Wayfarer's Guild
The Wayfarer's Guild is one of the most prominent organizations under the sea and are often more influential than many may recognize. The Guild originally began fostered by a desire to understand all elements of the as of yet unknown waters, but was unable to get funding for the more ambitious expeditions until they started to monetize their services in helping stuck waterway travelers across hazardous areas. These among other services are the main tenants of the organization to this day.
Structure
The ranks of the Wayfarers Guild are named for different species of migrating fish found at varying depths.
New recruits are known as Barnacle Squids who are only considered to be a migratory species based on their habit of sticking to much larger creatures. As such the primary work of the Squids takes place at Wayfarer outposts where they learn about the organization and learn skills while working on relatively simple assignments involving guiding ships through difficult waters. Assignments typically move through a hierarchy of the A'terian Sea post where there are still winds but few real obstacles, to the Pirahon River, to the Jihata Straits, where the shallow waters and unpredictable weather patterns can be especially treacherous. In these instances, the Barnacle Squid learns important skills in problem solving and resourcefulness as there are always instances when things do not go according to plan and Wayfarers must be ready for every eventuality. The work of the Squids makes up for much of the regular income to the Guild as there are always travelers in need of their assistance to safely navigate ships through traditionally hazardous areas.
Glass Shell Turtles are the next level of Wayfarer. This species of turtle is oft admired for its fantastic spatial awareness and ability to adapt rapidly to its surroundings accordingly. These guild members are typically those assigned to research in remote areas of the ocean or difficult to reach water ways where little is known of the animal and plant life that resides there. Many scholars join the Wayfarer's Guild with the sole purpose of becoming Glass Shell Turtles and happily remain this rank for the entirety of their time with the Guild as it guarantees them the opportunity to explore in detail species and habitats that are very little understood. Those who have the desire to adventure further are taught through their time as Turtles that there is so much to be discovered and to serve as a reminder particularly to those more action-prone that there is much that is hidden in plain sight. Turtles are often responsible for finding new materials that are useful to Sirens as well as other land species or through adapting techniques found in the living world to new inventions by nature of biomimicry.
The Pink Jevv is easily the flashiest rank of the Wayfarer's Guild and why many young Sirens have their hearts set on the organization to begin with. Jevvs are the Sirens who delve out on expeditions in the hopes of discovering new places. Much of the work is not nearly as exciting as it sounds, involving deciphering old maps and looking into old legends, but the very depths of the ocean are even difficult for Sirens to travel in so there is still so much that is undiscovered. Pink Jevvs are constantly preparing new elements to add to their repertoire of tools to help make exploration easier, resulting in things that can be useful in other areas of society including Jiio Lights, Branching Packs, and the Ponchu Skiff. And of course, the Jevvs are also credited with discovering many of the new water ways that connect the world. It is dangerous work but incredibly rewarding for the right person and as with the Turtles, many Jevvs finish their careers at this rank.
Bantolid Eels are a species that migrates for the purpose of hatching young in one place and raising them in another, but still the entire population moves together to ensure safe passage for their young. As such, Eels are the rank most associated with the preservation of the Guild. These are generally older members who take on mentor roles for the Squids, are part of the team in charge of signing on new recruits, oversee Turtle research bases, and are tasked with ensuring the day to day of the Guild runs smoothly. Eels are stationed at bases and outposts all across the waters and serve also as an emergency service to any Siren that might be in need nearby. With their deep experience with all manner of ocean life, geography, and their general skills in resourcefulness, Eels are generally regarded to be the best Siren to have in any emergency.
The Great Trowler is the title given to the leader of the Guild, named for the mythical creature purported to live in the very depths of the deepest ocean trenches. The Great Trowler oversees all incoming knowledge for the Guild and is who all Eels report to. The Trowler is also the Siren who will council with other leaders of the Sirens and treatise with land species. It is an illustrious title given to a Siren who has been most dedicated to the cause and inhabits all of the values of the organization with every swish of their tail. As the Wayfarer's are a Guild of immense power and connectivity throughout the world, they are often called on to give professional opinions regarding many important matters.
Culture
While to outsiders it may appear that the core purpose of the Wayfarer's Guild is exploration they are much more than that. Sirens who commit to the cause value resourcefulness, knowledge, compassion, and connectivity. Much of wayfaring is about teamwork and it is a skill necessary to all those who wish to make it very far with the organization. As such the culture fostered within the Guild is one that is supportive while also embracing the individuality of each member.
The Wayfarers Guild also believes that all opinions are valuable and older more experienced guild members are constantly reminded not to underestimate youth. In important matters of information dissemination that may result in political consequences discussion meetings are held where the Great Trawler seeks the opinions of representatives elected at each rank from Squids to Eels and take these opinions into account when making these important decisions.
Public Agenda
The Wayfarer's Guild, to the uninitiated, is primarily viewed as a league of explorers intent on discovering all the secrets of ocean and connected waterways, however, any member will be quick to inform that the real motive of the Guild is to seek new knowledge and become responsible members of the ocean environment.
In terms of interacting with other species, most will be familiar with the primary income source of the Guild: Sirens who can offer assistance in crossing waterways that are not easily navigable. Large contingents of the wayfarer's guild exist in the A'terian Sea, Pirahon River, and Jihata Straits, as well as smaller groups at less travelled areas.
In the upper echelons of decision makers both Siren and with land species (particularly those closely involved with sea and are therefore more familiar with the work of the Guild) have been known to confer with members of the Guild (the Great Trowler especially) to make more informed decisions. The knowledge proffered by the Wayfarer's Guild has even been known to influence the outcome of wars as in the case of the Kikkari War where the Guild elected to share information about hidden waterways with the Likada generals thus allowing them quick passage into the enemy banks and securing their victory.
History
Seven Sirens are originally credited with the founding of the Guild: Katonis Abriva, Jivon Triovic, Ponisha Elvits, N'antoi Layov, Pinsus Jevv, and Niguits Osaylo. Before the Guild, Sirens often kept to the currents of the Ocean, using them as safe, known highways and not travelling far beyond the well known waters. These seven, being from A'teris saw the many biological species that washed up in the currents that collected there and found that so many of them were completely unknown to Sirens. They wanted to learn more about the vast ocean and network of freshwater systems the Sirens had access to by nature of their biology.
They founded the Guild with great aspirations but were unable to get very far without the funding they needed to explore much beyond the areas they already knew. However, Abriva noticed that there were many sailors on the surface above who would get stuck in the ocean crossing over the A'terian Sea where the wind failed to blow, causing travelers to succumb to disease and result in journeys much longer than necessary. She saw this as an opportunity to charge for their assistance and help these ships cross the waters faster. Layov devised a strategy of directing waters from below as a way to help stuck voyagers and quickly they became well known for their work and amassed the wealth necessary for their expeditions.
As the organization grew, helping direct boats through the A'terian Sea, and later through other treacherous waters like the Jihata Straits became a central part of the work of the Guild while they also made tremendous discoveries in the research into new species and the charting of unknown geographies.
Beyond the Current
Founding Date
887 SE
Type
Guild, Adventuring
Leader
Leader Title
Location
Related Species
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