition for firearms. Such a restriction is always heavily enforced by the Office’s regulators, and violators are often issued harsh sentences.
Enchanted Bullets - By making use of Oneirum and its enigmatic power, bullets may be additionally modified to cause an additional magical effect when fired. Rarely used by those aside from the West Association’s operatives.
Ninth Association
Another Association based out of Dyon, Ninth Association is a relatively small group that despite its low spread, is known for its high efficiency at performing hunting contracts. They are known to compete with the West Association for contracts with Firmament Corporation, and some rumors have even spoken of their bringing of monsters from the Warrens to the company’s buildings. Their members are typically dressed in green and black uniforms and employ a thin nanomaterial saber and a dampening Implant that enables more silent movement through the Warrens.
Ninth Association Patents
Nanomaterial Saber - One of such weapons may cut through nearly any material, with its edge being so intensely sharp it may cut through even the metallic limbs of a war Synthetic with ease. A small battery of Oneirum is required to retain its durability, or else it wears down easily on contact.
Presence Dampener - An Implant split into four parts, which must be installed onto each of the user’s hands and feet. Combined, it nullifies the user’s presence, removing all sound or scent from their passing when activated. It holds little use when the target may see its user.
Rupture Projection Module - By projecting a small rupture one millimeter ahead of the device, it is possible for weaponry installed with such modules to gain increased penetrative capabilities, from creating miniature ruptures in space capable of disrupting the most durable of structures. Such a module consumes energy quickly when engaged, and is known to be faulty at times, such as cases where ruptures generated by such weapons that backfired upon their users. Given their highly unstable roots, Rupture Projection Modules are highly recommended not to be fashioned into body-integrated Implants.
Ninth Association Hierarchy:
Executive Director: The Executive Director of Ninth Association, holds the greatest amount of authority within the Association. With each member of the Association being an active Contractor in the field (aside from non-combat building maintenance employees), the Executive Director stands as their most powerful unit, who is also bequeathed with the highest administrative ability as the Director located in their main office at City 5.
Director: Directors in Ninth Association are granted greater administrative power than Managers, handling tasks such as managing a branch office in a City, arranging extended contracts with corporate entities, and are granted a large amount of autonomy in management.
Manager: Individual Managers command small teams of Contractors on contracts which they may take as hand-downs from their respective office's Director, or by arranging or accepting contracts with clients. Managers are also expected to accompany their teams on contracts they are issued, despite their operational position.
Contractor: The rank and file of Ninth Association's Contractors who answer to their Managers for field orders and complete contracts on behalf of the Association. Most Contractors are throughly vetted and have their capabilities tested before joining, though upon entry they are issued a weapon of their choice forged of the Association's patented material.
Vigil Association
"Our Blood, Your Safety"
Vigil Association prizes its position as the primary provider of defensive and bodyguarding jobs, and as such work commonly with private individuals wishing for a guard detail when walking amongst the streets of the City. Such a business has granted them closeness with many rich citizens of the Central districts, and as to their rich clientele, it comes that their services number in the tens of thousands of credits for journeys. Vigil Association’s employees commonly equip themselves in heavy armor forged out of Cyberkend’s Duralloy material, typically drawn over with blue and silver colors. Contractors within the Association are organized in large groups of armored individuals called Knight Orders lended gear by the Association and expected to pay it back through successful protection contracts. Those who have died in the line of duty, especially those who have died to a Wound Redirection Implant's aftereffects, are often granted high amounts of respect within the Association, and are awarded the title of Knight, after which a new Knight Order is often named after one such individual.
Vigil Association Patents
Force Absorption Module - Typically a device slightly larger than one’s palm that may absorb and store forces directed into the object it is installed into, enabling an additional ability to soften incoming blows. However, it must periodically release the stored force in bursts or else it will shatter itself apart from within in a short-ranged explosion that causes havoc to those near it. When the module and the equipment it is attached to begins to shake violently and release a hum into the air, it is when one knows that such force must be redirected. This device is usually installed into shields or at times, into one’s armor.
Force Transmitter Implant - By installing a wirelike structure through its user’s body, this Implant enables for users to gain greater control over the direction of their stored force, allowing for it to be circulated from an equipped item to usage in augmenting a user’s physical abilities. Although, this is not to say that it reinforces the user’s body, for it merely applies greater force to their movements, and as such may cause immense damage back to its user if such stored force is transmitted through the body in large quantities.
Wound Redirection Implant - An enigmatic Implant crafted with the help of Old World technology that enables for the magical transposition of wounds upon an equipped client to an equally equipped Vigil Association Contractor. In order for it to conduct its functions, it consumes a large amount of contained Oneirum from equipped batteries on the person who is transmitting the wound.
Spatial Crease Compressor - A large machine capable of compressing large and bulky objects into smaller and more portable forms by "folding" the object through several repetitions. The result typically ends up becoming what is effectively a large folded accordion of material that carries with it the same amount of mass as the object that was folded into its compact form albeit with lower volume. Through an innovative Oneirum design, such a folding mechanism manages to preserve the basic structure of the object, and enables for such compact forms to be unfolded back to their expanded form without loss in durability. However, one may note that such a system fails often when considering items that contain more delicate instruments, resulting in amalgamations that break most fragile circuits.
Vigil Association Hierarchy
Knight Commander: A Knight Commander of the Vigil Association happens to usually be the most powerful or renowned living Knight that the Association has in one of it's Castles. The Knight Commander is expected to have risen through the ranks of the Vigil Association, and ascends to their position in one of two ways, by the will of the previous Knight Commander who has named a successor, or by defeating the former Knight Commander in an honorable duel. The Knight Commander is expected to work with the company's support administrative staff to handle or decline certain missions, although is typically expected to also be in live duty, much like the Captains below their rule.
Knight Captain: A Knight Captain doubles as both the leader of an Order of Knights, which are groups of typically 50 to 80 Knights, and as a combat field unit. Despite being in a position of power, the Knight Captain is expected to lead the battle at the front lines. As such, Knight Captains are also typically highly experienced warriors and possess a good grasp of authority. A Knight Captain typically rises to power after previously serving as the Vice-Captain of a given Order, although when the Commander wishes to create a new Order in honor for a dead Knight, a new Captain from any other standard Knight will be appointed to the position as a Captain. Of course, as is with tradition, the Captain can have their position revoked should they lose a duel with their position on the line, although the Commander may choose to overrule such a decision if the need arises.
Vice-Captain: As each Order has its Captain, the Vice-Captain acts as the Captain's right hand, and a secondary officer when handling the large Orders that are fielded by the Association. The Vice-Captain is typically appointed to their position by the Captain, but cannot be replaced in an honorable duel like those positions above them, and can have their position be revoked by the Captain. The position of a Vice-Captain also acts as an apprenticeship, as it is typically this person who is the successor to an Order, and as such is often reserved for a Knight Captain's protege.
Knight: The standard Contractors of the Vigil Association are granted the title of a Knight should they pass their rigorous entry requirements and tests. After joining the Association, a Knight is often assigned to an Order, although certain Captains may choose to personally select a newcomer Knight to come to their Order. All Knights are equipped with a Wound Redirection Implant, especially when going on a bodyguarding job, and receiving wounds in the stead of others is considered an honorable act. Those who die in such a circumstance are regarded highly, and are posthumously featured inside of a Castle's dedicated tomb and awarded with the title of Sir or Dame.
Iris Association
"Rethink Discovery"
Iris Association makes itself known in several Cities, with a decent presence in Illustra, Dyon, and Metem. Its services mainly focus on reconnaissance and scouting when new Warren entrances are discovered or for Caravans seeking to explore the Outside wilderness. The services of Iris Association’s Contractors are well-valued for most outside expeditions, with the help they provide by assisting in plotting safe pathways that may save the lives of many members of expeditions. Its members typically are dressed in a uniform of black, white, and red, and have held extended dealings with the Academy, Firmament Corporation, and Arkworth Pharmaceuticals, for a variety of varied reasons.
Iris Association Patents
ICR Drone - A small flying drone that can be guided through Iris Association’s Implants equipped with an onboard all-directional camera to assist in exploring unknown areas. An ICR drone’s camera feed is directly linked to an Iris Association contractor’s mental feed, allowing for them to receive real-time updates on their surroundings with an additional vantage point.
Retinal Evaluator - A tiny Implant made for usage directly placed on one of its user’s eyes. The Evaluator is capable of enhancing one’s abilities by providing detailed descriptions of an object’s contents, capabilities, and makeup with a quick scan.
Ripper Drone - A small flying drone much like the ICR drone, though much of its observational devices have been replaced by small blades capable of vibrating at immense speeds. Ripper drones are designed to make use of their small size, impressive mobility, and devastating bladed weaponry to make quick work of their targets.