Fraternity of Shadeswords
Technically a mercenary/fighters' guild, the Fraternity of Shadeswords (typically initialized to FoS) mostly survives by providing entertainment to the masses in the form of The Duels.
Structure
| Rank | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initiate | Duelist; trainee | Initiates are selected from among those participating as challengers in The Duels' Gauntlet, a test given to those wishing to participate in The Duels. Initiates are given a boot camp, then assigned a Duel Corp, which they follow through their Dueling career. Duel Corps who achieve at least one tournament win are eligible for selection as Inductees. |
| Inductee | Guild member | Inductees are selected from among those whose Corps garners at least one tournament win in The Duels. Not all Initiates aspire to be Inductees, and professional Duelists who do not go on to join the FoS are not uncommon. Inductees are given guildhall privileges (typically access to the mess hall, training grounds, weaponsmaster, and occasional lodging of no more than two consecutive nights) and a guild badge which identifies them as a guild member. Inductees are added to various work rotations as general laborers (guard duty, KP, TP, arena maintenance/set-up, cleaning) for which they typically receive a small pittance (usually no more than 4sp for a six-hour rotation) and a day's worth of food and training in return. |
| Shadesword | Guild veteran | Shadeswords are members in full standing. They are almost always given permanent lodging at their selected guildhall (called guildhome, which also includes three included meals), and can usually have unlimited use of other FoS guildhalls as a guest. They typically pull a guild stipend (averaging about 1gp/day) and are added as shift supervisors to the various Inductee rotations. Shadeswords are also given between one and two "Field Missions" per year which can include anything from recruitment trips, fulfilling the rare guild mercenary contract, serving as trainer for Initiates or Inductees, or any number of other long-term assignments required by their local Watchleader. |
| Watchleader | Guildhall master | Each guildhall has up to three Watchleaders, heads of the local guild chapter. Watchleaders are in charge of daily operations, tournament organization, Field Mission assignments, rotation scheduling, and accounting. Watchleaders are given a weekly stipend of 15gp plus bonuses based on The Duels box office take and any guild contracts fulfilled. Watchleaders rarely venture far from their guildhalls, though there is a bi-annual "Watchers' Circle" held at a rotating location where they gather to discuss guild business. |
| Protectorate | Guildmaster | The head of the FoS. There is only one Protectorate at a time and new Protectorates are chosen by a conclave (technically a special Watchers' Circle held as-needed) of all active Watchleaders. The Protectorate is expected to travel to each major guildhall roughly once per year and is given top-tier lodgings and an annual salary of 3,600gp. |
History
At the end of the Shadow War, some of the most dangerous knights and warriors retired into a new guild known as the FoS. These heroes used their cache as valiant bulwarks against The Profane to create a fighter's guild. Originally, they were often employed by the Tower Council to bolster the Pillarguard's numbers but later became much more notable for their gladitorial combat game demonstrations, the FoS Duels (more commonly just referred to as "The Duels").
Strike From the Shadows to Stand in the Light
Founding Date
2299
Type
Guild, Fighter / Mercenary
Alternative Names
FoS
Leader
Leader Title
Deities
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
Related Plots
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