Royal Society

Lore & Background

The Society's history is deeply intertwined with the Croft family. Decades before Lara's own journey, her father, Lord Richard Croft, was a member who eventually turned against them upon discovering their true intentions to weaponize divine power rather than simply study it. This betrayal led to his disappearance and left Lara as the sole heir to a legacy of secrets. The Society views the Crofts not just as rivals but as obstacles that must be removed or manipulated to ensure their grand design comes to fruition.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed against the stained-glass windows of the London archives, casting fractured shadows across rows of dusty leather-bound journals. Inside a hidden study, a member of the Royal Society traced a finger over a map marked with red ink, marking the location of Ys. The air smelled of old paper and ozone. "The Croft girl is close," he whispered to his superior, who stood in the gloom, face obscured by a hooded cloak. "She seeks the truth her father died for. We must ensure she finds only what we allow." With a cold smile, the figure handed over a dossier on Lara's current location, the weight of centuries of ambition pressing down in the silent room.

Reader's Guide

The Royal Society is a clandestine organization that operates beneath the surface of the modern world, driven by an obsession with supernatural artifacts and the promise of eternal life. Their primary goal is to locate and control relics left behind by ancient civilizations or gods, believing these items hold the key to human evolution. Membership consists of wealthy industrialists, rogue academics, and mercenaries who pledge allegiance to the Society's vision over national laws. They are led by a council that operates with absolute secrecy, often manipulating global events to create opportunities for excavation missions in dangerous, remote locations. In the conflict surrounding Lara Croft, the Society acts as a persistent shadow enemy. While they occasionally provide resources or information, their ultimate aim is to use Lara's unique connection to her father's research to unlock secrets that would grant them dominion over life and death itself.

Did You Know?

• The Royal Society was once led by Walter Leland Croft before his mysterious disappearance.
• They are responsible for the initial discovery of many artifacts that Lara later seeks.
• Their influence extends into modern corporate sectors, funding expeditions under false pretenses.
• Lara's father, Richard Croft, was a member who defected after realizing their true intentions.