Firebrands

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Firebrands

(Organization)

CG

Large

Revolutionary

Type

Revolutionary

Alignment

Chaotic good

Headquarters

None (decentralized)

Goals

Abolition of slavery, performing daring acts, seeking fun, helping the helpless

Scope

Regional (Inner Sea)

Structure

None (meritocratic)

Members

Open membership

Images of Firebrands

Source: Character Guide, pg(s). 66–75

For other meanings of "Firebrand", please see Firebrand (disambiguation).

The Firebrands are a loose organization of daredevils, liberators, and fighters against injustice with a reputation for sowing chaos in the wake of performing ostentatious acts.

History

In 4716 AR, when the two newly-independent nations of Vidrian and Ravounel established diplomatic and trade relations, their respective freedom-fighting representatives also found that they shared an interest in fighting oppression and helping those who cannot protect themselves, and thus formed the Firebrands, sharing assets to combat tyranny where they could.

Goal

The Firebrands are unofficially divided into two factions: those who fight tyrants, help those in need, and work to rebuild after the revolution; and those who seek thrills and to bring attention to themselves. The former once tried to dissociate themselves from the latter, before realising that their work is made much easier when public attention is kept on the show-offs, and many Firebrands are part of both groups.

Structure

The Firebrands have no official structure. Instead, an individual's standing is based on their reputation; the more famous ones are considered higher-ranking. Every member is divided into four rankings, known as marks that are inspired by the four marks made by two crossed swords, the Firebrands' symbol.

• First marks are self-proclaimed and unproven initiates.
• Second marks have proven their bona fides and have been recognized by their peers.
• Third marks are locally famous for their work.
• Fourth marks are regionally famous for their work.

Anyone can declare themselves a Firebrand, and early Firebrands often gained the attention of the movement at large by announcing such a claim. This method remains prominent, with public announcements ranging from impulsive proclamations to carefully staged events. Membership becomes official only when the recruit earns some notoriety, usually when several dozen locals or a handful of nearby Firebrands become aware of them. After this quick process, the first mark is earned. Since this process is so easy, first marks come and go constantly, and are usually not considered "true" members until the second mark is earned.

A Firebrand braggart.

A Firebrand earns their second mark by being declared an official Firebrand by a member of second mark or higher, either publicly or among fellow Firebrands. Regardless of the publicity, the declaration comes with a symbolic gesture of the Firebrand and the first mark crossing weapons or arms. Second marks gain access to the local Firebrands' resources. Firebrands can also complete official training under a veteran Firebrand, which grants the first mark the rank of second mark upon completion.

Third marks, such as the Mockingbird, are recognised when the local populace knows of the members or groups in question; in the latter case, all members of that group are classed as a third mark regardless of individual standing or seniority. The fourth mark is awarded to those known across Golarion, whether individuals like Devrin Arlos or groups like the Silver Ravens (whose members are all fourth marks). There are no official thresholds for the third or fourth mark, only a nebulous consensus; becoming locally famous is often a requirement. Many Firebrands like to debate whether a specific individual or group deserves the fourth mark, but certain key members are universally recognised as fourth marks.

In some situations, entire groups of prospective Firebrands are recognized as second or third marks by becoming locally renowned for their efforts in a community. Marks can also vary depending on the member's notoriety within a given region, such as Ishii Bunji, a third-mark Firebrand in most of Tian Xia who is considered a second mark in the Inner Sea region.

Although it is easy to join the Firebrands, the group has two ways to sniff out potential infiltrators. The Firebrands never intentionally harm innocents, and those who do so in their name never become second marks and usually attract the attention of proper Firebrands. Individuals that might be harmful to the Firebrands are also not informed of updates to local networks' secret codes and signals, and soon become obvious outcasts. Even when such protocols are absent, the Firebrands can still rely on local allies, who report any concerns to other members and allow the group to respond accordingly.

Members

Shimali Manux, co-founder

See also: Category:Firebrands/Members

When a small uprising in Galt purported to be associated with the Firebrands, they quickly tried to offer support, and even though the uprising failed, the Firebrands' attempt to help became known. Many other rebels did the same, and claiming to be a Firebrand quickly became the easiest way to join the group, which acknowledge everyone who adopt the title and share their goals.

Notable Firebrands

Among the most prominent Firebrands are the figureheads of its two founding organizations: Shimali Manux, Firebrands co-founder and admiral of the Vidric Navy, and Shensen, prominent member of the co-founding Silver Ravens.

Other prominent or notorious Firebrands include:

• Calthaxitakin, a silver dragon exiled from Cheliax
• Devrin Arlos, pirate captain of the Nightwave and ally of Shimali Manux
• Faiza Marwazi, coordinator of the Katapeshi Revolt
• Iqani Truthspinner, traveling teller of Firebrand tales
• Ishii Bunji, a renowned warrior known as the Tyrant Breaker
• Karthival, an ancient brass dragon informant and member of the Vibrant Wave
• The Mockingbird, a vigilante thief most active along the Golden Road
• Passenger, maintainer of the Firebrand annihilator known as Scrapheap
• Ranik Helt, a Bellflower Network Tiller with many aliases
• The Sapphire Butterfly, a vigilante rebel against House Thrune
• Silverspice Zzapo, a Wingless melixie sprite messenger
• Vulmia Manux, sister of Shimali Manux and navigator of the Nightwave

Deceased Firebrands

Notable Firebrands killed during their pursuits inclulde:

• Sahru Sital, subject of the Firebrand song "Heart of Stone"
• Snackary Barkiss, renowned for being banned from every port and tavern in the Inner Sea region

Sites

Firebrands are active across the Inner Sea region, especially in large cities where there are plenty of people to provide attention or crowds in which to disappear. These cities also allow would-be Firebrands to join a Firebrand ship and set off in search of treasure.

The Firebrands have free access, room, and board at the Adamantine Gauntlet obstacle course in the northern Laughing Jungle of Vidrian, whose organizer Zelket Urunkaar was liberated by the organization. The Firebrands use the course as a training site.

Events

• The annual traveling Vaunter's Carnival celebrates Firebrand accomplishments, connects members, and organizes future exploits
• The annual Freedom's Feast in Ravounel celebrates the nation's independence and connects other Firebrands with the Silver Ravens
• The seasonal Surlo's Fashion Spectacular in Absalom connects Firebrands to fashion designers

Relationships

The Free Captains usually disdain the Firebrands, but are sometimes willing to provide transport when needed. Hurricane Queen Tessa Fairwind seems to be inconstant, enjoying the Firebrands' antics on some days and disliking them on others.

Adventurous Firebrands tend to find the Pathfinder Society alluring and join for the opportunity to hunt for relics and knowledge across Golarion, with the Horizon Hunters being seen as particularly conducive.

Authorities tend to find Firebrands a nuisance due to their tendency to cause collateral damage. Firebrands often oppose laws that they find oppressive (a distinction that can vary greatly between individuals), working alone or with locals depending on the situation. Rarely, authorities are willing to overlook the Firebrands' schemes, no matter how obvious, for the good of the community.

Firebrands constantly find themselves at odds with the Hellknights, and work to evade their eyes and grasp.

The Katapeshi Revolt added the Badawi villagers of rural Katapesh and their freed-slave allies as members of the Firebrands, making enemies of the Pactmasters while also gaining the aid of Andoran's Gray Corsairs.

Affiliates

Yellick Broadcoat, leader of the Stake Biters.

Several groups are closely affiliated with the Firebrands or operate under their banner, including:

• The Able Jinxers, a Sellen River pirate band led by Kawkisk
• Aurora's Light, a largely Puluran group active near the Sarkoris Scar
• The Bladed Bastards, based in Absalom's Docks district
• Devil's Jacks, crew of the Lucky Devil and liberator of oppressed pirates
• Fate's Favored, a Harrow-themed group of thieves and liberators in Varisia
• The Intrepid Bombardiers, alchemical saboteurs who specialize in explosions
• Kedley's Many Hands, a financier of Firebrand operations that is based in Westcrown
• The employees of the Mithral Chef, a restaurant in Absalom's Docks district
• Oasis Island Rescuers, a shelter in Thuvia for people liberated by the Firebrands
• Oh My Gourdness, a gang of gourd leshy labor activists in the Verduran Forest
• A cell in Absalom's Purewater Home orphanage that organizes the efforts of solitary Firebrand operatives
• The Red Roosters of Rahadoum, operating in opposition to the Pure Legion
• The Salt Breakers, co-founders of the Firebrands and liberators of Vidrian
• The Silver Ravens, co-founders of the Firebrands and liberators of Ravounel
• The Stake Biters, affiliated carnival workers led by Yellick Broadcoat
• The Underfathoms, a potential successor to the disbanded Fathoms Deep cell in Vyre

References

Paizo published a sourcebook about the organization titled Firebrands, as well as a major article about the Firebrands in Character Guide 66ff. and profiles of several prominent Firebrands in Legends.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.