This is a list of groups and organizations that can be found in the world of Grandia. Think about making your character one of these if you need some ideas! ^_^

• The Joule Foundation
  The Joule Foundation formed when the continent of Messina was in turmoil, split by different political factions and beset on all sides by warring countries. The Joule Foundation arose from an association of business people with political aspirations. Their efficient governing pulled together the scattered parts of the nation and instituted programs designed to reduce crime and poverty while building up the military and getting people to work in other government jobs. A sense of pride and a common culture was instilled in the people of Messina. With a stronger military, the nation was able to defend itself from outside threats and eventually became a strong power itself; expeditions funded by the Joule Foundation discovered the new continent of Elencia and brought new wealth to Messina. General Baal, once a member of the Joule Foundation during his time commanding the Garlyle Forces, was one of the more prominent members of the government, and one of the strongest supporters of archaeology, scientific research, and education in Messina until Leen and Mullen founded Sult University.
  
• Parm Museum
  Once called the Baal Museum of Parm, this institution changed its name after the incidents that darkened the general's once proud name. Though a relatively small museum, it was one of the first archaeological institutions in Messina, and it houses some of the finest pieces in the western world. The curator is a longtime friend of Justin's, and though he is rather old now, he refuses to listen to the museum's directors and retire, claiming he loves what he does too much to give it up. He has taken a few university students under his wing, however, hoping that one of them may take over for him when he finally is forced to give up his position.
  
• Garlyle Forces
  The Garlyle Forces were once the strongest and proudest military in the world, with a near monopoly on knowledge of ancient Angelou technology and with bases and outposts scattered all over the world. Even the Joule Foundation did not always control or even know much about their activities. After the western wars were over several generations ago, the Garlyle Forces set about helping to explore new lands, eventually becoming involved not only with civil defense, but with various kinds of technological and biological research, as well as a great deal of archaeology. Most thought that their primary goal was the recreation of airships and other such Angelou technology; only after Baal revived Gaia did anyone realize the extent of their genetic and technological experiments. There are many who still view the Forces with a great deal of suspicion, but they have now abandoned most of their bases east of the End of the World, and their purpose is primarily peaceful now. They focus on civil defense, and aid of other countries in times of crisis. Mullen and Leen are no longer officers in the Garlyle Forces, but Nana, Saki, and Mio continue to hold prominent positions under the new general, a young and unassuming, but determined and capable young man named Anzen Jai.
  
• Sult University of Archaeology and Ancient History
  An institution started by Leen with the support of Mullen and the Joule Foundation, Sult University is the first of many like it that are appearing all over the world. The newfound interest in knowledge is profound, and not just knowledge, but in the wisdom to use it well. Consequently, schools do not just study sciences, but also arts, humanities, and philosophy. More and more people are interested in seeking knowledge and learning about its uses, and the right and wrong ways in which to use what the world is coming to know. The most visionary of the people of Grandia look to the future with hope for a new Angelou, a new age of the Spirits, but this time without the sad destruction of the old. Leen particularly wants to encourage this, to work for a future without the need for sacrifice and misery. Her greatest wish is for humanity to work toward a world where people can accept the salvation the Spirits have already offered, without requiring yet more sacrifices to make them learn the same lesson over and over again.
  
• Sailors and Adventurers
  Sailors are one of the more superstitious groups in the world of Grandia; they have prayed to the Sea Spirits for a safe voyage for generations after many others forgot that the Spirits existed. The sailors have some odd ideas and customs concerning the Spirits, however, and of the things one must do in order to ensure that they retain their favor. Some think the sailors a bit silly, but others realize that a bit of superstition is only natural in a profession where one must brave storms and sea monsters and heaven knows what other dangers. Besides, some of the strange creatures of the deep, like the squid that took control of the ghost ship Justin, Sue, and Feena encountered, can do a good job of appearing to be supernatural. Few will begrudge sailors their oddities, as they do an essential job in today's world, where transportation is of great importance. Adventurers are often said to be kin to sailors, though some have asked why; after all, adventurers go where they will and do it for fun, heedless of the danger, whereas sailors have a set course to follow and must always think of the safety of their passengers and cargo. However, though they follow a course, a sailor's world is surrounded by empty horizon on all sides, with only the mysterious stars for guidance, and it is they who have explored new lands first in the past, they who have had to find their way to land if their ship was blown off course. There is something in the hearts of both that keeps them ever moving, ever searching for what lies beyond that horizon, or among those stars.
  
• The New Parm Adventurer's Society
  Ever since the Age of Adventurers, Elencia was a paradise for explorers, pirates, and treasure hunters; at the height of adventuring's popularity, the New Parm Adventurer's Society was founded. With the decline of adventures in recent years, the society had begun to flounder and was only saved by the idiotic Pakon's somewhat ludicrous but effective idea of turning it into a tourist industry. The Adventurer's Society still exists today, but after Feena and Justin denounced the way in which it was run, it split into two parts. The new Adventurer's Society is far more like the original, and while there is not so much unexplored territory on the western side of the End of the World as there used to be, there are still many new things to see, and adventurers have much wilderness to travel and dangers to face, even though others have been there before them. Additionally, the Elencia Tourism Board has split off from the Adventurer's Society, intended for those who wish to see incredible new things but are not so enthused about danger and roughing it as true adventurers are. The Adventurer's Society is run by a new president, Monaghan Trimble, while Pakon has taken over the Tourism Board in the role he is really best suited for anyway. He is now a much more humble man and stays out of the spotlight more than he used to. (He also has a new secretary who has helped to vastly improve his dress sense!)
  
• Icarian Temple
  The Icarian Temple is a beautifully made building, truly a work of art by anyone's standards with its softly flowing fountains and its curving, delicate architecture and soft, pale, green and white stone. However, Feena vehemently opposed it, and Leen too, to a quieter degree. Many wonder why, but Feena and Leen only want to be normal people. The distinction between Icarian and human, as they see it, no longer matters; whatever Icarians once were, they are now much like humans, no better, no worse, with the hope for light and the fear of evil, the struggle to live and live happily that drives everyone else. Yet despite Justin and Feena's efforts to make it so the Icarians were not set apart as sacrifices, many still see in them the potential for salvation, refusing to believe that they no longer need someone to intercede for them with the Spirits, refusing to believe that they can speak to the Spirits directly. They continue to rely on the Icarians, to cling to them for safety from evil. There are some who say the Icarians have a duty to use their powers for the good of mankind. Leen's answer: that is what she has been doing, by her efforts for education. But some think that only supernatural powers are worth anything, and they have built the Icarian Temple to honor those who only want to be treated as human. Some see it only as a place of worship for the Spirits and as a place to express their gratitude to the Icarians for what they have done in the past, not to expect more of them in the future; but there are others who continue to see things differently, and this is what upsets Feena. Still, she makes the occasional visit to the temple in grudging gratitude of the honor the builders did her, to pay her own respects to the Spirits, and on the rare occasions when Justin is not carrying the famed Spirit Sword, it rests in the Temple in a place of honor.
  
• Summit of Nations in Chandrinos
  Mullen, in his new role as diplomat, has been particularly instrumental in bringing the world's nations together and working toward a new, worldwide peace. To be held in a few weeks' time is the first Summit of Nations, set to take place in Jaros, capital of the island nation of Chandrinos. Chandrinos lies to the south and west of Messina and has been home to democracy, philosophy, and learning for many centuries. Some nations' leaders are reluctant to attend, but all the major countries of the known world are sending government officials and representatives, no matter how grudgingly. Mullen has high hopes for the summit and is working night and day to ensure that nothing goes wrong at this huge step toward a bright future of peace.
  
• Talachian Center for Science and Technology
  In Toroli, capital city of the western coastal nation of Talachia, just across the Narrow Sea from Messina, is another new educational institution. The Center for Science and Technology is primarily a place of research, though students are often taken on as apprentices in engineering and related fields. They have done much to incorporate some of ancient Angelou's technology with new ideas, creating all sorts of practical applications of science and coming up with new theories. Talachia is rapidly becoming one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world, rivaling even Messina's widespread use of technology.