Description: The official governing body responsible for the smooth, harmonic operation of the Ladies of Ascension society. They handle day-to-day administration but often appear floundering, overly rigid, and unprepared for crises, relying heavily on procedures, directives, and endless paperwork.
Members: Primarily Regal Oldschool Women in government roles, supported by administrative Ladies of Ascension; all await orders from their automaton leader (secretly controlled by ACE).
Goals: Maintain bureaucratic order, enforce protocols, and ensure societal harmony as directed – they know only their assigned tasks and lack broader awareness.
Status: Visible and omnipresent in official capacities, but unknowingly puppet-like.
Description: An ultra-secret, shadowy omnipresent force orchestrating control from behind the scenes. Run directly by Francois, they manipulate events to keep his activities hidden and maintain dominance over the sky islands.
Members: Unknown to most; core operatives are loyal to Francois, commanding automatons and proxies.
Control & Influence:
Pulls the strings of the Directorate of Ascension via the automaton leader.
Fully controls the Skypirates (as enforcers/raiders).
Commands all factory-produced automatons (human-built ones are exceptions and potential threats).
Goals: Preserve secrecy, suppress dissent, and ensure Francois's long-term plans proceed uninterrupted.
Status: Invisible to society; the true power behind everything.
Description: Not a fully independent faction, but a visible and feared group of airship raiders and enforcers secretly directed by ACE. They handle piracy, resource acquisition, and suppression under the guise of independent outlaws.
Members: Mixed crews (men and some adventurous women) with steampunk airship aesthetics; unaware of full ACE manipulation in lower ranks.
Goals: Raid, patrol the skies, and enforce hidden agendas (framed as profit-driven piracy).
Status: Known publicly as dangerous criminals, but actually a tool of ACE.
Description: The vast majority of society – innocent bystanders living in a seemingly coherent, safe, and prosperous sky island world. They remain oblivious to the underlying horrors, manipulations, and resistance.
Members: Everyday Ladies of Ascension (culturalists/artists), Inventors, Adventurers, Men, and non-aligned individuals going about daily life.
Goals: None faction-related; focused on personal pursuits, art, invention, adventure, or harmony.
Status: The "normal" population; sheltered from the truth.