The Revolutionary Council is a shifting title that has been held by thirteen different Councils over the course of the Revolution, each with drastically different ideals. Once an old Council is vanquished, they are given a different name, but The Revolutionary Council continues.
The current incarnation of the the Revolutionary Council is headed by Chairman Korran Goss. He, along with six other Councilors, have executive authority over Galt. While their decrees are sometimes followed piecemeal by outer cities, in Isarn their power is absolute. While political authority was not enough to protect past councils from the eventual ire of the populace, the current Council has successfully directed public opinion, staying in power for longer than any of their predecessors.
The Grey Gardeners, along with the Final Blades they maintain, are a constant presence throughout the upheavals in Galt. The Grey Gardeners are known for their iconic uniform, wearing cloaks with faces always covered by grey silk veils. Their guises and anonymity have helped them weather any conflict with Revolutionary Councils seeking to reign in their authority. The Grey Gardeners were founded to be stewards of the Final Blades, given broad authority to uphold the ideals of the Revolution and dispense justice to those who oppose it.
The Grey Gardeners's base of operations is their monastery in Litran, but the Gardeners have a presence in every city. Those who attempt to flee find that the Gardeners are able to rapidly disperse information about the fugitive. Their tracking skills are legendary throughout the Inner Sea.
The Parliamentary Party is run by Jacques Doucet, the oldest member of the Senate, whose tenure predates the Red Revolution. The Parliamentary Party proposes establishing the elected legislature as center of power in Galt. The Parliament Party gained support in the last round of elections because their form of government is a tried and true form of democracy, and many throughout Galt crave stability. Opponents accuse the party of trying to mimic other nations rather than trying to find a solution built for Galt.
The Egalitarian Party views aristocracy as anathema to freedom, seeking to distribute Galt's wealth to all citizens. Viewing Le Commune as a prototype for all of Galt, the party wishes to expand the model, having small local communes band together and support each other under the guidance of an impartial national committee. The party enjoys a lot of support among the poorest in Galt: those that seek to be viewed and live as equal members of society. Opponents of the party say that Le Commune only works because of its small size and dedication to Erastil, and that egalitarian government on a country-wide scale is nothing but a pipe dream. Others say that the national committee will stifle individual freedoms for the "greater good."
The Egalitarian party is headed by Irina Garreau, a junior senator that has become the face of her party over the last eight years. Her upbringing in Le Commune has taught her how to exercise the influence of her relatively small party, increasing the small party's influence in recent years.
The Confederate Party is largely composed of representatives from Galt's other major cities, particularly Edme, Woodsedge and Stavintower. This group of senators assert that power must be decentralized, allowing each city in Galt to rule itself. They believe that the only purpose of a national government is to resolve disputes among local cities. The party appeals to those in powerful cities and those that view the Revolutionary Councils. Opponents accuse the party's goals of being unrealistic, as Galt is in too much disarray for such a feeble government to unite Galt.
The party's leader Henri d'Edme has become somewhat of a folk legend after surviving at least twelve public assassination attempts and claims to have survived another dozen in private.
The Court of Bees is a coalition of influential business owners and Calistrian religious leaders that guide and represent the interests of La Lumière Rouge. The group typically yields to the Revolutionary Council's agenda, but has gained exemptions from or stifled rules that would interfere with their courtesans or the worship of Calistria. This judicious use of their influence has prevented the Court of Bees from drawing the ire of any Revolutionary Council.
The Vice are a well-established criminal organization deeply embedded in the fabric of Isarn, since the city belonged to Imperial Taldor. As an organization, the Vice, have a well-honed understanding of criminal enterprise, tempered through millennia of experience. They avoid scrutiny and conflict by employing well-placed bribes and suppressing violent and high-profile crime in their neighborhood. Instead, the group makes their money through high protection premiums and gambling halls.
Their neighborhood north of the Kantele is considered one of the safer neighborhoods in Isarn, but there is an unmistakable eeriness to the calm. Not to be mistaken for their benevolence, predatory lending practices and unforgiving collections methods are what earned them their moniker. Those that have openly opposed or offended the Vice have met exceptionally brutal ends. Their cruel punishments serve as clear examples to those that might oppose them in the future.
In stark contrast to their counterparts north of the Kantele, the Caydogs are perhaps best described as a criminal disorganization. The Caydogs have an established presence in Sud Rivière and the Wine Quarter. The group enjoys a lot of support in these areas, largely thanks to group's social outreach, their orphanage, Cayden's Home, and a large brewing operation. However, the group also faces fierce backlash from both authorities and the citizenry because of their entirely inconsistent policies and brazen attempts at expanding their territory.
The Caydogs rarely stop crimes, instead deputizing petty criminals, charging them to let them operate in their turf.
Despite the name, Isarn's City Guard is hardly a bastion of authority or stability. Four decades of riots, regime changes, infrastructure collapse and general poverty make a guard's duty impossible to fulfill. Those caring souls that truly want to serve and protect their fellow citizens rarely survive the dangers of the job long enough to do so. The unscrupulous guards that survive often enforce city proclamations selectively, only when the guards do not feel doing so would endanger them. By law, they are servants of the Citizens, but in practice, they are a legalized street gang with the freedom to harass citizens for almost any reason they can dream of without fear of repercussion. The Isarn City Guard are headquartered out of The Annex, only consistently protect La Rue de Pain and Vieille Ville.
Like most cities of old Imperial Taldor, dwarves established an early presence in Isarn, and have lived there for millennia. These dwarves have always had a close relationship with their kin in Azurestone. Despite many invitations to relocate to Azurestone, most chose not to abandon their homes in the capital.
The dwarves of Torag's Children are cordial with any citizen of Isarn, but regard them with well-earned skepticism. The group is known for their generosity and strong bonds, but their friendship reserved for others within their small community or the few that have managed to earn their trust.
The Starving Artists are a group of young hooligans that insist they are forced to live a life of crime to make ends meet and support their art. While the Artists are certainly talented performers, many are convinced the Artists are nothing more than petty thieves who take what they want and squat in the old Isarn School of Fine Arts. The Artists will often put on shows, both in theaters and on the streets, acting, playing music, and even daring stunts to attract audiences, but they use these attractions to pickpocket their audiences or as cover for other crimes.
After the execution of Courage Heart and Milani's rebuke of the Red Revolution, the followers of Milani were divided. Those who clung to the goddess' teachings of chaos and liberation, formed the Blood Rose. These zealots have been perpetually trying to overthrow whatever Council is in power, inciting new rebellion. The Blood Rose's fervor can be easily stoked, but difficult to direct.
Those who heeded Milani's rebuke of the Red Revolution founded the Courageous Council, in honor of Milani's now-herald. The faction represents the majority of Milani's faithful, waiting eagerly for a sign their goddess needed them again. Even under the rule of Galt's most reviled Revolutionary Councils, the Courageous Council remained dormant.
After decades the Courageous Council broke their silence in support of the Galtcreed Pact, citing the Pact's opposition to the Final Blades as a cause worthy of Milani's support. Since the fall of the Galtcreed Pact, their silent vigil began anew.
After the fall of Galtcreed Pact, followers of Milani were divided once more. When the group they supported fell, some wondered if perhaps the Red Revolution itself had gone on so long it could not produce a truly worthy government. Those unsatisfied with a new silent vigil joined together to form The Sisters of the Everbloom.
This new group believed that Galt needed a time of stability to heal itself before any further revolution could occur. The Sisters of the Everbloom are solely dedicated to Milani's aspects of healing and protection. Despite their name, they accept healers of all races and genders, but have kept their name to honor their original founders.
This group in charge of Le Commune is the most stable part of Isarn. Much to Chairman Goss's chagrin, the elders of Le Commune often ignore dictates with which they disagree. The group's food production, regular payment of taxes, public outreach and famous archers have left the group virtually impervious to any retribution for insubordination.
Despite Pathfinder's neutrality in political issues, Pathfinders from the Woodsedge Lodge became involved in Red Revolution and influenced the First Revolutionary Council. When the Rane Council ascended to power, they aggressively dismantled the support structure of the First Revolutionary Council. Judging the Pathfinder Society as insurgents, General Rane expelled the group from Galt.
There have been rumors in the capital of the Society's resurgence in the turbulent nation, which has irritated Galt's current chairman. Korran Goss denounces them for having no interests in Galt's well-being, declaring that the Pathfinders simply wish to plunder from Galt's great history.