Butler's Guild
The Butler's Guild is a unique organization that operates as both an order of "Domestic Managers" and, secretly, as the Assassins Guild. Its members are highly skilled in the arts of stealth, martial abilities, and domestic management. They can work directly for the guild itself or serve others while maintaining their affiliation with the guild.
Aside from their covert activities, the Butler's Guild also offers a prestigious and intensive 3-month training course for Domestic Management. The Master of House, a prominent figure within the guild, is responsible for training and certifying these individuals. While the trained domestic staff are not official guild members, their certification is highly esteemed, signifying their exceptional skills and competence in the field of house management.
The Pledge
"I pledge to respect and adhere to the philosophy, rules, and principles of The Butler Guild and the norms and values it represents. I take full responsibility for my actions, attitude, and performance at all times. By my professional and reasoned conduct, and through my energy, passion, and commitment, I will embody the highest standards of service, loyalty, trust, discretion, and excellence. I will establish and maintain my personal accountability and integrity through honest achievement and commitment to my vocation. My attitude is shown in my behavior and my behavior shows my character. My character is my destiny."
The Pledge
"I pledge to respect and adhere to the philosophy, rules, and principles of The Butler Guild and the norms and values it represents. I take full responsibility for my actions, attitude, and performance at all times. By my professional and reasoned conduct, and through my energy, passion, and commitment, I will embody the highest standards of service, loyalty, trust, discretion, and excellence. I will establish and maintain my personal accountability and integrity through honest achievement and commitment to my vocation. My attitude is shown in my behavior and my behavior shows my character. My character is my destiny."
Structure
The organization structure of the Butler's Guild is centered around a careful selection process for new members. To join the guild, aspiring candidates must petition for membership. However, gaining admittance is not a straightforward process. Each candidate must be thoroughly vetted, and their entry into the guild requires sponsorship from a senior member. This sponsorship ensures that only trustworthy and skilled individuals are accepted into the ranks.
Additionally, to cover the expenses related to the training and accommodation of new members, the guild collects an annual fee from its Servant Initiates. This fee is used to provide room, board, and training for the candidates during their initial period of induction.
However, the guild values talent and potential above all else. If a candidate shows exceptional promise but comes from a more humble background and struggles to afford the annual fee, some generous elders may offer to cover this expense for them. This approach ensures that promising individuals are not excluded based on financial limitations.
As members progress within the guild and attain the rank of Shadow's Attendant, they are no longer required to pay the annual fee. Instead, they are expected to finance their way through tasks and missions they undertake for the guild. In some cases, the Majordomo, a higher-ranking member, might take on special jobs or assignments that come with rewards, and a portion of these rewards is then contributed back to the guild's coffers, helping sustain its operations and initiatives. This symbiotic relationship between the members and the guild fosters a strong sense of loyalty and dedication within the organization.
Ranks
- Servant Initiate: This rank requires time spent learning about stealth and combat. This portion of the training is extremely rigorous and demands a strong body and a resolute determination.
- Shadow's Attendant: These members are selected by the elders to assist with their tasks. Eventually they will be allowed to help the Factorum with their more immediate tasks, though prior to testing they are not aware of the guilds more secret endeavors. It is very rare that an attendant is chosen by a Majordomo or the Master of House themselves, but such an appointment is seen as a great honour. Combat training continues at this rank, as well as other duties. Continuing with Servant Initiate duties is also done at this rank. Moving beyond this rank the Attendant has the ability to take the path of the Factorum.
- Factorum: The Rank of Factorum is given to a Shadow's Attendant who has shown the guild great promise in their skills in the martial ways. These members, boast the highest level of secrecy. Often they are placed in the employ of dignitaries as personal security, or they operate as the less visible special forces branch of the guild.
- Majordomo: A Majordomo is a member of the guild who has, for what ever reason gained fame and infamy within the guild itself. Elected in by the Council of Shadows.
- Master of the House: The strongest of all the members of the guild, this individual is nominated from amongst the Majordomo to oversee the wellness and station of the guild proper. These individuals are often incredibly gifted in the ways of the Butler's Guild as well as having a keen sense of politics and social performance.
The Council of Shadows
Within the Butler's Guild, the laws and rules that govern the organization's functioning are typically drafted and enforced by a governing body known as the Council of Shadows. The Council of Shadows is a group of high-ranking and experienced members who hold significant authority and influence within the guild. They are responsible for making important decisions, establishing guidelines, and overseeing the overall operations of the guild. The Council of Shadows is comprised of individuals who have proven their loyalty, skill, and dedication to the guild over an extended period. They are often the most experienced and accomplished members, trusted with maintaining the guild's traditions, secrets, and values. The decisions made by the Council of Shadows are usually based on the consensus of its members. They take into account the best interests of the guild, its objectives, and the safety of its members. The council's authority is paramount, and its decisions are binding for all members of the Butler's Guild. In addition to setting the organization's rules and regulations, the Council of Shadows might also decide on matters related to recruitment, training, assignments, and overall strategies for achieving the guild's objectives. Their leadership and guidance are crucial to maintaining the guild's cohesion, secrecy, and effectiveness as a covert organization.The Dark Council
The enforcement of laws and regulations falls under the purview of the enigmatic and powerful Dark Council. This council consists of a select group of highly revered and respected individuals within the guild who possess exceptional skills, wisdom, and influence. As the most elite members of the organization, the Dark Council is entrusted with overseeing the adherence to the Butler's Guild's principles, maintaining order, and ensuring that its covert operations remain secure and undisturbed. The members of the Dark Council hold a revered position within the guild, and their decisions carry significant weight. Their authority is often a source of fear and awe among the guild's members, as they possess the ability to pass judgment on those who violate the guild's rules or betray its core values. With their vast knowledge and experience, the council members act as wise advisors to the guild's leaders and play a critical role in shaping the guild's policies and strategies. Their actions are cloaked in secrecy, and their identities are known only to a select few. Operating in the shadows, they are the unseen hands that steer the Butler's Guild towards its goals, and their collective wisdom ensures that the guild remains a formidable force in the world of intrigue and espionage. In times of crisis or when grave decisions need to be made, the Dark Council convenes in a secret chamber, hidden away from prying eyes, to deliberate and reach a consensus on the best course of action. Their decrees are final, and their power is absolute, making them a formidable and feared presence within the Butler's Guild.Culture
The culture within the Butler's Guild promotes a balance between personal expression and fulfilling their duties. While members are allowed a degree of personal freedom in managing their responsibilities, their primary focus must always be on the missions and tasks assigned by the guild. The guild's objectives take precedence over individual desires and preferences.
However, the guild emphasizes the importance of maintaining positive social lives as part of their strategy for discretion. By having normal, seemingly harmless interactions with others, guild members can blend into society more effectively and avoid drawing suspicion to their true affiliations.
Key expectations for guild members include attending diligently to the needs and tasks assigned by the guild. This involves carrying out their responsibilities with precision, skill, and loyalty. Central to their role is the maintenance of discretion and secrecy. The guild's clandestine nature demands that members guard its secrets closely and never reveal its true purpose and objectives to outsiders.
The consequences of betraying the guild's secrecy are severe. Such an act is regarded as a heinous betrayal, and any member found guilty of divulging sensitive information or compromising the guild's operations faces immediate and permanent expulsion. Moreover, those who were privy to the betrayed information are also held accountable, reinforcing the gravity of maintaining loyalty and trust within the guild.
Public Agenda
The public agenda of the Butler's Guild revolves around the cultivation of poise, discretion, and the age-old art of domestic and household management. The guild takes pride in its members' abilities to seamlessly blend into the background while providing essential and dignified services to others.
At the heart of the guild's public image is the emphasis on professionalism and refinement in their roles. They are trained to excel in managing households and estates, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Their discreet presence allows them to cater to the needs of their employers or clients without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.
The members of the Butler's Guild are considered key pillars of society due to their indispensable contributions to the smooth functioning of households and estates. Their training and expertise mark them as valuable assets to those they serve, and they are often entrusted with responsibilities that require a high level of trust and integrity.
In their interactions with the public, the guild's members exhibit dignity and grace, reflecting the polished demeanor that characterizes their training. They conduct themselves with respect and humility, earning the admiration and appreciation of those they serve.
Overall, the public agenda of the Butler's Guild is to maintain a positive and esteemed reputation as a group of skilled professionals dedicated to providing impeccable domestic management services while upholding the values of poise, discretion, and grace.
Assets
As an organization with both domestic management and covert capabilities, the Butler's Guild possesses a variety of assets that contribute to its effectiveness and success:
- Skilled Members: The guild's most valuable asset is its highly trained and skilled members. These individuals possess expertise in domestic management, including housekeeping, event planning, and protocol, as well as specialized training in stealth, martial skills, and espionage.
- Network of Contacts: Over the years, the guild has built a vast network of contacts and connections, both within high society and in the shadowy underworld. These relationships provide valuable information, resources, and opportunities for the guild's operations.
- Safehouses: The guild maintains a network of secure safehouses strategically located in various cities and regions. These safehouses serve as discreet meeting places, temporary accommodations for members, and secure locations for sensitive operations.
- Training Facilities: The guild's training facilities are essential assets, providing a controlled environment for honing the skills of new recruits and offering continuous training and development for existing members.
- Intelligence Gathering Capabilities: The guild's expertise in espionage allows them to gather valuable intelligence on various individuals, organizations, and potential targets. This information is critical for planning and executing missions effectively.
- Disguises and Concealment Tools: The guild possesses a wide array of disguises, gadgets, and concealment tools to aid its members in blending into different environments and remaining undetected during operations.
- Financial Resources: The annual fees collected from new initiates and the earnings from successful missions contribute to the guild's financial strength. These resources enable the guild to sustain its operations and invest in necessary equipment and resources.
- Influence and Leverage: The Butler's Guild's members often serve influential individuals and households, providing them with access and leverage within high society. This influence can be strategically used to achieve the guild's objectives.
- Reputation and Respect: The guild's reputation as skilled domestic managers enhances their ability to gain trust and access to various households and estates. Their positive image allows them to operate with relative ease and discretion.
- Code of Loyalty: The unwavering loyalty and dedication of its members form a crucial intangible asset. The deep sense of camaraderie and shared purpose ensures that the guild remains united and focused on its goals.
Elegance and Excellence
Type
Guild, Assassins
Capital
Alternative Names
The Groom
Leader Title
Location
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
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