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#1 Pangur Dec 08, 2008 13:01:48

The Silver Swords The Silver Sword Adventurers' Guild started out as an association of like-minded individuals, adventurers, wanderers, men and women making their way in the world not by trade or profession but by the strength of their arms and quickness of their wit. Their reasons for doing so were and are varied, some trying to escape the burden of their past, others marching steadfast towards their vision of a future. Either way, this was not an easy path: hence the reason to join forces and form a guild. With the appearance of the mysterious rifts, Garic's City's council sought means to investigate this worrisome phenomenon and, if necessary, counter the threat they might present. For this they turned to the Silver Sword. Senior Guild members in high standing convened and, after the matter was put to a vote, the city's offer was accepted. The Guild now operates under a permanent commission, making the city council far and away its major client, but other commissions are still accepted provided members are willing and available. As a consequence, it was found necessary to drastically restructure and expand the Silver Sword. Recruitment is ongoing, but the number of potential new members is limited and both the City Council and current leadership find it preferable to bring in new forces from outside the city and its closest neighbours. Restructuring the Guild has proven more easy: major organisational changes were agreed on by majority vote and were implemented almost immediately, and the sudden influx of funds was used to expand the complex to accommodate the growing number of members. Skill and individuality are still prized in the Silver Sword Guild, but more military ways are gaining ground: training to operate in larger units, for instance, as well as specific roles and functions on the battleground. The command structure is becoming more hierarchically defined, as opposed to the former, more natural order that was based largely on authority accorded by merit. Organisation The Guild is now lead by the so-called Cadre of Five (affectionally known as “the Brass”), five senior members elected by the Guild. These are: - Sir Henric von Dunsterwald, a nobleman of reputedly ancient lineage with a distinguished past in various armies. Rigidly traditional, he was the driving force behind the move to organize the guild on a stronger military footing. Members do well to show more discipline and respect for hierarchy around him than is usually expected from a Silver Sword, if at least they hope for his support. - Gabrielle Finnisvale, a half-elf sorceress. Unassuming and soft-spoken, she is nonetheless known for her iron resolve and strong opinions. Nicknamed the Bluebird, magister Finnisvale is responsible for the (small) arcane branch of the guild. - Dyrwla Kettin, the Shield of Thalos: being a paladin, Dyrwla must strike a balance between her duties to her patron, Agathalos, and her life in the guild, with comrades who don't always share her beliefs. A staunch ally of Sir Henric at first when it came to the reformation of the Silver Swords, she has since come to regret this decision, the restrictions of being a military organisation, bound to the city, often conflicting with her higher calling. - Bregedor Blackhelm, a grizzled dwarf who perhaps represents the quintessential adventurer best: boisterous and passionate, a wanderer who can't remain in the same place too long before his feet start itching, a formidable fighter but also a dwarf of many skills and no short supply of common sense. - Volos, the former steward of the guild. Hesitant at first, he accepted his position only because of the near-unanimous request from the members. Never an active Silver Sword himself and showing the physical signs of his advanced age, Volos is nevertheless by far the most respected and certainly most liked of the Five, due to his limitless devotion to the guild and great capacity for empathy and understanding. Other notable figures in the guild: - Sir Dunstan of Otterbrook, duty officer, and his assistant Russ the Bald. The duty officer oversees the operational part of the Silver Sword's organisation, mainly assignments and training schedules. - the combat instructors: Yinobra (first circle armed combat as well as unarmed combat at all levels), Karl Golden (second circle armed combat as well as riding and mounted combat), Ehrgrim Twelvefingers (half-orc, third circle armed combat and no, he does not have twelve fingers) and Silmorwen Stiltwalker (half-elf, fourth circle armed combat as well as head instructor) Combat training: There are 4 different training floors, differentiated between based on skill and indicated by an emblem consisting of concentric circles. The lowest level has one circle and applies to characters with BABs ranging from 0 to 9. The second level has a second circle inside the first in its emblem and applies to characters with BABs ranging from 10-15. Third level, three circles, BAB 16-19. Fourth level, 4 circles, BAB 20 (if we ever get to Epic levels, I'll evaluate the options but for now my position is that we won't go there - characters reaching level 21 will be retired). Monks are somewhat different: most orders have their own ranking system, but within the guild a martial artist's level is judged by the head instructor, Yinobra, and the guild member is awarded a symbol to indicate his skill. A white lotus for beginners, green jade for monks of level 5-8, a blue wave for levels 9-12, a red lantern for levels 13-16 and a black turtle for levels beyond 16. For purposes of training with non-monks, a monk's class level is used rather than his BAB to determine the circle he trains in. For multiclass characters with monk levels things are (only a little) more complicated: to determine their circle, add their monk level to the BAB granted by their non-monk levels; to determine their rank as martial artist, add their monk level to ¾ of the BAB granted by their non-monk levels (rounded up). Magic training: Formal training in the arcane arts does not take place within the guild, as it would be impossible to guarantee an acceptable standard. Members who wish to so be trained (and members with the necessary talent are strongly encouraged to develop it) must enroll with the Hightower, although special arrangements are made under supervision of magister Finnisvale: a Silver Sword's training tends to be more practical in nature than is commonly the case at an academy of magic. The guild does have a small library and laboratory for the benefit of its members as well. Spiritual training: There is no specific training regimen for the spiritual or religious. Most members progress in their faith through personal prayer and contemplation, but also congregation with members of the various churches in Garic's City and of course by exchanging ideas, opinions and experiences with each other. Daily life: A Silver Sword's time is regimented: when not on an official mission, he will usually be doing his share of patrolling . The rotation schedule of every member, when not on an official mission, consists of a week of short patrols in the nearby area around Garic's, never further than a few hours outside the city gates, followed by a long patrol of one week, followed by a week off - during which you'll be expected (but not obliged) to train in whatever military discipline you find best suited (senior members may always have suggestions). This schedule won't be rigidly tracked: whenever you want to do something on your own you can presume your current rotation suits that goal, leaving you free for some free-form roleplaying (or semi-freeform, if you want a DM to arbitrate something). Official missions obviously break the schedule. Facilities: The guild currently owns two buildings: the Guild Complex, outside the city proper, where most members are housed, where training takes places and where the guild operates from, and the old Guildhouse in the westernmost part of the city, which is now used mainly as Volos' residence from where he handles the guild's business with its main employer, the city itself, but where members on assigment may also be temporarily stationed. Volos has a few non-active guild members at his disposal to serve as his aides.