I am DMing a group of players that are fairly new to PF (with me being also fairly new). We are 1/3 of the way through Smuggler's Shiv and my question is...What would the PC's know about the various factions. When some of them saw Sasha's Red Mantis tattoo, they did not think anything of it. When they found out Gelik was a member of the Pathfinder Society, my group asked me OOC who are they. I have been sending out links to the PF wiki, but I am wondering is that too much information? It seems like them (and me) lacking the knowledge seems to be robbing the AP of some of the emotional punch that it was designed to have, and I worry when we get to Racing to Ruin, one faction will be as good as another to them.
The information for the factions on PF Wiki is a good way to go.
I don't have the adventure in front of me, but this is from what I remember.
In general, they would know about these factions, though some more than others. Pathfinder Society they would know the most of all ... everyone in the Inner Sea region should know about the Pathfinders, and have heard stories about famous pathfinders, in the way that most people know who M. Jordan is in real life.
Aspis Consortium they would also know quite a bit of general info about. Red Mantis they have definitely heard about.
The Sargavan govt, well, they have heard of Sargava, as to the details, that would probably depend on where they are from.
I forget the others, but the level of knowledge is probably similar to the Sargavan faction.
So the big three, Pathfinder Society, Aspis Consortium, and the Red Mantis (generalities, rumors), they would know the most about. Obviously specific leaders, and specific faction plans, the normal person probably doesn't know, but they all have heard of these three, no doubt.
Hope that helps, happy GMing!