String Theory's Factions

Inaugurated	pre-game opening (Heroes canon)
Introduced	September 2, 2008
Leadership	Bob Bishop (chairperson) Sabra Dalton (interim supervisor)

The Company

Inaugurated	pre-game opening (5YG canon)
Introduced	September 5, 2008
Leadership	Noah Bennet Hana Gitelman

Ferrymen

When the government signed the Linderman Act into law in 2007, former Company agents Noah Bennet and Hana Gitelman saw worrying parallels between the nationwide registration movement and what the Company had been trying to do since the 70's. In order to protect individuals who did not wish to register their abilities with the government or found themselves and their families on the run for being Evolved, they created the Ferrymen network. Spanning across North America with contacts in other parts of the world as far as France and Sweden, the group's primary objective is to hide those who need to be hidden and — in particularly extreme situations — smuggle them out of the United States into countries with safer political climates and attitudes toward the Evolved.

In New York, there are several Ferrymen safehouses and way stations scattered throughout the Greater Metropolitan Area. Each safehouse has its own rules and is run by its own operator, though all members of the organization keep in close contact with one another should collective action become necessary. Notable operators and organizers also include Grace Matheson and Meredith Gordon.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced	November 29, 2008
Leadership	Chang Ye (deceased) Liu Ye (co-leader) Song Ye (co-leader)

The Flying Dragons Triad

The Flying Dragons are a branch of the Chinese Mafia located in New York City. Originally a struggling crime cartel all the way through to the early 21st century, it took the cataclysmic upheaval of the bomb for an opportunistic and charismatic leader to arise in Chang Ye who turned the once declining Flying Dragons into a source of criminal power and enterprise as New York City struggled to recover from the bomb.

However, in early 2009, Chang Ye was murdered by agent Brian Winters of the Company, allowing Chang's two deranged children, Liu and Song to take a strangle-hold of the organization through strong-arm tactics and their evolved abilities. Ruling with fear and ruthlessness, their mad ways threaten to undo all of the hard work Chang put forth to the organization, and yet of Liu and Song's bid for power has even the mighty Linderman Group in its sights.

Inaugurated	June 2009
Introduced	June 17, 2009
Leadership	Michael Spalding

FRONTLINE One

FRONTLINE is a special operations unit of the US military. Its membership is comprised entirely of Evolved individuals, and its purpose is to provide a final line of defense against the actions of violent Evolved. FRONTLINE is to SWAT what the National Guard is to conventional law enforcement. FRONTLINE does not enforce laws, but has the task of defusing dangerous situations by any means appropriate.

FRONTLINE units are expected to be close-knit, highly mobile, and largely self-sufficient teams. They may be summoned to deal with Evolved situations at any hour of the day and on any day of the year, with backup often not available in a timely fashion. Scenarios FRONTLINE is intended to address include high-risk and hostage situations, apprehending violent Evolved individuals, counter-terrorism operations (particularly involving Evolved), and providing security against Evolved attacks for high-profile events.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced	September 5, 2008
Leadership	Everett Hicks

Homeland Security

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security pledges itself to preserving the freedoms of the United States of America, and ever since the revelation of the Evolved in 2007 and the subsequent actions the government has chosen to take, many might consider this an irony. The DHS works within American borders, to respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and most recently, outbreaks of dangerous Evolved activity. It is headed by the Secretary of the DHS, Everett Hicks, who responds directly to President Nathan Petrelli.

Originally formed in 2001 as the Office of Homeland Security, and later reestablished as the Department of Homeland Security in 2002, as a result of the September 11th terrorist attacks, its presence has been felt by the American public more than ever since the infamous Bomb of 2006. It acts as the strong arm of the government in dealing with Evolved problems, all in the name of America.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced
Leadership

Humanis First

Humanis First is the name pro-human anti-evolved individuals have united themselves behind to protest and fight the encroach of Evolved persons upon society. Members are typically self-declared and only loosely organized, as there is no official leadership or command structure to regulate the roster. Most communication and recruitment occurs online in Humanis dedicated message boards and chatrooms.

The vast majority of Humanis First is comprised by everyday bigots who act in a limited capacity or not at all, content to take out their frustration on the internet among like-minded associates. Some members are more aggressive and try to take matters into their own hands via violent confrontation or lawful protest. Only a few isolated groups, such as the paramilitary sect led by Danko, actively participate in terrorism. These few exceptions to the rule are responsible for most of the murders and fear tactics that make Humanis First a valid threat to the well-being of Evolved everywhere.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced	August 12, 2008
Leadership	Karen Lau

Law Enforcement (NYPD)

Inaugurated	pre-game opening (Heroes canon)
Introduced	August 26, 2008
Leadership	Daniel Linderman

The Linderman Group

Inaugurated	October 2008
Introduced	October 29, 2008
Leadership	Helena Dean (current) Teodoro Laudani (former acting)

Phoenix

Former Factions

---

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced	August 31, 2008
Retired	December 14, 2008
Leadership	Cameron Spalding (deceased) Karl (deceased)

PARIAH

PARIAH's membership were the people who didn't agree with government policies against the Evolved. They came from all walks of life and followed all manner of ideals, but what PARIAH was and still is most notorious for were the individuals who chose to express their disagreement through acts of terrorism. PARIAH announced itself to the public on March 26, 2008, claiming responsibility for the arson of a Homeland Security Evolved Holding Facility eleven days prior. The group's slogan, Fortis et Liber — "Strong and Free" — soon became prominent amongst New York's collection of graffiti art, and the group carried out several other terrorist acts later that year — including the August 2008 confetti bombing of Crown Heights Police Station, a public statement at the 2008 Explosion Memorial in protest of Homeland Security's actions, and the November 2008 bombing of CitySoft, Inc. PARIAH was also deemed responsible for the destruction of Washington Irving High School in November 2008.

After the death of its original leader, Cameron Spalding, in October 2008, PARIAH's membership split, those who disagreed with terrorist tactics ultimately forming Phoenix to further their ideals. PARIAH itself was damaged beyond recovery in a December 2008 raid by SCOUT which killed two of its then-current leaders. The surviving members of PARIAH went on to found Shedda Dinu.

Although the faction has gone silent and is presumably no more, PARIAH remains a household name in New York City and across the nation. In the public eye, PARIAH is the representation of those who protest laws and lawful actions with excessive fervor and force; dangerous, reckless terrorists which pose a threat to everyone around them, even the most innocent.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening (Heroes canon)
Introduced	February 25, 2009
Leadership	Arthur Petrelli

Pinehearst

Inaugurated	December 2008
Introduced	December 16, 2008
Retired	June 2009
Leadership	Rupe Carmichael

Shedda Dinu

Shedda Dinu was founded by Rupe Carmichael following the final death of PARIAH when SCOUT raided the remaining group members' hide out in one violent and swift blow. While many PARIAH members scattered, Carmichael sought out those that remained within the city - a former member of the terrorist group himself, though he acted namely behind the scenes as a benefactor.

The intention was to take the passion that PARIAH wielded and transform those intentions from blunt action into much more subtle and pervasive methods. The name, Shedda Dinu, would only be spoken amongst those that were within the faction, rather than advertised as any sort of freedom fighter terrorist group. They would influence media and public perception while taking no claim for their acts and deeds, simply attempting to pull the strings between the existing tensions so that the public and the government in kind would see the harm behind anti-Evolved sentiment.

And much like the faction's formation, Shedda Dinu's dispersal was just as silent. Following the arrest of one of their field leaders, although whether this has any direct affect on the group's formation is up for debate as opposed to simply being fortunate, activity within the group came to a halt.

Inaugurated	pre-game opening
Introduced	October 4, 2008
Retired	January 28, 2009
Leadership	Kazimir Volken (deceased)

Vanguard

The Vanguard was formed around an ideal, the ideal of a madman who desired to see the world cleansed of abominations and monsters — the evolved. Originally the ideal of the Vanguard was carried out solely by Kazimir Volken, little more than a man with murderous intent and a life that spanned over a century.

Upon the chance meeting of Amato Salucci, Kazimir would come to realize that his goals were larger than one man, larger than one country, or continent. After that day, Kazimir united the fractioned individuals he had met and made acquaintance with over his many long years, unified them into a secret organization of killers whose sole goal was the eradication of all Evolved, eventually, even themselves.

Initially, the Vanguard's culmination was a secret operation known as "The Final Solution" which purportedly involved nuclear weapons housed at a decomissioned military silo in Nevada. However, upon learning of the Shanti Virus, Kazimir Volken's plans changed, and soon it was not just the Evolved, but the entire world that would be cleansed. When a small faction of Kazimir's followers realized what his ultimate goal was, they banded together and broke away, vowing to not let his insanity continue.

Ultimately, Kazimir Volken was destroyed and his plans to release the Shanti Virus forever ended. However, some goals are bigger than merely one man, and some legacies live on in unexpected ways…