Viridian Vein
The Viridian Vein is a guild specialising in collecting information. The goal of this guild is to achieve a broader understanding of the world. The members collect small but conflicting pieces of knowledge that get stitched together to portray the larger issues at hand more adequately. They aim to see the politically divided, conflict stricken and propaganda driven world as it truly is. To the best of their knowledge, anyway.
In cognito
This guild is for individuals that are skilled at seeking out information of all kinds. Powerful organizations back it, most notably the Archivists' association known as ARCCA, as well as others, big and small, that benefit from information that the Viridian Vein may provide. The guild members operate independently mostly, traveling the world and collecting local information wherever they go, sending it to the Artery archives afterwards for safekeeping. As a member, one has access to either some or all information inside, depending on their rank. Nowadays, most members earn commission from collecting varied and preferably conflicting information - how else can you put together a bigger picture? To the Viridian Vein, all information is inherently biased as soon as it is told, and to get the full story, one must actively seek differing, conflicting views on the subject. More importantly though, as soon as something is universally believed, the Vein does their best to find out why.Truth seekers
The majority of ranks operate discreetly and with the intention of not being discovered as a member of the guild, since as supported as they are, many powerful individuals with influence see their work as a threat. As such, since hanging around people 24/8 isn't quite an option, members have been trained to be able to gather information not only via listening to local conversations, but also by taking in their surroundings at large. A keen eye not for detail, but for the whole. As a member of the guild, one would have a better chance at discerning information when reviewing a larger area.The Artery Archives
The Archives themselves are spread all throughout the land, operating undercover and discreetly. Most of them contain various pieces of knowledge that are to be copied, transported and burned afterwards. These locations serve mainly as teleportation hubs, letting members travel to the main Archive - the Heart. In the Heart, the interior of which is frequented by many and its whereabouts known by a select few, all of the guild's findings are stored, kept and heavily guarded. The Clarity Clarets stay here, leaving either to the Artery Archives or, much more rarely, outside to run errands. Communication is mostly done Claret-to-member via sending signets specific for each Claret and inconspicuous in its design. When visiting the Artery Archives, members may request sending wax and receive a large portion free of charge.Ranks
The ranks of the Viridian Vein reflect the position and power of its members. Many of them are just people interested in keeping themselves up to speed on the facts of the times, although some members are already in the industry with the Vein serving as their second source of income or information. Occupations such as researchers, detectives, investigators, guards and adventurers are all that you may see as members. Though if they're doing their job right, you'll never know they are members at all.- Curious Cells are the lowest rank, only in contact with the guild through letters and working hard to gain the guild's trust. During the "trial" membership of sorts, the Curious Cells work independently and keep in contact with the Artery Archives via post, sending in information the guild asks for as a kind of quest. After around a month or two, their findings are evaluated and they are either accepted or denied membership of the guild.
- Once accepted into the guild, the new rank, Venule Watchers, are put in contact with a specific members of the Archives from the Clarity Clarets rank. This rank can earn coin for their contributions to the Artery Archives, though they can still be asked to collect information that the Artery requests.They do, however, have the ability to send in information by themselves, as well as alert the guild about possible threats. They are mostly still independent and only gather information out in the open, blending in with their surroundings.
- The Pulse is made up of members who go with a more direct approach when collecting information. Though they can still do everything the Venule Watchers can do, members of The Pulse get assigned to gather information by blending in and sneaking around areas that are much more restricted and hard to get to. It is much more risky, but it pays very well.
- Clarity Clarets tend to the Archives. They receive information and carefully store and organise it so that it is easy to reference when new knowledge surfaces. These members no longer go out and seek information, often devoting their life to tending of the Archives. They are the ones closest with ARCCA as well as the lower ranks, as the higher ones are either more secretive or kept a complete mystery to the others, for the safety of the entire guild. There aren't that many of them, either - it is estimated by the lower ranks that the Archives are kept by only around two dozen members.
- The Arms of the Artery are the second highest rank, and most of their identities are secret. Only a few individuals are known as Arms, but purely because of their close working relationship with the Artery Archive - think of the Clarity Clarets as the librarians and the Arms of the Artery as the owners and managers of the Archive. They also sometimes go on missions alongside or instead of members of The Pulse.
- Vein's Vitals is the highest rank and one specifically only for the guild leaders. These individuals make up a council that determines the Artery Archives' further development - they can veto the Claret's decisions on where information is stored, they can let members go and they even have the ability to destroy information they deem insignificant or too improbable to be seen as fact. Only the Arms of the Artery know their identities, as to protect the leadership from individuals who may seek their downfall.
"The Vein of The Viridian flows through all"
What might your character know?
...Who? Yeah no, the name doesn't ring a bell. Fun alliteration though!
(The existence of the guild isn't particularly common knowledge. You may know of it if you hang around shady people, detective organizations or monk monasteries, but other than that, you're out of luck.)
Type
Guild, Professional
Character boons overview
Requirements
- 13 Wisdom
- 13 Intelligence
- Actual knowledge of the guild's existence
Boons
- Keen eye - You have advantage on perception and insight rolls when overlooking a large area
- Connections - You can request information from the Artery Archives, the depth of which depends on your rank.
- Means of communication - When visiting the Archives, you may request up to 3 sticks of special effects sending wax.
- This u? - You may try and discern if a person you are engaging with is part of your guild via a hand gesture.
- Comes with the territory - You know in-depth information about a political situation of a town of your choice.
Hiding
Due to how secretive the guild is, many members don't have a clue as to who other members are, only keeping in touch with their designated Clarity Claret. This is to prevent having the members targeted by organizations that may not like the Viridian Vein's operations.
To try and discern if the suspicious individual you're talking to is a member of the guild, you may try and signal your affiliation by making a hand gesture just like the Viridian Vein's symbol. It works, most times, but know that you may be talking to someone who may want you dead.