Cornerstone Foundation

First introduced in Quoth the Raven Issue 29.

The Cornerstone Foundation is a secret society made up of aristocrats, both those who hail from old families and those who have earned enough money to buy their way into the noble class. Hailing from the domain of Anaides, the Cornerstone Foundation masquerades as a club for the rich and privileged that very publically tries to influence government policy by referring to old and outdated records, which may well be forgeries.

The truth is that the Cornerstone Foundation is far more cunning and dangerous than its public image would suggest. Using the wealth of its members, the Foundation is involved in espionage and counter-espionage, all manner of trade, bribery of government officials and murder. The Foundation initiates new members as its reach increases and it encounters aristocrats in new lands, promising them a piece in its ultimate goal: a world order in which the noble class controls the government, the legislature, the religions, the police forces and all other kinds. Those who are not part of the 'upper crust' would be slaves in all but name.

Behind closed doors the Foundation's members engage in ritual magic and they gain some spellcasting power, but their true strength lies in the ruthless use of manipulation and wealth. Bribes and privilege are easily as powerful as spells, if used correctly.

The Foundation's numbers are increasing steadily because there is no shortage anywhere of disgruntled or gullible nobles who want to believe the world could be a better place if they had more influence.