SIAE Registration Protocol N° 2023/00696
Court Guild
Last but not least among the guilds formed in this system of "adventure services" was the Court Guild, also known as the Courtesans' Guild.
It took at least a century and a half after the end of the Tale before someone started to need "mercenaries" to be sent to courts and state palaces with diplomatic or espionage intents. From that moment onwards, there were many who took advantage of this type of service. It is easy to guess what tasks are performed by members of this guild and why their patrons request their services. Finding one's way through the dogmas and etiquettes of various courts and different races is not easy. Even less easy is finding information, whether secret or not, from kingdoms and races that are sometimes not too friendly or even openly hostile.
The most important skills required by this guild are the use of dialectics and the right behaviors. Members of the Court Guild must be the best at persuading others of their intentions, whether they are good or evil. Whether they need to unravel themselves in the endless libraries of Yphoree and El-Aran or infiltrate the palaces of the Linìan Republic or the maritime republics of Im-faal and Anonca, or foment a revolt within the threefold caliphate of Pharsiae, members of the Court Guild must excel in the tough task of persuasion.
Order of Archivists
The specialty of this order is knowledge itself, and the training of the world's most gifted masters in various fields. Archivists are a group of scholars with diverse and extensive knowledge, experts at a theoretical level in almost any topic. They excel in bibliographic and literary research, even in areas where their education has not yet reached. Although they are ineffective in combat, they possess sporadic divinatory and defensive meta-magic spells. Archivists are often essential for searches in hostile territories frequented by monstrous creatures, where only the right knowledge can overcome the challenges.
Order of Heralds
The specialty of this order is diplomacy and dialectics, the ability to master the art of speech and linguistic zeal, whether used to rally troops to battle or to persuade politicians. Heralds are skilled silver-tongued speakers, and they take pride in their ability to stir up the soldiers' hearts with words. Sometimes, even presenting themselves as a standard-bearer, when defeat and death are imminent. Their diplomatic skills are crucial in precarious political and territorial situations where a peaceful resolution is uncertain.
Order of Jesters
The specialty of this order is lampoon, the ability to mock, criticize, and taunt their victims. Often, their aim is to provoke and distract an opponent in battle, but sometimes it is to subvert political power. Relying on a Jester is always an unknown factor since they are often unpredictable people, who enjoy living and causing chaos. One can never tell where their hoax ends and their seriousness begins. Skilled in acrobatics, rogue abilities, juggling, and conjuring, Jesters excel in both combat and dialectics, but their reliability is questionable.
Order of Minstrels
The specialty of this order is art in all its forms, utilizing artistic inspiration and creative ecstasy as a fulcrum and a forge for their meta-magic. Many Minstrels are sought after for their ability to portray, transcribe or make music of the deeds of adventurers, politicians, military heroes, or simply their wealthy patrons. Although their main background is cultural, some are also skilled in combat, and they tend to use meta-magic spells to entangle people's minds, spread devastating sonic attacks, and even heal soldiers' wounds and sustain them in their tasks.
Order of Sycophants
The specialty of this order is stealth and secrecy, the ability to infiltrate buildings and courtyards, remaining hidden from sight in order to collect information or steal secret documents. This order attracts people accustomed to street life, subterfuge, lies, and scams. Many use their own shade, in addition to their vital energy, as a source of meta-magic to vanish, create illusions, or even change their appearance for a short time. Whether called sycophants or spies, their skills are highly sought after and utilized by almost anyone.