The latest major entrant into the arcanoarchaeology field, the Apep Consortium is a collection of interests that finances large-scale dig sites. Most of the investors are not interested in history and little is known about the actual agenda of this group. It is clear that they pilfer more than preserve history.
The Apep Consortium was involved in the events of Lagos and the auction of the Piri Reis Map. Their representative Georgiy Abolev wants to get his hands on the map and any other artifacts that the runners are helping Frosty find. He is willing to pay them highly for the items and uses any means nec- essary to accomplish his task.
The Draco Foundation (DF) was established by the last will and testament of the deceased president Dunkelzahn. Charged with administering his will and legacy (both the public and private sections), this foun- dation controls the bulk of the late dragon’s wealth. With such financial backing, it continues to be a major influence in a variety of realms — from the boardrooms of AAA megacorps to the world of arcanoarcheology. It is a primary competitor to the Atlantean Foundation in the world of arcanoarcheology and antiquities. The Draco Foundation is nominally under the control of Chairman and former UCAS Vice President Nadja Daviar, but her appearances are rare to nonexistent. Aina Dupree is the acting Chairman of the Foundation.
The Draco Foundation was also charged with establishing the Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research (DIMR). The DIMR is an independent body devoted to high-end magical research and studying magical phenomena. The directors are nominated from institutions and nations designated by Dunkelzahn in his will, and include MIT&T, the Atlantean Foundation, the NAN, Tír na nÓg, the University of Chicago, CalTech, UCLA, the People’s University of Berkeley, the Langenzell Institute, Oxford’s Royal College of Magicians, Loyola, and Tir Tairngire.
The fact that many of these institutions are fierce competitors, especially the Atlantean Foundation and the DIMR, is something that keeps the shadows of the archeological world hopping.
The Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research (DIMR) is the Atlantean Foundation’s biggest archaeological rival. Backed by millions of nuyen from the great dragon’s will, the Institute has spearheaded research projects across the globe. They’ve set up offices in cities around the world, including Denver, Hong Kong, Prague, Athens, Bangkok, Neo-Tokyo, Vladivostok, and Buenos Aires. Among the many factions digging for ancient history and power, the DIMR has maintained the cleanest record. Their connection to Dunkelzahn gave them a reputation that almost immediately equaled the one the Atlantean Foundation took years to establish — which did nothing to garner the AF’s favor.
The DIMR continues to work to cultivate partners that will help them grow to the AF’s size. Wuxing remains their strongest partner, and Hong Kong has become a strong base for DIMR’s Southeast Asian operations. The Draco Foundation remains distant from the DIMR — the egos of the leaders involved have prevented what would seem to be a natural partnership from ever emerging. DIMR’s research is accompanied by the academic education of young mages. Their practical field work isn’t restricted to archaeological digs, and it includes the investigation of various magical phenomena, the search for power sites, analysis of mana lines, and behavioral studies of Awakened fauna in their natural habitats (an area of growing interest to parabiologists across the planet).
Catholic sect of priests focused on collecting and preserving knowledge of the early days of christianity.
Created by Sheila Blatavska shortly after the Awakening in 2012, the Atlantean Foundation is a private organization publicly dedicated to restoring the glory of the lost golden age of Atlantis, a supposed Mecca of wonders and knowledge that disappeared into the mists of time. It is an organization with branches worldwide, popular trid shows, monthly newsletters and chats, major research centers, sponsored archeological digs, and cadres of respected scientists. It boasts millions of members worldwide and operates at a level just shy of an AA corporation.
This paramilitary group is a secret order within the Atlantean Foundation, allegedly organized around the precepts of an ancient Atlantean codex. Part knightly order, part relic hunters, they serve a variety of roles for the organization, although they remain mostly the stuff of rumors even in the shadows. The Mystic Crusaders avidly follow the rules set forth in their Codex, the ancient manuscript Sheila Blatavska gave to the founding members of the Mystic Crusaders. No one outside the Mystic Crusaders knows what the Codex entails, but rumors are it discusses the protection of some very specific artifacts
The Smoking Mirror is the dark, hidden secret of the popular public worship of Tezcatlipoca in Aztlan. While Tezcatlipoca has his own temples and his priests are major players in both Aztlan and Aztechnology, the Smoking Mirror cult is the stuff of rumors and nightmares. It’s said that the high-ranking priests are all blood mages. Some rumors even place high-ranking cult members at the highest level of Aztechnology. The most frightening of rumors are those that hint that the priests follow the dark god Tezcatlipoca made flesh, a living god who directs their every move.
The Dr. Faustus Society began as a circle of the first hermetic mages to study at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität in Heidelberg. Over the decades, the study circle grew into a huge organization that is now one of the world’s largest magic groups. Unlike the Illuminates of the New Dawn (p. 72, Street Magic), the Faustians are deeply entrenched in the arcane academia of Europe’s magic universities. The group only accepts hermetics, and it has the reputation of being an “old boys’ network,” with few women in the organization.
There are also rumors of a loose inner circle (called “True Faustians”) in the magical groups that follow in the footsteps of Faust, dealing with extraplanar beings. These True Faustians are Twisted magicians following the Faustian path (p. 138, Street Magic) and using the foundation’s resources to fuel their personal agenda.