Map of Absalom:<br/>(http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/pathfinder/images/thumb/0/07/Absalom_map.jpg/462px-Absalom_map.jpg)<br/><br/>The following is a current list of each faction, their leaders and apparent motives, and what districts they control.<br/><br/><strong>Cheliax:</strong><br/>Led by Lord Kravest Cantor of House Thrune, a decorated and ruthless general, Cheliax has taken a large portion of Absalom in an amazingly short time.  His second in command is Lady Abagail Thelis, also of House Thrune.  The two are well known to be enemies, but they have an uneasy truce, as the omens of Aroden have united the House as nothing has before.  After all, the family rules because of their deals with Asmodeus, and Aroden's return threatens this as nothing has before.  As a potent warrior and summoner, the two are a potent combination and threat to all the city.<br/><br/>The majority of Cheliaxan forces are their slave legions, lightly armored and armed with spears, but the primary troops are well armed and armored, making them a deadly threat, even without the aid of the priests of Asmodeus or battle mages.<br/><br/><strong>Ivy District -</strong>Originally the focus of culture and art in Absalom, the Ivy District has changed immensely since Cheliax conquered it.  The residents have fled, by and large, especially the elven population.  In fact, the battles with Osirion over the district destroyed much of it, and a majority of the remaining buildings have been converted to slave quarters or brothels for the soldiers.  Even the shrine to Shelyn was damaged in the attack, and the priestess now resides in the Ascendant Court.<br/><strong>Shoreline -</strong>One of the small, supporting cities to Absalom, Shoreline has been turned into a massive supply camp, and is normally under heavy guard, including hellhounds.<br/><strong>Westgate -</strong>A major residential district, the leadership of the Cheliaxan forces reside in an appropriated mansion in Westgate.  They have also taken to drafting those who live here for their forces, though patrols in most areas are still sparse.<br/><strong>Westerhold -</strong>Another supporting city, Cheliax has turned this town into their primary base of operations for their forces outside the city.  It is among the least secure of their holdings, and many of those that resist Chelaxians sabotage things here by night.<br/><br/><strong>Osirion:</strong><br/>Osirion's business in Absalom was unexpected by any, to say the least, and rumors abound as to why they decided to invade.  The help of elementals as enabled them to take the docks, and for the present time they have stopped there.  Melaku of Sothis is in charge of the occupation, and is aided by High Priest of Sarenrae Jaali Puresight.<br/><br/>The forces of Osirion vary, but the majority of them are lightly armored warriors that wield their longswords, and are usually backed up by priests or priestesses of Sarenrae.  Elementals are often seen aiding them as well, which makes their strength unpredictable at best.<br/><br/><strong>Docks -</strong>Save for the fact that the harbor is all but under siege, and that Osirion's guards patrol here now, the docks of Absalom are largely unchanged.  Many sailors are stuck here, and worry pervades the dock in a desperate undertone, and many hope that the conflict will finish soon, before the entire city is in flames.  A result of these have been over a dozen major fires, which have resulted in the destruction of several warehouses and a number of taverns.<br/>Foreign Quarter - This District has taken more damage than any other in the recent past, as various embassies tried to slow or stop the different factions, and then in the battle between Osirion and Cheliax's forces.  Battles still break out frequently, but for the moment Osirion holds the District against Taldor and Cheliax.<br/><strong>Fort Tempest -</strong>A needed post, but one that was regarded as the worst duty in Absalom, Fort Tempest should have fallen quickly, but it's commander, Oriel of House Uiry, managed to hold out against the assault by the Osirion forces for nearly three weeks before the Fort fell at last.  Osirion keeps the injured commander in private chambers, respecting the measure of success he achieved with too little in the way of resources.  The Fort was heavily damaged in the attack, and repairs are still underway.<br/><strong>Puddles -</strong>The worst district in the city, most of Puddles is under several inches of water, and the center is a festering lake.  Indeed, a few of the buildings are beached ships.  To say that Osirion controls this district is nearly an exaggeration, but they try to patrol the district.  But despite this, crime is at an all-time high in Puddles, and there are dozens of underground groups that gather here.<br/><br/><strong>Qadira:</strong><br/>The ambitions of Xerbystes II are no secret, nor the fact that he wishes to prove himself through conquest.  When Taldor moved to invade Absalom, the Emperor of Kelesh finally gave leave for him to invade, and as such the Satrap sent his trusted adviser, the vizier Hebizid Vraj, as his direct representative in the war.  Hebizid is a powerful sorcerer that regularly summons and binds creatures to his service, and many fear him.<br/><br/>Qadiran forces are of a different style from that of most others, emphasizing mobility in combat, and the city fighting of Absalom has inhibited them to a great degree.  Common soldiers use small shields and scimitars, or falchions instead, and many carry shortbows for use from horseback.  Their mobility is most important to them, but they are unfortunate enough to have limited success with fighting from horseback in the city.<br/><br/><strong>Dawnfoot -</strong>Containing all of the Qadiran calvary, and much of it's supplies, Dawnfoot is heavily guarded now that Qadira has occupied the supporting city.  It, more than anywhere else, shows the influence of the Qadiran forces, and several hasty temples to Sarenrae have been erected here.<br/>Eastgate - The quiet residential district of Eastgate is strangling under Qadiran occupation, and nowhere else in the city does more sabotage or crime occur since the occupation.  Many of the residents, long at odds with each other, have allied against the invaders who kill any who get in their way.<br/><strong>Merchants' Quarter -</strong>Where nearly half of the caravans of the world gather and make deals, taking the Merchants' Quarter was a major windfall for Qadira.  With it they took records of transactions from far and wide, and also gained goods bound for all corners of the world, which became spoils of war.  Thus, they struggle to keep it against both Taldor and Osirion forces, and are losing some ground each day.<br/><strong>Precipice Quarter -</strong>The Precipice Quarter is 'controlled' by no one, despite Qadira's claims.  The area is a ghost town, and staying after dark is oft-times lethal, as many of Qadira's patrols can attest to.  After losing far too many men and women to it, Qadira has issued a soft edict to avoid the undead-haunted district, much as Absalom's government had before them.<br/><strong>Starwatch Keep -</strong>Starwatch Keep fought to the last against Qadiran forces, and actually held out for nearly three days before Hebizid grew impatient with the time it was taking to destroy the threatening forces within.  The spells he unleashed destroyed most of the garrison, if not all, but also destroyed much of the fortification itself by fire.  Rumor has it that Asilia of Gyr, the former commander, escaped and is hiding out while waiting for her wounds to heal so that she can exact revenge on the vizier.<br/><br/><strong>Taldor:</strong><br/>Grand Princess Eutropia herself commands Taldor's forces in Absalom, and she alone has a legitimate, if tenuous, claim on rule of the city.  She has proven herself to be an able, if ruthless, general, but is still building a concrete command staff that she can trust enough to control things while she takes all of Absalom.  Indeed, it is likely only this weakness that has prevented her from taking the entire city already.<br/><br/>Taldor's famed pike legions may not be the best force for the city, but they are well drilled and their bowmen backup even the odds immensely.  Outside of the city the heavy cavalry of Taldor patrols relentlessly, and occasionally they bring out their war elephants.  But they know that it is not who wins the field that will control Absalom, but who takes the city itself, and as such their efforts focus there.<br/><br/><strong>Ascendant Court -</strong>The central hub of all Absalom, the edges of the district are fortified by Taldor's forces to prevent all four other factions from taking this district.  Business is somewhat constrained, but Taldor has been careful not to interfere with the many temples in this district.<br/><strong>Copperwood -</strong>The last of the supporting cities of Absalom, Copperwood is the center of Taldor's exterior defenses, and as such the population has been put to work fortifying it with earthworks.  The Grand Princess has won much of the population's loyalty, and this is among the most secure areas of the city.<br/><strong>Petal District -</strong>Regular patrols through this district make it peaceful, but it is nowhere near as secure as Taldor would hope, and regular attacks from Qadiran forces to the south make traveling the streets dangerous at times.  Many of the wealthier families of Absalom live here, and their plotting and scheming has only increased since the invasion.<br/><br/><strong>Loyalists:</strong><br/>The last surviving member of the Grand Council of Absalom, Wynsal Starborn, commands the Loyalists, and he still holds his cornucopia, which is the only reason that they have not fallen.  Bolstered at last by the aid of the priests of Aroden, the Loyalists fight hard, but they are fighting a losing battle.  Only the conflict between the other sides gives them any hope, and that is fast dwindling.  The few priests of Aroden are certain that he will come before the end, but the others are not so certain.<br/><br/>The forces of the First Guard of Absalom are the best equipped in the world, and highly trained, but their numbers are not enough to stop the attackers.  They fight together, but little by little they are being driven back, but until they fall they will fight, shoulder to shoulder, with swords in hand.<br/><br/><strong>Azlanti Keep -</strong>Although technically a fortification, Azlanti keep would be considered a city in its own right anywhere else in the world.  The fortress is large, well defended, and the most dangerous fortress known.  The vast majority of loyalists live here now, fighting against the invaders of their city.<br/><strong>The Coins -</strong>This district doesn't fall under the command of Lord Wynsal, indeed, it is being defended using mercenaries and the wealth of the merchants therein.  The one commanding the defense is the mysterious Harlequin, head of the local thieves guild.  Many forces that invade The Coins mysteriously disappear, and the merchants have managed to make a deal with Osirion forces to allow their goods to keep moving by ship, though Qadiran control of Starwatch Keep makes this a dangerous proposition.<br/><strong>Wise Quarter -</strong>Center of learning of Absalom, the district is also home to Absalom's largest school of magic, and such has been the reason that Cheliaxan forces haven't had success in invading so far.  Spell-traps targeting devils have been liberally placed all over, and myriad other defenses make the district a dangerous proposition to navigate even if one isn't a devil.