Corporate Overview

Corporations in Endros typically refer to companies that produce Aethertech, which requires a full supply chain of alchemical materials, research and production facilities, and distribution. Most corporations are Dwarven, with a primary headquarters in Onyx. Dwarven society is built upon a foundation that they believe to be a corporate meritocracy, each specializing in certain branches of Aethertech and vying for dominance. However, though Aethertech is heavily monopolized by the Dwarves, it is not exclusive to them. The Merfolk, Elves, and other factions also have significant roles.

Corporations are the engine of most of Endros's technological advancements. Their influence extends beyond mere industry, shaping the fabric of society, politics, and the ongoing war against the demonic threat.

Dwarven Corporate Structure

Broadly speaking, there are three layers of corporate authority in Dwarven society.

• High Office: The central leadership, usually located in Onyx.
  • Run by a Board of Directors; sometimes overseen by a High Director.
• Regional Office: Oversees large territory or trade corridor, especially between magtrain-linked cities.
  • Run by a Regional Factor, who has the delegated authority to represent the corporation's interests in that region.
• City Branch: Local corporate presence.
  • Led by a Grand Factor with the delegated authority to represent the corporation's interests in that city.
  • In non-Dwarven cities, branches usually focus on distribution, installation, maintenance, contract management, and local infrastructure rather than primary manufacturing.

Factors

Factors are corporate agents with delegated authority to represent their area of influence. Grand Factors oversee Senior Factors, who manage major domains within a branch; standard Factors handle specific contracts, facilities, clients, projects, or incidents. These roles require significant competence and are usually granted only after many years of proven work. They sit between several roles:

• Executive representative: speaks for the corporation to major factions, nobles, other corporations, and other VIPs.
• Technical liaison: understands the craft well enough to translate between VIPs and engineers.
• Operations commander: can mobilize crews, open restricted routes, authorize repairs, trigger emergency protocols.
• Problem-solver: handles unusual incidents before they become serious problems.

Dwarven Corporations

Bedrock Enterprises (Earth)

Bedrock Enterprises is a Dwarven megacorp synonymous with stability and monumental infrastructure. Their invention and subsequent expansion of Underwards throughout Endros has profoundly impacted urban planning, transportation, and defense strategies. Due to their immaculate track record, Bedrock Enterprises is contracted for most vital infrastructure projects: Underwards, Labyrinths, Palaces, etc.

Stoneway Authority (Earth)

Stoneway Authority is a Dwarven megacorp whose claim to fame is the Onyx Magtrain Network. Their invention and subsequent development of Magtracks and Magtrains revolutionized transportation, connecting distant corners of the world with unprecedented speed. They contract out much of the digging and infrastructural work to Bedrock Enterprises so that they can focus on what they do best: installation and operation of the many Magtrain systems across Endros.

Solaris Corp (Sol)

Solaris Corp stands as a beacon of innovation across Endros; from aquatic cookware to powerful fire weaponry. Their creation of the first Solforge advanced various smithing technologies, becoming a cornerstone of Aethertech advancement. Later, their unveiling of the first generation Solblade was a watershed moment, forever changing the landscape of warfare and eventually becoming a signature weapon with the Adventurer's Guild. Solaris Corp is known to sponsor grand firework displays and festivals in Hearth, showcasing their mastery over Fire Aether in a dazzling spectacle.

Stonewarden (Earth)

The Stonewarden specializes in durability and security through the application of Earth Aethertech. They have invented and mastered several technologies to enhance the resilience of stone and metal far beyond their natural limits. Their constructions are capable of withstanding tremendous force and resisting magical intrusion, making them invaluable to major factions such as the military, noble houses, the Titan Order, and the Adventurer's Guild. They are also the inventors of Geolocks; intricate locking mechanisms that provide unparalleled security.

Skyforge (Air + Fire)

Skyforge specializes in flying ships, personal flight, and aerial combat. They invented Airships, which proved to be an extreme benefit for transportation and aerial combat, solidifying their position as leaders in aerial technology. Their mastery of Air Aethertech also led to the creation of Wingsuits, which became a symbol of elite adventuring with the Sky Knights. Skyforge leaders have a close relationship with Tempest, and often have very aggressive political stances to seek favorable regulations.

Skysteel Enterprises (Earth)

Skysteel Enterprises rose to prominence after its mastery of a unique and highly sought-after material: Skysteel. This lightweight yet incredibly strong metal, capable of conducting Aetheric energies, revolutionized many industries and unlocked the potential for several new Aethertech inventions.

Cyclone Labs (Air)

Cyclone Labs specializes in manipulating sound and air currents. They worked with Lyra and the Bardic College to pioneer Enchanted Instruments, revolutionizing the field of music and inspiring new forms of artistic expression. They later expanded into Silencers for practice rooms, and Amplifiers, which received wider adoption due to their value for large-scale public addresses.

Earthsong Innovations (Nature + Earth)

Earthsong Innovations holds a revered place in history due to their groundbreaking legacy projects: Growth Totems and the Evergrowth Formula. These inventions remain a cornerstone of agriculture, drastically enhancing crop yields and resilience. The Evergrowth Formula allows them to produce fertilizers and soil nutrients in specialized greenhouses, merging advanced forms of Nature and Earth Aethertech. Countless communities, especially the Dwarven colonies, owe their food security and population growth to their work.

Runecraft Inc.

Runecraft Inc. is a well-respected cross-domain corporation known primarily for on-site enchantments and warding. While they aren't known for research, they produce, maintain, and work with nearly all forms of Aether.

Wildrun Co. (Nature)

Wildrun Co. stands as a champion of Nature Aethertech. First with Farmbeds, which served as critical infrastructure for Dwarven communities and were requested for heavy production by Ursula and her Merfolk communities. Their Fairy Posts have strengthened the bond between humans and fairies, providing an invaluable service to the Adventurer's Guild. Their development of Aethervines and Spider Tanks both became signature weapons for the Adventurer's Guild, leading to the Slingers and Spider Pilots.

Auracore Industries (Chi)

Auracore Industries rose to prominence through the groundbreaking invention of the Chi Blade, the most lethal blade ever designed. With increased funding, they expanded to advanced combat and defensive Aethertech. Their current specialty products include Raiments, Frog Boots, and Lizard Gloves.

Vitalis Corp. (Chi)

Vitalis Corp. became an influential power with the invention of Fertility Bands, offering a crucial turning point in the fight against serious population decline. This understanding of Chi allows them to innovate with Inhibitors, which became essential to high-ranking adventurers seeking to expand their rigorous Chi training. Their fame grew even further with their invention of Life Weave, offering significant healing benefits. Today, Vitalis Corp. enjoys widespread recognition for their diverse yet pragmatic approach to Chi Aethertech.

Merfolk Corporations

Undertide Industries (Water + Earth)

Undertide Industries is a Merfolk megacorp dedicated to city infrastructure and the integration of land and sea. They revolutionized urban living through ingenious applications of Water Aethertech. Their water and sewage treatment facilities feature self-purifying and desalinating water, greatly improving hygiene and sanitation. Their infrastructure is usually jointly produced with Bedrock Enterprises, and is a staple of any city that enables Merfolk passage.

Deepreach (Mixed)

Deepreach is a Merfolk megacorp that creates habitable living environments where land-dwellers can coexist with aquatic races in underwater cities. Ursula has funded and expanded this corporation for centuries, considering it to be of the utmost importance for humanity's long-term survival and expansion. However, most of these habitats are currently flooded with water for aquatic use, to be converted into breathable habitats once they become needed.

Stilltide Bathhouses (Water + Fire + Air)

Stilltide Bathhouses are a Merfolk corporation devoted to public hygiene, social ritual, and restorative wellness. Their Bathhouses are connected to the Underward through the Aquatic Tunnel networks, serving as an important cultural space for both land and aquatic races. They are self-cleaning, thermally controlled, circulated, and optimally maintained. In addition to the standard social baths, most facilities include soaking pools, steam chambers, recovery basins, and private luxury baths for wealthy citizens.

Stilltide works closely with Undertide Industries for water access and waste handling, but retains full ownership and operation of its facilities. Their Bathhouses also exist in aquatic cities, similarly designed for co-habitation with land races.

Coldreef Storage (Water + Nature + Air)

Coldreef Storage began as a Merfolk corporation dedicated to simple storage, aquarium farming, and food preservation in aquatic cities. They later evolved with Dwarven assistance to become an important staple in surface cities. Their Freezers transformed food storage and preservation, ensuring stable food supplies on land. It wasn't long before any town without a Coldreef Freezer was behind the times.

Tidalwave Technologies (Water)

Tidalwave Technologies helped revolutionize maritime technology. With Aedron's leadership they constructed the Kraken Heart, widely accepted as humanity's most devastating weapon. Their Enchanted Ships, imbued with Water Aether to enhance speed and maneuverability, are the backbone of the Azure Navy, granting unparalleled dominance over the oceans. Ursula has been their largest customer for centuries, paying for mass production of Finsuits and Aquamasks, fostering a strong presence in the Merfolk communities.

Though their impact on the inland world may appear less prevalent than other corporations, their influence in shaping Endros has been profound. They have secured extremely lucrative contracts with the Adventurer's Guild, the Courier's Guild, and the Navy, making them one of the wealthiest corporations in Endros.

Other Corporations

Mindshard Labs (Mind)

Mindshard Labs is the undisputed pioneer of Mind Aethertech. Their first major breakthrough, the Mindshard, hosted the first Mindscapes and paved the way for several revolutions in education, communication, entertainment, and warfare. Though their infrastructure and output were strained in early years, they continued to discover efficiencies and designs for increasingly complex simulations, redefining what was possible in mental environments.

Mindshard Labs is now a household name and a driving force behind the advancement of Endrosian life. Their products and services are considered essential to nearly every major faction, and establish them as one of history's most important corporations.