The Healers Collective

The Healers Collective has been the official organization of healers for generations. The magic of healing does not have the same source as magic practiced by mages. Much of it is based in faith, supported by natural remedies, and can be learned without any prior innate ability. The Healers Collective serves to teach healers, organize ranks and coverage, and ensure that healing is accessible to as many people as possible.
Funding for the Collective consists of two primary sources: taxes and income. A portion of the kingdom’s taxes are provided to the Collective to keep operations running, and in turn the Collective does not charge the public for their services. The Collective also runs small apothecary shops throughout the land, selling elixirs, salves, and other remedies that can be used without instruction from a certified healer. This income allows healers to receive a living wage for their services, and a means for the Collective to maintain buildings and supplies.
The collective is headquartered in Avendon in a tall building constructed of white stone. The Spire of Light, as it is officially known, has housed the Healers College and served as a base of operations for centuries.
Due to the ease and accessibility of healing within Avendon, the kingdom justified a high tax rate, especially in the capital where the Spire of Light resides. As part of negotiations of the Healers Collective creating a base in Avendon, the Collective demanded to have some say in the kingdom’s lawmaking. This included ensuring punishments for crimes were not counter to the ways of healers and Ionalism, such as death or bodily harm. In this way, the Collective has subtly shaped many facets of law and everyday life in Avendon.
The public are aware of the Collective’s involvement in these things, and the general consensus is approval. The Collective is seen as fostering an environment of respect and prosperity. There are some who believe the Healers Collective has aspirations for greater control over leadership of Avendon, and are simply buying themselves time by remaining in the public's good graces. These notions tend to be few and far between, however, and the Collective has not officially addressed the rumors.
Every settlement and city has some presence from the Healers Collective, though the size is relative to the site of the town. Hamlets might have a single healer who tends to citizens, while larger cities may have a fully functional hospital. It is also common for a single healer to serve a small area of several tiny settlements if the population warrants it.