The Guild of Heroes

Overview

The Guild of Heroes is a renowned collective of mercenary companies united by their oath to safeguard the people of Alboric. These mercenaries, known as heroes, are entrusted with a wide range of quests on behalf of Alboric’s citizens. From slaying monstrous threats to resolving disputes and guarding settlements, the Guild’s reach spans the entire land. While individual citizens often hire their services, the nations of Alboric themselves also enlist the Guild’s aid, occasionally funding large-scale Guild actions. Despite its collaborations with various nations, The Guild of Heroes maintains political neutrality, ensuring its primary allegiance remains with the greater good of the New World.

History of The Guild

The new world of Alboric is a perilous land. Creatures of myth roam its dense forests, and ancient ruins dot its landscapes, harboring untold dangers. Even the laws of death operate differently in Alboric, where the buried can rise again and specters haunt the night. Many of the first settlers in Alboric were outcasts, fleeing the rigid laws of Midwin. Among them were criminals and fortune seekers, and the old profession of sword-for-hire took firm root in the new untamed frontier.
During the mass migration of A120, mercenaries played a crucial role in settling the frontier. Their duties ranged from protecting settlements and hunting beasts to enforcing order and exploring the unknown. Despite their importance, the mercenary profession carried a tarnished reputation, often associated with greed and bloodlust. This perception would shift dramatically during the Imperial Invasion of A375. When nations became consumed by war, they forgot their people. Mercenaries stepped in to fill the void, providing protection and justice where governments failed. Among them, the Valiant Vagabonds, led by Elera Wolfsong, became legendary for their selfless deeds. Rejecting payment, the Vagabonds sought to uphold justice in a war-torn land. Their heroics culminated in halting the Goblin Uprising of A379, an achievement that secured their place in history as heroes. The group would disband seven years later in A386, but the memory of a greater purpose would remain in the hearts of its members.
In A400, Elera Wolfsong rallied her former comrades to pursue a greater vision—a coalition of mercenaries dedicated to protecting the people of Alboric, regardless of nationality or creed. She aspired to transform mercenaries into heroes and forge a safer world. This vision materialized in A402 with the founding of The Guild of Heroes. The Guild’s first council meeting was held at the Moldy Crow, a tavern owned by Frode Bloodshield, a former member of the Valiant Vagabonds. Over five days, the council drafted the Hero’s Oath and established the Guild’s laws. They sent out 200 letters inviting mercenaries across Alboric to join this noble endeavor. Frode further contributed by donating land around his home to serve as the Guild’s headquarters.
From A402 to A403, 113 mercenaries answered the call, swearing the Hero’s Oath and undergoing what would become the initiation ritual. The newly made heroes were immediately set to work, and were sent to all corners of the land. Construction on the Guild’s base of operations began and was quickly finished later that year. This base included the Guildhall, a barracks, training grounds, a stable, and an armory. Determined to maintain neutrality, Guildmaster Elera Wolfsong emphasized the exclusion of political and religious influences from the Guild’s affairs. However, persistent requests from clerics employed by the Guild led to the construction of a Church of the Devout in A404. As word of the Guild spread, vendors, mercenaries, and travelers began to congregate around its headquarters, forming a burgeoning settlement. Guild members referred to the town as Brighthearth. The Inn, now the Moldy Crow under the ownership of Frode, had previously held that name. To the dismay of the old bartender, The settlement would officially be named Brighthearth in A406. As of A408, The Guild of Heroes boasts an impressive 518 Heroes.

Guild Initiation

Being a member of The Guild is a prestigious honor, and its mercenaries are highly respected throughout the land. To join, a mercenary must receive an official Guild invitation. Renowned mercenaries and adventurers are often invited to serve, while those seeking to prove themselves may assist with Guild assignments without pay. Aspiring heroes frequently gather at the Moldy Crow, a bustling tavern in the Brighthearth Settlement, hoping to catch the attention of a Guild party in need of more muscle. Upon receiving an invitation, prospective members are summoned to Brighthearth to take "The Hero's Oath," a solemn pledge to forsake former allegiances and dedicate themselves to the greater good of Alboric.
All members receive a Guild Seal, a palm-sized medallion shapped as a fist grasping a shard of elderglass, representing the hope they must hold and protect. This amulet is crafted from metals smelted from the weapons and armor of former Guild members, symbolizing unity and legacy. The back of each seal bears the inscription: “In unity, strength. In desperation, resolve. In heroism, eternity.” Each seal is enchanted by Sy’ill mages, providing basic magical protection. Clerics of the Devout bless the seals to ward off demonic forces, though members may opt out of this blessing if they wish. In dire situations, a hero can shatter their seal to access the elderglass shard within, granting them the strength needed to overcome immense challenges. These crystals are provided by The Watchers of the Waste, longstanding allies of The Guild.

Member Benefits

Membership in The Guild comes with numerous benefits. Members gain the title of Hero, which is respected throughout the land. They receive a modest monthly stipend, collectible only at the Guildhall in Brighthearth. Heroes are provided with free access to a blacksmith, living quarters, and basic supplies. Taverns and inns throughout Alboric offer free lodging and meals to Guild members, signified by a Guild of Heroes Banner displayed at their doors. Additionally, Guild members enjoy political amnesty in the regions of Sy’ill, The Gift, and Ardune Sai. However, this protection does not extend to the Edgelands or Keyrec. Any member who violates their oath is stripped of all titles and privileges associated with The Guild.

Member Responsibilities

Guild membership is more than a collection of privileges; it requires commitment. Heroes act as representatives of The Guild and are granted the freedom to pursue their duties as they see fit. Many choose to embark on adventures to assist those in need, while others focus on maintaining order in the wilder regions of the continent. Most members, however, take on quests posted on the Guild Duties Board outside the Guildhall in Brighthearth. For significant tasks, The Guild Council assembles and assigns specific heroes to carry out crucial missions, known as Guild Assignments. Summoned heroes are bound by their oaths to complete these missions. Failure to comply results in immediate expulsion from The Guild.

The Burden of Heroism

Mercenary work is a deadly business, and the title of hero is held by heavy hearts. Members of The Guild face the most perilous challenges that the continent of Alboric has to offer. War, towering beasts, ancient magics, and demonic intervention are all part of their daily lives. The specter of death looms over every assignment, a constant reminder of the risks they face.
Often, returning to Brighthearth means confronting loss. Notices of fallen comrades are a grim fixture on The Guild’s bulletin, a silent testament to the dangers of their calling. Yet, even with the ever-present shadow of mortality, each member resolves to face the unknown with courage. For the heroes of The Guild, every day is a battle, and every triumph is a step toward a safer Alboric.

The Festival of Heroes

The Guild’s founding anniversary is marked by the week-long Festival of Heroes, held annually in Brighthearth. During the festival, members submit records of their deeds from the past year and are rewarded a sum of gold based on their accomplishments. The first day of the festival is dedicated to remembering fallen members. The names of those who perished in service are read aloud, and their weapons, trinkets, or armor are melted down to craft new Guild Seals. The somber ceremony transitions into revelry as the festival begins in earnest, with drinking and celebration continuing throughout the week.
The next four days are a time of joy and relaxation. Heroes share their tales of valor to enraptured crowds, while bards compose ballads to immortalize their deeds. Vendors from across Alboric gather to sell wares, and The Moldy Crow becomes the epicenter of festivities, famed for its Northern spiced mead. The training grounds transform into an arena where heroes spar in friendly competition, while onlookers gamble.
On the final day, at sunrise, heroes gather in the town square for the Guildmaster’s address. Often touching on themes of bravery and duty, the speech is followed by the bittersweet farewells of retiring members. To conclude the festival, all heroes renew their oaths, reaffirming their commitment to The Guild and the ideals it upholds.

The Guild Banner. A symbol of unity across Alboric, this banner is proudly displayed outside taverns and businesses that support official Guild members

The Guild Hall. Home to Elara’s living quarters and the meeting place of the Guild Council. The infamous Quest Board stands outside, where heroes can find their next assignments.

The Moldy Crow. A weathered tavern known as the unofficial gathering place for Guild members and aspiring heroes alike.

Type

Guild, Fighter / Mercenary