The International Flintlock Association - The International Flintlock Association was created in 1022 I.C. by Alexis val'Sheem with the signing of the Tarsier Security Act of 1022 I.C. by Adjutant General Dume val'Abebi. The Tarsier Security Act charged the Director of the IFA with the task of training warriors proficient in the Altherian Flintlock and the Altherian Rifle in the hopes of supplementing Tarsier's base defense. The Director of the IFA, who is currently Alexis val'Sheem, has been supplying Tarsier with hawk-eyed sharpshooters for the past two years now and these masters of the blast powder have been instrumental in the defense of the fort city. However the IFA also trains adventurers in the use of the Altherian Flintlock and Rifle and they can apply for membership within the IFA.

Those who apply for membership must meet the following requirements, you must be able to legally own an Altherian Flintlock and spend five time units to join. The five day waiting period is for the IFA to conduct background checks and make sure you are you are able to legally own a Flintlock or Rifle. Once accepted you can opt to spend an additional thirty time units to obtain Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Altherian Flintlock and Rifle. The reasoning for this is that the PC will spend time in the city being trained by our instructors and finally become proficient with one of the most hard to handle weapons of the day.

However, within the IFA there are a group of men and women who have devoted their life to the study of Flintlocks and Rifles, how to use them effectively and efficiently. They are an elite group known as the Quietus [ kwi-e-tus ]. They are expert shots and never miss their target. They are recognized by their totally black jumpsuits that have the symbol of Althares over their heart. There are three levels to this group: Initiate, Outer Circle and Inner Circle. Their level is denoted by the color of the symbol on their jumpsuit: white, pink, and red, respectively.

The Blackthorn Inn - The Blackthorn Inn is a place where almost anything can be bought or sold. It is the local black market for Tarsier and the establishment's owner, Cyder, a lovely woman in her late twenties, is one of the best fences in all of southern Altheria. Closed door meetings and secrets that should not be revealed are kept here and everyone, including the government conducts their business here since it is private and secure.

The Blackthorn also serves as a Sanctorium for the "gifted" who are on the run from Harvesters. The Hawk and Shield pay Cyder a hefty retainer to keep the place running smoothly and not to talk to anyone about her operations. So far both sides have upheld the agreement and benifited greatly from it.