Willow

Willow is one of the three major sub-guilds of Erysea, they are a group of extraordinary people that have the singular united purpose of keeping the people of Lucretia safe. They have a presence in almost every city and are the most powerful of the three sub-guilds.

Structure

At the absolute highest chain of command is the guilds original founder, Ranger. The leader is known amongst the guild as the Grand Sycamore and to other guilds as simply Guild Master. The Leader appoints a right-hand to become the guilds High Hawthorne, a being who receives all the respects and praises of the Grand Sycamore in-like, but whose main goal is to maintain the on-goings within the guild from the city of Erysea. Below the High Hawthorne are the leaders of the guilds battalions, these members are referred to as the Balsam and hold command over the varying hierarchy of the Willow-kin. Each battalion is made up of several smaller groups each with their own leaders known as the Cedar. The Cedar each maintain a small group of Willow-kin which they take on missions given by the higher-ups. These Willow-kin, in order of descending reputation, are titled Maple, Birch and Oak-kin with the lower ranks referred to simply as fledglings, novices or apprentices of the Willow-kin. When a member of Willow works hard and makes both a name and reputation for themselves they rise up the chain and can one day even command their own battalion of Cedar, however none may reach the title of Grand Sycamore or High Hawthorne through hard work alone, as these are roles that must be chosen by the guilds leader himself.

Public Agenda

Willow is an organization known by the public as the swell-swords of Lucretia. With either an imminent threat or a varying-sized pouch of gold, one can enlist the services of Willow to gain protection, eradicate dangers or investigate mysterious on-goings. The people of Lucretia know Willow to be a trusting organization with no malcontent, and the guilds leader them self claims openly that their main goal always has and always will be to keep the denizens of Lucretia safe. However, the inner-workings of Willow are not just that of making money and keeping people that can afford it safe - for its leader, Ranger, knows of a threat that not only poses a danger to the entirety of the continent, but the gods and their world itself. The organization is constantly working to combat this world-ending threat, and only sends its most powerful and trustworthy battalions to deal with such dangerous evils. Their fight against this evil is not public knowledge, but those within the guilds ranks know very-much so of its true purpose as an organization.

Aesthetic

Those that are members of Willow are most commonly adorned in leathers of various shades of brown. What stands them apart from the Rim-stone style of clothing is the accents of deep purples that line and highlight their unique style of clothing. Depending on ones rank within the guild, they may be adorned with a wide-brimmed hat that sits their guild crest upon the strip surrounding the crown. The guilds crest receives a purple gemstone in its center for being a member of the Willow Sub-guild.

Assets

As a guild that works for money, Willow's main asset is that of golds and silvers, but even more so one of superior weaponry and military-power. The total member count for Willows ranks is approximately 900, with horses and vehicles to boot. Their funds only furthers both their usage of top-grade weaponry and the power of said weaponry - and in this regard is in constant dealings with Archaea. Willows main base of operations, Hickory Lodge, is not one of a defensive position - but is rather much like a booming household that has a bed for any seeking a nights refuge from a job well-done.

History

Willow began as a small organisation in the Elven city of Waranthea. Its prime goal was to govern the forest that surrounded the Ceres Plateau which at the time was known to contain the blight - a creature of twisted bark and wood. In its former days when the group was titled 'The Willows Thorn', it was but a small force of 4 people. However, one day the rumored blight became large in number and uniform in motion for a blight king had surfaced and begun attacking the outer city of Waranthea. In this time the Willows Thorn grew in number to the size of a small army and successfully drove back the blight forces, saving Waranthea. However, after the events of the Blight War Willows Thorn returned to being a small organisation that simply governed the Ceres Plateau for remaining blight.
One day, a tragedy occurred in Waranthea that left it shaken to the present day. A being of unknown origin and power directly involved itself with the Willows Thorn and crept its way into the city to steal a crystal of great power. Using this crystal, the being opened a gateway that let a dreadful evil into the world. Although the Willows Thorn did everything in their power to stop this tragedy, it was all but for naught in the end, and the great evil was made manifest in the physical world. Knowing this threat existed and Willows Thorn being the most knowledgeable on the issue at hand, they amassed power once more and assembled a size-able force able to rival many dangerous foe. Their influence spread as the rise of malevolent forces began to awoke and disturb the usually peaceful life of Lucretia, and eventually they abandoned their former name in rise of their current title: Willow. Now, they are an official guild of Erysea, which puts Ranger at exactly the strategic position required to assist the city in the calamity's to come.

"We are the thorns in the side of all evil".

Founding Date

132 years before the campain's date (WIP)

Type

Guild, Fighter / Mercenary

Alternative Names

Originally formed as 'The Willows Thorn', but eventually shortened to just Willow. The guild is also referred to in quick reference as the Sell-swords.

Demonym

Willow-kin